Lot 016: 1961 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Conceived to challenge Chevrolet's Corvette sports car launched in 1953, the iconic Thunderbird, Ford's first 'personal car', made its debut in October 1954 and was one of the first models fitted with the blue oval's new overhead valve V8 engine. The T-bird remained fundamentally unchanged during the first two years before a restyle for 1957 introduced fins on a longer tail section, increased boot space, and more aggressive frontal styling. The following year, the T-bird grew larger in its second generation, the '58 'Square-bird' being the first of the line to adopt unitary construction and offer four seats. But in 1961, elegance was back, with the third-generation 'Bullet'- or 'Rocket'-bird - longer and sleeker, with a pointed prow and stylish round tail-lights under modest fins. With improved handling over its predecessors, the '61 was the most comfortable and quiet Thunderbird to date, powered by Ford's big-block 390cu in (6.4-litre) engine as standard equipment, producing 300bhp and allied to a three-speed automatic. The space-age interior featured a curved dashboard that blended into the door trims; a new feature was the swing-away wheel, giving easier access for passengers. In 1961, 72,851 Thunderbirds were sold, of which 62,335 were coupes. This car is well presented, the vendor perhaps modestly describing the excellent paint, chrome, interior and underbonnet area as "good" and the electrics as "fair to good". Seven expired MOTs, the earliest dated March 1999 at 56,404 miles, show that the T-bird has covered some 10,000 miles in the last nine years. The Ford comes with instruction booklet, Thunderbird parts catalogue, current road fund licence and MOT until June, plus Swansea V5 registration document.