Celebrity-owned and looking like a gem (we’ve seen it in person)
The third-generation Ford Thunderbird arrived in 1961, and was a more mature and smoother exercise in design.
With a unique ‘arrow’ front end, smoother sides and an enlarged evolution of the distinctive afterburner rear end – the 1961 Ford Thunderbird’s looks weren’t the only innovation it brought with it.
This year introduced one of the Thunderbird’s historical part-tricks, in the form of a ‘swing away’ steering wheel, allowing the steering wheel to slide around 460mm to the right, allowing easier egress of the driver.
The 1961 Thunderbird was also the first production vehicle with a floating rear view mirror.
Drivetrain options solely consisted of a 390ci V8 mated to a cruise-O-matic automatic gearbox.
This 1961 Ford Thunderbird presents incredibly well, and in a very desirable combo of black-over-red vinyl interior.
It’s a bona-fide celebrity car too, formerly owned by Nick Seymour, the founding bass guitarist of Crowded House.
The car also appears in their video clip for ‘Weather With You’.
The car is in original specification with electric windows and optional Kelsey Hayes chrome wheels from factory.
The car is available via the Healey Factory in Melbourne.
Listed for $55,000, which is reasonable for a 60s Thunderbird in this condition – and with celebrity provenance as a bonus.
Our very own Art Designer too has a gorgeous ’61 Thunderbird, and it’s a sweet cruiser and was filled to the gills with cutting-edge technology for the time.
You can check out the full listing here!
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