1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop

Lay aside everything you've heard in condemnation of the four-seat 1960 Ford Thunderbird -- all that stuff about forsaking the sports car, substituting glitz for function, adding the hated back seat. It is all immaterial because it misses the point: Despite its deviation from the original concept, the first four-seat Thunderbird was simply a masterpiece of design.

For consignment, the timeless design of the 1960 Squarebird, deviating from the original concept with a back seat…Gadzooks and stone the crows! Yes, it has a back bench in addition to those front buckets. This one has been under the care of our consignor's husband since his purchase at a Carlisle event in 2013 until his passing last year. Our consignor's husband was the only driver during his tenure of ownership and he always kept the square flyer safely tucked away in his garage. It has had a respray of the original Raven Black paint, and the interior is just immaculate, the engine was gone over, the radio repaired, and the brakes relined along with the car being regularly inspected for any mechanical faults. You'll hear and see the word original a lot in the following description, so don't ignore it, as I'm trying to be , well…..original!

Exterior
Stylish yet contemporary, it would fit into any driveway today and look nearly modern. This was the bestselling Thunderbird by far, and everyone was complaining about the back seat, but it did not matter. It only made things better. This beauty with straight rust-free panels minding their gaps very well, is all bathed in a respray of Raven Black that is looking very special. Now dual headlights are protected by an upper “visor” and float above the big open egg crate chromed smiling grille, all neatly inserted within the bumper. A single gunsight oval adorns the tops off the front fenders which frame wide white wrapped steel wheels and their turbine style wheel covers, all in sexy polished chrome form. On the hood a small scoop is in the center and is a homage to the first-generation Thunderbirds. This fronts some very clean front wrap around glass swept clean by stainless wipers. On the doors begins the arrow styled bump-out which will eventually grow to become the rear fin. This fin, angled perfectly to the outside, is above the triple round taillights, wrapped below by the chrome bumper and floating in a field of square chromed eggcrate. These tail lights remind the writer of an almost “owl like” appearance but don't ask me why! A somewhat squared off roofline with a nearly vertical rear glass, and the 3 vents on the back of the rear quarter add to the look of the square bird. No sign of any lower rocker trimming or wheel trimming, however a nice stainless less ribbed panel is on the B pillar just above the rear fender, as well as the iconic bird badge.

Interior
A swing of the doors and one begins to appreciate the complexity of the design, and use of various colors and materials to nearly the point of overwhelming. Buttoned light gray stitched cord square panels mix with black smooth vinyl and interplay with aluminum and chrome to create a futuristic look. Inside sleek two tone low rounded back buckets with gray cord button inserts and black vinyl bolsters and backs work to create the look for the interior. A back bench uses the same color and pattern. A black and chrome trimmed center console with bakelite power window switches, a speaker and the obligatory ash receptacle runs through the buckets up to the dash which uses dual squared off “eyebrows” to house the instruments and glovebox. Nice white faced gauges with chrome and gold trim sit within a ribbed shiny dash plate, and the original steering wheel showing light wear is in front of the dash. A black carpet now covered with white thunderbird badged floor mats is below and a tight white headliner is above. A shout out to the trunk with its plaid liner, plaid spare tire cover and factory jack assembly.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in a lightly restored engine bay sits the correct 352ci V8 with its painted yellow valve covers and cream air cleaner cover. Our consignor notes that her husband had the engine gone over during his ownership tenure. This looks fab in the black engine bay, an unusual place to find a play of colors. A 4-barrel carburetor is atop and on the back a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. For the rear axle we see a Ford 9-inch rear with 3.10 gears.

Undercarriage
All metal gracefully aged in the care of a sheltered garage we see slight surface rust, but certainly all structurally sound floor pans and rockers. Power steering is noted as are relined power drum brakes on all 4 corners. Providing that smooth signature Thunderbird ride is an independent coil sprung front suspension and for the rear we note leaf springs. Newer dual exhaust is noted with stock replacement mufflers.

Drive-Ability
Slipping inside this is a beautifully preserved original interior. This car fired right up and handled the test track with flying colors, good acceleration, smooth shifting, good handling and straight braking. All functions were working just wonderfully.

Very original, and showing very nicely, the years of the owners care is evident and showing well. The designers got it right for this square bird year, sexy interior and beautiful exterior lines, ready to grace your driveway, or attract attention as you drive down Main Street.

0Y71Y92404

0-1960
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
71-Thunderbird Hardtop
Y-352ci V8 4bbl 300hp
92404-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG

BODY 63A-Thunderbird Hardtop
COLOR A-Raven Black
TRIM 76-Black Vinyl & Light Gray Nylon Cord
DATE 12W-September 12th
TRANS 4-Ford O Matic
AXLE 3-Ford 9" 3.10 Conventional

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.