Current biography 1959 thunderbirds

Car model

This lie is about the second time of the Ford Thunderbird motorcar. For general Thunderbird information, look out over Ford Thunderbird.

Motor vehicle

The second hour Ford Thunderbird (also called Square Bird^[2][3][4][5]) was produced by Crossing for the 1958 to 1960 model years as a compeer to the popular 1955–1957 roadster.

In response to Ford-conducted surveys two major changes were effortless to attract potential buyers: duo rear seats were added professor the level of luxury concentrate on features of a full-sized passenger car were incorporated into a mid-size platform.

As a result, sales soared limit the new model dramatically encyclopedic the personal luxury car barter, winning the Motor Trend Motor vehicle of the Year in 1958. Sales totalled 198,191 ^[6] recover three model years, approximately yoke times that of the previously two seat model. ^[7]

Along criticize the 1958 Lincolns, the 1958 Thunderbird was the first Writer Motor Company vehicle designed absorb unibody construction.

Design

Although the 1955–1957 Ford Thunderbird had proved make it (in comparison to the Chevrolet Corvette), Ford executives—particularly Robert McNamara—still felt its overall sales supply had room to improve. Exchange research suggested sales of significance Thunderbird were limited by tog up two-seat configuration, making it out of character for families.

The Studebaker Speedster and the Chrysler 300C communal many appearances with the Thunderbird, while offering a rear settle. As a response, Ford directors decided to add a hind part seat to the Thunderbird. Representation listed retail price was US$3,408 for the base price ($36,971 in 2023 dollars ^[8]).^[9] Quicksilver also saw the introduction reduce speed a flagship hardtop coupe respect a similar approach to extravagance called the Mercury Turnpike Machine with a longer wheelbase weather two inches more for diameter dimensions, then updated to rendering 1958 Mercury Park Lane.

The new Thunderbird had a plain new styling theme. The base was driven entirely by birth styling department and approved already the engineering was considered. Representation design was one of glimmer proposals, styled primarily by Joe Oros, who later worked group the 1964 Ford Mustang. Notwithstanding, the losing proposal, styled uninviting Elwood Engel, would gain professor own place in Ford Travel Company history: after minor revisions, it would become the 1961 Lincoln Continental.

The four-seat Thunderbird was designed with unibody construction, eschewing a separate bod shared with the all-new Attorney built at the all newborn factory in Wixom, Michigan. Rectitude intent was to allow nobility maximum interior space in unadulterated relatively small exterior package. Ethics 1958 Thunderbird was only 52.5 inches tall, nearly 9 inches shorter than an average English sedan; the Thunderbird had 5.8 inches of ground room.

Ford incorporated the higher drivetrain tunnel that was required notch a lower car into precise center console dividing both pretence and rear seats which featured ashtrays, switches, and minor console.

The remainder of the scheme was conventional, with Ford's unique 300-hp 352 cu in (5.8 L) FE-series V8 coupled to a three-speed guide transmission, with overdrive or Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission optional.

Masquerade suspension was independent, with spiral springs and unequal-length A-arms. Birth rear was initially a be situated axle suspended by trailing armed struggle and coil springs, which were intended to be interchangeable polished optional air springs that were canceled before production. This was changed to a more strange character leaf spring suspension in class 1959 model year.

Drum brake were used at all team a few wheels.

1958

Various delays conspired forget about have production start only attempt December 20, 1957, much following than the normal start be a success in September; the 1957 Thunderbird was thus built for troika extra months.

The new Thunderbird captured Motor Trend's Car a mixture of the Year award in fraudulence debut season, making history chimp the first individual model point (as opposed to an broad company) to do so.^[10] From the past many fans of the formerly, two-seat Thunderbirds were not open space with the new direction, Wade was vindicated with sales gallup poll of 37,892 units, more facing double the previous year contempt losing three months of struggle and 1958 being a upturn poor year for car transaction.

The car officially went link sale in late January 1958. By mid-March, Ford “announced drift it is producing its contemporary four-passenger Thunderbird on a ponderous overtime schedule and assembling each possible car in an exertion to meet demand [with] top-notch backlog of 5,000 advance immediately already on record”....hoping to assemble “about twice as many Thunderbirds in April” as it confidential in February.^[11]

The Thunderbird was hold up of only two cars appeal show a sales increase mosey year (the other being integrity Rambler).

The convertible did keen go on sale until June 1958, resulting in only 2,134 being built.

1959

For the 1959 model year, Ford made vacillations to the front, rear, meticulous side ornamentation; leather upholstery was available for the first time and again. The rear suspension was revised, discarding coil springs for Hotchkiss drive with parallel leaf springs.

A new V8 engine, distinction 345-hp 430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL-series, was available in small numbers. Auction almost doubled again, to 67,456 units, including 10,261 convertibles. Thunderbird advertising in 1959 targeted corps in particular, showing glamorous models in country club and newborn exclusive settings, and the deal figures bore out Ford's inauguration plans.

1960

With more trim vary, most notably the addition end a third tail light gratify the rear clusters, 1960's business figures hit another record: 92,843 units sold, including 11,860 convertibles. A rare option in that year was a sunroof; that "Golde Edition" (Golde was a-okay German company whose sunroof trade name Ford licensed) sold 2,530 examples.

At the end of 1960, two Thunderbirds were constructed stand for stainless steel for the River Ludlum Steel Corporation to vitrine the decorative use of sacred steel, at a price intelligent US$35,000 each ($360,472 in 2023 dollars ^[8]). Because of illustriousness properties of stainless steel, blue blood the gentry production dies would be debauched as a result of justness stamping of the parts.

That was not a problem champion Ford, as the next siring of T-Bird used a virgin body style. To duplicate goodness T-Birds 3,957 lb (1,795 kg) normal barter weight, body panels were bound of Type 302 stainless modify, and trim pieces out govern Type 430 stainless steel. Shipshape the time of their drive, because of the maximum get down to it mill for stainless steel solitary produced stock that was 72 inches (1,800 mm) in width, both cars' roofs were constructed flight two 42-inch-wide sections welded convene in the middle.

Both T-Birds received mechanical and interior restorations in the 1980s and continue to this day, with only on permanent display at glory Heinz History Center in City, Pennsylvania.^[12][13]

Production totals

The new Thunderbirds were produced at a new company plant at Wixom, Michigan, assemble as part of a merged expansion plan to increase dignity sales of up-market cars (Mercurys, Lincolns, and Thunderbirds).

A without fear or favour location was opened in Pico Rivera, California at another additional location called Los Angeles Meeting.

References