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Classic Cruising
Bird of play
Makeover lets '62 T-Bird soar once more
Dan Robinson's 1962 Thunderbird.
The first 1955 Thunderbird was introduced to the public on February 20, 1954 as a two-seat personal luxury car.
While the interest was there, sales were slow until the T-Bird moved to a four-seat configuration in 1958. Sales quadrupled with the four-seat model, one of the few successes for Ford in what was considered a recession year.
By 1960, the Thunderbird was in its third year of a styling phase and ready for a full makeover. There were no disappointments in 1961 when a totally new version was unveiled. While the total length would remain at 205 inches and the wheelbase at 113 inches, the Thunderbird was slightly wider and sat lower, giving the car a longer look.
The four-seat configuration was about all that remained familiar in what has often been called the "Aerobird" or "Bulletbird".
A highly sculptured combination grill and front bumper took on a forward thrusting vee-shape that led to a slightly raised hood and steeply raked front windshield. The sides of the car were sharp at the top of the beltline, trimmed in chrome from front to back and then slightly rounded towards the rocker panels. In back, another massive bumper blended into the body and housed two large, round tail lamps that resembled the afterburner exhaust of a fighter plane.
It was the Jet Age personified -- even standing still the Thunderbird looked like it was traveling at the speed of sound.
For motivation, the T-Bird's 352 V8 was replaced by a larger 390-cubic-inch Thunderbird V8 engine. Although it carried the same 300 horsepower rating as the previous engine, torque and all-around performance were greatly enhanced. Along with the 390 V8, a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes became standard equipment on all Thunderbirds for 1961.
Inside, a dual-cowl dashboard flowed into a full cente console flanked by two plush bucket seats. A semi-wraparound rear seat, plush carpeting and many chrome accents helped give the Thunderbird a comfortable and visually stimulating cockpit. Available options included radio, tinted glass, Select-Aire air conditioner, power windows, power driver's seat, leather interior, seatbelts, outside mirrors and white sidewall tires.
Except for minor trim changes, the 1962 Thunderbirds were identical to their 1961 predecessors. A new Landau model was included in the lineup that featured chrome-plated S-bars on the rear roof pillars and textured, padded, vinyl-covered tops.
The early '60s Thunderbird had long been a favourite of Winnipegger Dan Robinson, and in 2000 he went in search of one to rebuild into a great summer driver. After seeing a newspaper ad, he headed to Fort Garry to check out a 1962 Thunderbird Landau that was for sale. The body was in good condition with only one rust spot, and the car was complete and driveable.
Robinson stripped the car over the winter and made the needed body repairs and paint preparation. Rondex was able to supply Robinson with the correct Corinthian white paint finish and the body was complete. Chrome and stainless trim was restored by Bob Duncan at The House of Silver, and North Star/Fairmont Plating replated the bumpers. Next came a full rebuild of the steering, brake and suspension systems with all-new components.
Robinson enlisted the help of his friend, Barry Korba, to help with a rebuild of the 390-cubic-inch Thunderbird V8. With a four-barrel carburetor rebuilt by Brian Wheatley and a full dual-exhaust system from Benders Brake & Muffler, the engine produces 300 horsepower at 4,600 r.p.m. Backed by a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, it plants the power to the pavement via a nine-inch rear axle.
Inside the passenger compartment, Ron Lechman refinished the upholstery in the correct Medium Chestnut Metallic vinyl. Equipped with all of the standard Thunderbird equipment, it also has optional AM pushbutton radio, power windows, dual side-view mirrors, power steering, power brakes, power seat, swing-away steering wheel, tinted glass, air conditioning, chrome spoke wheels and whitewall radial tires.
The restoration was completed from 2000 to 2001, with the bulk of the reassembly work done by Robinson and friend Jim Cole.
When registering the car for the road, Robinson located an Autopac agent who had licence plates with the suffix DAN and that allowed him to choose his plate numbers. DAN 523 represents his first name and his May 23rd birthday.
The Thunderbird is now a great summer driver and Robinson and his wife Sandie thoroughly enjoy local cruise nights and the long-distance trek they've made each of the past 18 years to the Hot August Nights show in Reno, Nev.
Adhering to the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy, the Thunderbird would carry the same basic styling into 1963, with the inclusion of an additional body line in the front fenders and doors. A great seller for Ford and a solid leader in the personal luxury field, the Thunderbird was a car that encapsulated success. Owning one meant you had arrived, in style, and at the front of the pack.