![]() Eventually the fins disappeared because they were too costly the build. Development of the Powers design took several months. For several months after that it was still up in the air whether the ’61 Thunderbird would be a facelift or all-new, but development of the new theme model continued. To Boyer’s surprise, Powers side was chosen as the theme for the ’61 Thunderbird-vertical stabilizers (as Powers called them) and all. The clay model was barely ready to show management at Friday’s review. Although the fins were added by Powers on both sides after Boyer went home, the passenger side of the proposal was designed by Powers and the drivers side by Boyer. Boyer left around midnight, but Powers and Amrosi stayed and finished the clay model just as everyone else was coming to work the next morning. Almost in desperation he selected an incomplete full-sized clay model Powers and clay modeler Walt Amrosi had been working on, and he suggest that he, Powers and Amrosi pull and all-nighter in an attempt to come up with a proposal that management might accept at their next day Friday review.īoyer, Powers and Amrosi began work on the full-sized clay model about the time everyone else went home. In fall 1957, on a particular Thursday afternoon, Boyer realized there was nothing ready for his studio to show management the next day. Management reviews were usually held every Friday. ![]() ![]() There had been many tries but no approvals. He was relatively new in that studio.īecause of the lack of direction and the often changing directions, it was difficult for studio designers to develop a theme model that would gain management approval. Powers was a disciple of Alex Tremulis, who had been his mentor. Boyer had been involved in all prior Thunderbird designs. Robert McNamara, head of Ford Division at the time, had trouble deciding whether the next Thunderbird would be a facelift of the 1958-60 model or a completely new design.ĭesigners in the Thunderbird studio when the ’61 Thunderbird was designed were Bill Boyer (manager), Jim Powers, Richard Clayton and Ken Pheasant. Thank you for looking.There is probably not a more confusing design story than the design of the ’61 Thunderbird. Call or e-mail if interested, or to make a reasonable offer. Be sure to check out all the photos and video on our website. It is an awesome looking and equally awesome running vehicle. You will be hard pressed to find another third-generation thunderbird this well-cared for. The original wheels, original manual, shop manual, car cover, receipts, extra keys and extra parts are all included with the sale. The wheels and tires are not original, although we think they make the stance of the car look fantastic. Recent work includes steering box rebuild, transmission filter and oil, new complete exhaust, water pump, front-end alignment and tune-up. Mechanically, this car could drive to California and back without hesitation. The transmission and rear end are also original. It is powered by the original, numbers matching 390ci/300hp V8 mated to the column-shifting automatic Cruise-O-Matic transmission with rear-wheel drive. It is finished in the factory Raven Black (code A) over the original Black Vinyl (code 56) interior, and it has been repainted. The car has just under 53,000 original miles. He is just the third owner and has traced the car back to its original owner from Detroit, Michigan. This 1961 Ford Thunderbird 2-Door Coupe has been the beloved summer cruiser of a local classic car mechanic for the past 15 years. Offered here is one of the cleanest and coolest classic cars we've had for sale, at a very affordable price point.
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