1962 ford thunderbird sports roadster option

The rarity and condition of this 1962 Thunderbird Sports Roadster guarantee it will generate interest when it hits the auction blocks. I usually avoid using the term “time capsule,” but slipping behind the wheel of this classic would instantly transport you back to 1962. The new owner also receives air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, and an AM radio that reinforce the luxury credentials. The correct grab handle on the passenger side of the dash is a feature unique to the Sports Roadster, while the bright trim and chrome are in as-new condition. The rest of the trim and carpet are a perfect match and look flawless. Not satisfied with reproduction seatcovers available off the shelf, they employed an upholsterer to create new upholstery in factory-correct custom-tanned Red leather. The owner’s quest for perfection continued when they tackled this Thunderbird’s interior. That means the buyer faces the satisfying task of breaking in a “brand new” vehicle that is sixty years old. They restored the entire drivetrain, and the car has covered a mere ten miles since they completed their work. It presents superbly, with all the correct decals and features intact. They aimed to achieve a “factory” appearance and succeeded with the engine bay. The owner commenced their restoration with a numbers-matching classic with 49,000 miles on its odometer. Thanks to the aerodynamic body, it would run out of breath with the needle nudging 128mph. The curb weight of 4,540lbs reinforces that focus, and while that makes the T-Bird a heavy beast, it could still cover the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds. The Sports Roadster should still be considered a luxury car rather than a direct competitor to Chevrolet’s Corvette.

There were no transmission choices, meaning that every car featured a three-speed automatic and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The rest received the Z-Code version that pumped out 300hp. Only 120 vehicles received that motor before the company quietly dropped it from the Thunderbird range. The rarer and more potent was the M-Code 390ci V8, producing 340hp. Hidden from view is a new black convertible top, and with spotless glass rounding out the interior, it wouldn’t stretch credibility to state this classic looks like it just rolled off a showroom floor.įord offered buyers in 1962 two engine choices for their new Thunderbird Sports Roadster. The chrome and trim shine impressively in the sun, while the 48-spoke Kelsey-Hayes wheels, another feature unique to the Sports Roadster, are in as-new condition. This addition gave the Thunderbird the appearance of a two-seater, although removing the tonneau revealed the back seat for those requiring a four-seater. The color is consistent across the car, including on the fiberglass tonneau, which is one of the defining features of the Sports Roadster. Its Silver Mink paint shines beautifully, and like the panels, it looks flawless. It is 1-of-1,427 examples of the Sports Roadster variation and has just emerged from a meticulous restoration. This T-Bird appeared in Ford’s showroom in 1962 and is a special vehicle. From its sharp and aerodynamic nose to taillights that looked like rocket motors, the Thunderbird had it all. Nowhere was this more visible than in the appearance of the Third Generation Ford Thunderbird. This enthusiasm was visible in many aspects of daily life, and vehicle styling was no exception. While the Soviet Union beat everyone to the punch with Sputnik and the feat of sending Yuri Gargarin into orbit, the American public’s imagination was captured by the government’s desire to land the first human on the moon.

The world was caught up in the space race. The early 1960s was a fascinating period in history. I must say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this fantastic classic. They consider it one of the stars of their auction, and it will cross the blocks on Saturday, October 15th. It is set to go under the hammer, with the seller listing it here at Mecum Auctions in Schaumburg, Illinois. Our feature 1962 Thunderbird is one of those cars and has covered a mere ten miles since undergoing a meticulous restoration. The company released a limited edition version called the Sports Roadster, and those vehicles remain the most desirable in the Third Generation range. The car looked lower and more elegant than its predecessors, and sales were all that Ford could have hoped. Ford introduced the Third Generation Thunderbird in 1961 and immediately found itself with a styling winner.

1962 ford thunderbird sports roadster option