Rides from the Readers: 1962 Ford Thunderbird
Hagerty readers and Hagerty Drivers Club members share their cherished collector and enthusiast vehicles with us via our contact email, tips@hagerty.com. We’re showcasing some of our favorite stories among these submissions. To have your car featured, send complete photography and your story of ownership to us at the above email.
Today’s featured car is a 1962 Ford Thunderbird. Known as the “Roundbird” generation, these restyled cars represent the third generation of Ford’s grand tourer. Upon its arrival, base engine displacement grew from 354 cubic inches to 390, with an optional (and rare) M-code 390 that boasted three Holley two-barrel carburetors and was available from 1962–63. These two years also heralded a landau hard top with a standard vinyl roof and a smattering of (fake) walnut inside, plus a Sports Roadster that masked the back seat with a tonneau cover.
Today’s T-Bird is a ’62 hardtop model belonging to Thomas Cofield, who’s shown great love for his ride in many ways, including garaging it next to his other ’62 Thunderbird, which his wife bought for him upon his return from Iraq. The T-Bird pictured has only 13,100 original miles and is in “time capsule” condition, Cofield writes, down to the original brakes and shock absorbers. We think it cuts a fine figure—and we’re pretty sure Todd Kraemer, Creative Director and Manager of the Hagerty Drivers Club magazine, would agree … he drives a ’62 himself.
