Vehicle Description
1959 Ford Thunderbird
Ford's Thunderbird spans 11 generations and several thematic and
mechanical variations. Keeping them straight, though, isn't that
hard because the collective Thunderbird enthusiast community has
given each one a nickname. Yes, it's part of the general habit we
all have of delving into jargon, which acts as a conversational
shorthand, (which is good), but also makes it harder for newbies to
understand what the heck everyone is talking about, (which is
bad).
For consignment, we give you the second gen bird formally known as
the square bird. This particular car is a rare stock shift on
column, with pull lever overdrive, which represents less than 1
percent of the cars produced in 1959. This car was owned by the
purchaser in 1959 until 2018, and resided in rust free California.
It is also completely and utterly original. Oh and it has a mere
41K+ miles!! A rare bird indeed.
Exterior
Stylish yet contemporary, it would fit into any driveway today and
look nearly modern. This was the best selling 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 the
factory sprayed Diamond Blue. 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" which
float above the big open egg crate chromed smiling grille, all
neatly inserted within the bumper. A single gunsight oval adorns
the tops of the front fenders which frame wide whites wrapping
steel wheels and their turbine style wheel covers, all in sexy
polished chrome form. On the hood a small faux hoodscoop harkens
back to the baby birds and fronts some very clear 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. Mid door is a wide trim spear with a script written
Thunderbird badge in its center. This fin is angled perfectly to
the outside is above the triple round taillights, wrapped below by
the big 59'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 tail lights
remind the writer of an almost "owl like" appearance but don't ask
me why! A somewhat squared off roofline bathed in diamond blue,
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.
Interior
A swing of the doors and one begins to appreciate the complexity of
the design, and use of various shades of dark and light blue and
various materials to nearly the point of overwhelming. A textured
light blue lower panel mixes with dark blue 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 light blue tuck and roll inserts and dark blue smooth
bolsters and backs, work to create the look for the interior. A
back bench uses the same colorway and pattern. A sleek dark blue
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 an original
winged badged center hub blue rimmed steering wheel is in front of
the dash. Beautiful original dark blue carpet is covering the
floors and shows nicely. 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
light blue vinyl which is showing some dirt and soiling but remains
tight. The trunk has its original plaid liner which is a bit rough,
but a pristine spare is on the ledge underneath the rear glass in
the trunk.
DrivetrainWithin an unrestored light blue painted engine bay is the
blue block and valve covered 352ci V8. It has a 4 barrel carb on
top and a 3 speed manual with pull lever overdrive on back. A Ford
9 inch 3.10 rear axle from the factory is on. The block and hoses
are very nice.
Undercarriage
Plenty of patina and surface rust is noted on all surfaces. Some
oil blowback is seen in front, and this car has its original drum
braking, and independent coil spring and leaf spring rear
suspension still on. Dual exhaust in good condition is on however
the consignor states the drivers side manifold does leak.
Drive-Ability
This car fired right up and I was off for my square bird test
drive. On the track it performed flawlessly, and I experienced good
300hp acceleration, and bias free braking. I noticed the brake and
reverse lights do not illuminate, the horn does not work, and the
radio will not turn on. Also the wipers move but do not cycle.
An AACA documented and awarded HPOF, (Historic Preservation and
Original Features Certificate), original build sheet, and extensive
records from the original California owner are included. Lastly a
set of crystal collector glasses sent to '59 buyers is included
with this car. An amazing rare find waiting to be snatched up by a
collector or enthusiast that has had a hankering for an
original.
H9YH144305
H-352ci V8 4bbl 300hp
9-1959
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird Hardtop
144305-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63A-Thunderbird Hardtop
COLOR L-Diamond Blue
TRIM 5X-Dark & Light Blue Vinyl
DATE 15E-May 15th Build
TRANS 2-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 3-Ford 9" 3.10 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.