1961 Thunderbird Convertible

The top mechanism on a 1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible in Pakistan.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• T-Bird
• Ford
• Classic
• Car
• Thunderbird

[sowhatdude1]

D. I should also mention that if your hydraulic rams are the originals they could be gunked up or the pistons seals in them could be leaking. This would also definitely make things work slowly & eventually stop the whole works. To fix this problem it would require you buying a set of 4 new rams- 2 for the top, 2 for the deck lid. At that point all new hoses would also be highly advised especially if the hoses are of the same vintage as the rams.

[mja72]

Sorry for the late reply. I did open up the pump reservoir and it was 3/4 empty!! I'm surprised it was working at all forget slow. I topped it up and raised and lowered the top a few times and it does appear faster now than before. Now whats happening is the deck lid stops halfway while closing when the top is up. I need to remove the rear seat and use a jumper wire to fully close it. This only happens when the top is raised and the deck lid is closing, not otherwise.

[mja72]

Thanks. No, the engine was running when I lowered the top. Actually I was a member of the VTCI but I need to renew my membership which I will do now.

[mja72]

Thanks, could you tell me exactly where on both the top and deck lid cylinders do I check the fluid level?

[mja72]

But that would mean replacing both top pumps wouldn't it?

[mja72]

Sorry for the shaky footage as its my first time making a video. I'd also like to know if the top is retracting at the correct speed or if you find it a little slow.

[thunderbirdthang11]

I just hope you didn't forget to take your shopping out of the now useless trunk... Haha :)

[Vaicurious]

Oh my god it's so sexy.

[Sargerans]

A revolution who not appear in Europe at this time

[Srd1126]

wow-looks like you won't be folding the top in the gagage before or after a drive.

[electronicpricebook]

- The '61 had a plain all steel driveshaft without the rubber insulating insert that cushioned the inner drive shaft tube from the outer driveshaft tube.

Without these "refinements", the 1961 model was more of pure "feel of the road" car than the later cars...

[electronicpricebook]

The 1961 model was different in some minor respects than later '62 and '63 models:

- The top frame adjustable side bars ( your head was close to them when sitting in the back seat ) were chrome on the '61's.

- The power steering box was mounted directly to the uni-body "frame". The '62 and '63's had 3 rubber shock insulating mounts...

[electronicpricebook]

Early 1961's had much larger top cylinders than later 61-63 cars so even if the pump and fluid are up to par it will be slower. The downside of such large cylinders is they have so much torque that it is easy to break the pot metal top frame if you leave the top latches latched ( easy to be distracted, etc.) while putting the top down.

I bought one in 1973 that had a broken top frame...

The Swing-Away steering wheel was optional the first year-- I have only seen one car with a fixed wheel..

[silverbird58]

When i put the top down on my 60 ,i like to push up the head bow . and lighten the load on those hoses/and deck soliniod but thats me

[sneyder69]

nope the 1961 is way mutch beter than the 1966.

[forcemillennium]

no the 66 flair bird is better