Introduced in 1955 as a two-passenger roadster, the Ford Thunderbird quickly became a cultural icon. By the end of its first generation, Ford chairman Robert McNamara sought to reposition the model for broader market appeal. His directive led to the launch of the second-generation Thunderbird in 1958, a bold, four-seat “personal luxury car” that signaled a shift in philosophy and design. This would be the first Thunderbird offered as a coupe, but the convertible had its own appeal, with a reverse-hinged rear deck lid and other engineering borrowed from the famous Ford Skyliner, fully concealing the top for a clean look.

Wider, lower, and more chiseled than its predecessor, the new Thunderbird—nicknamed the “Squarebird”—offered both performance and comfort. Its interior was upscale and driver-focused, featuring numerous amenities, including standard front bucket seats and a jet cockpit-inspired center console, quite novel for an American car at the time. Beneath the stylish bodywork was robust engineering, with V-8 power and a host of luxury features. Though initially controversial, the move to a larger, four-seater configuration proved prescient as the model achieved strong sales and helped define a new market segment.

By the third generation, spanning 1961 to 1963, the Thunderbird was all Space Age sleekness, from its pointed nose—which earned it the “Bullet Bird” nickname—to the “afterburner” taillights. A new 390-cubic-inch V-8 was standard, initially producing 300 horsepower and uprated to 340 horsepower starting in 1962, with even more potent versions optionally available. Meanwhile, the Thunderbird’s status as a pop culture icon continued; it appeared in the popular television series 77 Sunset Strip and was featured prominently in the 1961 inaugural parade of US President John F. Kennedy, who appointed Ford’s McNamara as secretary of defense.

This 1962 Ford Thunderbird is one of 9,844 convertibles produced that model year. It completed production on 6 November 1961 at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan, finished as it currently is in Raven Black over a black vinyl interior. It came equipped from the factory with the optional 390-cubic-inch V-8 rated at 340 horsepower, paired with Ford’s Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission and a 3.00:1 rear axle.

The car was reportedly restored and lovingly cared for over many years under previous ownership. It currently features a removable fiberglass tonneau cover and wire wheels in the style of those seen on the rare Thunderbird Sports Roadster model. Acquired by the late owner in June 2022, he enjoyed the car immensely, taking it to local car shows. With its sleek lines and optional, high-output V-8, this attractive third-generation Thunderbird is ready to continue impressing onlookers at local shows or wherever else it ventures with its next fortunate caretaker.