1961 Thunderbird

The 1961 Ford Thunderbird was redesigned for with cool sleeker styling that gave the 1961 Ford Thunderbird a distinctively 45 caliber bullet-like appearance. The 1961 Ford Thunderbird got a new engine, the 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8, was the standard and only engine initially offered in the 1961 Ford Thunderbird. The V8 produced 300 horsepower (220 kW) and was mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The new Thunderbird was immediately well received with 73,051 sold for 1961. The car was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car and was featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade, probably helped along by the appointment of Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense.

Parent Page / 1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster / 1957 Ford Thunderbird Roadster / 1961 Ford Thunderbird