1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The country was aghast when the new for ’58 Thunderbird was stretched into a four-seater. Everyone, it seemed, loved the cute, cozy styling of the small T-Birds that preceded it. For the era, they were sensational-looking cars–they still are today–but not everyone who lusted after a 1955-’57 Thunderbird could justify buying one due to their limited seating capacity. And so, many didn’t. Adding those two extra seats in the back changed everything. Sales skyrocketed, and the all-new, bigger, roomier and more practical Thunderbird became the must-see car in Ford showrooms that year. It was the talk of the town, and Americans everywhere wanted to be seen driving one.
1960 Ford Thunderbirds, affectionately called “square birds” by enthusiasts, were conceived as compact luxury cars with distinctive style and four-place seating. This beautifully 1960 Ford Thunderbird convertible came from a museum where she had been lovingly cared for by experts.
Chiseled and smoothed steel undulates in and out and forms the exterior of this car like no other. Dual headlights snugly fitted under the red visors and floating over the big chrome bumper with lower egg crate grille smiling as it leads the way, we blend the front quarters next to the hood and gaps are near perfect. A scoop in the center of the hood, and gun sight toppers in chrome for the front tops of the fenders, along with dual chromed side view mirrors hanging off the backs of the quarters the front of this car is screaming you’ve arrived. A wrap around big edge chromed windshield with just a slight rake frames the white canvas top which presents as new. On the sides curved insets and spear shaped outcroppings shape the sides of this car. All of this in and out ends in a small tasteful fin, rear wheel fender skirts just below. The rear of the car with its “Owl-like” appearance blends more chrome with metal, and inset panels with a wraparound bumper, triple round taillights and egg crate backgrounds in ovals. Center a flying board badge right on the trunk lid and we have design perfection.
Chrome is also as nice, all shiny and bright. Highly polished wire wheels with center knockoff hubs and wrapped in wide whites complete the perfection.
Under the hood a gloriously preserved and totally rebuilt 352ci V8. With the 4-barrel carburetor atop and the Cruise-O-Matic (gotta love those 60’s transmission names) this car can put out a hefty 300 horses. No corrosion, no real rust, just nicely aged surfaces yellow valve covers and a white air cleaner housing. Muuuuah!
For the interior someone went wild with the french curve and a pencil on this drawing board, and exaggerated swooping lines to the hilt. Door panels use white vinyl with buttons which has a trim spear-esque aluminum door pull in a field of wrap around red vinyl. Futuristic would best describe this jet age inspired design, and we are just on the door panels! The dash also picks up on this curvaceous line and forms dual squared off eyebrows, all padded in red vinyl and these surround the instrument cluster on the driver’s side, and a glovebox on the passenger’s side. Aluminum inserts go with the line flow and house the instruments and create the glove box door. In the center a console reaches upward to meet the dash and has a tamboured slider for plenty of storage and also the power window toggles. White inserts and red bolsters all smooth for the front seats (drivers’ side is power) and same for the 2 plus 2 rear bench. In our example a red convertible rare tonneau cover, converts this car to a two seater and creates headrests while perfectly surrounding the uppers of the buckets, and enclosing the rear bench with the top down. This can be removed to allow rear passengers to enjoy the sun if need be. Pristine red carpet for the floors, and in front of it all a white rimmed and center chromed steering wheel to grab on to contain yourself from all this interior excitement.
The chrome is in excellent shape and all Thunderbird emblems are gold. She is a super sharp Thunderbird. Equipped with a 352 Cleveland Interceptor motor and automatic transmission, this bad girl is able to catch any car it chases. Power windows, air conditioning, and its original dash and gauges, set this car aside from all others. This is a true collector’s car.
The unique feature of this generation of Thunderbird convertibles is the convertible soft top that is lowered and completely stowed in the trunk area. In order for that to be possible, the trunk lid has to open almost vertically, which is a pretty sensational sight. The owners of the second generation Thunderbird indicate a great deal about its iconic status. Through history, the car was driven by Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Nick Adams, Sandra Dee, Elvis Presley, Halle Berry, Jack Lemmon, John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, JFK, Billy Gibbons, etc.
