The Second Generation Ford Thunderbird marked a radical departure from the styling and engineering of its predecessor. Not only were its body lines sharper and more square (hence the “Square Bird” moniker), but the T-Bird had morphed from a two-seater to a four-seat luxury car built between 1958 and 1960. Our feature car is from that final year of production. Its previous owner donated it to a charity that has listed it for sale here on eBay. It could be one of the cheapest Square Birds on the market today, but will its fate be as a project or parts? This Ford is located in Orange, California, and respectable bidding has pushed the price to a mere $715 in a No Reserve auction.

There’s no denying that this poor old Thunderbird has seen better days. Its Corinthian White paint is faded, with plenty of surface corrosion now peeking through for the world to see. However, what I have noticed is the lack of visible penetrating rust. Some is visible in the passenger side lower rear quarter panel and the trunk lid, but the rest of the body looks remarkably sound. We received no information on the state of this classic’s underside, so it would take an in-person inspection to determine whether there are any significant rust problems in these areas. If the vehicle has spent its life in California, that could be to the advantage of potential buyers. The interior shots reveal that someone has removed the carpet. This affords us a brief glimpse of the floors, and while there’s visible corrosion, I can’t spot any penetrating rust. Therefore, it is possible that this T-Bird may be structurally sound. It appears that most of the exterior trim is present, and while some pieces should respond positively to some good old hard work with a polish cloth, other components will require a trip to the players. The exception is the front bumper, which has accumulated enough damage to warrant replacement. The tinted glass looks like it might be OK, so there is some promise with this classic.

I’ve been trying to find a polite way of describing this Ford’s interior condition, and “trashed” is the best that I can produce. Its Code 52 two-tone Blue vinyl trim has deteriorated beyond the point of no return, and a total restoration will be required to return it to its former glory. On the plus side, the buyer will commence this process with an interior that isn’t missing any major components. However, it still means that the new owner will have to swallow hard and open their wallet to make things right. The shopping list will include a complete upholstery set, carpet, a headliner, and a dash pad. Availability is not an issue, but the cost could be. Are you sitting down? Returning this interior to a factory-fresh state will top $3,000. Ouch! It is a one-off expense, but it will raise some questions about the financial viability of this project.

While some people had erroneously believed that the First Generation Thunderbird and the Chevrolet Corvette were direct competitors, they were aimed at different target markets. While Chevrolet perceived the ‘Vette to be a European-style sports car, Ford created a niche “personal luxury car” segment with the original Thunderbird. The comparisons were easy to understand due to their common two-seat configuration. However, Ford removed any lingering doubts with the Second Generation cars when they emerged as four-seaters. It also meant that the motoring press and the general public stopped making direct performance comparisons between the two vehicles, as it was a case of comparing apples with oranges. Having said that, the T-Bird still offered potential buyers respectable performance in a 1960 context. Our feature car rolled off the line equipped with a 352ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power steering. With 300hp on tap, this old Ford would have stormed through the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds in its prime. Those days are well behind it because it doesn’t currently run or drive. It isn’t clear whether the motor turns, but the spotless state of the carburetor suggests that somebody may recently have attempted to coax it back to life. If that’s the case, reviving this classic may not be that difficult.

While the 1960 model year marked another sales record for the Ford Thunderbird, it hasn’t received the same recognition in today’s market compared to its predecessors. If compared like-for-like on a condition basis, the Second Generation cars generally sell for around 30% less than earlier examples. That makes them practical and affordable for families seeking a classic car ownership experience. However, it means that buyers tackling project builds need to be aware that they don’t blow the budget and over-capitalize in those situations. With plenty of tidy examples available in the current market for around $20,000, that gives potential buyers a guide to how much they could spend before they reach the point of sinking money into a bottomless pit. That will be the potential dilemma facing buyers of this car. With those thoughts in mind, do you see this T-Bird as a viable project, or is its fate to serve as a donor for another restoration?