Beschreibung:

Few American motor cars are as iconic as the Ford Thunderbird. Its release in 1955 was in direct response to another American icon, the Chevrolet Corvette. Like the Corvette, the Thunderbird was a two-seater coupé also available as a convertible. Although the new T-Bird was in competition with the Corvette, it was billed as a 'personal luxury' car. Ford placed greater emphasis on the car's comfort and convenience features rather than its inherent sportiness; and it succeeded. With the release of the second generation Thunderbird in 1957, the two-seat layout was replaced in favour of including a second row of seats. The 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster was a gesture toward buyers pining for the two-seat Thunderbird in the mid 1950's. A fibreglass tonneau cover, designed by Bud Kaufman, fitted over the rear seat area of the normal four-seat convertible to give the appearance of a two-seater with a very long rear deck. Twin headrests at the cover's forward edge fitted over the regular front bucket seats, and were raised so as to flow back to the rear, thus avoiding a too-flat appearance. The cover was designed so as not to interfere with the convertible top's operation. Kelsey-Hayes chrome-plated wire wheels were standard. The final Fox-bodied Thunderbird rolled off the Lorain, Ohio assembly line in 1997, bringing to an end an American classic. This rare Sports Roadster, one of only 1,427 ever built, was purchased by the vendor in 2007 from a film producer based in California, USA. This very original T-Bird is in excellent condition, showing only 41,000 miles on the speedo, is finished in black with black interior and has recently had a new black hood fitted. The only other item to be replaced are the wheels; the original Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels were showing their age so the vendor acquired a genuine replacement set from the United States. This car is supplied with a V5C registration document, a new MoT test certificate, old MoT's going back to when the car was imported to the United Kingdom - showing that the car has only been driven less than 500 miles since being imported - and a 1962 Owner's Manual. Rarity and distinctive good looks make the 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster the prime collectible among all T-Birds.