Description
The Ford Thunderbird Italien Fastback was a unique and striking concept car built in 1963, showcasing Ford’s experimentation with new design directions during the early 1960s. Based on the fourth-generation Thunderbird, it was created by Dearborn Steel Tubing, a custom shop often tasked with Ford’s special projects, and was intended as a one-off showpiece to attract attention on the auto show circuit. Its sleek fastback roofline, distinctive detailing, and dramatic proportions made it one of the most eye-catching Thunderbirds ever built.
The Italien was based on the Thunderbird Sports Roadster, a glamorous and expensive model in its own right, but it was transformed into something entirely different. The most notable feature was its sweeping fastback roof, which curved gracefully down toward the rear deck in a way reminiscent of Italian coachbuilt exotics of the time—hence the name “Italien.” This roofline, paired with its long hood and short deck proportions, gave the car a sense of speed and elegance even when standing still. The car was finished in a deep, candy apple red metallic paint, further accentuating its dramatic appearance.
Inside, the Italien retained much of the Thunderbird’s luxury character, but with custom details to match its show-car role. The cockpit was wrapped in premium materials, including leather upholstery and special trim elements, emphasizing the Thunderbird’s position as a personal luxury car. Like production Thunderbirds of the era, it featured bucket seats and a sweeping console, but with bespoke touches that made it unique.
Mechanically, the Thunderbird Italien Fastback used Ford’s standard 390 cubic inch FE V8, paired with a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. This setup produced around 300 horsepower, giving the car the strong and smooth performance expected of the Thunderbird. While the Italien was not intended as a performance experiment, its mechanical reliability ensured it was fully drivable, unlike some other show-only concepts.
The Thunderbird Italien was shown at major auto events in 1963 and 1964, where it attracted significant attention for its daring design. However, it remained a one-off creation, never slated for production. Ford ultimately chose a more conservative design path for the Thunderbird, focusing on the personal luxury segment rather than pursuing European-inspired fastbacks.
Today, the Thunderbird Italien Fastback is celebrated as a rare and fascinating piece of Ford history. The car survived its show career and has been restored, appearing at major concours events and collector gatherings where it continues to draw admiration for its beauty and uniqueness. It stands as a testament to Ford’s willingness to explore bold design ideas in the 1960s, bridging American personal luxury with the flair of Italian-inspired styling.