In 1962 I worked in our local movie theater in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. While working one day the owner of the theater where I worked and several other theaters in the metropolitan area, the owner approached me with a request to drive across town. My instructions were to take care of financial business. I was pleasantly surprised when he handed me the keys to his new T Bird. What a drive it was.
I remember as a little kid, about 5 years old, my dad bought a used '64 Thunderbird. He was not a Ford fan and bought it only as a second car when his daily driver was rear ended and going to be in the repair shop for several weeks. Even at that young age, I remember being in awe at the absolute beauty of that car. The interior looked like a spaceship and I would spend hours sitting in it in the driveway pretending I was driving it. Those early '60s Thunderbirds were unlike anything before or since.
@Robert Preato - If you have ever seen the interior of a 1964 Galaxie 500 XL, it carried much of that spaceship design with T-Bird bucket seats and lots of brushed metal accents. My Mom had a black 2dr. pillarless fastback with a red interior and bleach white headliner with a 352 4bbl V8. Even my high school girlfriend's Mother who drove fancy Buicks commented on how beautiful the interior was and said I didn't know Ford made such a nice car! That comment pleased me very much as she was not a person known to outwardly compliment something that way. IMHO, it was the most beautiful Ford that they ever made, and even my Chevy loving friends agreed!
My dad went to Turner Ford and traded his 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 390/4sp for a new 64 Thunderbird.. black w/red leather $5800 and my mom about had a heart attack. ..it all worked out.
@@doradodude140 - Definitely a beauty, but my choice for best looking GM car would be either the 1964 or 65 Riviera coupe. Like the Corvette Stingray, there was no mistaking the Riviera for anything else!
@@Loulovesspeed Yes great choice Knew of one (local guy) Had on in navy blue Head Turner Of course top of anybodys heap Early 60’s JAG XKE I still remember first time I. Saw one I’m hoping to buy another car soon Maybe a GR 86 stick Or an older SL 550
Back then, I considered that style T-bird one of the best-looking cars of the era, though I lamented their early two-seater going away. In 1966, my dad & I car-pooled with a guy who had a ''63; I felt so 'cool' and modern riding in such a low-slung, beautiful car!
My dad always talks about his 1962 Thunderbird which he bought in 1969 when he was 20 years old. He installed resonator exhausts, extra-wide tires and painted it orange metallic, and had a black interior. He had to give it up due to high gas prices and starting a family in the 70s. I've never seen it, but I've heard countless stories over the years about this car.
My first car was a 62 Thunderbird. It was a lemon, but my mom loved it so much she bought it from me. Then my step dad, who she had divorced talked her into selling it to him. Even though it didn't run well, everyone wanted it anyway!
Hi @Marcus Russell, I am happy to say I am the 3rd owner of an original "62" hard top. Black on Black in Black. I bought it 40 years ago. My Uncle's boss (2nd owner) purchased it it w/ about 14k miles and drove it to about 28k miles and it has about 35k now. The interior design is amazing like a birds body and wings from front to back. The ride is something else as well. It is a true land yacht. I just figured I would share that w/ you. Unfortunately, it has been sitting in the garage for the past 10 years at least. Due to health issues, I am going to try my best to get it out and fly again hopefully soon.
@@vzd7r2 May the wings of the Great Automotive Spirit be upon you and your health, and the ole Tbird 🦅 will be flying again. If you or a helper are gonna fire her up, best thing we've done for some cars we've let sit, was take the time an put about an ounce of MARVEL Mystery Oil in the cylinders let sit for a day then turn over by hand if possible. But even if by starter, it still is super beneficial to a very dry start . We topped off the tank with fresh gas, and was more than pleasantly surprised that ol V8 Ford fired up and ran. After about 10 minutes running It idled smooth.We use the MARVEL in the gas and oil, as it really cleans up any internal rust from sitting, and lubes that upper cylinder very well. GOOD LUCK TO YOU 👍
@@tinamcgarrah7794 Someday soon, but yes, I will need assistance. The Nephews are always too busy these days but I do understand. I have heard of Marvel but never used it yet. Unfortunately, the gas tank is topped off and most likely will needed to be at least partially drained and put some new $4.84 + a gallon premium. Thank you for the tips and well wishes.
In 1961 we lived in Downey, CA. The grocery store was having a raffle for a cream colored 1962 Thunderbird. Every Wednesday night the whole family was there with our raffle tickets. If you were not present you couldn't win. On raffle night, the car was on a stand spinning round and round in the orange blossom scented air on those warm summer nights (yes, in 1962 there were still orange groves in Downey). The crowd was enormous. We didn't win the car. I don't think anyone ever won it but man, what a fond memory. I STILL want one of those cars.
Yep....lots of cars back then rode like on a cloud. I remember riding in my Uncles 62' when I was a kid. We were impressed with it. My father at the time had a 62' Ninety Eight, that was also smooth.
Watch for Mid-60s Fords to skyrocket in value during the coming decade, especially the 7Litre Galaxy; Muscle car Fairlanes & Marc Comets, especially the 390CI versions & the real sleeper Fords from that era: the "Suicide Door T-Birds!" Get ready!
My first car I bought after graduating from college was a slightly used 1962 T-Bird. It was a beautiful car with plenty of room in front. It rode well and was plenty powerful even though it was a heavy machine. I paid about $3,000 for it in 1965 and traded it in, in 1967 for another Ford product. One of the few cars I wish I had kept, the other being a 1973 Lincoln Continental I bought brand new off the showroom floor for $7,500 cash.
You had $3000 cash for a used car in 1962, after graduating college? That in itself is a feat of its own. Most kids are broke and trying to start their careers at that time of their lives. Amazing!
@@jameswood231 Thanks for your comments. My reply is going to be lengthy to properly answer your questions so hang in there to see how great this country used to be in the much maligned, 1950's-60'S eras. (From here on all dollar amounts will be updated to today's inflated dollars.) A source of jobs and income was always available to me. At the age of 12 I got a paper route with 35 customers. I made about $30.00 plus tips each week for two years. For a middle school kid it was better than a typical kid's allowance at that time. In high school I was a kennel man for a local veterinarian. A 26 hour a week job earned me $250. Deductions were minimal so the net was much larger than it would be today. With my own car and lotsa bucks in my pocket I was doing OK. When I graduated high school I was admitted to Wayne State University located in Detroit. I lived at home, and with a 50/50 tuition/costs split with my parents, a 30 semester hour college year was about $5,000 plus books, fees, etc. Therefore a student loan (one of the biggest rip-offs of the consumer ever perpetrated) was not needed. In 1962 I became tired of the going to college routine so I dropped out and got a job in a financial institution making about $750 per week ($40,000 annual) still living at home and paying part of my living costs. I had a chance to save quite a large part of my salary, but I was ready to go back to college. I returned to Wayne State in the Spring of 1963, but then decided to go to Western Michigan University. I told my parents I would cover all college costs since at that time money was a little tight for them as they were starting a new venture. I spent five semesters at Western paying with savings until the last semester. Since I was 100% responsible for costs I decided to sell a coin collection I had started and added to for the previous fifteen years. I made it work. I graduated in December 1965 and immediately got employment as a secondary school, science teacher.) My first contract was for $51,000 with full BCBS and retirement benefits, all of which were fully paid by my employer. I also spent the next two summers working at manufacturing jobs making about $3,000. This was added to my yearly income so total income in 1966 was about $54,000 Because I had a stable, well paying job I had no trouble in financing the car with a small down payment. In early 1966 after I had gotten a few pay checks I traded in my 1956 "college car" for the 1962 T-bird. I didn't like the styling of the "square Birds" so I opted for the 1961 through 1963 "rocket style". Also a 1965 model would cost about $50,000 or a years salary. The rule of thumb then was a car should cost about six months income. My car cost was then in the ball park. So, that's it. Hard work, long hours, education and dedication is all it took. When getting married it also helps to select and be selected by an intelligent (graduated with a four year degree at age 20) young lady who has the same ambitions and qualities I did. August, 1966 we got married. (still married 55 years last August with three children all nurses) My wife and I, she also being a professional woman working for the State, built our first house in 1967 for $275,000. We paid the mortgage off in 3 1/2 years out of pocket. How that happened is another story. I also did this while earning my Master's Degree (earned 12/1969) and helping my parents with the Thoroughbred horse farm they started in 1963. For those who think I've just generated a hot steamy load of "torro caa caa" I can't help what you think. But if you can figure out how to reach me outside of YT I'd be glad to show you how it was done.
I bought a 57 and am in the process of finding and buying a 63 convertible or sports roadster. They are beautiful, iconic cars. And one does not have to be a Gazillionaire to buy a Sports Roadster. The Split Windows however are pricey
WE owned a 61 convertible. With the top down there was almost no trunk space. The car had miniature ball joints that had to be replaced, but it was great fun in the summer
@@marka6187 I recall the front end man who replaced them said they were the same as the Falcon - it was a great road car and there is nothing like a convertable
My uncle had a 1961 Teebird. Us kids loved it it was really cool. When I got my drivers license a few years later I drove it some and it was amazing to drive.
The roadster is a BEAUTY! That interior has such a magnificent layout! I love that white and red color scheme with the chrome, along with the muscular wheels and it not having the rear fender skirts. 8 second 60 mph car for its size and weight in the early 60s is fast!
Similar to a rocket while accelerating, with every foot traveled, enough fuel was burned to lighten the load every second. The driver had to shut it off at the fuel pump... not so much for safety reasons but because the engine would suck down more fuel than the filler hose was pumping in. Haaaaaa! 😅 😂 🤣
These years are my Favorite years for the Thunderbird. I like the lines and the "beak" look in the front. Classy car that is timeless. Thanks for the video.
I missed out on the "61-63 T-Bird" by one year! I (briefly owned) a '64 in 1978. The tranny was SHOT! I was DUMB enough to think that a "390 Ford V-8" tranny would actually bolt to a "390 T-Bird" motor! THE STUPIDITY OF YOUTH! The "'Bird's" tranny was MARKEDLY DIFFERENT! Do NOT believe everything that you read in automotive magazines! The car, with its jet-style dashboard and great ride, (until the original tranny died) was AWESOME!
"Even though it's a car from a long departed era"... It seems to me like it was just yesterday when my father was pulling his new 'T-Bird' into the driveway back in '61, hard to believe it has been that long ago!
@@rogersmith7396 - Starting in ‘72, the T-Bird was a counterpart of the Lincoln Mark IV. That was the first time the T-Bird wasn’t a unique car; it marked the end of an era. To me, the marque lost some status when it lost its singularity. It was a good run! Loved those cars ...
This was the first car I ever drove on the highway. It belonged to my great uncle and we had a great time driving from Shreveport, LA to Alexandria. Fond memories.
I've owned 3 Thunderbirds from the years 1962-1963. My first one was a convertible that ended up being a very bad purchase. It needed absolutely everything. The second one was a 1963 Limited Edition Landau (Monaco) which was a treat to drive. My third one was a 1962 in Chestnut Poly. with matching interior. Such a gorgeous car.
@@tommurphy4307 - just like their counterparts from GM and Chrysler! My girlfriend's parents had a mid sixties Pontiac Catalina wagon that was the ultimate "boat float." If would dive, sway and drive as though it had its own idea of what it would do. Very unsettling to drive with mushy, no feel steering and overly sensitive power brakes. I actually didn't feel safe in that car it was so bad! My Dad's '63 Ford Ranch Wagon was no sports car for sure, but it drove with much more stability and feel of control than that pig Pontiac ever did!
I bought my first Thunderbird in December of 2020 a 57 e code Torch Red. I love the beautiful, flowing lines of my baby bird. But at 6 foot 2 and 240 lbs. it was a snug fit for me. I am currently looking to purchase a 63 Thunderbird convertible. I love the long, once again flowing, angular lines of the bullet birds. The front end and the rear end are so appealing and attractive giving it the moniker Bullet Bird It reminds me of what the Gemini astronauts would have driven in the early 60's. I love the spacious bucket seats and the swing away steering wheel. The instrument panel and the ribbed stainless steel console are stunning. I only wish that it had a tachometer located in one of the three large instrument cluster. The Bullet Bird's dash which The car designers of that era produced such beautiful cars from the Riviera to the Avanti and the Bonneville. Elegance power and comfort all in one handsome car.
When I was 12 years old, the '65 T-Bird was introduced in an ad. The byline was: 'Thunderbird, unique in all the world'... In another ad, the song 'Going Out of My Head' (LIttle Anthony and The Imperials) was used to describe how a driver viewed the car. Great stuff. These cars were glamourous, stylish, and sporty, all at the same time. Cars today are generic and sterile generally speaking. There are still some cars that stand out from the crowd but they are very expensive and high maintenance.
My father, now deceased, looked at a '63 T-Bird Hardtop about 1966. It rode with incredible smoothness. Dad floored the gas for a while. I swear I saw the gas gauge dropping. The 1963 movie Palm Springs Weekend featured a '62 T-Bird roadster as actor Robert Conrad's car. They dubbed in Ferrari engine sound. Uh...no comment.
I remember when these cars were commonly seen on the streets. They looked like rocket ships on wheels. Sure the base price on the Mustang was low. And yes, it came with bucket seats and carpet standard. But base cars were equipped with the 170, later 200 ci 6, 3 speed manual with no syncro first gear, dinky 9" manual drum brakes, manual steering, 4 bolt, 13" wheels, single speed wipers, no washer.... 2 speed wipers and washer were options in the "Visibility Group." In Nascar, Ford was running the fastback Starliner starting with the 1960 model year. An aerodynamic car for the time. Their biggest problem seemed to be cracked blocks at the main bearing bosses on the 406. The cross bolt 427 cured that.
Today the 1961-1963 Thunderbirds are referred to, by some, as the "Bullit Bird" while the 1958-1960 cars are "Square Birds". There are similar names for other year's Thunderbird offerings, but I can't recall them just now.
My Dad bought a 1962 T-Bird brand new from the factory and ordered it with the 340HP 390CI Highway Patrol engine. It was a great looking car back then and still looks great. In the early 70's he offered to let me have it for a measly $250, which was what the local Ford dealer was going to give him on a trade for a new Pinto for my mother. I declined the offer. Years later I groan when I think about what I turned down. The terrible handling and brakes are were easily and dramatically improvable with better parts from other Ford products. If I could get my hands on one today I could afford I would buy it. Great memories.
As a 16 yr old idiot out buying my 1 st real car, I passed on a chance to buy a '61 T-Bird for $450. My Dad (a man of few words) muttered disapproval as we drove away. It was bright turquoise with white interior...he really liked the car.
A friend's mother had a '62 T-Bird and it was the coolest car around. It was like floating on a cloud when she would drive us kids around. I felt like a million bucks just sitting in the back seat. She would take me and her son out for root beer floats and we were very careful to not spill a drop in the car. It was cream color with cream leather interior. Wow! Great memories. Thanks Mrs. Gibson. She also took us up in her airplane for 'touch-and-go's' at the local airport. She was the coolest mom on the block.
1964 in Alamogordo NM I went with my dad when he bought a 1963 Tucson Yellow Thunderbird. He was a fighter pilot and on the test drive I was excited as he took it up to 110mph (Two lane highway) and I remember how smooth and quiet it was. We moved to Las Vegas where he taught me how to drive, I was 10 yo. But the seat was electric with adjustable steering wheel, so I had no problem. On our way to the air force base, he let me drive down the strip. I was thrilled and I still remember that feeling! What a great car with that interior of buttons and switches I felt like I was driving one of his jets.
My folks had a '64 Galaxie 500 XL that had the sliding steering column and the 390 4 barrel engine that had "Thunderbird" embossed on the valve covers. Had a lot of power for as heavy as that car was.
Beautiful cars... My dad had a silver-blue 1961-62 Tbird convertible in the late 80s, which made me the proudest, happiest guy on the block! Wish I still had it.
The styling was so far advanced that GM was caught off guard. I honestly can't imagine how great it would have been to drive off the lot put in an 8 track turn on the ac and said welcome to the future.
Here's the deal I have had my tbird for about 3 months and in that time I've added glass packs to the 390 also a dealer added tri power kit. Also would have added the top of the line Philco am/fm hi fidelity radio. People would want to be me.
BMW’s don’t count. I always cut them off or just refuse to move out of their way. But then I don’t count either, don’t drive anymore since I lost most of my eyesight!
Perrye Golson No problem, I miss driving though, it was my hobby so to speak. Never had a third....or a Beamer for that matter. My brother did have a 67 tbird once and a friends son who plays in the NHL let him use his while he was off on the road and he liked driving it. Cheers! 🍻👍
I had a 63 T-bird coupe in high school. This was around 1995. It was Chalfonte blue with indigo interior. And of course the 390 with a motorcraft 4 barrel. Seems like every adult i ran into thought it weird how much i liked that car. Funny story: i was picking a girl up at her house to go out on a date. I drive up and park out front. Her dad answered the door and was about to do the typical dad thing - sizing up who is taking his daughter out. We shook hands on introduction and then he saw my car. Man.....he was blown away. He really wanted to see the car up close and we walked over to it. We must've talked for 20 minutes until his daughter was like, "dad, we need to go." He kept asking me, "Why are YOU driving this car?" insinuating i'm too young to care about old cars. But timeless design is timeless. I love how the back tailamps looked like rocket boosters. The dash made it feel you were in a cockpit. Opening the door at night was an experience. Both door courtesy lights, light under the dash over the radio, and the roof light over the rear seat - all will light up the entire interior. It was beautiful. I will say it wasn't a true dating car. With bucket seats and a console between, it kept you and your date separated. But i was always buying and trading cars. I drove the tbird a year, sold it and got an immaculate 1970 sport fury. I'm still doing the same thing. Drive a car a couple years and then sell it.
Still a great-looking car. But when it came out, it was shocking. I remember when one of the engineers at work drove up in his new '63. I literally gasped. There was nothing on the road that looked like that. Ford did a superb job with the styling of this T-bird series.
Totally blew me away as a teen when they came out,,,a friend of my dad's bought the convertible and it was fabulous to ride in,,,the interor looked so futuristic and exotic, You don't get that emotional rush from cars like that anymore,,,as hi tech and upscale as they are,,,I'd take a 60 to 65 TBird any day,
My favorite T-Birds are the 1965-66 with the 390. A good friend of mine way back when we were in high school in the late 80s had a 1980 or 81 Thunderbird with the straight six in it. It was a really nicely equipped car even though it was just a dressed up Fairmont but it was big time underpowered.
@@Johnnycdrums To my knowledge (and memory), no T-Bird EVER had a six. Are you confusing it with a Mustang? For my money, I'll have an Avanti. The 'Bird is a beautiful car; can't argue that. But the Avanti was like nothing else.
@@scottsmith4612 ; Think you are addressing the wrong person. I never said that a T-Bird had a 6 cyl., ever. I said the 428 Thunder Jet was available in the 66' Thunderbird and it was a popular option, over the, by then, doggy 390.. It isn't that the ThunderJet 390 was horrible, it's that the 428 was much more powerful, probably caused by the fact of it being a brand new motor, hand selected fits were still taking place on the engine build floor. 1967 was the last year 390 was offered in a Thunderbird. Both of them were FE motors, either one could be modified with over the counter speed parts, btw. The 428 was a good engine that lasted only about 3.5 years Then, Ford decided to embark on a big block motor, based upon a 3.85'' stroke, and have .020 more bore spacing than the FE motors. The new at that time, (385 block) housed the legendary Ford 429 series and Lincoln/Mercury 460 motors.
My first car that I drove regularly was a 62 T bird. Bought it used in 1977. Best ever cruiser. And fast. Not hard to bury the needle at approximately 130-135 mph. Of course with a two speed tranny and speeds above 90 mph, you could see the gas gauge moving. Definitely one of the nicest designs ever in North America.
I changed my route to grade school so that I could slowly walk past a red convertable T-bird that was parked outside during the fall and spring. It just looked so good compared to most other cars of that era.
A very timeless design, I always loved the streamlined bullet shaped body. It must have been so weird to see at a time when other car manufacturers were putting out big squared out land yachts
I was a junior in high school when my dad purchased a new 1963 T-Bird. I remember so well a Friday night, a cold snowy winter evening in 1964, driving that car to pick-up my date. As I was leaving the driveway I had the radio on and the DJ introduced the Beatles, the first time I heard their name. The song that played was "I want to hold your hand." As I drove that beautiful car down the road I listened to that song thinking that I truly had it made at 18. The T-Bird was a second car. My dad preferred to drive his Cadillac. I liked that idea.
This design and the 1963 Corvette Stingray were so different from all the other cars being built during that period, that it makes you wonder what happened to all the other cars! It truly looks like a jet plane.
My mom's first car when she turned 16 in June 1956 was a 1955 T- Bird . Her dad ordered his '57 and would continue to buy a new T-Bird every two or three years until the '67 model. He kept that one for about six or seven yeas. As a little kid, grandpa's T-Bird was magical. I ended up buying, actually trading some work for a '66 with the 428 cu motor. With the slide to the side steering column and steering wheel, the thermometer speedometer, with the center console and roof console that had the aircraft style levers for the climate control, centrifugal taillights, the front turn signal bullets on top of the front fenders powered by wait for it, wait .. fibre optics cable, the curved corners rear seat the door ajar and low fuel and seat belt warning lights in the overhead center console, it was white, black vinyl roof rear wheel skirts, black interior. From the original owner, I got it in 1998 with 90k miles, old man miles it had been garaged its whole life, it still had all the Motorcraft stickers on the hoses and the factory glass fuses with the white paint on the glass, Motorcraft badges on the a/c compressor hoses. This car was so original it was scary. I have always been a Chevy until I got that car. It didn't convert me, but I do have a couple of favorite Fords. Thunderbirds, great cars until the large body style came out around '69 or '70 then they were pimp mobiles. Lol
my friend's dad had one of these with a 390. as beautiful as it was, the performance was unbelieveable and until i got a ride in a whale tail turbo porsche 911 many years later, i remained astonished and of course wanted one badly. never happened, but i did get a 1967 ss 350- cool but no cigar.
My grandpa had an all black 1963 Thunderbird and drove it around L.A. for years - Even as a little kid back then, never forgot it was the 1st car I rode in with a/c, the power window switches in the console and the swing-a-way steering wheel. This T-Bird and suicide door Lincoln Continental were built on the same platform, shared the cowel and other bits.
I loved my '61 T-BIRD hardtop. I owned it from the late 1980's to 2006. I drove it all around Lake Tahoe and the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. The best part of driving on two lane mountain roads with this beautiful car was its handling abilities. Going around sharp curves you didn't touch the brakes. You accelerated! What a thrill to drive. At one point I was made an offer for her and, regretfully, I let her go. One of the biggest mistakes of my life.
We always just called the Thunderbird T-birds. My folks bought a 63 when I was 12. There were 4 boys in my family and dad just thought we'd fit in the back seat. We barely did and we all loved that beautiful car!
Great presentation. I have always liked this car. I had several 1/25 Scale model kits of the various versions. It reminds me a little of the Chrysler Turbine vehicle.
Thanks for the memories. I owned a 1961 when I was a kid back in the 70's. Then it was just an old car. LOL It was black with blk leather. It would go fast but was not so quick at stopping. I would like a review of the 1973 Pontiac Lemans Sport Coupe. It had the louvered rear side windows. Oh the girls liked that one.
It changed the game, for sure! I LOVE your videos Sir, keep doing what you do! May I suggest; the 1977 - 1990 GM B-body/Caprice Classic & 9C1 interceptor
I owned a 1961 T- bird, burgundy in color, with a red interior. Classy looking car. I sold it to buy a 1966 T-bird convertible, burgundy in color, with a white interior. My favorite car of all time.
My older brother built a model of the 61 when it was for sale. (I think he was trying to tell my dad something) He kept it away from me and my sister up on a book shelf. He painted it deep metal flake blue and did a beautiful job. I'll never forget that model or that car!
The 'Bulletbirds' as they are called are one of the better classic car values on the market today. A good hardtop can be bought for easily under 20K and a good convertible for around 30 thousand. Sports Roadsters and M Codes are a bit more expensive with an M Code Sports Roadster approaching 75K plus but hardtops are still very affordable. The cars came standard with many features that were expensive options in the 1960s and today would put a car out of reach for an average buyer. With a 61-63 T-bird you get things like power steering, power brakes, automatic transimission (3 speed which was not standard in most early 60s cars), bucket seats, and most importantly, a big block V8. Add to it common options like power windows, power seats and air conditioning. The car also had a luxury car level of ride and the fit and was generally smoother and quieter than most cars of the era. I've had several birds over the last 20 years and love these cars. They are solid, pretty quick, ride like a dream and always attract attention.
I'd also argue that the Studebaker Hawk series is also a really solid value in the American classic car world. I own a '62 GT myself and I couldn't be more glad.
@@jakekaywell5972 Very true. I have a friend that has several of them. The Hawks and the later Avanti's are elegant, beautiful and very interesting cars and they are a great value. They have a 57 Silver Hawk that is absolutely fantastic.
I drove the larger '67 Tudor when I was in my 20s. Loved it, even though it was huge compared to the earlier models. My next 'Bird will be a 1966 model. One thing I've noticed, the best Bang for Your Buck right now are early to mid-sixties Fords and Lincolns, excluding Mustangs, Cougars, Galaxies and Torinos. They're still untouchable.
My father had one of those when I was a child of about eight years old. Metallic grey hard top with red interior. I still remember him driving me around in it.
Excellent video! '61 - 63' birds were always my favorite. When I was young one of my uncles had a new '61 t-bird. My other uncle had a year or two old '60 2dr cadillac. My old man at that time had a '57 buick.
This channel is excellent. Thank you for this video. A neighbour of ours had a white 1961 convertible and I've always been fascinated with this car. The shot at 5:24 makes me want to own one!
Man, that roadster, in 62, W/ the trips on it? What a cool car. If only it could've been optioned with a top-loader, and 4.30 9" Detroit locker. Now that would've been the bomb. And think about this. The car was $1 per pound. If only we could've cut the weight and dollars by 500, added the 406 tri-power, 4 speed, and 9". "YEAH!"
Guys you miss the whole point of the car and the market it was for. Hot Rod, Gear heads and HS kids could afford this car. You have no idea how much $4.300 was back then. My fully loaded 429 71 Torino GT cost only a little more 8/9 years later. A 1970 XKE $6K, a 66 427 Cobra $6.8 K
@@robertsullivan4773 You're absolutely right Bob. No way a kid was gunna be buying a T-bird. But if you look at the price of todays "modern muscle", (Hellcats, cobra mustangs, ZR Camaros, ect), they're not too cheap either. But I know what your come-back will be. The "kids" of yester-year, are the ones buying those toys today. Why? Cause they're making money, and can afford it.
@@joequillun7790 young people by and large are still contrained as to the car they want to buy. But some do have circumstances that allow them to, be it well to do parents or special talents.
I was a young mechanic when these came out. I worked for the worlds greatest mechanic and teacher at the time, but he had a very laid back sense of humor. He said the car looked like two goldfish swimming in a "polyethylene dish pan" I have a customer who has a 64 T-Bird. Great car.
A great story about a T-Bird sports roadster that my father took me to see in the mid 1970's. My father worked with his friend at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica and this guy lived in the San Fernando Valley and commuted each day. He was driving past a bunch of car dealers along auto row near his home coming back from work one day in the early 1960's when he spotted a near new red T-Bird sports coup with white interior setting in a Mercedes dealer's used car lot. He stopped to look at it and the salesman told him that the actor Dan Blocker had just traded it in for a new Mercedes because Bonanza, the Western TV series he starred in, had become a big success. My father's friend was so taken by the car he bought it on the spot and used it as a weekend fun car for many years. Around 1970 this guy's daughter heads off to collage and needs a car. So her father gives her the red T-Bird Sports Coupe to drive. She's in an apartment with underground parking and one day she goes down to find the T-Bird up on blocks and all four wheels missing! She calls her father who say it's no big deal and he calls the insurance company who authorizes the tire & wheel replacement. However a few days later he gets a call from the Ford dealer who informs him that Ford only has three of the chromed OEM wire wheels in stock and that the forth will have to be specially assembled by Kelsey-Hays and that one will cost $700, a lot of $$$$$ in 1970. The guy knew that the insurance company would kick at paying $2K to replace tires and wheels on an old T-Bird and sure enough they did. They told him that they only paid for what came with the car, not for some fancy aftermarket wire wheels. Expecting this my fathers friend had done some research on the car. To the insurance companies dismay they then found out those wire wheels were Ford OEM and sold new with the car as part of the T-Bird Sports Coupe package. The insurance company paid the bill. However as a result of his research my father's friend realized how few T-Bird Sport Coupes were built and that was making them valuable. So he quickly took back the T-Bird from his daughter and bought her a used car to use instead. He kept that car lovingly maintained and he and his wife used it on weekend outings, trips to Las Vegas, and in parades. It was a head-turner wherever he drove it. One last story the guy told me was that people would see this amazing bright red two-person big T-Bird with white interior and those bright chrome wire wheels and offer to buy it from him. He and his wife were in Vegas in the early 1970's and some guy who had just won big, was waiting for them by the car as they came out of a casino. He said he wanted to buy the car and started putting hundred dollar bills on the hood telling my father's friend to tell him when to stop! He explains to the guy that the car wasn't for sale, who then scoops up his money off the hood and walks away disappointed. All these people including my father are long gone now and I wonder who eventually ending getting that beautiful car.
I own the Bulletbird's only competitor when new, the Studebaker GT Hawk. While I personally prefer the GT Hawk's styling and general feel, there is no denying that this T-bird is more luxurious. That's why it was $1,300 (MSRP) more expensive. Great cars, both.
In September Of 1968, while on leave from the service I traded a 1964 Corvair convertible for a red 62 Tbird hardtop at Arnold Lincoln Mercury in Roseville, Michigan, I was 20 years old and still on active duty in the Navy in Little Creek, Va. As I motored along the highway driving it back to the base, I remember being ecstatic and listening to “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison on my FM mono radio. I got a few new admirers in the Tidewater area and a lot of trips to the repair shop, but I loved that car and it’s one of my top memories of my youth😎❤️
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
In 1962 I worked in our local movie theater in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. While working one day the owner of the theater where I worked and several other theaters in the metropolitan area, the owner approached me with a request to drive across town. My instructions were to take care of financial business. I was pleasantly surprised when he handed me the keys to his new T Bird. What a drive it was.
* T - Bird
I remember as a little kid, about 5 years old, my dad bought a used '64 Thunderbird. He was not a Ford fan and bought it only as a second car when his daily driver was rear ended and going to be in the repair shop for several weeks. Even at that young age, I remember being in awe at the absolute beauty of that car. The interior looked like a spaceship and I would spend hours sitting in it in the driveway pretending I was driving it. Those early '60s Thunderbirds were unlike anything before or since.
@Robert Preato - If you have ever seen the interior of a 1964 Galaxie 500 XL, it carried much of that spaceship design with T-Bird bucket seats and lots of brushed metal accents. My Mom had a black 2dr. pillarless fastback with a red interior and bleach white headliner with a 352 4bbl V8. Even my high school girlfriend's Mother who drove fancy Buicks commented on how beautiful the interior was and said I didn't know Ford made such a nice car! That comment pleased me very much as she was not a person known to outwardly compliment something that way. IMHO, it was the most beautiful Ford that they ever made, and even my Chevy loving friends agreed!
My dad went to Turner Ford and traded his 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 390/4sp for a new 64 Thunderbird.. black w/red leather $5800 and my mom about had a heart attack. ..it all worked out.
@@Loulovesspeed Remember the 1960 Buick LeSabre coupe , might be the most beautiful GM car ever
@@doradodude140 - Definitely a beauty, but my choice for best looking GM car would be either the 1964 or 65 Riviera coupe. Like the Corvette Stingray, there was no mistaking the Riviera for anything else!
@@Loulovesspeed Yes great choice
Knew of one (local guy)
Had on in navy blue
Head Turner
Of course top of anybodys heap
Early 60’s JAG XKE
I still remember first time I. Saw one
I’m hoping to buy another car soon
Maybe a GR 86 stick
Or an older SL 550
Back then, I considered that style T-bird one of the best-looking cars of the era, though I lamented their early two-seater going away. In 1966, my dad & I car-pooled with a guy who had a ''63; I felt so 'cool' and modern riding in such a low-slung, beautiful car!
From 1955 until 1972, I think Thunderbirds are so iconic. This era was certainly gorgeous. They have aged so well
One of those rare cars with timeless styling.
Also one of the best interiors ever.
The interior of the '64 Galaxie 500 XL borrowed much from the T-Bird's interior styling ques.
I always loved the '60.s T-Bird design. Always very classy indeed. Great show!!!!
My dad always talks about his 1962 Thunderbird which he bought in 1969 when he was 20 years old. He installed resonator exhausts, extra-wide tires and painted it orange metallic, and had a black interior. He had to give it up due to high gas prices and starting a family in the 70s. I've never seen it, but I've heard countless stories over the years about this car.
And then he learned 1970's cars got vastly worse MPG than 1960's cars!
My first car was a 62 Thunderbird. It was a lemon, but my mom loved it so much she bought it from me. Then my step dad, who she had divorced talked her into selling it to him. Even though it didn't run well, everyone wanted it anyway!
I still want a restored 1962 T Bird. I think the curved interior was world class.
Hi @Marcus Russell, I am happy to say I am the 3rd owner of an original "62" hard top. Black on Black in Black. I bought it 40 years ago. My Uncle's boss (2nd owner) purchased it it w/ about 14k miles and drove it to about 28k miles and it has about 35k now. The interior design is amazing like a birds body and wings from front to back. The ride is something else as well. It is a true land yacht. I just figured I would share that w/ you. Unfortunately, it has been sitting in the garage for the past 10 years at least. Due to health issues, I am going to try my best to get it out and fly again hopefully soon.
@@vzd7r2 May the wings of the Great Automotive Spirit be upon you and your health, and the ole Tbird 🦅 will be flying again. If you or a helper are gonna fire her up, best thing we've done for some cars we've let sit, was take the time an put about an ounce of MARVEL Mystery Oil in the cylinders let sit for a day then turn over by hand if possible. But even if by starter, it still is super beneficial to a very dry start . We topped off the tank with fresh gas, and was more than pleasantly surprised that ol V8 Ford fired up and ran. After about 10 minutes running It idled smooth.We use the MARVEL in the gas and oil, as it really cleans up any internal rust from sitting, and lubes that upper cylinder very well. GOOD LUCK TO YOU 👍
@@tinamcgarrah7794 Someday soon, but yes, I will need assistance. The Nephews are always too busy these days but I do understand. I have heard of Marvel but never used it yet. Unfortunately, the gas tank is topped off and most likely will needed to be at least partially drained and put some new $4.84 + a gallon premium. Thank you for the tips and well wishes.
In 1961 we lived in Downey, CA. The grocery store was having a raffle for a cream colored 1962 Thunderbird. Every Wednesday night the whole family was there with our raffle tickets. If you were not present you couldn't win. On raffle night, the car was on a stand spinning round and round in the orange blossom scented air on those warm summer nights (yes, in 1962 there were still orange groves in Downey). The crowd was enormous. We didn't win the car. I don't think anyone ever won it but man, what a fond memory. I STILL want one of those cars.
Remember Looking inside T-Bird
Interior as a Kid! Just as Cool as
The exterior! Boy I miss The
Good Old Days!
God Bless America!
A Sport Roadster was always a treat to see in the wild when I was a little kid.
I really like the 1963 Ford vehicles, the Thunderbird and the two door galaxy are my favorite. Thank you for this video.
It was indeed a cool car almost 60 years ago and is STILL cool today.
Any car from 60 years ago would be cool today.
More cooler today than in the early sixties
That Roadster... :-)
The 1963 Avante' was another . Still looks like a car from the future .
@@ri_3664 supercharged
First car my wife and I had was a 61 Thunderbird. One of the most comfortable cars for a long drive I've ever owned.
Yep....lots of cars back then rode like on a cloud. I remember riding in my Uncles 62' when I was a kid. We were impressed with it. My father at the time had a 62' Ninety Eight, that was also smooth.
Lucky Man
@@doradodude140 And the funny thing is we paid $800 for it! Can't touch one today for under 10G's
@@AJGreen-cn8kk $10 k for a guy with some talent great deal
@@AJGreen-cn8kk not long ago a hundred dollar bill was worth
A lot
Now it’s worth about $20.00
Beautiful car, love the Ford jet exhuast tail lamps
Watch for Mid-60s Fords to skyrocket in value during the coming decade, especially the 7Litre Galaxy; Muscle car Fairlanes & Marc Comets, especially the 390CI versions & the real sleeper Fords from that era: the "Suicide Door T-Birds!" Get ready!
My first car I bought after graduating from college was a slightly used 1962 T-Bird. It was a beautiful car with plenty of room in front. It rode well and was plenty powerful even though it was a heavy machine. I paid about $3,000 for it in 1965 and traded it in, in 1967 for another Ford product. One of the few cars I wish I had kept, the other being a 1973 Lincoln Continental I bought brand new off the showroom floor for $7,500 cash.
You had $3000 cash for a used car in 1962, after graduating college? That in itself is a feat of its own. Most kids are broke and trying to start their careers at that time of their lives. Amazing!
@@jameswood231 Thanks for your comments. My reply is going to be lengthy to properly answer your questions so hang in there to see how great this country used to be in the much maligned, 1950's-60'S eras. (From here on all dollar amounts will be updated to today's inflated dollars.)
A source of jobs and income was always available to me. At the age of 12 I got a paper route with 35 customers. I made about $30.00 plus tips each week for two years. For a middle school kid it was better than a typical kid's allowance at that time. In high school I was a kennel man for a local veterinarian. A 26 hour a week job earned me $250. Deductions were minimal so the net was much larger than it would be today. With my own car and lotsa bucks in my pocket I was doing OK.
When I graduated high school I was admitted to Wayne State University located in Detroit. I lived at home, and with a 50/50 tuition/costs split with my parents, a 30 semester hour college year was about $5,000 plus books, fees, etc. Therefore a student loan (one of the biggest rip-offs of the consumer ever perpetrated) was not needed. In 1962 I became tired of the going to college routine so I dropped out and got a job in a financial institution making about $750 per week ($40,000 annual) still living at home and paying part of my living costs. I had a chance to save quite a large part of my salary, but I was ready to go back to college. I returned to Wayne State in the Spring of 1963, but then decided to go to Western Michigan University. I told my parents I would cover all college costs since at that time money was a little tight for them as they were starting a new venture.
I spent five semesters at Western paying with savings until the last semester. Since I was 100% responsible for costs I decided to sell a coin collection I had started and added to for the previous fifteen years. I made it work. I graduated in December 1965 and immediately got employment as a secondary school, science teacher.) My first contract was for $51,000 with full BCBS and retirement benefits, all of which were fully paid by my employer. I also spent the next two summers working at manufacturing jobs making about $3,000. This was added to my yearly income so total income in 1966 was about $54,000 Because I had a stable, well paying job I had no trouble in financing the car with a small down payment. In early 1966 after I had gotten a few pay checks I traded in my 1956 "college car" for the 1962 T-bird. I didn't like the styling of the "square Birds" so I opted for the 1961 through 1963 "rocket style". Also a 1965 model would cost about $50,000 or a years salary. The rule of thumb then was a car should cost about six months income. My car cost was then in the ball park.
So, that's it. Hard work, long hours, education and dedication is all it took. When getting married it also helps to select and be selected by an intelligent (graduated with a four year degree at age 20) young lady who has the same ambitions and qualities I did. August, 1966 we got married. (still married 55 years last August with three children all nurses) My wife and I, she also being a professional woman working for the State, built our first house in 1967 for $275,000. We paid the mortgage off in 3 1/2 years out of pocket. How that happened is another story. I also did this while earning my Master's Degree (earned 12/1969) and helping my parents with the Thoroughbred horse farm they started in 1963.
For those who think I've just generated a hot steamy load of "torro caa caa" I can't help what you think. But if you can figure out how to reach me outside of YT I'd be glad to show you how it was done.
Still is a beautiful
All I know is that `63 T-Bird interior was SO fancy and avant-garde. STUNNING interior, etc.
If I was a Gazillionaire, I would buy a '57 and a '63 Sports Roadster.
My 2 all time favorite
Thunderbirds!
Yes, you are absolutely right. Me too. !!!!!
I bought a 57 and am in the process of finding and buying a 63 convertible or sports roadster. They are beautiful, iconic cars. And one does not have to be a Gazillionaire to buy a Sports Roadster. The Split Windows however are pricey
WE owned a 61 convertible. With the top down there was almost no trunk space. The car had miniature ball joints that had to be replaced, but it was great fun in the summer
I wonder why such small ball joints?
@@marka6187 I recall the front end man who replaced them said they were the same as the Falcon - it was a great road car and there is nothing like a convertable
@@davidpayne2703 because at Ford quality is job 2
My uncle had a 1961 Teebird. Us kids loved it it was really cool. When I got my drivers license a few years later I drove it some and it was amazing to drive.
I understand, my mom bought a 1967 corvette stingray ragtop, 350 hp and she was born in 1917. 🏎
The roadster is a BEAUTY! That interior has such a magnificent layout! I love that white and red color scheme with the chrome, along with the muscular wheels and it not having the rear fender skirts. 8 second 60 mph car for its size and weight in the early 60s is fast!
I bet the brakes weren't up to the task.
Agreed, the white is my favorite.
Similar to a rocket while accelerating, with every foot traveled, enough fuel was burned to lighten the load every second. The driver had to shut it off at the fuel pump... not so much for safety reasons but because the engine would suck down more fuel than the filler hose was pumping in. Haaaaaa! 😅 😂 🤣
These years are my Favorite years for the Thunderbird. I like the lines and the "beak" look in the front. Classy car that is timeless. Thanks for the video.
Stunningly beautiful. These are the cars that come to mind when I think "Thunderbird."
yes, I just watched a video on the retro version from the 2000s. No comparison.
Beautiful car.....I remember when they came out and LOVED the rear tonneau cover over the rear seats on the convertible.
1961-1963 Thunderbird had it's own style, and there was nothing else like it. It looked good back in the day and still looks good now.
Probably the best T Bird. The 1989 was very good looking but the interior was bland.
Well the tail lights were corporate like Falcons and Galaxies. Andy Grifth drove a Galaxie.
@@rogersmith7396 ~ The 89 was good looking.
@@rogersmith7396 ~ I always liked the taillights.
I missed out on the "61-63 T-Bird" by one year! I (briefly owned) a '64 in 1978. The tranny was SHOT! I was DUMB enough to think that a "390 Ford V-8" tranny would actually bolt to a "390 T-Bird" motor! THE STUPIDITY OF YOUTH! The "'Bird's" tranny was MARKEDLY DIFFERENT! Do NOT believe everything that you read in automotive magazines! The car, with its jet-style dashboard and great ride, (until the original tranny died) was AWESOME!
"Even though it's a car from a long departed era"... It seems to me like it was just yesterday when my father was pulling his new 'T-Bird' into the driveway back in '61, hard to believe it has been that long ago!
The 1960 and the next gen 1964 two of the most beautiful dream cars ever. Detroit !!!!
From '55-'71, the T-Bird was one of the most beautiful cars on the road. There was always something special about a Thunderbird !!
I prefer the T-Bird more than the Mustang.
The early 70s T Bird was Fords top of the line. You had to go Lincoln after that.
@@rogersmith7396 - Starting in ‘72, the T-Bird was a counterpart of the Lincoln Mark IV.
That was the first time the T-Bird wasn’t a unique car; it marked the end of an era. To me, the marque lost some status when it lost its singularity.
It was a good run! Loved those cars ...
This was the first car I ever drove on the highway. It belonged to my great uncle and we had a great time driving from Shreveport, LA to Alexandria. Fond memories.
I've owned 3 Thunderbirds from the years 1962-1963. My first one was a convertible that ended up being a very bad purchase. It needed absolutely everything. The second one was a 1963 Limited Edition Landau (Monaco) which was a treat to drive. My third one was a 1962 in Chestnut Poly. with matching interior. Such a gorgeous car.
its more like 'aiming' than 'driving'- those things were pigs
@@tommurphy4307 - just like their counterparts from GM and Chrysler! My girlfriend's parents had a mid sixties Pontiac Catalina wagon that was the ultimate "boat float." If would dive, sway and drive as though it had its own idea of what it would do. Very unsettling to drive with mushy, no feel steering and overly sensitive power brakes. I actually didn't feel safe in that car it was so bad! My Dad's '63 Ford Ranch Wagon was no sports car for sure, but it drove with much more stability and feel of control than that pig Pontiac ever did!
My nephew has the 61 in Canary yellow. Rides like your on a magic carpet
I bought my first Thunderbird in December of 2020 a 57 e code Torch Red. I love the beautiful, flowing lines of my baby bird. But at 6 foot 2 and 240 lbs. it was a snug fit for me. I am currently looking to purchase a 63 Thunderbird convertible. I love the long, once again flowing, angular lines of the bullet birds. The front end and the rear end are so appealing and attractive giving it the moniker Bullet Bird It reminds me of what the Gemini astronauts would have driven in the early 60's. I love the spacious bucket seats and the swing away steering wheel. The instrument panel and the ribbed stainless steel console are stunning. I only wish that it had a tachometer located in one of the three large instrument cluster. The Bullet Bird's dash which The car designers of that era produced such beautiful cars from the Riviera to the Avanti and the Bonneville. Elegance power and comfort all in one handsome car.
When I was 12 years old, the '65 T-Bird was introduced in an ad. The byline was: 'Thunderbird, unique in all the world'...
In another ad, the song 'Going Out of My Head' (LIttle Anthony and The Imperials) was used to describe how a driver viewed the car. Great stuff. These cars were glamourous, stylish, and sporty, all at the same time. Cars today are generic and sterile generally speaking. There are still some cars that stand out from the crowd but they are very expensive and high maintenance.
Well said. So many motorcars today all look like each other.
Awesome historical video on a great iconic car. Thanks for putting this together.
I had a 61 red Thunderbird when I was in college. I still dream about that car.
My father, now deceased, looked at a '63 T-Bird Hardtop about 1966. It rode with incredible smoothness. Dad floored the gas for a while. I swear I saw the gas gauge dropping. The 1963 movie Palm Springs Weekend featured a '62 T-Bird roadster as actor Robert Conrad's car. They dubbed in Ferrari engine sound. Uh...no comment.
Dash and features way ahead of the times, I'm impressed!
'61 T-Bird was the first car to have a rear view mirror mounted directly to the windshield
The convertible with tonneau cover though. 👌🏼 😍
If I ever have trouble sleeping, I'll listen to this guy's voice. Could it be any duller??
And that's why I checked the comments after only a few minutes.
In a word, robotic
The 1961 to 1963 Ford Thunderbird.... good Lord man on and on...... I had to stop the video.
Not nice. Perfect voice for the this. Very professional
Give the guy a break. He's obviously in a coma.
A very special run for the Thunderbird, gorgeous. Great video, thanks.
I remember when these cars were commonly seen on the streets. They looked like rocket ships on wheels. Sure the base price on the Mustang was low. And yes, it came with bucket seats and carpet standard. But base cars were equipped with the 170, later 200 ci 6, 3 speed manual with no syncro first gear, dinky 9" manual drum brakes, manual steering, 4 bolt, 13" wheels, single speed wipers, no washer.... 2 speed wipers and washer were options in the "Visibility Group."
In Nascar, Ford was running the fastback Starliner starting with the 1960 model year. An aerodynamic car for the time. Their biggest problem seemed to be cracked blocks at the main bearing bosses on the 406. The cross bolt 427 cured that.
Today the 1961-1963 Thunderbirds are referred to, by some, as the "Bullit Bird" while the 1958-1960 cars are "Square Birds". There are similar names for other year's Thunderbird offerings, but I can't recall them just now.
@@williampayne5028 - My Mom used to say the 1961-63 had a Jimmy Durante nose on them. Not a fan. I thought they were cool. Still do.
@@williampayne5028 Or Big Birds.
I’m not a Ford guy but I wouldn’t say no to one of these. Beautiful car & I love the interior.
Cheers😊
When it comes to classics, I don’t stick to one brand. Anything American from the 30s to the 80s is good in my book 😊
My Dad bought a 1962 T-Bird brand new from the factory and ordered it with the 340HP 390CI Highway Patrol engine. It was a great looking car back then and still looks great. In the early 70's he offered to let me have it for a measly $250, which was what the local Ford dealer was going to give him on a trade for a new Pinto for my mother. I declined the offer. Years later I groan when I think about what I turned down. The terrible handling and brakes are were easily and dramatically improvable with better parts from other Ford products. If I could get my hands on one today I could afford I would buy it. Great memories.
They were so beautiful. At 15 I bought my very first car, a 1962 Tbird blue convertible. Wish I still had it!!
My favorite era of T-Bird was '67-'69. It was tough looking, yet still super classy. Like it demanded respect!
Keeping thatsvy I want a '67 Tudor landau with 390 or 428.🤩
Worst T-birds??? Early-mid 80s.
Very solid car and above average build quality and materials.if you find one today the vinyl is probably still fine.
As a 16 yr old idiot out buying my 1 st real car, I passed on a chance to buy a '61 T-Bird for $450. My Dad (a man of few words) muttered disapproval as we drove away. It was bright turquoise with white interior...he really liked the car.
Headturner. Immaculate looking work of art.
A friend's mother had a '62 T-Bird and it was the coolest car around. It was like floating on a cloud when she would drive us kids around. I felt like a million bucks just sitting in the back seat. She would take me and her son out for root beer floats and we were very careful to not spill a drop in the car. It was cream color with cream leather interior. Wow! Great memories. Thanks Mrs. Gibson. She also took us up in her airplane for 'touch-and-go's' at the local airport. She was the coolest mom on the block.
Love this era of TBird!
Me too, one of the 60's luxo-american cars I never got to even ride in.
I have never been a big Ford fan but think the 63 Thunderbird is one of the most beautiful cars ever made
I loved the 62 T-Bird I had. Awesome car. Another one I wish I had kept!!
1964 in Alamogordo NM I went with my dad when he bought a 1963 Tucson Yellow Thunderbird. He was a fighter pilot and on the test drive I was excited as he took it up to 110mph (Two lane highway) and I remember how smooth and quiet it was. We moved to Las Vegas where he taught me how to drive, I was 10 yo. But the seat was electric with adjustable steering wheel, so I had no problem. On our way to the air force base, he let me drive down the strip. I was thrilled and I still remember that feeling! What a great car with that interior of buttons and switches I felt like I was driving one of his jets.
My folks had a '64 Galaxie 500 XL that had the sliding steering column and the 390 4 barrel engine that had "Thunderbird" embossed on the valve covers. Had a lot of power for as heavy as that car was.
Andy Griffith cop car.
Beautiful cars... My dad had a silver-blue 1961-62 Tbird convertible in the late 80s, which made me the proudest, happiest guy on the block! Wish I still had it.
They were beautiful cars!!
I thought you where Dead.😳🤔🤔🤔
What island you at??🙊🙉🙈
What's your new phone number 📱.
Jeffery Epstein😂😂
Unlike the girls in your life, you apparently don't mind a car over 15 years old.
The styling was so far advanced that GM was caught off guard. I honestly can't imagine how great it would have been to drive off the lot put in an 8 track turn on the ac and said welcome to the future.
8-Tracks didn't show up in Ford cars until 1965.
Here's the deal I have had my tbird for about 3 months and in that time I've added glass packs to the 390 also a dealer added tri power kit. Also would have added the top of the line Philco am/fm hi fidelity radio. People would want to be me.
Mine doesn’t have an 8-track, mine only has an AM radio.
Lord Publius it was an upgrade feature in the late sixties for early sixties cars.
GM didn't get close till the Olds Toronado I'm a 50/60's car lover and this TBird and the Toronado are my faves
I miss the personal luxury car segment. SUVs and trucks are boring.
They really are. It broke my heart when I found out the Continental was being discontinued
BMWs are very sporty and luxurious.
BMW’s don’t count. I always cut them off or just refuse to move out of their way. But then I don’t count either, don’t drive anymore since I lost most of my eyesight!
Trip Reviews Oh sorry to hear about that.
Perrye Golson No problem, I miss driving though, it was my hobby so to speak. Never had a third....or a Beamer for that matter. My brother did have a 67 tbird once and a friends son who plays in the NHL let him use his while he was off on the road and he liked driving it. Cheers! 🍻👍
I had a 63 T-bird coupe in high school. This was around 1995. It was Chalfonte blue with indigo interior. And of course the 390 with a motorcraft 4 barrel. Seems like every adult i ran into thought it weird how much i liked that car. Funny story: i was picking a girl up at her house to go out on a date. I drive up and park out front. Her dad answered the door and was about to do the typical dad thing - sizing up who is taking his daughter out. We shook hands on introduction and then he saw my car. Man.....he was blown away. He really wanted to see the car up close and we walked over to it. We must've talked for 20 minutes until his daughter was like, "dad, we need to go." He kept asking me, "Why are YOU driving this car?" insinuating i'm too young to care about old cars. But timeless design is timeless. I love how the back tailamps looked like rocket boosters. The dash made it feel you were in a cockpit. Opening the door at night was an experience. Both door courtesy lights, light under the dash over the radio, and the roof light over the rear seat - all will light up the entire interior. It was beautiful. I will say it wasn't a true dating car. With bucket seats and a console between, it kept you and your date separated. But i was always buying and trading cars. I drove the tbird a year, sold it and got an immaculate 1970 sport fury. I'm still doing the same thing. Drive a car a couple years and then sell it.
What about the girl? What became of her?
Still a great-looking car. But when it came out, it was shocking. I remember when one of the engineers at work drove up in his new '63. I literally gasped. There was nothing on the road that looked like that. Ford did a superb job with the styling of this T-bird series.
Totally blew me away as a teen when they came out,,,a friend of my dad's bought the convertible and it was fabulous to ride in,,,the interor looked so futuristic and exotic, You don't get that emotional rush from cars like that anymore,,,as hi tech and upscale as they are,,,I'd take a 60 to 65 TBird any day,
My favorite T-Birds are the 1965-66 with the 390. A good friend of mine way back when we were in high school in the late 80s had a 1980 or 81 Thunderbird with the straight six in it. It was a really nicely equipped car even though it was just a dressed up Fairmont but it was big time underpowered.
Thunder Jet 428 was available in the 66' Bird, and many had them.
@@Johnnycdrums To my knowledge (and memory), no T-Bird EVER had a six. Are you confusing it with a Mustang? For my money, I'll have an Avanti. The 'Bird is a beautiful car; can't argue that. But the Avanti was like nothing else.
@@scottsmith4612 ; Think you are addressing the wrong person.
I never said that a T-Bird had a 6 cyl., ever.
I said the 428 Thunder Jet was available in the 66' Thunderbird and it was a popular option, over the, by then, doggy 390..
It isn't that the ThunderJet 390 was horrible, it's that the 428 was much more powerful, probably caused by the fact of it being a brand new motor, hand selected fits were still taking place on the engine build floor.
1967 was the last year 390 was offered in a Thunderbird.
Both of them were FE motors, either one could be modified with over the counter speed parts, btw.
The 428 was a good engine that lasted only about 3.5 years
Then, Ford decided to embark on a big block motor, based upon a 3.85'' stroke, and have .020 more bore spacing than the FE motors.
The new at that time, (385 block) housed the legendary Ford 429 series and Lincoln/Mercury 460 motors.
@@Johnnycdrums I did comment on the wrong post - duh. But thanks for the interesting reply!
My first car that I drove regularly was a 62 T bird. Bought it used in 1977. Best ever cruiser. And fast. Not hard to bury the needle at approximately 130-135 mph. Of course with a two speed tranny and speeds above 90 mph, you could see the gas gauge moving. Definitely one of the nicest designs ever in North America.
One of my favorite cars.
I changed my route to grade school so that I could slowly walk past a red convertable T-bird that was parked outside during the fall and spring. It just looked so good compared to most other cars of that era.
A very timeless design, I always loved the streamlined bullet shaped body. It must have been so weird to see at a time when other car manufacturers were putting out big squared out land yachts
Chrysler copied it with their turbine car, shame they didn't stuff a 383 into their car so they could actually compete.
I was a junior in high school when my dad purchased a new 1963 T-Bird.
I remember so well a Friday night, a cold snowy winter evening in 1964, driving that car to pick-up my date.
As I was leaving the driveway I had the radio on and the DJ introduced the Beatles, the first time I heard their name.
The song that played was "I want to hold your hand."
As I drove that beautiful car down the road I listened to that song thinking that I truly had it made at 18.
The T-Bird was a second car. My dad preferred to drive his Cadillac. I liked that idea.
This design and the 1963 Corvette Stingray were so different from all the other cars being built during that period, that it makes you wonder what happened to all the other cars! It truly looks like a jet plane.
My mom's first car when she turned 16 in June 1956 was a 1955 T- Bird . Her dad ordered his '57 and would continue to buy a new T-Bird every two or three years until the '67 model. He kept that one for about six or seven yeas. As a little kid, grandpa's T-Bird was magical. I ended up buying, actually trading some work for a '66 with the 428 cu motor. With the slide to the side steering column and steering wheel, the thermometer speedometer, with the center console and roof console that had the aircraft style levers for the climate control, centrifugal taillights, the front turn signal bullets on top of the front fenders powered by wait for it, wait .. fibre optics cable, the curved corners rear seat the door ajar and low fuel and seat belt warning lights in the overhead center console, it was white, black vinyl roof rear wheel skirts, black interior. From the original owner, I got it in 1998 with 90k miles, old man miles it had been garaged its whole life, it still had all the Motorcraft stickers on the hoses and the factory glass fuses with the white paint on the glass, Motorcraft badges on the a/c compressor hoses. This car was so original it was scary.
I have always been a Chevy until I got that car. It didn't convert me, but I do have a couple of favorite Fords.
Thunderbirds, great cars until the large body style came out around '69 or '70 then they were pimp mobiles. Lol
my friend's dad had one of these with a 390. as beautiful as it was, the performance was unbelieveable and until i got a ride in a whale tail turbo porsche 911 many years later, i remained astonished and of course wanted one badly. never happened, but i did get a 1967 ss 350- cool but no cigar.
My grandpa had an all black 1963 Thunderbird and drove it around L.A. for years - Even as a little kid back then, never forgot it was the 1st car I rode in with a/c, the power window switches in the console and the swing-a-way steering wheel. This T-Bird and suicide door Lincoln Continental were built on the same platform, shared the cowel and other bits.
Beautiful car remember them when I was little toronado neighbor had a 62 T-Bird just a beautiful car
I loved my '61 T-BIRD hardtop. I owned it from the late 1980's to 2006. I drove it all around Lake Tahoe and the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. The best part of driving on two lane mountain roads with this beautiful car was its handling abilities. Going around sharp curves you didn't touch the brakes. You accelerated! What a thrill to drive.
At one point I was made an offer for her and, regretfully, I let her go. One of the biggest mistakes of my life.
Love your channel.
thanks for not just doing the the standard classics. The T bird is sadly overlooked
We were all nuts for hot rods back then=super light and super fast in the 1/4.
We always just called the Thunderbird T-birds. My folks bought a 63 when I was 12. There were 4 boys in my family and dad just thought we'd fit in the back seat. We barely did and we all loved that beautiful car!
Yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to me, this car is the most beautiful American car ever built.
amen
I was a GM kid and was just getting into cars at this time (12 years old). The '61-'63 Thunderbirds were absolutely beautiful Loved 'em.
Great presentation. I have always liked this car. I had several 1/25 Scale model kits of the various versions. It reminds me a little of the Chrysler Turbine vehicle.
The resemblance is understandable. Both cars were styled by Virgil Exner.
Thanks for the memories. I owned a 1961 when I was a kid back in the 70's. Then it was just an old car. LOL It was black with blk leather. It would go fast but was not so quick at stopping. I would like a review of the 1973 Pontiac Lemans Sport Coupe. It had the louvered rear side windows. Oh the girls liked that one.
It changed the game, for sure!
I LOVE your videos Sir, keep doing what you do!
May I suggest; the 1977 - 1990 GM B-body/Caprice Classic & 9C1 interceptor
Ross look back he did do a segment on it as well as the 74-76 caprice
Almost bought a '63, a beautiful red bulletbird. I ended up going with a '66 Town Landau model, 428 and the front disc brakes.
Ford style house design - George Jetson approved!
I owned a 1961 T- bird, burgundy in color, with a red interior. Classy looking car. I sold it to buy a 1966 T-bird convertible, burgundy in color, with a white interior. My favorite car of all time.
Back in the 1960's we refereed to those as Land Barges. They sort of floated around corners.
My older brother built a model of the 61 when it was for sale. (I think he was trying to tell my dad something) He kept it away from me and my sister up on a book shelf. He painted it deep metal flake blue and did a beautiful job. I'll never forget that model or that car!
One of my favorite cars I'm a little biased because I own a 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible 😁
I bought a 61' convertible 5 years ago. Summer daily driver.
wow nice
I have a 63 hardtop I’d kill for the convertible or sports roadster but a sick car in any option
The 'Bulletbirds' as they are called are one of the better classic car values on the market today. A good hardtop can be bought for easily under 20K and a good convertible for around 30 thousand. Sports Roadsters and M Codes are a bit more expensive with an M Code Sports Roadster approaching 75K plus but hardtops are still very affordable. The cars came standard with many features that were expensive options in the 1960s and today would put a car out of reach for an average buyer. With a 61-63 T-bird you get things like power steering, power brakes, automatic transimission (3 speed which was not standard in most early 60s cars), bucket seats, and most importantly, a big block V8. Add to it common options like power windows, power seats and air conditioning. The car also had a luxury car level of ride and the fit and was generally smoother and quieter than most cars of the era. I've had several birds over the last 20 years and love these cars. They are solid, pretty quick, ride like a dream and always attract attention.
I'd also argue that the Studebaker Hawk series is also a really solid value in the American classic car world. I own a '62 GT myself and I couldn't be more glad.
@@jakekaywell5972 Very true. I have a friend that has several of them. The Hawks and the later Avanti's are elegant, beautiful and very interesting cars and they are a great value. They have a 57 Silver Hawk that is absolutely fantastic.
I drove the larger '67 Tudor when I was in my 20s. Loved it, even though it was huge compared to the earlier models. My next 'Bird will be a 1966 model. One thing I've noticed, the best Bang for Your Buck right now are early to mid-sixties Fords and Lincolns, excluding Mustangs, Cougars, Galaxies and Torinos. They're still untouchable.
My father had one of those when I was a child of about eight years old. Metallic grey hard top with red interior. I still remember him driving me around in it.
It is, by far, my favorite T-bird.
Excellent video! '61 - 63' birds were always my favorite. When I was young one of my uncles had a new '61 t-bird. My other uncle had a year or two old '60 2dr cadillac. My old man at that time had a '57 buick.
It is sad to see that cars that were once pieces of art have become mere wrappers of internet devices!
Ditto~!!
Yeah you're right on that nothing like the old cars stood his new junk cars that we have
True. I appreciate cars from the mid-2000s decade before so much dash area was dedicated to a screen.
Couldn’t agree more.
@@Matt_from_Florida last good cars were probably 2000s-2010s japan-Europe.
Last good good cars was the 80s
This channel is excellent. Thank you for this video. A neighbour of ours had a white 1961 convertible and I've always been fascinated with this car. The shot at 5:24 makes me want to own one!
Man, that roadster, in 62, W/ the trips on it? What a cool car. If only it could've been optioned with a top-loader, and 4.30 9" Detroit locker. Now that would've been the bomb. And think about this. The car was $1 per pound. If only we could've cut the weight and dollars by 500, added the 406 tri-power, 4 speed, and 9". "YEAH!"
It has a 9" rear.
Any quality auto repair shop, can add the locker rear end.
@@nellyfarnsworth7381 That's a good start, but the entire package needs to be implemented, if any real "performance" is to be gained.
Guys you miss the whole point of the car and the market it was for. Hot Rod, Gear heads and HS kids could afford this car. You have no idea how much $4.300 was back then. My fully loaded 429 71 Torino GT cost only a little more 8/9 years later. A 1970 XKE $6K, a 66 427 Cobra $6.8 K
@@robertsullivan4773 You're absolutely right Bob. No way a kid was gunna be buying a T-bird. But if you look at the price of todays "modern muscle", (Hellcats, cobra mustangs, ZR Camaros, ect), they're not too cheap either.
But I know what your come-back will be. The "kids" of yester-year, are the ones buying those toys today. Why? Cause they're making money, and can afford it.
@@joequillun7790 young people by and large are still contrained as to the car they want to buy. But some do have circumstances that allow them to, be it well to do parents or special talents.
A timeless design....the best looking of all the Thunderbirds...hands down!
61 - 63
Continental, Thunderbird and Falcon are all timeless.
I was a young mechanic when these came out. I worked for the worlds greatest mechanic and teacher at the time, but he had a very laid back sense of humor. He said the car looked like two goldfish swimming in a "polyethylene dish pan" I have a customer who has a 64 T-Bird. Great car.
A great story about a T-Bird sports roadster that my father took me to see in the mid 1970's.
My father worked with his friend at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica and this guy lived in the San Fernando Valley and commuted each day. He was driving past a bunch of car dealers along auto row near his home coming back from work one day in the early 1960's when he spotted a near new red T-Bird sports coup with white interior setting in a Mercedes dealer's used car lot. He stopped to look at it and the salesman told him that the actor Dan Blocker had just traded it in for a new Mercedes because Bonanza, the Western TV series he starred in, had become a big success. My father's friend was so taken by the car he bought it on the spot and used it as a weekend fun car for many years.
Around 1970 this guy's daughter heads off to collage and needs a car. So her father gives her the red T-Bird Sports Coupe to drive. She's in an apartment with underground parking and one day she goes down to find the T-Bird up on blocks and all four wheels missing! She calls her father who say it's no big deal and he calls the insurance company who authorizes the tire & wheel replacement. However a few days later he gets a call from the Ford dealer who informs him that Ford only has three of the chromed OEM wire wheels in stock and that the forth will have to be specially assembled by Kelsey-Hays and that one will cost $700, a lot of $$$$$ in 1970.
The guy knew that the insurance company would kick at paying $2K to replace tires and wheels on an old T-Bird and sure enough they did. They told him that they only paid for what came with the car, not for some fancy aftermarket wire wheels. Expecting this my fathers friend had done some research on the car. To the insurance companies dismay they then found out those wire wheels were Ford OEM and sold new with the car as part of the T-Bird Sports Coupe package. The insurance company paid the bill.
However as a result of his research my father's friend realized how few T-Bird Sport Coupes were built and that was making them valuable. So he quickly took back the T-Bird from his daughter and bought her a used car to use instead. He kept that car lovingly maintained and he and his wife used it on weekend outings, trips to Las Vegas, and in parades. It was a head-turner wherever he drove it.
One last story the guy told me was that people would see this amazing bright red two-person big T-Bird with white interior and those bright chrome wire wheels and offer to buy it from him. He and his wife were in Vegas in the early 1970's and some guy who had just won big, was waiting for them by the car as they came out of a casino. He said he wanted to buy the car and started putting hundred dollar bills on the hood telling my father's friend to tell him when to stop! He explains to the guy that the car wasn't for sale, who then scoops up his money off the hood and walks away disappointed.
All these people including my father are long gone now and I wonder who eventually ending getting that beautiful car.
Curtis Tucker: Good question. And cool story
Great story and not surprising that gambler wanted it bad! Glad they didn't cave to the almighty dollar!
This is my favorite Ford Thunderbird, love the design. Futuristic yes, but also simple, elegant.
I own the Bulletbird's only competitor when new, the Studebaker GT Hawk. While I personally prefer the GT Hawk's styling and general feel, there is no denying that this T-bird is more luxurious. That's why it was $1,300 (MSRP) more expensive. Great cars, both.
In September Of 1968, while on leave from the service I traded a 1964 Corvair convertible for a red 62 Tbird hardtop at Arnold Lincoln Mercury in Roseville, Michigan, I was 20 years old and still on active duty in the Navy in Little Creek, Va.
As I motored along the highway driving it back to the base, I remember being ecstatic and listening to “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison on my FM mono radio.
I got a few new admirers in the Tidewater area and a lot of trips to the repair shop, but I loved that car and it’s one of my top memories of my youth😎❤️