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New For 1961

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

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,633

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. uc4me
    Joined: Feb 3, 2006
    Posts: 516

    uc4me
    Member

    61-62 are the best t-birds in my opinion
     
  3. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    Love those T-Birds! I was new in '61 too.
     
  4. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    The "big birds" were really the first cars to use the "personal luxury" idea that became all-consuming by the mid 70's. And they were designer cars too, not meant to be exceptionally practical or to blend in.

    Not only that, but they predated the Riviera by a good margin, too.
     

  5. olskoolspeed
    Joined: Mar 2, 2009
    Posts: 476

    olskoolspeed
    Member
    from Ohio

    The mid sixties T-bird had one of the best factory interiors of all time (IMO).
     
  6. AustinThunderbird
    Joined: Sep 4, 2012
    Posts: 50

    AustinThunderbird
    Member
    from Austin, TX

  7. ynottayblock
    Joined: Dec 23, 2005
    Posts: 1,954

    ynottayblock
    Member

    I like them...

    just finished
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    and Ive got a 59 in progress
     
  8. Jonnie King
    Joined: Aug 12, 2007
    Posts: 2,078

    Jonnie King
    Member
    from St. Louis

    Ryan...

    My first car was a '58 Thunderbird (White/B &W Interior)...in 1960. It was the cleanest, coolest car in the neighborhood at the time. Pix are in my Album Section. (Two of my buddies at the time who owned a '51 Ford Victoria, and, a '52 Plymouth Belvedere HdTp., literally drooled when they saw the fully-loaded 'Bird the first time.)

    When I went to California in 1962 to visit my Aunt who lived in Fontana, she picked me up at the Riverside Airport. She, like me, was a car buff, had bought a '61 Bird (Tan/Beige Interior) brand-new.

    After we loaded my bags in the car, she threw me the keys and said: "You're used to driving your 'Bird, let's try-out mine !". She let me use it for the rest of my vacation out there. Bless her heart, she only lived about a year longer...but she was THE B-E-S-T !! (And, after she died, someone stole the 'Bird, and it was never found.)

    I also had a '66 Thunderbird (428 Q-Code/Fully Loaded) up until I got the '57 Dodge Coronet D-500 four years ago. But, yes, always a soft-spot for 58's & 61's. And, of course, I do love the 55's.


    Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
     
  9. right now, the one thing the early sixties birds are great at, is affordability. you get a lot of car for the money.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2012
  10. '65 my favorite. My Grandfather had a cream colored one with black interior. It was the first car I ever saw with power windows, he would let me straddle the center-hump, reach over the console and play with them untill my Grandmother got anoyed.
     
  11. outlaw256
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 2,022

    outlaw256
    Member

    61s always reminded me of rocketships.but then alot of cars of that era were influenced by the rocketships. but as far as t birds go i like the 61s but lordy lordy give me a 55!!!
     
  12. eddie1
    Joined: Jul 27, 2006
    Posts: 568

    eddie1
    Member

    My wife like the square birds but 61 is my favorite as well. My grandmother's favorite as well. My grandfather bought her a Desert Gold 61 on Christmas Eve 1960 which she drove until it was replaced with a 68 Thunderbird bought on Christmas Eve 1967.
     
    Last edited: Oct 9, 2012
  13. froghawk
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 857

    froghawk
    Member

    The prototype for the "personal luxury car." And, of course, the '63 Buick Riviera was GM's answer to success of the 'Bird.
     
  14. Bigcheese327
    Joined: Sep 16, 2001
    Posts: 6,694

    Bigcheese327
    Member

    Right. What it's great at is allowing the driver to project a certain luxury sport image. None of the luxury cars of those days really did that (save perhaps the Chrysler 300).

    I like the two-seat 'Birds the best, because I always envision them stripped of the luxury and hot rodded into sports cars, but it's undeniable the car found its niche when it added the back seat.
     
  15. I agree with this. Plus, they all had big enough motors to keep it interesting. Perfect car for the young, up and coming professional.
     
  16. Sweepspear
    Joined: May 17, 2010
    Posts: 292

    Sweepspear
    Member

    A '61-'63 T-Bird is on my short list of cars I want to own.
     
  17. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    best of the birds.
     
  18. herbet99
    Joined: Jan 16, 2009
    Posts: 194

    herbet99
    Member
    from Central NJ

    The 61 is my favorite of the later generations. The front is fabulous. But I've always felt the b-pillar was too heavy and the rear lights were too simple. If I ever own a 61, I will probably modify it heavily. A bubble top would look great.
     
  19. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    Having just got my drivers liesnce in 1955 and liking fords,the T-Bird was a sports car to every one then,even if ford didn't think so............. Anyway that took the down hill turn in 1958,but the body design may of looked good made smaller and a two seater,and same goes for all the way to 1961,guess what,they did sell a back seat cover that made them into a two seater=would of looked super had it only been built as small as 1955 to 57,was a much better design then vet had IMHO.
    Point is,it's a bit hard saying it was this or that,if you were not there then,cus now I see guys saying things that is new BS based on not knowing crap of how it was. Not the same for everyone,ture but many it seems.:cool:
     
  20. BrerHair
    Joined: Jan 30, 2007
    Posts: 5,006

    BrerHair
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have always been partial to the '64 only because I got this Philco transistor radio in '64 when I was 11.:)

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  21. nowaxn5
    Joined: Apr 15, 2007
    Posts: 818

    nowaxn5
    Member

    I have to agree with Dana. I wasn't around then but it certainly seems like it woulda been sporty in the earlier years. I feel like the '58 and newer cars would've been high style for sure. Not luxury but futuristic and chic.
     
  22. Bugsy
    Joined: Dec 27, 2008
    Posts: 1,299

    Bugsy
    Member
    from Kansas

    I like their interiors as well and "almost" bought a couple over the years. I kind of like them and probably wouldn't turn the right one down at the right price. I have to agree with you though in that they really are an in between type car. I know some fellas on here sure have some slick ones!!!
     
  23. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My wife wants a T-Bird. She thinks she wants a 11th gen (2002 - 2005) but if we ever get one it will either be a 3rd or 4th gen. What I'd really like is a 61 with a 65 interior.
     
  24. flamingokid
    Joined: Jan 5, 2005
    Posts: 2,200

    flamingokid
    Member

    61-63s rule,although I also like the gen4 ,too.Almost bought a box bird about 10 years ago,but the guy suddenly thought it was worth more when I said I would take it.Car was so friggin' ugly ,it was kinda cool.Apparently,he's still trying to sell it.
     
  25. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

    You know Ford toyed with making a bubble top version when they were designing the '61 models... Would have been pretty hot in there, but nice lines!!
     

    Attached Files:

  26. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

    Here's another prototype with a landau type B pillar and a sloping back window:
     

    Attached Files:

  27. 57Custom300
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,424

    57Custom300
    Member
    from Arizona

    61-63 are my favorites. That 62 Starbird is sweet. Has anyone here ever built one? Certainly one of a kind.
     
  28. hotrod-steve
    Joined: Mar 27, 2008
    Posts: 28

    hotrod-steve
    Member
    from canada

    Theres somthing about that name-THUNDERBIRD- reminds me of 77Sunset strip,California,convertibles, sunshine-love them all eccept the newer retro they brought out a few years ago. I think they really blew it there. I will never own one,but thats OK. Its better to admire from affar and not spoil the mistique.
     
  29. Jay71
    Joined: Sep 15, 2007
    Posts: 857

    Jay71
    Member

    T-birds trip me out.
     

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