To many, “the real Thunderbird” was the original two-seater that Ford built between 1955-57. While a lot of folks think of it as a sports car, in reality it was one of the first personal luxury cars. In hindsight, Ford’s decision to shift from two to four seats in 1958 was a good business decision. The second generation (1958-60) outsold the first by nearly four to one. That would include this 1959 that appears to have been hidden away in a garage for many years. It can be found in Owenton, Kentucky (kind of mid-way between Louisville and Cincinnati) and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000.
The Ford Thunderbird (aka T-Bird) would be one of Ford’s longest running nameplates. First, a 43-year stint between 1955 and 1997 and then again in 2002-05. For only seven of those 47 years, it would be built on a two-seat platform. Regardless of the body style (which would also include a four-door at one point), Ford built more than 4.4 million T-Birds over the duration. For the purists, Ford sold 53,000 of the first two-seaters (and they outsold the similar Chevy Corvette), but that wasn’t enough for the pencil-pushers. Fast forward to 1960 and 198,000 of the first four-seaters had been delivered to customers since 1958. So it’s hard to argue with numbers like those. (Source: Wikipedia)
This white 1959 Thunderbird, which saw sales of 68,000 units, is described as a project car by the seller. It looks far better than a parts car, so it’s a restoration candidate waiting for Daddy Warbucks to arrive. The car is said to have 82,000 miles on it and – given the amount of dust it has accumulated – it’s doubtful the car has moved in recent history. Certainly not to air up the tires and roll it outside for a bath and some glamour shots. The photos we’re treated to show a good body with no dents and no evidence of rust, although it could be hiding in the nether regions.
Interior-wise, the car looks to be original and dirty, too, but without too much damage other than a tear here and there in the seats. Before ordering a full-interior kit, a good cleaning will tell you just how far you have to go. I was surprised to see a column-shift for the Ford-O-Matic since the car has a console and I thought it would be a floor shifter. Or a push-button operation like the first Edsel’s, which were still in production when this car was made, although Ford couldn’t give them away.
We assume the engine doesn’t run, but hopefully nothing more than inactivity rather than a mechanical issue. The seller confirms it’s a 352 cubic inch V-8 with 4-barrel carburetor that was rated at 300 hp. We assume this is numbers-matching, but there is no reference as such.
The second generation of T-Birds don’t command the same prices as its predecessors. $35,000 is top-dollar for a top car, with $6,000 being the peg for fair condition. A personal assessment of the overall condition of this ’59 would be needed before saying whether the seller’s asking price is a good deal. Right now, its just a two-ton paperwork.
paperweight? I have always liked these early birds and I’m not even a Ford guy.
These are sweet road trip cars. Shame the pics are so bad.
For example, what does the dash top look like.
And, has the heater core been replaced?
I like “square birds”, but I think “buy the best you can afford” applies here.
Love them or hate them (I like them) they are a remarkably coherent and finely nuanced design. In the styling idiom of the day they were definitely a Ford and pioneered the wide C-pillar that was copied for the next decade. The best of the square birds for me would be a black ’59 convertible with a red interior and period-correct 2″ whitewalls.
That said, I would take a ’57 over the ’58-’60 any day.
I know the ‘55-‘57’s are everyone’s dream cars. But my parents had a new 1958 and then a new 1962. Without the four seaters we would have never have been able to buy either of them. They were fun to drive, fun to own and I would love to have one again.
I think these only came with a column shift, never saw one with shifter on the console. But if you look close I think the one picture shows a clutch pedal. The brake pedal looks to be down on the floor. Is this a 3 on the tree? If so that would make it a really Rarebird .
Good eye…I believe the 3 on the tree was standard…betcha there are very few around….
Dad had a white 1960 with red interior it was 1964 and I remember riding around and it with my mom having her arm around me so I didn’t flip backwards I remember going to frost top and they had waitresses on roller skates and Trays that hung on the window he kept it until 1967 when he bought a 1966 Galaxie 2 door hardtop with another 352 I used to sit on the console all the time no car seats back then it was a different world
Regarding the Squarebirds; 3 On-the-Tree, with overdrive, could be ordered.
This option also came with a lower geared differential. Coupled with the
300 h.p. 352 c.i. engine and the 4-Barrel Holly carburetor, it made for a powerful personal luxury car. If there was a Mom involved, the cars usually had the three speed automatic transmission.
I owned a ’59 that had the 3 On-the-Tree that had an aftermarket conversion to a stick shift on the console. Rare indeed, but I guess not the only one.
The t bird i like are the 94 4.6 fun to drive and they move
Not only is it 3 speed on column I’m pretty sure if had overdrive.
God bless America
This could be a nice second car, get it running, sort out other mechanical issues and clean it up and you would have a nice second car. If you only in it for making a BUCK it will be much tougher.
Price is right the 57 to 63 never were bring much money even in good shape.
’58
First generation T-Birds were cute, but they weren’t sports cars. Other than provoking Chevrolet to stick a V-8 into the Corvette, they were pretty irrelevant. On the other hand, 4 passenger birds were responsible for the whole bucket seats with a console thing that permeated nearly every brand of American car. Not to mention the Thunderbird roof line that was ubiquitous. IMO the Mustang was a poor man’s Thunderbird at introduction, the “sportiness” came later.