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!
