1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop

Description

How could Ford take the beloved two-seat Thunderbird and turn it into a chrome-laden, four-seat behemoth for 1958? While killing off the two-seat T-Bird still confounds purists, it was a stroke of genius — the new, larger Thunderbird sold as well in its first year as ’56 and ’57 combined.

No longer just a country club cruiser, Thunderbird owners could now drive their friends in four-seat luxury. The new “Square Bird” had a longer, more dramatic design featuring quad headlights, a low-slung grille, and a rocket-like character line running along the doors to the quad taillights. June 1958 saw the convertible body style return to the Thunderbird lineup, as well as optional full leather upholstery from 1959. Power came from a 352 cu-in FE-Block V8 making 300 horsepower. The second-generation “Square Bird” had the best Thunderbird sale year in 1960, the last for this design, and the highest T-Bird production year until 1976.

This 1960 Thunderbird, restored some years ago, shows why Ford called the last of the “Square Birds” the “world’s most wanted car.”

Highlights

• Last year of the second-generation “Square Bird” Thunderbird

• Powered by a 352 cu-in V8 engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission

• Refinished in black with all new two-tone white and black interior

• Kelsey-Hayes 40-spoke wire wheels

• Factory chrome engine dress-up kit

• The chassis number (0Y71Y171036) decodes as:

  • Y – 1960 model year

  • Y – Wixom, Michigan, final assembly plant

  • 71 – Two-door Hardtop

  • Y – V8-352 4bbl

  • 171036 – Sequential production number starting a 100001

• The Data Plate decodes as: o 63A – Thunderbird Hardtop o M – Corinthian White paint (now black) o 56 – Black/White vinyl interior o 21F – 21 June 1960 build date o 4 – Cruise-O-Matic transmission o 3 – 3.10:1 rear axle

Features

• Maintenance since 2023 includes:

  • New battery

  • Oil & Filter change

  • Transmission fluid, filter, and pan gasket

  • Engine coolant flush and replacement reservoir

  • Differential pinion seal and fluid flush

  • Power steering pump and fluid flush

  • Sparkplugs and ignition coil

  • New fuel pump and filter

  • All brakes, lines, drums, shoes and hardware inspected, found to be like new

  • Original set of five 1955-62 Thunderbird Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels with two-eared center caps

  • New Coker wide whitewall bias-ply look steel-belted radial tires

  • New fuel pump and filter

• Power steering

• Power brakes

• AM radio

• 14-inch steel wheels with polished covers

• Chrome bumpers front and rear

• Chrome driver's side and passenger side exterior rear view mirrors

• Color-keyed Thunderbird floormats

• MagicAire heater

• Three-spoke steering wheel with steering knob

• Polished aluminum interior trim accents

• Manual windows

• Vent windows

• Dual sun visors

• Locking glove box

• Backup lights

• Dual exhaust outlets

Known Imperfections

• Vacuum operated windshield wipers operate intermittently

• Missing jack and hold-down bolt

• Parking brake inoperative

• Small paint bubble on hood

Included

• Fifth Kelsey Hayes wire wheel

• Full set of original steel wheels

• Two full sets of wheel covers

Ownership History

The consignor of this 1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop purchased it in February 2023. It was originally white, but it was resprayed an elegant black with white and black interior when restored by a previous owner.