Vehicle Description
1960 Ford Thunderbird Coupe
Lay aside everything you've heard in condemnation of the four-seat
1960 Ford Thunderbird - all that stuff about forsaking the sports
car, substituting glitz for function, adding the hated back seat.
It is all immaterial because it misses the point: Despite its
deviation from the original concept, the first four-seat
Thunderbird was simply a masterpiece of design.
For consignment, the timeless design of the 1960 Squarebird,
deviating from the original concept with a back seat...Gadzooks and
stone the crows! Yes, it has a back bench in addition to those
front buckets. This one has been under the care of a consigner that
has done some very recent engine work. It has had a respray of
yellow and the midcentury modern design interior just drips with
boulevard class. Also, a rare J code option car. You'll hear and
see the word original a lot in the following description, so don't
ignore it, as I'm trying to be, well...original! Let's go "Tweety
Bird"!
Exterior
Stylish yet contemporary, it would fit into any driveway today and
look nearly modern. This was the bestselling Thunderbird by far,
and everyone was complaining about the back seat, but it did not
matter. It only made things better. This beauty with straight
rust-free panels minding their gaps very well, is all bathed in a
respray yellow. A few minor chips and drips are throughout, but
you'll need to have a keen vision to spot them. For this year, dual
headlights are protected by an upper "visor" and float above the
big open egg crate chromed smiling grille, all neatly inserted
within the bumper. A single gunsight oval adorns the tops off the
front fenders which frame thin whites wrapping steel wheels and
their turbine style wheel covers, all in sexy polished chrome form.
On the hood a small scoop allows for more airflow into the engine
and front some very clean front wrap around glass swept clean by
stainless wipers. On the doors begins the arrow styled bump-out
which will eventually grow to become the rear fin. This fin is
angled perfectly to the outside is above the triple round
taillights, wrapped below by the big 60's chromed bumper which
rises to meet the ovals that house the round taillights, and we
will throw in 2 small dagmars that frame the center license plate
holder. These taillights remind the writer of an almost "owl like"
appearance but don't ask me why! A somewhat squared off roofline
bathed in contrasting white, with a nearly vertical rear glass, and
the 3 vents on the back of the rear quarter add to the look of the
square bird. No sign of any lower rocker trimming or wheel
trimming, however a nice stainless ribbed panel is on the B pillar
just above the rear fender, as well as the iconic bird badge. A
shout out to the white painted spotlight rear view mirrors adorning
either side on the doors also not oft seen option.
Interior
A swing of the doors and one begins to appreciate the complexity of
the design and use of various shades of gray and black and
materials to nearly the point of overwhelming. Buttoned light gray
stitched square panels mix with black smooth vinyl and interplay
with aluminum and chrome to create a futuristic look and this is
just the armrest. Inside sleek two tone low rounded back buckets
with gray inserts and black bolsters and backs work to create the
look for the interior. A back bench uses the same colorway and
pattern. A black and chrome trimmed center console runs through the
buckets up to the dash which uses dual squared off "eyebrows" to
house the instruments and glovebox. Nice white faced gauges with
chrome and gold trim sit within a ribbed shiny dash plate, and a
new Grant white rimmed rally style steering wheel is in front of
the dash. Black carpet is now covering the floors and shows nicely
although a tiny bit wrinkled. Note the futuristic dash center with
a radio and just below is a round temp slider aptly coined Select
Aire. Other surfaces like the headliner are covered with a vented
white vinyl which is showing slight sagging, and vertical panels
are light gray with buttons and square stitched panels.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in a beautifully restored and detailed yellow engine
bay sits the correct J code 430ci V8 with its painted yellow valve
covers and cream air cleaner cover. A 4-barrel carburetor is atop
and on the back a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic auto transmission. For the
rear axle we see a Ford 9-inch rear with 2.91 gears. The consigner
states that recent valve and valve spring work was performed as
well as some new gasket material for the heads. Wipers have been
converted to electric. and also a complete brake overhaul was
worked into the mix.
Undercarriage
All metal gracefully aged in the care of a sheltered garage for its
life we see slight surface rust, but certainly all structurally
sound floor pans and rockers where it has been sprayed with a
heavier coating of undercoating. Drum brakes are all around and a
dual exhaust is noted.
Drive-Ability
Slipping inside this is a beautifully preserved original interior.
This car fired right up and handled the test track with flying
colors, good acceleration, smooth shifting, good handling and
straight braking. A few frowns include A/C is all there but
inoperable, the radio does not work, the reverse lights are
inoperable, and the power right rear window needs some attention to
work properly. My decoder and partner in crime states he noticed
the front suspension and steering is much like his ex wife, it's a
little sloppy, noisy, somewhat loose and tends to wander!
Original, and showing very nicely, A few items of note to bring it
up to perfect snuff, but meanwhile certainly turn the key and enjoy
a kind boulevard cruiser. The designers got it right for this
square bird year, sexy interior and beautiful exterior lines, ready
to grace your driveway, or attract attention as you drive down Main
Street.
VIN DECODE
0Y71J122350
0-1960
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
71-Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop
J-430ci V8 4bbl 350hp
122350-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63A-Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR UM-Springdale Rose & Corinthian White
TRIM 76-Black Vinyl, Light Gray Nylon Cord
DATE 22M-December 22nd Build
TRANS 4-3 Speed Cruise O Matic
AXLE 8-Ford 9" 2.91 Gears
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
