The second generation of the Ford Thunderbird, which ran from 1958-60, was it’s first as a 4-passenger personal luxury car instead of the 2-seater it replaced. The decision to re-invent the car must have worked by Ford standards as they sold nearly 200,000 units of the “Square Bird” instead of 50,000+ of the now-iconic smaller car. This 1960 T-Bird has had a ton of work done to it in terms of aftermarket parts and looks pretty sharp. It’s being offered in Roseville, California (near Sacramento), and here on craigslist for $23,000 OBO. Thank you, Ikey Heyman, for another classic find!
This ’60 T-Bird was purchased by the seller from the original owner’s family in 2018. Originating in Northern California, the car had previously spent 34 years stored in that family’s wine cellar where it never saw sunlight. It had only covered 42,000 miles up to that point and only a few hundred more since. The seller has spent the last couple of years whipping it back into shape and here’s a list of some of the work that has been done:
The paint is original, and the seller says there is no rust on the car. It was undercoated at the dealer when new and was recently redone. All the chrome is straight and original, as well. The glass is partially tinted and good overall with a few minor chips in the windshield. Inside the car, the seats have been reupholstered with OEM material, while the door panels, dash pad, headliner, and carpet are original to the car, as are the floor mats. The power windows and seats work fine along with the gauges, but the gas gauge is temperamental, and the seller has been looking to source an OEM replacement.
It’s a 352 cubic inch V8 that produced 300 hp from the factory. It has been rebuilt and balanced, include rings, bearings, and camshaft. Add to that heads and valves, a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, drive pulleys, alternator, water pump, power steering pump, starter, air conditioner, distributor, radiator, fuel tank, and pump and dual exhaust. Not to be outdone, the Cruise-A-Matic automatic transmission has been rebuilt, too, including the torque converter.
This car wears powder-coated Coker wheels with BF Goodrich radial tires. The baby moons look really sweet on this car. All the brakes, shocks, and sway bar bushings are new, and the front end was lowered, giving it more of a badass look. If for any reason, some of these changes are not your cup of tea, the buyer will also take home a bunch of original parts, including fender skirts, air cleaner and carb, tires and wheels, and more.
It’s evident that the seller has put a fair amount of time and money into bringing this car up to its current condition. Hagerty points to $25,000 for a Concours 1960 Ford T-Bird, which sounds low, so the seller’s car looks worth every penny he’s asking. I wouldn’t surprise me that he’d lose money on the transaction unless the original owner let it go cheap.
Not a big fan of the big birds but this is one good looking car. Just the right amount of everything.
I like this, it’s got a bad**s look about it.
I think the owner of this car should acquire a Daimler SP-250 and park them side by side. Her grill makes quite a statement! Catfish meet blowfish.
alphasud I just saw a Daimler on Restoration Garage, you have a point. They said the Daimler was the first car with Hemi heads. It looked like a mini 426.
If I were a rich man … love it …
Squarebirds are my favorite T-Bird style. It’s on my list when I’m done with my Corvair convertible in a couple years. I think the stance and baby moons cheapen the originality of a cool design, but that’s my opinion only, and surely changeable. Nice drivable cars with ample power and creature comforts. Perfect for taking sweetie pie to dinner and a show whenever that might be safe again…………
I like everything with the exception of the lowered front end.
I agree. It.s too low.
Lowered front end on any 50’s or 60’s Thunderbirds does not make a statement, it just make them look like the front suspension is shot.
I had one in college circa 1974…….white, perfect condition, red interior, Drove it up and down the East Coast I bought it for $250..00. This was right after the 1973 oil embargo and nobody wanted what was a near perfect car that got 10 miles a gallon, but was 15 years old at that time. Kinda silly when you think about.gas was ;60 c a gallon or less. Priorities sure change.
This one is beautiful . I always liked the triple tailights versus the double taillights on the ’58 and ’59. Funny now its worth so much more..same car.
See, I like the mild custom look. Nothing that can’t be changed, and it gives the car a bellflower custom look. These were underpriced for many years, i was comparing convertible 60s birds with 60s mustangs and the difference was crazy. Much more car for less money.
Oh I forgot to say, a guy I worked with daily drove one of these in the 90s. I think his was a 59. It had a manual on the tree. He drove like a madman, but the car had no seatbelts! So, make sure this one has aftermarket belts.
Really beautiful car. I,d put the front end back up,original hub caps back on it. and enjoy it. Really much rather own this any day . Then any couped up–rough riding mustang. THIS CAR IS CLASS BUY ANY SEPERATE CATAGEORY. I love it and please –no seat belt. Drive cautiously and watch out for the other person.
Correct. NO Seatbelts! That means you can’t be ticketed for not wearing one as the seat belt laws only operate prospectively and not retrospect.
This is a fine example of a very beautiful automobile.
It can be viewed to resemble a catfish, an eagle, or a shark.
Back in the day, some viewed the 1958 Chevy’s and Ford’s as “Homely,” but by comparison in today’s world I now think they are beautiful with a few exceptions like the Rambler Station Wagons and the Edsel.
I think It a shame that the very man who created the Model A’s & B’s had his name stuck on an ugly duck. 🚗
My Gosh!! Have you guys ever heard of an ACCIDENT? Yes, seat belts!!
Looking at this vs the portrait of my yosemite yellow 60 on the wall behind me the front drop isn’t very radical. Not super keen on the baby moons as other have said but that about the only place on this car you can “make a statement”. I ran Fenton 2 piece (chrome rim and mag center) torque-thrust style wheels on mine.
I love the 1958-60 Square Birds but apparently not a lot of people do. These cars bring no money at all for what they are. I just don’t understand it.
Is it just me, or is the gap between the front bumper and body too big? Makes me wonder if there’s something up with front end that is causing it to look like it’s been lowered?
I actually owned and loved one of these once. It came in a 1960 Wheaties box!
It might be worth just as much, In the original wrapper of course.
Real nice T-Bird and my fave of that ilk. Nicely restored and ready to drive. Price seems fair enough for a bad bottomed car that needs nothing.
I have one just like this one same color all original, has little spots of rust on bottom of door it has 83k miles on it and drivers great. It seems like everyone has a mustang or camaro and I wanted something you don’t see everyday.
I like this car and unlike some others think the suspension drop and baby moons look great on this car. I’m a hot rodder and this is just what it needed to make it a hotrod.
“..with a few minor chips in the windshield.” Which will become big cracks and make it imperative to replace. P.S. mileage? Numbers matching? Any bondo? Lots left out compared to other complaints of cars here.