Vehicle Description
1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop
"Just say Thunderbird! The very name evokes an image of glamour and
spirit and distinction. You find another car with lines so clean.
So unaffected. So smart. Nor can anyone approach the Thunderbird
for performance. Because no other car combines Thunderbird's
compact size and handling agility with Thunderbird's mighty power.
No wonder the 4 passenger Thunderbird is such an historic success!"
The cover page text from the 1960 sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1960 Ford Thunderbird hardtop with a title
verified 23,608 actual miles, a garage kept, collector grade
example of Ford's attempt to address consumer demand for more
seating in a sports coupe.
Exterior
Soothing Corinthian White paint adorns this long car with
immaculate coverage. The wide set dual headlights dictate the
personality of the car as the face also includes a wide, gaping
grille surrounded by a robust chrome bumper, bumper guards, and a
centerpiece that bisects the mouth. The raised eyebrows of the
headlights dip in the center where a hood scoop takes on the role
of aggression, tipped by the Thunderbird emblem that is front and
center. In lieu of a center hood ornament, two fender ornaments
emerge at the front of each, in symmetrical harmony with the side
mirrors closer to the windshield. Everything is shiny, the metal is
gleaming. The straight shoulder line of the car is accented by the
sculpted arrow body line low on the car which starts on the door,
absorbs the fender skirts, and widens at the rear fender. The
hardtop and its right angle fits like a canopy over the heavily
curved windshield. Nine accent trim pieces are in the back for no
other reason than design. Six tail lights at the end of a sculpted
trunk and flanking fins are unlike any car on the road, then or
now! Imperfections include some bubbling and a few random
scratches. 14-inch TrueSpoke wire wheels wear tires with a mid 2023
manufacturing date.
Interior
The arrow on the outside of the door is mirrored on the door panel
where a black vinyl template surrounds a concave chrome arrow which
in turn houses the door pull and armrest and the window crank
handle. The other major portion of the door panel is a button back
display in white vinyl. The white inserts of the seats copy that
button back design in larger scale and are surrounded by black
vinyl on low backed bucket front seats. 2+2 styling in the rear
seat includes the black borders merging in the middle and the
button back found on the door is now on the side walls in back, all
in fantastic condition. The seat lines follow that of the trunk in
a very fine attention to detail. A white plastic steering wheel,
ribbed for grip, includes a chrome horn ring and column shifter.
The dash is backed by polished lined metal and has three white
faced gauges in a black sculpted dash surround. This lined metal
repeats in front of the passenger and serves as the glove box door.
The center stack contains an AM/FM radio on a metal plate and the
heat and vent controls are below in a circle panel with some
patina. Black looped style carpet covers the floor protected by
what appear to be fitted mats and the white, perforated headliner
is in great shape. The entire trunk is covered in a period plaid
mat. All in all, the interior is clean and complete.
Drivetrain
A clean engine bay reveals a 352ci V8 supplied fuel by a 4-barrel
carburetor and wearing yellow valve covers and a body colored air
cleaner housing. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a
3-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission and the Ford 9" rear has 3.10
gears. Power drum brakes are provided on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Generally clean underneath with minimal surface rust and no out of
place fluids. Most of the underneath is uniformly textured black.
The dual exhaust flows from the engine and meets glasspack style
mufflers then immediately exits via a down turned chrome exhaust
tips behind the rear bumper. Coil spring suspension is found in the
front and leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
A comfortable interior and interesting place to spend driving time
awaits us as the Space Age influence begins to manifest itself in
this era of Thunderbirds. She starts right up and idles smoothly
and moves with decent power onto the test loop where the car
tracked straight, hit turns with little body roll, and was able to
slow and stop with confidence. Our test reveals that all systems
and functions work as they should on this well sorted and clean
Thunderbird. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
With less than 25,000 miles on the clock, this is a rare find and
one for the discerning collector or Thunderbird newbie. It's a
fantastic example that will be appreciated wherever it shows up and
as this era of Thunderbird sees a resurgence in interest. Second
generation Thunderbirds were striking looking cars, holding on to
some of the elaborate styling of the 50's and incorporating the
sleekness and slab sided cars that would define the 60's. We invite
you to check this one out.
0Y71Y189825
0-1960
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
71-Thunderbird Hardtop
Y-352ci 4bbl 300hp V8
189825-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 63A-Thunderbird Hardtop
COLOR M-Corinthian White
TRIM 56-Black & White Vinyl
DATE 01W-September 1st
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
AXLE 3-Ford 9" 3.10 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
