Vehicle Description
1958 Ford Thunderbird Coupe
Lay aside everything you've heard in condemnation of the four-seat
1958-1960 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 1958 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 the original
owner, and the original owner's family since new. It has had a
respray of the original Regatta paint, and the interior is just
immaculate, and it has verified low miles to boot (58,175). Passed
from the original owner's wife to her daughter, then to our
consignor's husband in 1985, 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!
Exterior
Stylish yet contemporary, it would fit into any driveway today and
look nearly modern. This was the best looking 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 of Regatta Blue that is looking very special. Now dual
headlights are protected by an upper "visor" and float above the
big open egg crate chromed smiling grille, all neatly inserted
within the rechromed bumper. A single gunsight oval adorns the tops
off 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 scoop is in the center and is a homage
to the first-generation Thunderbirds. This fronts 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 angled perfectly to the outside is
above the dual round tail lights, wrapped below by the rechromed
bumper and floating in a field of square chromed eggcrate. These
tail lights remind the writer of an almost "owl like" appearance
but don't ask me why! A somewhat squared off roofline with a nearly
vertical rear glass, and the 4 faux vents on the back of the door
add to the look of the square bird. No sign of any lower rocker
trimming or wheel trimming, however a nice stainless less 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 colors and materials to nearly the
point of overwhelming. Smooth blue vinyl makes up the molded
armrest on the door panel and mixes with smooth white vinyl and
interplay with aluminum and chrome to create a futuristic look.
Inside sleek two tone low rounded back buckets with white tuck and
roll inserts and blue bolsters and backs work to create the look
for the interior. A back bench uses the same color and pattern. A
blue and chrome trimmed center console with a speaker grille and
power window switches 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 aluminum trim sit
within a ribbed shiny dash plate, and the original steering wheel,
showing very light wear, is in front of the dash. A blue medium
pile carpet is now covered with black carpeted floor mats below and
a tight white perforated vinyl headliner is above. Breathe in 1958
all over again...
Drivetrain
Under the hood in a lightly restored engine bay sits the correct
352ci V8 with its painted blue block, black valve covers and cream
air cleaner cover. This looks fab in the Regatta blue engine bay,
an unusual place to find a play of colors. A 4-barrel carburetor is
atop and on the back is a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic auto transmission.
For the rear axle we see a Ford 9-inch rear with 3.10 gears.
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. Just a bit of heavier surface rust on
the untreated components but still holding strong. Power steering
is noted and drum brakes are all around for the independent coil
sprung front suspension and leaf spring rear arrangement. Newer
dual exhaust with stock replacement mufflers is on for the exhale
and looking just fine.
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. All functions were working just wonderfully save
for the AM radio not turning on, does anyone even broadcast on the
AM band these days?
Original and showing very nicely, a 1 family owned car since new
that retains the timeless look of fins, chrome and 50's excess. 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.
H8YH122913
H-352ci V8 4bbl 300hp
8-1958
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird Hardtop
122913-Sequential Unit Number
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.
