and the Chrysler 300G before production ended in 1963. It briefly saw competition with the Studebaker Avanti. Several standard features, like power steering and power brakes, back up lights and bucket seats were costly options on most other automobiles of the time.
Depending on variable options Thunderbirds for 1961 could be purchased with options like air conditioning, power windows, power seats, AM radio, fender skirts and white wall tires. Common on almost all automobiles produced today, this feature was first found on 1961 Thunderbirds. Other innovations include a floating rear view mirror, directly attached to the interior of the windshield. This would also prevent the gear selector to be functional until the steering wheel was returned to the center position. With the steering column installed transmission gear selector in the park position the steering wheel would slide approximately 18 inches (460 mm) to the right allowing the driver to exit the vehicle easily. The most distinctive feature of the 1961 to 1963 Thunderbirds was the highly touted 'Swing Away' steering wheel. The Thunderbird for 1961 introduced several firsts for the automotive market. It shared some styling cues with the much smaller European Ford Corsair.ġ961 Ford Thunderbird interior with "Swing-Away" steering wheel Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably aided by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense.
The Thunderbird was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car, and featured prominently in US President John F. A new, larger 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE-series V8 was the only engine available (in 1961). Sales were strong, if not quite up to record-breaking 1960, at 73,051 including 10,516 convertibles. It featured new and much sleeker styling (done by Bill Boyer) than the second generation models. The third generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car produced by Ford for the 1961 to 1963 model years.
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