If the Lincoln Mark X concept didn’t float your boat, perhaps you’ll fall in love with the Ford Thunderbird Italien.
Set to be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s early next month, the show car started life as a 1962 Thunderbird convertible. However, it was transformed into an Italian-inspired coupe by Dearborn Steel Tubing, under the direction of Ford.
As part of the makeover, the car was given a flowing fiberglass roof as well as a “Ferrari-inspired egg-crate grille that partially concealed the turn signals.” That’s just the tip of the iceberg as the model was also outfitted with front fenders and doors from a 1963 Thunderbird.
advertisement scroll to continue
Elsewhere, the car has modified rear fenders and approximately 80 pieces of custom trim. The auction house says these include the eye-catching side vents as well as the chrome-plated flourishes on the hood.
The upgrades continue inside as virtually every surface is covered by leather or metal. The cabin also sports black accents as well as exquisite attention to detail.
Since the car was designed to show that “Ford was paying attention to the burgeoning ‘kustom kulture’ that celebrated … colorful creativity,” it took part in the Custom Car Caravan as well as the Cavalcade of Custom Cars at the 1964–1965 World’s Fair. RM Sotheby’s says it was also shown at major dealers and featured in numerous magazines including the June 1963 issue of Speed and Custom.
More: LBJ’s 1964 Imperial Crown Presidential Limo Going Up For Auction
Following its time in the spotlight, the car was slated to be crushed. Thankfully, that didn’t happen as the Thunderbird was “divested back” to Dearborn Steel Tubing. It was then sold to actor Dale Robertson, before trading hands numerous times over the decades.
The Italien was eventually purchased by Tom Maruska in 2005, who restored it to like-new condition. It was sold a few years later, in 2008, and was recently “freshened” by its current owner.
If you’d like to add your name to the owners list, prepare to shell out an estimated $400,000 – $600,000 (£317,420 – £476,130 / €371,140 – €556,710).
Pictures: RM Sotheby’s
Commercials Cooperation Advertisements:
(1) IT Teacher IT Freelance
立刻註冊及報名電腦補習課程吧!
电子计算机 -教育 -IT 電腦班” ( IT電腦補習 ) 提供一個方便的电子计算机 教育平台, 為大家配對信息技术, 電腦 老師, IT freelance 和 programming expert. 讓大家方便地就能找到合適的電腦補習, 電腦班, 家教, 私人老師.
We are a education and information platform which you can find a IT private tutorial teacher or freelance.
Also we provide different information about information technology, Computer, programming, mobile, Android, apple, game, movie, anime, animation…
(2) ITSec
www.ITSeceu.uk
Secure Your Computers from Cyber Threats and mitigate risks with professional services to defend Hackers.
ITSec provide IT Security and Compliance Services, including IT Compliance Services, Risk Assessment, IT Audit, Security Assessment and Audit, ISO 27001 Consulting and Certification, GDPR Compliance Services, Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), Penetration test, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerabilities scan, IT Consulting, Data Privacy Consulting, Data Protection Services, Information Security Consulting, Cyber Security Consulting, Network Security Audit, Security Awareness Training.
Contact us right away.
Email (Prefer using email to contact us):
SalesExecutive@ITSec.vip