Vehicle Description
Desirable J-code 430 cubic inch V8. Handsome older restoration.
Very straight bodywork, nice interior, original top. Chrome wire
wheels and wide whites. Runs and drives well. An attractive Square
Bird that always generates a lot of attention no matter where it
goes.Ford saw the writing on the wall and redesigned the
Thunderbird in 1958 to include a full-sized back seat. At that
point, the T-Bird went from sporty personal car to full-sized
luxury cruiser, but sales showed it was the right choice. And in
looking at this handsome 1959 Ford Thunderbird, it's easy to
understand why the public was so enthusiastic about the new look.
It's big and dramatic, but not over-styled, offering smaller tail
fins than its competition, while embracing the details that made
the original Thunderbirds iconic. There's a hood scoop up front, a
wide grille integrated into the chrome bumper, and
jet-exhaust-styled taillights that would stick with Ford throughout
the '60s. The door tag on this 'Bird says it was originally a color
called 'Flamingo' but today it's finished in glossy black, which
gives the Thunderbird convertible a lot of presence. The frame-on
restoration is probably 20 years old at this point, but it's
holding up quite well with a high gloss, good panel gaps, and very
few signs of use or age. Of note, there's some very minor checking
on the driver's quarter panel just above the bullet strip, but it's
pretty hard to find. The doors close with authority (this is a very
heavy car) and the brightwork is in excellent shape, apparently a
combination of restored and original pieces. If you want attention,
this big 'Bird delivers.The black and white interior is how this
car was spec'd when it was new, and it obviously works well with
the black bodywork. We believe the seating surfaces, door panels,
and dash pad are original and in fantastic shape, while the carpets
have probably been replaced at some point. The big white steering
wheel isn't cracked or faded yellow and the bright instrument panel
surround and matching glove box lid are in great shape. We don't
believe the fuel gauge is operational, nor is the clock, but the
speedometer and temperature gauge work as they should. Heater
controls are down low on the center console, and the speaker for
the fully operational radio (with FM converter inside) is between
the seats. The big back seat is spacious enough for full-grown
adults, and you can quickly see why Ford decided that a 4-seater
was better than a 2-seater. Overhead, we believe that's the
original convertible top, which is in fair condition but not ripped
or torn and the system does operate correctly. It's worth noting
that this is an early production Thunderbird, so it does not use
the fully automatic system with a power-actuated trunk lid.
Instead, you release the trunk and lift the lid manually, swing the
flipper panel into place and lock it, then use the trunk-mounted
button to lower the power top into the trunk. Then you manually
secure the trunk lid. For many, this semi-automatic system is
preferable to the trouble-prone fully automatic system that came
later. And, of course, with the top down, you don't get much trunk
space, but with the top up it's big enough for a week's worth of
gear on a tour.This particular Thunderbird is equipped with the
optional J-code 430 cubic inch V8, which offers a big increase in
power above the standard 352 cubic inch unit. With a Holley
4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, it makes 350 horsepower and
the kind of effortless torque that makes a full-sized luxury car
such a pleasure to drive. The engine bay is tidy, if not detailed
for show, and uses correct finishes, from the white air cleaner to
the black engine block. It starts easily and once it's off the
choke, it runs smooth and silky with plenty of power to make the
big ragtop feel like its smaller siblings. There's a newer radiator
up front and plenty of evidence of conscientious maintenance over
the years, including a recent voltage regulator. Power steering was
important on a car this big and the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic
automatic transmission was a mandatory option with the big 430
engine. The door tag says there are 2.91 gears in back, which feels
about right?this is a fantastic highway cruiser that just loafs
along at modern interstate speeds. The dual exhaust system has a
hushed burble that's appropriate for the luxury-oriented 'Bird and
solid floors are critical, because this is a unit-body car.
Beautiful 14-inch chrome wire wheels are a great addition and they
carry G78-14 wide whitewall tires, but a set of fresh radials would
make this a fantastic driver..Extras include an original Ford shop
manual.The Square Bird cuts a dramatic profile in traffic and
provides a more luxurious (and spacious) experience than its 2-seat
siblings. With a few sensible upgrades, it remains easy to drive
and enjoyable out on the road. Add in the optional 430 engine and
the desirable semi-automatic top mechanism, this might be the one
to own. Take a look and then give us a call.Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
