This is quite likely the finest Bullet ‘Bird you will ever see. Tough talk? Look at it. Just take a very close look. Thanks to a no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration with a six-figure bankroll, this stunning 1961 Ford Thunderbird is simply jaw-dropping in person. It is loaded with options like factory A/C and power windows and has been restored in its original color combination of Garden Turquoise over Beige. Better yet, it’s equipped with dealer-installed Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels and a Sport Roadster tonneau cover, making it one of the most appealing 4-seater Thunderbirds we’ve ever seen. It really is as nice as it seems in photos—no tricks, no stories, no Photoshop, just a spectacular Thunderbird that’s been restored all out of proportion to its value.

We have extensive restoration photos that show this car being taken down to a bare shell and rebuilt from the sheetmetal on up. There were some patches in the lower quarters, but it seems they started with a decent specimen, and that really makes a difference in the final product. According to the door tag, this car is wearing correct code W Garden Turquoise, one of the less common 1961 colors and given the wide variety of choices in 1961, it’s unlikely that you’ve seen another one. It’s darker and bolder than Aquamarine and a bit greener than Chesapeake Blue, and looks just spectacular in person. Unfortunately, the lights in our studio make capturing turquoise colors a little problematic and even with some adjustments, we couldn’t quite capture it—refer to the chassis photos for the most accurate representation of the car’s color. That said, the bodywork is incredibly straight, with ripple-free reflections down its flanks, exacting gaps for all the various body panels, and a deep shine that only comes from a professional color sand and buff to eliminate every single irregularity in the finish. We don’t like to use the word “perfect” around here, but you could look at this car for a very long time and not find any notable defects. It’s excellent.

The elderly gentleman who commissioned the restoration says that he spent more than $35,000 on the chrome and stainless trim, and given its condition, that’s not hard to believe. The grille is beautifully finished, the bumpers are probably straighter than they were when new, and that lovely strip of chrome that extends from the tip of the car to the ends of the tail fins has been polished to a high shine. You’ll also find the taillight lenses are crystal clear, the Thunderbird emblems have proper turquoise inlays, and the ‘Thunderbird’ script on the front fenders is laser-sharp. Even the little Plexiglas wind deflectors ahead of the vent windows have been replaced, a little detail I bet you haven’t seen before but now you won’t overlook on lesser cars.

We strongly suspect the Beige upholstery is original. It’s in excellent shape, almost too nice to be 56 years old, but there’s some light discoloration that new reproductions probably wouldn’t show. The seat covers are also too nicely detailed to be repros, with real stitched seams, not heat-shaped facsimiles, and the pleats are deeper than most reproduction pieces. Of course, other parts of the interior have been restored or replaced, including new carpets, door panels, and a fresh dash pad, all of which work together to produce a very high-quality driver’s compartment. There’s a lot more expensive chrome work here, including the gauge surrounds and the center console, which isn’t pitted or damaged in the usual way, and even the A/C vents are bright and clear. The only notable deviation from stock is a modern digital AM/FM/cassette stereo, but that’s not really a demerit in a car that you’re going to drive and it comes with the original radio if you’d like to take it back to 100% stock for, say, points competition and judging (where it will dominate). Perhaps most importantly, the incredibly complex convertible top is fully operational, stowing itself under the deck lid in a mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic ballet. The trunk area is correctly finished with a full mat set and spare tire with cover, as well as a jack stowed in its own spot in the quarter panel.

The only engine available in a Thunderbird in 1961 was a Z-code 390 cubic inch V8. With a nice, round 300 horsepower, it’s plenty potent to move the big ragtop with authority, but it remains smooth and docile the way you’d expect. It was fully rebuilt to stock specs and has an estimated 1000 miles on it (we don’t think the odometer was reset at restoration, it probably had 110,000 miles before work started). Turn the key and it fires easily and idles well while it warms up. Blip the throttle and it drops down to a very docile 600 RPM. There’s plenty of torque off idle to move all that convertible and it never really seems to work too hard. The engine bay is detailed for show, with correct silver-gray tinwork on the engine, Ford script hoses, and reproduction tower hose clamps. You’ll also find a correct A/C system that has been upgraded to R134a refrigerant with the ports cleverly hidden so they don’t look modern, and there’s even a factory washer fluid bag hanging on the inner fender. Other little details that most folks miss include the rubber deflector that’s stapled into place, not bolted, and the insulated stove pipe that warms the choke. The only item that you’d need to replace for show duty is the battery, but this one is fresh and ready to go.

The undercarriage is just as nice as the rest of the car. OK, we’ll admit it’s not exactly how Ford would have finished it, since the factory would have left it in red oxide primer and called it done, but you can’t argue with the beautiful body-colored floors that have also been wet-sanded and buffed like the bodywork. There are a few very minor signs of use, mostly some road grime, that could be wiped away in an afternoon. The Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was likewise the only option, and it shifts cleanly and smoothly, but remember to drive it in the D1 position, which ensures that it starts in first gear instead of second—the car will feel a lot more energetic that way. Out back, the 9-inch rear has new bearings and seals and is full of 3.00 gears, which means this car is just effortless on the highway. It’s got a correct reproduction exhaust system, new brakes all around, fresh hoses and lines throughout, and a new gas tank hanging out back. A few bits and pieces show some surface scale because they were left bare, as original, but that’s not really a demerit. The chrome wire wheels were an aftermarket accessory, which is why they clear the fender skirts, and these wear new 205/75/14 wide whitewall radials that are the right choice.

This is a remarkable car that shows what passion can do. This was not a financial decision, but rather one of love, and it shows on every inch of this car. We’ve sold quite a few Bullet ‘Birds, including a hardtop that was pretty darned impressive, but they all pale in comparison to this convertible. It is also our opinion that 1961-63 Thunderbirds are just about the only Thunderbirds that are still appreciating, as many of their siblings have flat values these days. Stunning good looks, fantastic road manners, lots of options, and a high-quality restoration make this car a great choice. It’s not the cheapest, but I don’t think anyone ever regrets buying the best. Call today!