1961 Ford Thunderbird

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

1y73z106740

Clear

Gasoline

Up for auction is a 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible project car. This Bullet Bird convertible was originally purchased by the previous owner from a high end Kruse International auction back in 1989. The car was lovingly owned and used by the retired owner strictly as a Sunday show driver. Unfortunately, the car experienced interior fire damage when on one such Sunday drive, the owner had a bag of something left on the road catch in the left rear tire well, ignite, and before a kind trucker could stop and extinguish the fire, the entire interior went up in smoke. That said, the engine, drive train, and rest of the mechanical's are in perfect condition. This car is a rust free wonder, and an excellent candidate for a full restoration. I purchased this crispy bird from the owner 3 years ago on eBay, in a very competitive auction, and the start price reflects what I won the car for at that time. I've had her stored inside a classic car storage facility in Pennsylvania since my purchase. I also purchased an entire 1962 coupe as a donor, and disassembled all the parts needed for the convertible, including: Complete interior with power seats and windows, complete air conditioning, Complete electrical wiring harness, complete set of tinted glass including the windshield, two whole complete extra doors, two complete front and rear bumper assemblies, Slide away steering wheel assembly, complete set of exterior trim, extra assemblies from the engine compartment, carb, power brakes, air cleaner etc. Really too much to list -basically the whole loaded donor coupe except for the drive train and bare body. I've all these parts at my residence in Chicago, and will make them available in their entirety o the winning bidder for an additional $1,000 above the purchase price if desired. This will be just about every part needed to complete the convertible restoration, plus tons of extra stuff as spares, and the additional $1000, reflects my cost on buying the donor coupe, not my time and labor dissembling and storing everything. I've posted pictures of the original Blue donor coupe that I disassembled so that prospective bidders will have an opportunity to see what I mean.This Bullet bird convertible has no rust, no rust through in the floor pans or body, and is an ideal candidate for restoration. Again, the entire engine and trive train was absolutely unaffected by the fire, and this car would start right up and run if it hadn't been sitting for the past 3 plus years. With the complete inventory from the donor coupe, the buyer will have a solid, rust free, and great running Bullet bird convertible, with almost all of the rare original options (Slide away, Pwr windows, vents, A/C, tinted glass, etc) for under 5K! The rest of the resto would be what one would normally expect, paint, new seat covers, carpet etc.So you'll probably get yourself a fully restored 1961 loaded T-bird convertible for less than 10k, when all is said and done -with a little time and effort. I've provided pictures of the car as it appeared just before the fire, and I do have the original title (signed into my name on the reverse) as well as the original notarized bill of sale (also in my name) and also the original Kruse International auction papers and receipts, which I will provide to the winning bidder. I never registered the car, or transfered the original title into my name. The only reason I'm selling this car is that I've too many other projects, and I realize that it's been three years that she's been sitting in storage, I've had to be realistic and have come to the conclusion that I simply will not be able to get any work done to her any time soon. It hurts to let her go, but I think it's time to pass her along to someone who has the time to get her back on the road. The most important thing to remember? Yes, the interior is ugly, but she never was, nor is a rust bucket. She was always a pampered Sunday driver. The resto on this convertible Bullet will be an easy one, and all the original parts are available to complete her and in my possession. The car is available for inspection to serious buyers, I will need to arrange an appointment with the storage facility in PA to arange a showing if desired. Any questions? Just ask. The winning bidder will be responsible for picking up and transporting the Bird, and also the donor parts if desired. The car may be kept at the storage facility as long as needed, if the buyer is willing to continue storage payments (a very affordable $55.00 per month) and I am also willing to hold the donor parts for as long as needed assuming that they've been paid for. Good luck, and thanks for looking!