1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible The 1962 Ford Thunderbird design gave us the bullet bird with its rounded to a point front end to the twin turbine rear tail lights. We were firmly into the jet age, beehive hairdos, fedora wearing, pipe smoking suburban dads, and the white picket fence surrounding the New England style house. With its recently added second row, the Thunderbird continued its appeal to a wider audience but was still considered a personal luxury vehicle. For consignment, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird convertible showing 84,738 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This car was the recipient of restorative measures over a number of years and receipts dated 1996 to 2017 will accompany the car as documentation of the work. Exterior Having only recently departed from the '50, many early '60's cars ascribed to the more chrome is better ideology and this '62 Thunderbird is fronted by an at once simple and complex fascia with a grille that reminiscent of the '58 Riviera, with rows of individual squares taking up the air intake area and bold chrome borders serving as the frame. In back, a long stretch of straight chrome connects the rocket influenced afterburner tail lights which are also rimmed in the reflective stuff. Viking Blue, a lighter shade of blue, covers the car which in profile, is indeed shaped like a long bullet and the side body molding and decorative trim on the rear quarter panel suggest movement and energy while the fender skirts offer better airflow at speed. The dark blue canvas top is in great shape and sports a large rear plastic window, and the 14-inch chrome wire wheels are in very good condition. Imperfections include cracked paint, chips, as well as pitted and peeling chrome. Interior The attractive door panels with varying linear designs and shades of blue are quintessential 1960's and the mid panel contains electric window switches, surely a luxury in '62. Colors and texture meld seamlessly into the dash where three main gauges intersect dark blue and light blue and chrome knobs on a ribbed panel is pure period. That ribbed panel not only spans the width of the dash, but waterfalls widely onto the center console, interrupted only by the climate panel. Perched up high in the center is an AM/FM/Cassette radio with a contoured backplate, and the blue steering wheel wears a half circle horn ring and while not pristine, the conditions on the dash are certainly show worthy! The blue vinyl buckets in front show some discoloration, probably from exposure to the sun, but the rear seats maintain their uniform light blue coverage. Blue loop carpet covers the floor and plaid mats dress the floor in the trunk which opens in reverse to allow the top to be stowed. Drivetrain Under the hood, which opens in the traditional way, we find a clean 390ci V8, rated at a respectable 300 horsepower and fueled by a single 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic that sends power to the Ford 9 rear and 3.00 gears. Power brakes are supplied and are configured as drums on all four wheels with new wheel cylinders and hoses. We note new belts have been installed on the engine. Undercarriage Clean driver quality underneath with some surface rust, a light film of oil on the transmission pan, but no visible leaks. The dual exhaust hits an H-pipe and then finds stock style mufflers in back which emit a small tailpipe behind the bumper. Suspension is standard here, with coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back. Drive-Ability The lean and low convertibles in Thunderbird form provide the ultimate cruising seating position and ride. With 300 horsepower underfoot, this Thunderbird accelerates like a Peregrine in a dive, and by that we mean quickly. With a long nose in front and flat back behind, it's a little like driving a fancy soap box derby car, only with all of the bells and whistles you could expect in a mid 60's luxury car. And this well sort