The 1962 Ford Thunderbird was a master of deception. Remaining primarily the same as the 1961 model, Ford offered in its new Sports Roadster what had formerly been an aftermarket item: a tonneau cover for the rear seats. This fancy piece of fiberglass transformed the four-seater into the two-seater that many diehards missed so much. It even accommodated a convertible top.

The Landau joined the Roadster in its 1962 entry, featuring a vinyl roof. Ford offered an M-Code engine, a 390-ci V8 rated at 340 horsepower. Only 145 of these T-birds were made, including 120 Roadsters.

For 1962, 1,427 of the Roadsters were sold, 10,516 convertibles, and 62,335 hardtops. The base engine was a 390-ci V8 rated at 300 horsepower, with the M-Code the only available option.