Mark Maurice's 61 T-Bird Restoration

Before and after slide show...


In Marks words...
This is my 1961 Thunderbird that was discovered locked in an "Old Garage" covered under a tarp for 30 Years. The original owner passed away in 1980 making me the 2nd owner of the car. The car was destined for the Crusher. I was contacted by a friend of a Business associate who knew I was a Car Guy. He stated he found an "old Ford in a Garage" and the Garage was scheduled to be leveled in 2 weeks and that he needed to have it removed ASAP. He said if I was interested, I could have the Car as long as I make the arrangement's to have it removed form the Garage. So I went to take a look at this "Old Ford" and discovered an unmolested 1961 Thunderbird with 65,000 Original miles on the Odometer! All the paint was simply flakes, from the exterior to the engine compartment, to the trunk. I have not rebuilt the motor...it is still the original engine and it did not require any internal work. The car was simply parked and left there..I replaced the Exhaust System, Rebuilt the Transmission, All new brakes, new shocks, new tires, installed Tach, gauges converted from Generator to Alternator and added an AM /FM CD Satellite Audio System as well as a 3 screen DVD System. The interior was done by myself and contains all the original components other than the front buckets and rear seat.. My goal was to give it a mild custom look while still staying true to the stock look of the Car. The car has power windows, power drivers seat, Posi- traction rear, factory tinted glass. Everything in this Car works! 1961 Thunderbird production began on October 3,1960 and my car was built October 30, 1960 and it was the 638th T bird produced in a production run of 72,000 Thunderbirds for that year. It has taken 26 months to reach this point. I did all the restoration work myself other than the paint
She looks great , rides like a dream, and Loves to Cruise...............
This Thunderbird now Fly's again and what a Beautiful Lady she is!
Mark Maurice

Below are pictures in order from the time Mark first saw the 61 T-Bird until present. Aprox 26 months later...

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