The 1961 Ford Thunderbird was a styling triumph for the Ford Motor Company during the space race American car styling epoch of the late 1950's and early 1960's. No one person is credited with coining the nickname Bullet Bird, just as no one designer for the Ford Motor Company is acknowledged with creating this superlative automotive shape that so aptly characterizes space race automotive styling during this era.
Above: A 1961 Indy 500 Festival Car parked in front of the Indianapolis 500 Museum (photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions)
One could have also called the Bullet Bird, Rocket Bird, but Bullet Bird sounds so much cooler, perhaps due to the alliteration or to the fact that the shape looks more like a bullet than a rocket. Also, bullets tend to travel in a horizontal plane, while rockets travel vertically, if everything is spot on for the mission (that is).
Before delving too far into the details of this Corinthian White 1961 Thunderbird coupe, it's incumbent to recount how cool the stylish Bullet Bird was when it first hit the scene in 1961. The vehicle earned the nickname for its rakish bullet-like silhouette and styling. Ford provided a total of thirty-four 1961 Thunderbird Convertibles, including one Official Pace Car, one alternate Official Pace Car, and thirty-two Official "500" Festival Cars. At the race, the two with white upholstery were the pace car and the stand in, while the remaining thirty-two had black upholstery. Only five Festival Cars with black upholstery are known to still exist. When racer A.J. Foyt won the 1961 Indy 500, he also won the 1961 Indy 500 Thunderbird Official Pace Car. He later gave the 1961 Indy 500 Official Pace Car T-bird to his mom.
The 1961 Ford Thunderbird design team was led by Bill Boyer and achieved with extensive contributions from Ford Design teammates Jim Powers, Richard Clayton, and Ken Pheasant. Boyer, who had been involved in all previous Thunderbird designs, served as the manager of the design studio. The design team worked under the direction of George Walker, Ford's chief stylist.
So, without further ado, the owner of this magnificent specimen of 1960's engineering and design, is none other than Ron Motonaga, of Fountain Valley, CA. If Ron's name is familiar, you likely read about Mr. Motonaga's Ford Bronco - A 1971 Ford Bronco Named the Death Trap.
Above: The 1961 Bullet Bird came stock with power windows and power door locks.
Mr. Motonaga is of the belief that American muscle cars are best suited for the open road. He works on and drives his collection of daily and weekly American drivers from the performance and stylish oriented swingin' '60's with passion. His Death Trap, the aforementioned '71 Bronco, was a daily driver and an occasional rock crawler before his '61 Bullet Bird became his daily.
Mr. Motonaga purchased the Bullet Bird that he has affectionately named Betty from someone who lived in that toddlin' town of Chicago in January 2021. Betty still has her original Ford 390FE big-block V8, rated at 300-horsepower by the FMC and her three-speed automatic Cruise-O-Matic transmission.
As is the case with many vintage vehicles, he has overcome multiple issues with Betty, including a non-functioning heater and a vent that was stuck in the open position. Betty isn't restored. She's aptly maintained by Mr. Motonaga.
When the owner drove the car home to California, he immediately gutted the interior. He lined the floor with sound deadening and thermal material, replaced the carpeting, and reupholstered the seating surfaces. Betty now also has a Bluetooth stereo and a Viper remote alarm, both sourced from Classic Car Stereos.
Round two for Betty's rehabilitation included upgrading to a Ford 3G alternator from the Bullet's original generator. He installed a Classic Auto Air HVAC system. A Duraspark distributor, MSD 6A control box, and Optima yellow top battery improved Betty's electrical disposition 100-fold.
Since Ron enjoys taking Betty for long road trips, he also replaced the master cylinder with a dual circuit reservoir master cylinder and assorted brake lines, after barely avoiding a collision on the freeway. The brake system is still front and rear drum brakes, however.
Ron shared that Betty burns a bit of oil but still runs strong. He tuned the original Ford Autolite four-barrel carburetor with an A/F (auto/fuel) ratio gauge using jets and power valves from Holley. He has a few other upgrades planned for Betty and hopes that his good stewardship of her will give her and him miles and miles of good times and memories for the open roads and years ahead.
Classic Industries offers restoration parts, accessories, and high performance components for 27 different Ford and Mercury models at present. If you have a Ford Thunderbird, CI also has components for your T-bird. Enjoy working on, driving, showing, and road tripping in your iconic American muscle car. Make some memories!