One-Family-Owned 1960 Ford Thunderbird Coupe

Description

The 1960 Ford Thunderbird marked the final year of the second-generation “Square Bird,” a bold departure from the original two-seater design introduced in 1955. Starting in 1958, Ford transformed the Thunderbird into a larger, more luxurious four-seater personal car, targeting a broader market. The 1960 model continued this trend, featuring a sleek, squared-off body with prominent tailfins, a wide grille, and a low-slung profile that embodied the jet-age styling of the era. 

Under the hood, the 1960 Thunderbird came standard with a 352 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 300 horsepower, paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could also opt for a more powerful 430 cu-in V8. The car offered advanced features for its time, including power steering, power brakes, and optional air conditioning, and it could be had as a hardtop or convertible. Sales were strong, with over 92,000 units produced, confirming the success of Ford’s strategy to position the Thunderbird as a personal luxury car.  

This stunning 1960 Thunderbird Hardtop has been in the same family since new. It was driven until 1984 and spent 33 years in storage before being meticulously restored from 2017-2019. Since then, the car has been lightly driven and kept in a climate-controlled garage. The odometer shows 53,228 miles, believed to be original. 

Highlights 

• Single-family-owned 1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop showing 53,228 miles 

• Complete restoration from July 2017 to November 2019 

• Refinished in original Corinthian White paint 

• Reupholstered in original dark turquoise vinyl and light turquoise nylon cord with color-matching door trim 

• Powered by a 352 cu-in V8 rated at 300 hp and 381 lb-ft of torque 

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• The data plate decodes as: 

  • Body: 63A – 2-door hardtop coupe 

  • Color: M – Corinthian White 

  • Trim: 77 – Dark turquoise vinyl and light turquoise nylon cord 

  • Date: 13D – April 13, 1960 build date 

  • Trans: 4 – Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission 

  • Axle: 3 – 3.10:1 rear axle ratio 

• The chassis number (0Y71Y149001) decodes as: 

  • 0 – 1960 model year 

  • Y – Wixom (Michigan) assembly plant 

  • 71 – 2-door hardtop 

  • Y – 352 cu-in V8 

  • 149001 – Sequential production number 

 Features 

• Fender skirts 

• Power steering 

• Original AM radio and clock 

• 140 mph speedometer 

• Steel wheels with chrome hubcaps 

• Hankook Optimo H724 P215/75R14 whitewall tires 

• Trunk liner 

Known Imperfections 

• Clock inoperable

• New antenna needed (the radio works according to the seller)

Included 

• Floor mats 

• Spare tire and jack 

• Fire extinguisher 

• Factory shop manual 

• Copy of original New Jersey title 

• Set of original keys 

Ownership History

The New Jersey seller of this 1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop says, “This Thunderbird has been in the same family since it was new. The car was my mother-in-law's pride and joy and was used as the family vehicle throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Upon my mother-in-law's passing in 1976, the car was put into the garage, and my father-in-law would take it out occasionally. He kept it in running condition until about 1984, when it went into storage until 2017. A full restoration was started in July 2017 and finished in November 2019, and the car has been kept in a climate-controlled garage since the restoration was completed.” This Thunderbird is offered with a clean New Jersey title in the seller’s name.