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Ford Thunderbird 430 cubic inch V8 1959

General description : Desirable J-code 430 cubic inch V8. Handsome older restoration. Very straight bodywork, nice interior, original top. Chrome wire wheels and wide whites. Runs and drives well. An attractive Square Bird that always generates a lot of attention no matter where it goes.

Ford saw the writing on the wall and redesigned the Thunderbird in 1958 to include a full-sized back seat. At that point, the T-Bird went from sporty personal car to full-sized luxury cruiser, but sales showed it was the right choice. And in looking at this handsome 1959 Ford Thunderbird, it’s easy to understand why the public was so enthusiastic about the new look. It’s big and dramatic, but not over-styled, offering smaller tail fins than its competition, while embracing the details that made the original Thunderbirds iconic. There’s a hood scoop up front, a wide grille integrated into the chrome bumper, and jet-exhaust-styled taillights that would stick with Ford throughout the ‘60s. The door tag on this ‘Bird says it was originally a color called “Flamingo” but today it’s finished in glossy black, which gives the Thunderbird convertible a lot of presence. The frame-on restoration is probably 20 years old at this point, but it’s holding up quite well with a high gloss, good panel gaps, and very few signs of use or age. Of note, there’s some very minor checking on the driver’s quarter panel just above the bullet strip, but it’s pretty hard to find. The doors close with authority (this is a very heavy car) and the brightwork is in excellent shape, apparently a combination of restored and original pieces. If you want attention, this big ‘Bird delivers.

The black and white interior is how this car was spec’d when it was new, and it obviously works well with the black bodywork. We believe the seating surfaces, door panels, and dash pad are original and in fantastic shape, while the carpets have probably been replaced at some point. The big white steering wheel isn’t cracked or faded yellow and the bright instrument panel surround and matching glove box lid are in great shape. We don’t believe the fuel gauge is operational, nor is the clock, but the speedometer and temperature gauge work as they should. Heater controls are down low on the center console, and the speaker for the fully operational radio (with FM converter inside) is between the seats. The big back seat is spacious enough for full-grown adults, and you can quickly see why Ford decided that a 4-seater was better than a 2-seater. Overhead, we believe that’s the original convertible top, which is in fair condition but not ripped or torn and the system does operate correctly. It’s worth noting that this is an early production Thunderbird, so it does not use the fully automatic system with a power-actuated trunk lid. Instead, you release the trunk and lift the lid manually, swing the flipper panel into place and lock it, then use the trunk-mounted button to lower the power top into the trunk. Then you manually secure the trunk lid. For many, this semi-automatic system is preferable to the trouble-prone fully automatic system that came later. And, of course, with the top down, you don’t get much trunk space, but with the top up it’s big enough for a week’s worth of gear on a tour.

This particular Thunderbird is equipped with the optional J-code 430 cubic inch V8, which offers a big increase in power above the standard 352 cubic inch unit. With a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, it makes 350 horsepower and the kind of effortless torque that makes a full-sized luxury car such a pleasure to drive. The engine bay is tidy, if not detailed for show, and uses correct finishes, from the white air cleaner to the black engine block. It starts easily and once it’s off the choke, it runs smooth and silky with plenty of power to make the big ragtop feel like its smaller siblings. There’s a newer radiator up front and plenty of evidence of conscientious maintenance over the years, including a recent voltage regulator. Power steering was important on a car this big and the 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was a mandatory option with the big 430 engine. The door tag says there are 2.91 gears in back, which feels about right—this is a fantastic highway cruiser that just loafs along at modern interstate speeds. The dual exhaust system has a hushed burble that’s appropriate for the luxury-oriented ‘Bird and solid floors are critical, because this is a unit-body car. Beautiful 14-inch chrome wire wheels are a great addition and they carry G78-14 wide whitewall tires, but a set of fresh radials would make this a fantastic driver.

Extras include an original Ford shop manual.

The Square Bird cuts a dramatic profile in traffic and provides a more luxurious (and spacious) experience than its 2-seat siblings. With a few sensible upgrades, it remains easy to drive and enjoyable out on the road. Add in the optional 430 engine and the desirable semi-automatic top mechanism, this might be the one to own. Take a look and then give us a call.

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.

1959 Ford Thunderbird 430 cubic inch V8 is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in Ohio by Harwood Motors for $32900.

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