1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

This 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. It was offered without reserve.

The 1961 Thunderbird was thoroughly restyled including an all-new body shell and refinements. The interior had a lower slung design that featured the first ever tilt away steering column. A new option package was available called the Sports Roadster package. Including in this package was a large fiberglass tonneau piece that covered the entire rear seat, which converted the car into a two-passenger roadster. The Sports Roadster package also included several styling and luxury upgrades including the safety handle in the passenger compartment, electric windows, Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, and other changes.

The Sports Roadster Dealer package was continued for 1962, as is this example. It came from the factory equipped with air conditioning, power windows, brakes, and steering, power seats, Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, and a swing-away steering wheel.

It is powered by an optional Z-code Interceptor 390 cubic-inch V8 engine with an automatic transmission. Also included is the rare continental kit and factory fender skirts.

This car was treated to a body-on-frame restoration many years ago yet still shows nicely today. For all of these reasons, hopes were high that it would sell for the estimated value. It carried no reserve meaning that the high bid was secure ownership. Bidding reached $24,750, falling short of the estimated value, but finding new ownership.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2013