1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster (1961-1963)

This 1962 Ford Thunderbird is one of approximately 1,425 Sports Roadsters made for the model year and was initially delivered to Seemes Motors in Scarsdale, New York. It was refurbished prior to the seller’s 2021 acquisition, and the car’s 390ci V8 has been fitted with a triple-carburetor induction setup, the body has been refinished in red, and the interior color has been changed to red. Sports Roadsters were equipped with wire wheels, front fender badges, a passenger-side dashboard grab bar, and a fiberglass tonneau cover that covered the back seat of the car. It is also equipped with a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, a power-operated white soft top, dual side mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, power windows, a swing-away steering wheel, an AM radio, and a MagicAire heater/defroster. An adjustable power steering return valve and a Homelink garage door opener were installed under current ownership. This Thunderbird is now offered with a copy of the window sticker, shop manuals, and an Oklahoma title in the seller’s name. The car left the factory finished in Rangoon Red (J) and was refinished circa 2010. A power-retractable white soft top and a fiberglass Sports Roadster tonneau cover are equipped. Exterior details include an A-pillar-mounted spotlight, chrome-finished bumpers, quad headlights, a windshield washer, dual side mirrors, and a dual exhaust system with outlets below the rear bumper. The seller states that the convertible top control system was rebuilt between 2021 and 2022. Imperfections on the upper left corner of the trunk lid are noted. Chrome-finished 14″ wire wheels wear spinner-style caps and are mounted with 215/75 Hankook Kinergy ST tires. The car came equipped from the factory with power steering, and a Heidts adjustable power steering return valve was added under current ownership. Additional service following the seller’s acquisition has included overhauling the suspension and power drum brakes as well as installing an uprated front sway bar and idler control bushing. The cabin has been reupholstered in red with stainless-steel trim that accents the console, instrument panel, and door panels. The front seats are power-adjustable, and amenities include power windows, lap belts, an AM radio, a passenger-side grab bar, and a MagicAire heater/defroster. In 2023, a Homelink garage door opener was installed in the ashtray. Sagging vinyl on the passenger’s door was re-glued in preparation for the sale. The three-spoke steering wheel is mounted to a swing-away column. Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, an aftermarket tachometer mounted to the steering column, an analog clock, and a single combination gauge for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 37k miles, approximately 1,500 of which were added under current ownership. The 390ci V8 is fitted with a trio of two-barrel carburetors, which were installed at some point under prior ownership. The seller reports that service since 2022 involved rebuilding the carburetors and re-coring the radiator. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Decoding the trim tag reveals the following information: 76A – Convertible J – Rangoon Red paint 56 – Black vinyl upholstery 22J – September 22 build date 1 – Standard differential w/3.00:1 gearing 4 – Three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission 2Y85Z106930 2 – 1962 Y – Wixom, Michigan plant 85 – Convertible Z – 390ci V8 w/4-barrel carburetor 106930 – Production number Shop manuals and a copy of the window sticker will accompany the car. The Oklahoma title carries a “Classic” notation.