1962 Ford Thunderbird ‘M-Code’ Sports Roadster
The third-generation Thunderbird, spanning 1961-1963 and nicknamed the “Bullet Bird” for its sharply pointed nose and swept-back bodywork, represented Ford’s full commitment to personal luxury. Space Age styling ran from the tapered nose to the distinctive afterburner-style taillights at the rear, and the model offered an extensive range of standard and optional equipment.
Sports car credentials were not part of the original design brief.
The Sports Roadster, introduced for 1962, answered that gap with a measure of theatrical style: a removable fiberglass tonneau fitted over the rear seats, giving a convincing two-seat appearance while preserving four-seat functionality. Kelsey-Hayes 48-spoke chrome wire wheels with knock-off centers and specific badging completed the package.
Ford produced 1,427 Sports Roadsters for 1962 at an additional cost of $650 above the standard convertible.
The M-Code designation marks a considerably scarcer subset of that already limited run. The 390 CI V8, breathing through three Holley two-barrel carburetors, was rated at 340 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, with a 10.5:1 compression ratio, backed by the Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic.
Of the 1,427 Sports Roadsters built for 1962, 120 were factory-equipped with the M-Code tri-power engine.
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