Back in the day when car styling was on a three-year cycle, sales numbers rarely increased each year. Not so with the ’58-’60 Thunderbird. Even though 1958 wasn’t a full production year due to delays in rolling out the all-new unibody Squarebird, Ford still managed to sell nearly 38,000 hardtops and convertibles during that recession year. Model year 1959 saw sales increase to 67,456, and in their swan song 1960 model year, a whopping 92,843 – a Thunderbird sales record at the time – were produced. The hardtop coupes were far more popular than the convertible, and here’s one of the 78,447 hardtop coupes for 1960 that has survived. A big thank you to Mike F. for his excellent bird-spotting skills and sending this black ‘Bird our way.
As isn’t uncommon in ad listings these days, that sellers give us no history of the T-Bird and very little in regards to details or specs. All that appears is: “Very clean, new tires, new rims, new interior, rebuilt transmission (needs to be installed), have all the paperwork. Clear title, I have all the emblems.” That’s it. The photos aren’t the best quality, so requesting more photos or an in-person inspection would be suggested. Customers had 19 paint options to consider for their 1960 Thunderbird (from Palm Springs Rose to Acapulco Blue) and this one left the factory in a formal-looking solid Raven Black. Based on the photos, the black paint looks presentable and shiny. The rear quarter panel chrome side trim is missing along with the Thunderbird script that’s located on the lower front doors (these could be the emblems the seller says they have) and the rear bumper may need rechroming. The ‘Bird has the two extra taillights offered in 1960 and also sports the optional backup lights, fender skirts, and aftermarket wire wheels with spinners.
The interior is new and looks very good overall based on the limited photos. The black padded dash and instrument panel, door panels, and black carpet look sharp and the seller chose to upholster the front bucket seats in aqua leather instead of black leather, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. There are no photos of the rear bench seat but I assume it matches the front seats.
The seller doesn’t say which of the two Thunderbird Special V8 engines are under the hood. The standard engine for 1960 was the 352-cubic-inch V8 that generated 300 horsepower and an optional 430-cubic-inch V8 that offered 350 horsepower was available for $177.00. There’s a listed 75,000 miles on the odometer. Since 98% of 1060 Thunderbirds were ordered with the optional Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission, this one has it too. The seller says it has been rebuilt and needs to be installed. On the surface, this looks like a decent driver-quality Thunderbird that’s been around 65 years and hopefully will be around for a lot more. It’s currently residing in Pueblo, Colorado and is for sale here on craigslist for $8,500. What do you think about this Tuxedo Thunderbird?
I remember the Russian comedian, Yakov Smirnoff, talking about working on a Russian cruiseship, “The Love Barge.” I always thought of these as barges, but in reality they appealed to me at the same time. A friend of mine went through several of these barges and currently has a ’60, similar to this, only with the 430 MEL engine. For some reason it hasn’t turned a wheel in 20 years and it resides in his ex-wife’s carport. I sure wish he would give it a little TLC.
This is a nice car although I was never a big fan of Unibody construction. But that’s probably me. I hope the new owner has a good time with it…
I believe that is a 352, one can tell based on the position of the overflow tank, among other aspects (also I had a 60 with a 352 that looked identical. It was a Thunderturd, but I still miss it).
Those front seats are certainly a choice…otherwise a beautiful Squarebird.
The “two back, two forward” angle of the spark plugs also pinpoints it being an engine from the FE Series. So, unless someone’s done a swap it’ll be the 352.
The MEL 430 had spark plugs that all pointed upward and outward at a 45 degree angle.
I think the seats are black with white inserts. I think it looks blue from the light through the windshield tint.
But looks to me that the sun is coming in through the back window…
This appears to be a good deal, but why not have the rebuilt transmission installed before the sale? If the photos are recent, it looks very nice, may have had the transmission in at that point judging from the nice engine photo. It looks fine in black, but I am thoughtful about a dark, low to ground car that may be driven at low light conditions. With all these SUVs on the road today will it be seen?
Dave, will it be seen? – Thats like asking if the elephant in the room can be seen over all the hippos. As noted above, while its MUCH classier than a barge, it is just as big. In a parking lot there are few SUV’s that will be bigger. And should one of those SUV’s hit it, they will most likely bounce off.
I too had a 60 as my first car back in 72. I was working one Saturday at my dad’s service station and a 73 or 4 (don’t remember) Chevy Laguna came in and didn’t stop before it hit my Bird square in the butt. The Bird? it flatten’d the left bumper bullet about a 1/4 to 1/2 an inch and put a small dent in the pot metal on the outside of the left tail light housing (admittedly the small dent still broke it – it is pot metal after all).
The Laguna?
5 mph bumper got out of the way as designed and it took that bumper bullet dead center on the grill…and ac condenser… and radiator…and fan…and water pump…and shoved the block back 2 inches into the firewall. Insurance company totaled the Laguna. I did fix the pot metal but I never replaced the bullet…
Oh…and mine was a 430
Elvira. 🕸 🦇
But I think hers was a ’59
One of the T-Bird bodies I always liked. Sharp looking in black, this one.
Look through the rear windshield And you can see the top of the back seats, they look like they’re the same as the front.
This was my second car back in 1969, but mine was red. Still my favorite car ever, mine had a manual transmission w/overdrive. One of 532, I understand. Also had a Lincoln rear suspension. I once competed in an auto cross in a parking lot, didn’t win, but I wasn’t last either. Also burned about 1/4″ of rubber off the back tires
I don’t think the seats are leather. I had mine reupholstered in red Naugahyde. I could go on and on, but I guess that’s enough.