Ford Thunderbird The Thunderbird was redesigned for 1961 with sleeker styling that gave the car a distinctively bullet-like appearance. A new engine, the "FE" V8, was the standard and only engine initially offered in the Thunderbird. The V8 produced and was mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. The new Thunderbird was immediately well received with 73,051 sold for 1961. The car was 1961's Indianapolis 500 pace car and was featured prominently in US President John F. Kennedy's inaugural parade, who appointed Ford executive Robert McNamara as Secretary of Defense. It also benefitted from product placement, notably on the popular television series 77
Gibson Thunderbird Nikki Sixx Thunderbird Bass is made with a mahogany/walnut neck-through with Flame Maple body wings attached to form the body, finished in transparent Black Cherry. The fretboard is inlaid with red acrylic "X"s at the third, fifth, seventh and 12th frets. The Gibson Thunderbird Studio models (which were also available as five-string versions) have mahogany necks set into mahogany bodies. This model was discontinued in 2007. The Gibson Thunderbird IV Zebra Wood Bass, 2007, Limited run of 400 (Gibson guitar of the Week, Week 11)."ZebraBird" Thunderbird Short Scale Bass, 30.5" scale, 2011, Limited run of 400. "Short Scale Thunderbird" The