Introduced for 1961, the third-generation Ford Thunderbird was more luxurious than it was sporty; the following year, the Sports Roadster was introduced to bring back the model’s performance-oriented presence. This rare specification is easily distinguishable from other Thunderbirds of this generation by its removable fiberglass tonneau cover, which covers the rear seats and makes for a more streamlined appearance. Additionally, all Sports Roadsters were equipped with Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels and fitted with a special front fender emblem and a passenger grab bar. Rear wheel skirts were deleted.

In total, just 1,427 Thunderbird Sports Roadsters were built for its inaugural year—a low figure partially attributed to the substantial $651 US premium needed to option a new Thunderbird as such.

Offered here is a highly presentable example which has been refinished in its original Rangoon Red over red vinyl and tan cloth top. Having left Ford’s Wixom plant on March 29, 1962, this car was ordered through the company’s Chicago district sales office. The chassis retains many of its factory features—including the three-speed “Cruise-O-Matic” automatic transmission, push-button radio, “Magic Aire” heater, power windows, and chrome side mirror. A set of correct center-mount wire wheels are presently shod with an older set of B.F. Goodrich whitewall tires.

This particular chassis is a “Z-code” example powered by a 390 cubic-inch big-block V-8 engine, which uses a four-barrel Holley carburetor to deliver a factory-rated 300 hp to the rear wheels. Some desirable chrome 'M-code'-style dress-up components have been added to the engine bay, including a set of embossed valve covers, radiator surge reservoir, and several miscellaneous caps.

Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadsters have always had a keen following for their unique styling, and this example would be a wonderful addition to any Thunderbird collection.