Power steering box 1961 thunderbird3/21/2024 ![]() The two door hardtop 61 Thunderbird cost about $4,300 new. Weight averaged about 4,200 lbs for the hardtop and about 4,130 lbs for the convertible. The 1961 Ford Thunderbird had a wheelbase of 113,0 inches and an overall length of 205.0 inches, width of 75.9 inches and a height of 52.5 inches on the hardtop. Transmission was a three speed automatic. The 300 horsepower engine did the Zero to 60 MPH in 8.8 seconds. These were comprised of 390 cubic inch six barrel carburetor V-8’s putting out 340 horsepower. As a side note, a small number of 19 third generation T-Birds were built with M version engines. ![]() The only engine available in 1961 was the 390 cubic inch V8 with a Holley four barrel carburetor which delivered 300 horsepower. See the AutoMuseumOnline articles on the links below…Īn excellent illustrated book about the Ford Thunderbird is… Thunderbird! An Illustrated History of the Ford T-Bird (The Ford Road Series, Vol. Kennedy rode in a 1961 Thunderbird during his inauguration parade. Large round Thunderbird tail lightĪs an added honor the 1961 Ford Thunderbird was the pace car during the 1961 Indianapolis 500 Race. Standard features which cost extra on other models included power steering and power brakes, back up lights and bucket seats. Options for the 1961 Ford Thunderbird included air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts and white wall tires. On the convertible models, the forward end of the trunk lid was still rear-hinged. The new hard-top model had softer roof lines than its “ Square-Bird” predecessor. ![]() The interior design featured a dash which curved at its outboard ends to blend in with the door panels, and the first “ Swing Away” steering wheel, which would swing to the side when the car was in park and the door was opened to help with entry and exit. Others referred to these automobiles as the “ Projectile Birds“. Many referred to the third generation Ford Thunderbirds as the “ Bullet Birds“. The body shell was all new with a prominent pointed front prow, modest fins above the Thunderbird’s large round tail lights. In fact the Ford Thunderbird was lower than just about any car on the road in 1961.The third generation cars came with many firsts. ![]() In 1961 the Thunderbird went through a complete redesign. The chassis design was similar to the second generation Thunderbirds, 1958-60, but was modified slightly to provide better handling and a smoother ride. It should be noted that Engel’s design did have a lot to do with the Lincoln Continental design. This was advantageous on a production standpoint since both the Thunderbird and Lincoln were able to share many aspects of their unibody construction and the cars were both built at Ford’s Wixom production plant. Ford President Robert McNamara saw the Thunderbird design and liked it so much he also turned it into the 1961 Lincoln. As it turned out, Elwood Engel’s design proposal lost out to the winning one by Alex Tremulis. There were several designs on the drawing board for the 1961 third generation Thunderbird. Chevrolet Corvette went the sports car route and never looked back. Ford called their Thunderbird a personal luxury car. The Ford Thunderbird was always considered somewhat sporty but in a luxurious way. After several years each model went their separate ways. Thunderbirds were the cars from Ford which in 1955 started out competing directly against the Chevy Corvette. The first Ford Thunderbird was introduced at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show. Ford of course wanted to follow suit and did so with it’s first Thunderbird. 1961 Ford T-BirdĬhevrolet was the first of the Detroit automakers to test the sports car market with the introduction of their Corvette. Always refer to a professional to verify correct fitment for your vehicle.The 1961 Ford Thunderbird represented the beginning of the third generation Thunderbirds and they were sleeker than the ones before them. The data has been provided by our suppliers and manufacturers and may contain errors or incorrect data. The Vehicle Fitment Guide is to be used as a general reference.
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