With the addition of a rear seat in 1958, squarish lines, and a formal roofline, the Ford Thunderbird moved away from the sportiness of the original two-seater into the luxury personal car field. Ford described their longer (and heavier) Thunderbird as having “a sports car personality combined with luxury-car roominess and comfort.” And, now being able to seat four passengers proved to be more practical and popular to the buying public. And the sales reflected that. Nearly 200,000 1958-60 Thunderbirds were sold, which more than quadrupled the total production of the 1955-57 Baby ‘Birds. Here is a beautiful example of a pampered ’59 Thunderbird Convertible that has been garaged all of its life. It is show-quality worthy and is in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Surprise, Arizona. It is listed for sale here on craigslist with an asking price of $39,500. T.J. spotted this gorgeous yellow ‘Bird and sent it our way.
As expected, changes to the second year Squarebird were mostly in the minor trim category , although beneath the sheet metal, improvements to the rear suspension made for a better driving experience. This particular convertible is wearing a classy color called Casino Cream. The paint looks shiny and perfect and seems to check all of the “Needs Nothing Boxes.” I can’t find any issues with the chrome, trim, glass, or lenses, and the seller claims those are factory wire wheels which look really sharp. It has a black power convertible tops that “works perfectly at the touch of a button.”
The Squarebirds had a much different interior look and feel from the two-seater Baby ‘Birds. It’s much more jet cockpit influenced and comfortable with contoured bucket front seats and a full-length console that housed controls for the heater, power windows, and, of course, included ash trays. The all-black interior appears to be in fine shape and the seller says the ‘Bird has power everything…steering, brakes, and windows.
Under that Casino Cream hood is a clean engine bay housing a 352-cubic-inch, 300-horsepower V8. The seller states that it is a strong engine with 120,000 miles on the odometer. It is paired with a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. You have to see one of these Squarebirds up close and personal to comprehend how low slung they are (especially the Convertible with the top down and neatly stored in the rear deck). This is one of the nicest we’ve ever featured here on Barn Finds. I’m betting this yellow ‘Bird will continue to be pampered and garaged and appreciated by its next owner.
The seller states “factory wire wheels” which is not possible for any Thunderbird other than 1962, 1963, or 1964. Only those 3 years did Ford offer wire wheels on the Thunderbird.
My 1951 Buick Super was sold to me as having wire wheels but they were in fact “Look like, wire wheel” hubcaps! As for the Thunderbird story, many years ago I negotiated over the phone to buy a ’59 “T” Bird and arranged to fetch it, and pay cash for it, on the following Saturday. The car was 900km (560m?) away so got on the road very early but when I arrived at the farm premises the Manager told me that nothing could be done because the owner had taken off on a fishing trip and wouldn’t be back until Tuesday! Needless to say, I told him to tell the seller where to stick his “T” Bird and dragged the trailer back home, very brassed off with this ??????? of a man! Twenty four hours+ on the road for absolutely NOTHING!!
And, a convetible from the ’50’s with factory A/C. My ’59 coupe has contrasting (white) seat inserts – two tone (door cards, too) I thought was a feature of all standard interiors, if one stepped up to leather they were monochromatic. Also, that air vent on the hood is chromed, never seen that before. Having said all that, I’d be proud to show up anywhere with this example – very tidy indeed. Hope it brings all the money.
When I see this beauty I imagine Paul Drake just pulling into Dino’s Lodge with Della Street to hit the bar for a cocktail before dinner and some cool jazz.
With Kookie parking the car, of course.
Jay
About 20 minutes ago I saw Paul (William Hopper) driving a black one just like this on METV’s Perry Mason.
I would have been proud to escort Della (Barbra Hale) where ever she wanted to go.
lol ! So perfect….i can just hear
Perry grabbing a lung full of air and telling Della to get Paul down to Bakersfield in his black 59 Tbird convertible!
These are beautiful and casino cream is the perfect color. WOW. I’d buy it if I had the space.
Jay, I agree. Paul Drake was the “barometer of hip,” for sure. He drove a black ’57 T-Bird in a few episodes, but the Squarebird gave him more room and ashtrays.
Loved the way he walked into Perrys office,said “hello beautiful” to Della every single time.
Wasn’t that from “77 Sunset Strip”?
Don’t forget that pain in the axx Hamilton Berger and one of the best theme songs ever (Hawaii Five O and Secret Agent Man being the best). Then Perry ended up in a wheelchair a few years later.
Kookie, Kookie, lend me your comb…..
Thats right!!! On Perry Mason Paul drove a T Bird. ( hard to tell the color on the black and white episodes. I forgot about that.
These launched the personal luxury segment that everyone chased for the next three decades. I have a model of a 1960 that I was given to commerate my birth. Still have it as it wasn’t allowed to be played with.
Well Surprise AZ right next door,use to be all farm land,not anymore. Beautiful car that i haven’t seen in any local shows.
nice looking bird. good color combo
Thanks Ron and TJ. Beautiful bird and great colors. Life long bird lover here!
Barge.