Before there were Mustangs, Camaros and Hemi-‘Cudas at every car show, there were faux Sports Roadsters. It got worse when someone started making one for the 1964-66 models, too. The tell is that if the car ever had fender skirts, it was not a SR because the standard wire wheels required exposed rear wheels for clearance. I think there was a guy in Euclid, Ohio who left his alone. OK, every single owner might be a bit of an overstatement. Some time back in the ’70s (if not before), every single person with a 1961-63 Thunderbird convertible bought a reproduction tonneau cover and stuck it on the back of his car. So, JP, given the rarity of these and all, why the attitude? It’s like this, guys. There is an interesting article on the Sports Roadster on Automotive Mileposts ( here). OK, and maybe a wire wheel recall didn’t help. The Bird was a prestigious car, but in 1962, that prestige had a limit. Probably because the car with this package cost $5,439, which was less than $200 below the cost of a Cadillac. Ford didn’t actually intend to sell that few, but it just kind of happened. The package also included Kelsey-Hayes genuine wire wheels, a grab handle on the dash, and a little emblem on the front fender.Ĭool, right? Especially since Ford made only 1,427 of these cars for 1962, and another 455 1963 models. The biggest feature was the fiberglass tonneau cover with the faired-in headreasts that attached behind the front seats. The 1962 Sports Roadster was designed to bring back the aura of the revered two-seat Bird in a modern package. It gave the T-Bird convertible added sex appeal. Why, you might ask, does this cool accessory cause me such angst? Let me explain.Ī year into this body style, Ford did what many guessed could not be done. Here is my problem – that blasted fiberglass tonneau cover. The owner of both cars seemed surprised that I was more interested in an old Packard sedan than in a T-Bird convertible. I found the 1956 Packard Patrician ( CC here) that was sitting out in the same driveway. So, why wasn’t I more excited when I found this one?Īctually, I didn’t really find this one. And as much as mine abused me, I love them still. Actually, I love them better when we call them Cigar Birds, but tomayto/tomahto, and all that.
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