1959 Ford Thunderbird

Description

Some cars bounce from place to place, never seeming to find the right home. Other cars, however, come from stable ownership and are looking for their next caretaker. With the past 20 years spent with its restorer, this cool 1959 Thunderbird is on the hunt for another great home!

These second gen 'Birds are a lot larger and a lot more luxurious than their Spartan 2-seat predecessors. With seating for two more came a lot more room and convenience items along with a much better ride. The styling went over like gangbusters in '58 with a 76 percent jump in sales, and those numbers only got higher for '59. Up front, you've got an excellent chrome bumper with a wide opening for the slatted grille. The single headlamps gave way to duals, tucked under fender brows. Continue back past the enlarged hood scoop and on the square, raked roofline, well-accented here in crisp Colonial White. The Indian Turquoise paint is a classic and it's wearing well, though there are some expected chips and marks from two decades of enjoyment. '58 and '59 got the twin dual taillights, and they're in good shape here while the glass is largely original aside from the windshield. The trim is all present and accounted for and in line with the rest of the exterior. There's a bunch to like about this car, and you'll love owning it.

Inside, you're transported back to the 50's with a sea of turquoise and white. Compared to the bleak dark gray in every new car this 'Bird is like a fiesta on wheels, and you can't help but be in a good mood! The seat covers and carpet were replaced when the car was done, and there are various new bits here and there, but it's otherwise original in here. Grab the large diameter, thin-rimmed white steering wheel, check out the instrument panel that's straight from the future and get your cruise on. The jet age dash with twin deep instrument binnacles looks awesome, as does the original center console. Grab three friends and hit a car show, and the massive trunk will easy handle all your gear.

Under the hood is a 352 cubic inch "FE" V8, which replaced the smaller and less powerful "Y" block engines in the first generation cars. While the later 427s and Cobra Jets could be had with big horsepower, the emphasis here was smoothness and torque. The heads were rebuilt recently and the motor runs great, while the engine compartment is stock with proper body color paint on the inner fenders and firewall. The air cleaner and valve covers are original, and are properly contrasting in color. Underneath you'll see the unibody chassis, which was a change from the original frame-on-body first gens. Integrating the body made the shell much stiffer, and that in turn allows for a quieter, smoother ride. New parts are where they needed to be, but it's also very stock and original here. Power steering is a must on these larger cars and an automatic transmission was by far the most popular choice. Dual exhausts move spent gasses through quiet mufflers for comfortable touring with a muscular sound. G78-14 wide whites surround the original steel wheels and hubcaps for a classic look.

This is a cool car, well-loved and looking for the next couple decades of cruising fun. If that sounds like your type of fun, this is your type of car. Call today!