1961 Ford Thunderbird Facts: Resources

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1961 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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1961 Ford Thunderbird

1961 Ford Thunderbird Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1961 Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird was redesigned for 1961 with styling that gave the car a futuristic bullet-like body-side appearance. An upgraded engine, the 390 CID FE V-8, was the standard and only engine offered in the Thunderbird. It was rated at 300 HP and was mated to Ford’s three-speed automatic transmission. The car was also the Indianapolis 500 pace car and was featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade. The Thunderbird was well received, with 73,051 sold that year – however it was less than the previous year’s impactful 92 thousand plus deliveries.

In 1961 Ford Thunderbird introduced several firsts for the automotive market. The most impressive feature was the “Swing Away” steering wheel. With the transmission gear selector was placed in the “Park” position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle more easily.

Other innovations included a rear view mirror attached directly to the inside of the windshield. Several standard features, such as power steering and power brakes, back up lights, and bucket seats were standard, and costly options on most other automobiles at that time. Options included air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts, and white wall tires.

It should be noted that the Thunderbird no longer offered manual transmission as standard. Only the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was available.

1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrain

• Three Speed Automatic Transmission Ratios
  • All: 1st – 2.40:1, 2nd – 1.47:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 2.00:1.
• Rear Gear Standard Ratios
  • 3-Speed AMT – 3.00:1. No Options.
• Engine Options
  • 300 HP 390 CID V-8 only. No Options.

1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrain Options

NONE

1961 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Significant Options

• • 70-amp battery, standard on convertible, on coupe: ($8).
  • Air conditioner ($463).
  • Backup lights ($10).
  • Equa-Lock differential ($39).
  • Four-way driver’s power seat ($92).
  • Fresh Air heater ($83).
  • Leather interior ($106).
  • Movable steering control ($25).
  • Outside. left or right-hand mirror ($5).
  • Power brakes ($43).
  • Power driver’s seat ($92).
  • Power steering ($75).
  • Power windows ($106).
  • Radio and antenna ($113).
  • Rear fender shields ($27)
  • Seat belts, front ($23).
  • Tinted glass ($43)
  • Two-Tone Paint ($26).
  • Under-coating ($14).
  • White sidewall tires, rayon. 8.00 x 14 ($42): nylon ($70).
  • Windshield washers ($14).

NOTE: Crankcase ventilation system standard on California cars only.