BF Classified Square Bird: 1959 Ford Thunderbird

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I have covered a few Thunderbirds for Barn Finds but never a “Square Bird” as the ’58 to ’60 models are colloquially known. While they have been overshadowed for years by the first-gen “Baby Bird” (’55 to ’57), they sold at about four times the volume with around 200K units in sales over three years – a back seat paid off pretty well for Ford! Anyway, I am happy to present, for consideration, a 1959 Ford Thunderbird, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and available here on Barn Finds Classifieds as well as here on eBay for a current bid of $8,600, reserve not yet met.

The listing for this Thunderbird is very thorough, there is a lot of information to review. The exterior condition is considered to be driver quality but the images reveal a deep, strong finish nevertheless. The seller states that there are scratches and nicks, but again the many images do this T-Bird justice. There is no concern for rust or rot as there is no evidence and the underside reveals a sound structure. Other than the Torque-Thrust wheels, this Ford bears a pretty stock outward appearance but the wheels do create a completely different vibe.

Inside is a bit of a switch up as there are bucket seats that are believed to have been sourced from a GM something or other. The upholstery, we are told, is leather, and the back seat has been retrimmed to match the buckets. The interior has that typical ’50s look and feel about it, even the over-sized steering wheel seems right at home for this era, if a bit awkward looking. As with so many cars reviewed lately, an aftermarket tachometer and auxiliary gauges have been installed to keep better tabs on engine-room operation. Of note is the console-mounted radio speaker. I have a friend whose father had a ’59 Thunderbird many years ago and he managed to dump a strawberry milkshake through the speaker grille (no cup holders in those days). He said it sounded as if the DJ was drowning and the radio never sounded the same again. The only possible interior detraction would be the headliner, it’s starting to let go in places.

For power, this Bird has a 352 CI V8 upfront that’s good for 300 gross HP in stock trim. The seller states that the motor runs well but there is some turn-over difficulty when the engine is warm. Also, some bearing noise emanates from either the generator(alternator?) or the A/C compressor. There is also mention of a replacement carburetor but additional items have been swapped in such as the intake manifold, valve covers, aluminum fan, and open-element air cleaner. As to the originality of the engine and automatic transmission, the seller is not certain

The story is that this Thunderbird is being sold for the widow of its late owner. The owner was in possession for about ten years so some of the upgrades predate his ownership and its not completely know what was done to the car when. What is clear is that this is a very clean and sharp looking Thunderbird. This may not be the model one thinks of from a performance perspective, but this example lives up to that guise in its self-presentation. There is an image gallery and a video accompanying the listing and you can check out this Thunderbird in greater detail there.  If you are considering the acquisition of late ’50s/early ’60s Detroit-style performance and luxury, rolled into a single navigable package, this T-Bird is worth your review.

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Comments

  1. 86_Vette_Convertible

    Car looks good with the possible exception of surface rust that looks to be on the rear footwell. That one shop looks like that rust goes deep so it would need to be looked at and taken care of.

    Like 0
  2. Troy s

    Those Torque Thrusts really due give it a cruiser vibe, haven’t seen too many of these dressed up like a ‘rod but I read somewhere years ago about a T-bird that had a 430 Lincoln engine, probably near the year of this one. Something about making the combo legal for NASCAR. Impression was they were very rare.
    My old Chevelle had that starter issue like this one,, full length headers got the starter hot and it refused to turn over, had to jump it under the hood which was kinda dangerous more or less bypassing the starter. Figured out the heat shield fix and that worked okay. This has standard manifolds so I’m a bit lost on it.

    Like 2
  3. TimM

    Nice looking T bird I like it!! I can’t for the life of me ever understand why Chevrolet continued to streamline the corvette to make them handler better with more horsepower and Ford went the opposite way making a bigger, heavier more of a luxury car!!!

    Like 2
  4. misterlouMember

    I was just reading about the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept, which eventually morphed into the Barris Batmobile. I can definitely see the styling cues from that design reflected in this.

    Like 2
  5. Steve P

    Always been fond of square birds, more so than the earlier 2 seaters

    Like 5
  6. 1Ronald

    Beautiful car. Used to drive a friend’s 1960 baby blue and enjoyed every minute. Now if this was a convertible with a white top–that’s the real deal. So neat the way that deck lid lifts up and the top disappears beneath it. If it was a convertible.

    Like 2
  7. Chief

    I never liked the square T Birds like this one, but between the Red paint and the wheels, it looks really nice. White interior would really set it off. It is a shame someone had to cut the dash to install a newer radio. That isn’t such an easy fix. The floor pans may require more attention than the pictures show. I’m glad I have seen it as I now have changed my mind about this era of Birds.

    Like 1
  8. JackMember

    I have always liked this model. The red color sets it off and the very popular white interior combination would make it even better. The 352 four barrel engine would have provided decent performance when this car was made.

    Like 0
  9. pugsy

    Buyer beware. The floor is toast. There may be bondo all over this car covering rust.

    Like 2
  10. James Turner

    In 1966 I owned a 1958 T-Bird. Red/ White with power windows and I also had owned a 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 with the 352 police interceptor engine. Both cars rusted terribly around the headlights, Trunk area and taillights AND rocker panels Etc. These cars both were low mileage cars and only 5 to 6 years old one owners. My Stepdad gave me the Fairlane. I love the square Birds probably better than the previous T-Birds because they are more utilitarian seating more people and a lot more trunk space. ( I’m to practical LOL ) This is a very attractive Bird BUT I would run a magnet over EVERY INCH of the car because of most being rust buckets full of bondo.

    Like 2
  11. JackMember

    Too bad if the rust problem is true. It is still a very attractive car and I prefer the the square birds to the earlier version. The 56 and 57s seemed to have a lot of 292 engines in them. If the Ford horsepower ratings are somewhat correct, this car with is 300 HP 352 although heavier probably would have been respectful in a race with either of the 245 or 270 HP 1957 TBirds with the 312.

    Like 0
  12. Joey Machado

    Those of you with rusty cars, do you live in rust provided areas?
    I have had many cars from the desert here. They all have zero, I said zero rust. Not even surface rust.
    These Birds when new were not referred to as Square Birds. They were, oh, its a 4-seater.
    Friend of family with extra money, surprised his wife with an all power, air, 58. White with red interior. I have been a car kid since the 1955’s came out. I liked cars since I could talk. But, 1955 started grabbing me. I was 9 when they came out in 1954. WOW. I was hooked, all makes of cars.
    Not knowing where this Bird lived new, very possibly a zero rust car.
    Exception, Phoenix, like Vegas, did have flash floods.
    Todays cars if flooded, instant junk.
    61 year old Bird and looks great. Too bad the owner is not around. Love their stories of these machines. Stories are worth the price of admission.
    Memories of my first ride in these 4-seaters.
    New owner, hope to see it at shows. Only 265 miles away

    Like 3
  13. Kene Hyatt

    I just purchased a 1959 Ford Thunderbird and there’s a little switch on the driver side near the window that I do not know what it does. The switch pushes forward has a centre position or can be pulled back. It’s a very small switch probably about as big as a dime. If anybody knows what that switch is used for without me having to take the interior apart to trace the wires please let me know. Thanks

    Like 0
    • Joey Machado

      My guess: window lock, so no one else can run windows? Power vent window switch?
      Does it match style of power windows on console?
      Had another guess, but that thought ran away

      Like 0
      • Joey Machado

        Door locks?

        Like 0

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