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New For 1961

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Ryan, Oct 9, 2012.

  1. autobilly
    Joined: May 23, 2007
    Posts: 3,123

    autobilly
    Member

    That roofline is the "Fastback" Mustang of a few years later.
     
  2. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    There's a '61 rotting away in a mechaic's shop about 3 miles from me.
     
  3. ClearSpot
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 941

    ClearSpot
    Member
    from Michigan

    That early sixties body T-bird has grown on me alot over the last few years.The car is loaded with detail.Would have loved to have worked in the studio's back then.
    Notice in this view,the belt trim is the door handle! That's killer!!!
     

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  4. oldthudman
    Joined: May 12, 2010
    Posts: 85

    oldthudman
    Member

    Nice Bird!.............
     
  5. seatex
    Joined: Oct 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,670

    seatex
    Member

    Oh, Man! Ryan, have you spoken to your Attorney about this? Sounds like a garage expansion and another road trip commin' on!
     
  6. T_Bird Guy
    Joined: Oct 6, 2006
    Posts: 225

    T_Bird Guy
    Member

    I like the looks of the 1961-1963 bullet birds. But I am biased because I own one. I think some mild custom touches can really set these cars off. Here is mine.
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Chris F100
    Joined: Dec 7, 2011
    Posts: 119

    Chris F100
    Member

    I got my drivers license on my old man's 62. It was the first T-Bird in a town of 10,000 and it attracted people when it parked. My dates loved the car - but with that big console making out was not likely. Red leather interior....
    I'm painting my 62 F100 in Castilian Gold - the color of the old mans car.
     
  8. 61 Verts are my favorite Birds. The nose on the Tbirds and the Lincolns were the best in 61 IMO
     
  9. The '63 is the best among the pre-1967 T-Birds. It has the contour line from the front fender tip, all the way to where it swoops down in the middle of each door. Plus, the placement of the side trim is better thought-out. Those two features make the '63 stand out from the '61 and '62 'Birds, and make it a better-looking car.

    My Dad had a '63 from 1974 through 1978. This was the first car I drove over 100 mph, the car I took my date Penny to the prom in (and saw the movie "Carrie" at the drive-in the night prior!); and the first car my Dad let me take on my first real road trip alone in, across the mountains to Denver from the Western Slope. It was white with the black textured top and red interior. That 390 really purred! Dad had a pair of Thrush Turbo mufflers under it that made the car sound so cool. Not loud, just right!

    I'd love to find another in the same color combo, and it HAS to be a '63.
     
  10. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,407

    general gow
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    i like the 61-63s, but the early 'birds are still my favorites. it wasn't here when you came to visit, but we have a '55. my fave for sure. i've always wanted to get my hands on one without extensive family history so i could relieve it of the shortcomings that you so eloquently pointed out.

    hot y-block, t-5, drop the front for a little rake, make it stealthy. similar to the one simard owns now.

    anyway...
     
  11. dustdevil
    Joined: Mar 2, 2009
    Posts: 815

    dustdevil
    Member
    from illinois

    I've got a 62. I love the interiors as well. The aluminum trim and all the stainless trim look great on these. I just want to lower mine and put a few personal touches to it. I'd like to put the 61 quarter panel trim bullets on it though. Look much better than the 62's.
     
  12. here's my old girl, this shot was taken a few weeks ago.... today i started pulling her apart cutting and welding for some real kustomising....just mild and tasteful.... a hard car to do right ... which is probably why at least in this country 99% a restored... but im up for the challenge.
    think kustomised by the ALEXANDER brothers, painted by WATSON
    stay tuned folks
     

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  13. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The blue Bird-liner is spectacular.
     
  14. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

  15. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

  16. BirdGuy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2011
    Posts: 44

    BirdGuy
    Member
    from Central PA

    Our '62. Purchased by my grandparents in '63. Now with a mild drop, Lincoln wheels & customized center caps. Otherwise pretty original so far. Every drive is a trip down memory lane...:)

    [​IMG]
     
  17. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,006

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Amen.
     
  18. Sweepspear
    Joined: May 17, 2010
    Posts: 292

    Sweepspear
    Member

    I think I first saw this car on this board, and just this past summer saw it for sale online.
    Starliner roof grafted onto a Thunderbird.
    I love the look!
    Wish Ford had made this roof an option so there were more out there.
     

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  19. chopper526
    Joined: Sep 12, 2010
    Posts: 252

    chopper526
    Member
    from Phila., PA

    I had a '63 and a '65, fun to cruise in. I've had a T'Bird Jr. tucked away that my kids are bugging me to restore.
     
  20. I'm a huge fan of the "bullet birds" and "flair birds".

    They made and sold zillions of them, so they are easy to find. This makes them not very valuable for collectors.

    They drive excellent with the power brakes and steering and could make a great daily if you can afford to keep gas in them! the 390 FE makes great power but they are thirsty.

    The issues that I have with them are that most of the parts are unique to the Tbirds and if you can't find parts at swaps and auto parts stores you're outta luck. You can find another 'bird pretty cheap though if you have room to store them.

    Most of the time, when I see them customized, they look gross. They are custom right from the factory, so more is usually too much. A little paint, some wheels and a slight drop make them look like ford intended them to (IMHO).

    I think the '65 flair bird was one of ford's first cars to come with disc brakes standard?
     
  21. 61TBird
    Joined: Mar 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,640

    61TBird
    Member

    Uhhh....how about No on the '65 Interior. The '61 Interiors are nicer....

    Here's my '61;
    The previous owner (I'm the 3rd owner) painted the trim White. I had plans of taking it out and replacing it,but it grew on me as it's different than all the others.

    [​IMG]

    Raven Black with Red Interior is the best Color Combo :D
    [​IMG]

    A little bit of trivia on the '61's...It does not have Ford emblems anywhere on the Car,inside or out. It wasn't until '62 that there was a small plate below the Vent controls that had the Ford emblem.
     
  22. old me
    Joined: Mar 20, 2011
    Posts: 108

    old me
    Member
    from Iowa

    A little different roofline-[​IMG]

    Jim
     
  23. 61TBird
    Joined: Mar 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,640

    61TBird
    Member

    [​IMG]
     
  24. DirtyDan
    Joined: Aug 23, 2005
    Posts: 883

    DirtyDan
    Member

    I never much cared for them until I traded "Toast" for this one... what a great car... they drive amazing and really take well to mild customizing. And you can still pick nice ones up cheap!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  25. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    I have always dug the '61-'63 type birds, even when they weren't even remotely hip. The closest I have ever come to owner ship was back in '82, when I found a nice low milage '61 for 500.00. The same day I went to look at a '62 Falcon in the same shape. The thing is, when a car sits in Phoenix, all of the rubber goes to hell within say, ten years. So both cars being equal quality wise, both cars needed front suspension bushings. The Falcon cost about 150.00 to go through, the bird about 350.00 to go through. Guess which car I have to this day! Sorta do regret that sometimes though...

    I wanted badly to do a "what if" kinda deal like maybe Doanne Spencer had applied his same magic from his '55 to a later 'Bird. You know, Halibrand sport mags, slight drop, lack of badges, more power, etc. Still on my short list - make it red and black!
     
  26. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER


    They are nice, especially the dash, but barrel-back rear seats for the win.
     
  27. hemi v8
    Joined: Jan 25, 2012
    Posts: 101

    hemi v8
    Member

    Best of all the birds hands down.
     
  28. dad-bud
    Joined: Aug 22, 2009
    Posts: 3,884

    dad-bud
    Member

    I do like T-birds - got a 64 Convertible to work on one day - I love the whole Space Age-ness of it - the details on hte dash and the wrap-around seats in back.
    What's not to love?
    61-63's are really cool too - love them convertibles
     
  29. Commish
    Joined: Jan 9, 2010
    Posts: 379

    Commish
    Member
    from NW Ok

    Always wanted a 61, have not got one yet. Did have a red 69, 360hp 429 c. i., black interior. Kind of regret selling it.
     
  30. ClearSpot
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 941

    ClearSpot
    Member
    from Michigan

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