I attended a large Ford show this past summer and encountered a beautifully restored '60 Thunderbird with the factory sunroof, one of slightly more than 900 so equipped. Making this Bird even more rare was the fact that it was powered by the 350 hp, 430 CID Linclon engine. Obviously, the combination of the sunroof and big engine made this one very desirable Thunderbird.

The closer I studied the car, the more amazed I was by the attention to detail throughout the restoration, particularly in the engine compartment. All the proper decals and markings were in place, the hoses and belts were correct and held in place by the proper clamping, etc. Unfortunately, all this outstanding detailing surrounded an engine painted "Ford Blue". Not wanting to offend the justifiably proud owner by questioning the engine color, I complimented him on the car and walked away. I have seen this on more than one occasion, but never on a car restored to the level of this Thunderbird, and it brings out a misconception apparently more common than you might expect. Yes, Ford engines were painted blue - but not until 1966 and not after 1981. To help clarify this situation, we have created the following chart for reference.

YEAR	ENGINE	BLOCK AND CYLINDER HEADS	AIR CLEANER	VALVE COVERS
1959	223	Black	Red	Red
1959	292	Black	Red	Red
1959	332	Black	Green	Green
1959	352	Black	Blue	* Blue
1960	223	Black	Red	Red
1960	292	Black	Red	Red
1960	352	Black	Blue	Blue
1960	352	HP Black	Gold open-element	Gold
1961	223	Black	Red	Red
1961	292	Black	Red	Red
1961	352	Black	Blue	Blue
1961	390	Black	Silver	Silver
1961	390 HP	Black	Gold	Gold
1961	390 HP-6V	Black	Oval aluminum	Gold
1962	223	Black	Red	Red
1962	292	Black	Red	Red
1962	352	Black	Blue	Blue
1962	390	Black	Silver	Silver
1962	406-4V	Black	Gold open-element	Gold
1962	406-6V	Black	Oval aluminum	Gold
1963	223	Black	Red	Red
1963	289	Black	White	White
1963	352	Black	Blue	Blue
1963	390	Black	Gold	Gold
1963	406-4V	Black	Gold open-element	Gold
1963	406-6V	Black	Oval aluminum	Gold
1963	427-4V	Black	Chrome open-element	Chrome "baldies"
1963	427-8V	Black	Oval aluminum	Chrome "baldies"
1964	223	Black	Red	Red
1964	289	Black	Red	Red
1964	352	Black	Blue	Blue
1964	390	Black	Gold	Gold
1964	427-4V	Black	Chrome open-element	Chrome "baldies"
1964	427-8V	Black	Oval aluminum	Chrome "baldies"
1965	240	Black	Red	Red
1965	289	Black	White	White
1965	352	Black	Gold	Gold
1965	390	Black	Gold	Gold
1965	427-8V	Black	Oval aluminum	Chrome "pentroof"
1965	427 SOHC-4V	Black	Chrome open-element	Cast aluminum
1965	427 SOHC-8V	Black	Oval aluminum	Cast aluminum
1966	240	Blue**	Blue	Blue
1966	289	Blue	Blue	Blue
1966	352	Blue	Blue	Blue
1966	390	Blue	Blue	Blue
1966	427-4V	Blue	Chrome open-element	Chrome "pentroof"
1966	427-8V	Blue	Oval aluminum	Chrome "pentroof"
1966	427 SOHC-4V	Blue	Chrome open-element	Cast aluminum
1966	427 SOHC-8V	Blue	Oval aluminum	Cast aluminum
1966	428	Blue	Blue	Blue
1967	240	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"***
1967	289	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1967	390	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1967	427-4V	Blue	Blue	Tall Chrome "PBF"
1967	427-8V	Blue	Blue	Tall Chrome "PBF"
1967	427 SOHC-4V	Blue	Chrome open-element	Cast aluminum
1967	427 SOHC-8V	Blue	Oval aluminum	Cast aluminum
1967	428	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1968	240	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1968	302	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1968	390	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1968	427	Blue	Blue w/chrome lid Tall	Chrome "PBF"
1968	428	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1969	240	Blue****	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1969	302	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1969	351	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1969	390	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1969	429	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1970	250	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1970	302	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1970	351	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1970	390	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1970	429	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1971	302	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1971	351	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1971	390	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1971	400	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"
1971	429	Blue	Blue	Blue "PBF"

* The blue used on these engines is very similar to the lighter blue used on the late-'60s Ford engines.

** The blue used on 1966-1968 Ford engines is a darker blue than used on earlier Ford 352 valve covers. The correct color is TRW #630224 or Eastwood's "dark Ford blue."

***"PBF" indicates "Power by Ford"

**** 1969-1974 Ford engines were a lighter blue than 1966-1968. The color is similar to the early 352 valve covers.