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Ford introduced their third generation Thunderbird in 1961 and were quickly given the nickname 'Bullet Bird.' The cars nickname evolved from its pointed nose, a very symmetrical shape, round taillights inspired by a jet engine, modest fins, and projectile inspired lines. The styling reflected the era in which it was hatched; the early 1960s was the Space Age and the concerns over the Cold War. This third generation bird no doubt took its creative styling cues from rocket ships and air bound projectiles.
The 1961 Thunderbird was given the honor of serving as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Fifty Thunderbirds were used by president-elect John F. Kennedy in his inaugural procession. The public also agreed with the vehicles styling, buying over 70,000 units in its first year.
This 1961 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Coupe was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for the high bid of $25,300 including buyer's premium.
The car is fitted with an overhead valve V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor and a displacement size of 390 cubic-inches. The 300 horsepower is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox and kept in the drivers control via four-wheel drum brakes.
It is finished in Burgundy with an Oyster colored interior. It has been treated to a cosmetic restoration since new and has traveled only 26,350 miles since leaving the factory. Factory options included on this car include power steering, power brakes, dual outside mirrors, tinted glass, fender skirts, power windows, power locks, factory radio, and wide whitewall tires.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
The 1961 Thunderbird was given the honor of serving as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500. Fifty Thunderbirds were used by president-elect John F. Kennedy in his inaugural procession. The public also agreed with the vehicles styling, buying over 70,000 units in its first year.
This 1961 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Coupe was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars sale at Hershey, PA presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $30,000 - $40,000. It was offered without reserve and sold for the high bid of $25,300 including buyer's premium.
The car is fitted with an overhead valve V8 engine with four-barrel carburetor and a displacement size of 390 cubic-inches. The 300 horsepower is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox and kept in the drivers control via four-wheel drum brakes.
It is finished in Burgundy with an Oyster colored interior. It has been treated to a cosmetic restoration since new and has traveled only 26,350 miles since leaving the factory. Factory options included on this car include power steering, power brakes, dual outside mirrors, tinted glass, fender skirts, power windows, power locks, factory radio, and wide whitewall tires.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007
2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $30,000-USD $40,000
Sale Price :
USD $25,300
1961 Ford Thunderbird Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Ford Thunderbird
(Data based on Model Year 1961 sales)
1961 Ford Thunderbird Chassis#: 1y71z123249 Sold for USD$44,000 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Chassis#: 1y71z129942 Sold for USD$20,350 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$33,000 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Sold for USD$19,800 2022 Mecum : Dallas | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$40,700 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$28,050 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$41,800 2022 Mecum : Glendale | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Sold for USD$29,000 2022 GAA : February 2022 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Sold for USD$23,500 2022 GAA : February 2022 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$37,400 2021 Mecum : Chicago | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$41,800 2021 Mecum : Chicago | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$34,100 2021 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$38,500 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Sold for USD$27,500 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Sold for USD$31,000 2021 GAA : February 2021 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$25,300 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Chassis#: 1Y71Z139006 Sold for USD$6,000 2020 Fall Carlisle Auction | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Custom Chassis#: 1Y71Z135549 Sold for USD$9,350 2020 RM Sothebys : Open Roads, North America | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Sold for USD$24,200 2020 Mecum : Indy | |
1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#: 1Y71Z106177 Sold for USD$12,650 2020 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, AZ |
Ford Thunderbirds That Failed To Sell At Auction
1961 Ford Thunderbird's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 1y71z129942 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $19,000 | ||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Custom | 2023 Mecum : Glendale | $25,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | $30,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2019 Mecum : Dallas | $27,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2019 Mecum : Harrisburg | $6,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2019 Mecum : Harrisburg | $25,000 | |||
1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD | 2017 McCormick's Auction # 63 | $10,500 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2017 Mecum : Dallas | $10,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis | $30,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2017 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale | $20,000 | $30,000 | ||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2017 Mecum : Kissimmee | $25,000 | |||
1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD | 2016 Leake Dallas Market Hall | $22,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 1Y71Z159202 | 2016 Mecum : Anaheim | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2016 Mecum Portland | $30,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2016 Mecum Portland | $32,500 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2016 Mecum : Kissimmee | $37,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2015 Silver Auction Sun Valley | $22,000 | |||
1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD | 2015 Mecum Harrisburg | $22,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Custom Roadster | 1Y71Z155346 | 2014 Mecum : Anaheim | $40,000 | ||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2014 Fall Carlisle Auction | ||||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop | 2014 Auctions America Auburn Spring | $6,500 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2013 MidAmerica Auctions 27th Annual Twin Cities Classic Car Auction | $11,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird 390/330 HP, Automatic | 2013 Mecum Dan Mecum's 26th Spring Classic | $5,500 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2013 Mecum : Indianapolis | $5,500 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 1Y73Z152165 | 2013 GPK Auction Atlantic City | $34,000 | ||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible 390 CI, Automatic | 1Y73Z160306 | 2012 Mecum Anaheim, CA | $26,000 | ||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2012 Auctions America Auburn Spring | $25,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2012 Auctions America Ft Lauderdale, Fl | $15,250 | $25,000 | $35,000 | |
1961 Ford Thunderbird | 2012 Mecum Auctions Kissimmee Florida | $14,000 | |||
1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible | 2011 Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction 24th Year | $27,000 |
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1961 Ford Thunderbird
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