Before the '64 redesign, Ford made the '62-'63 T-bird convertibles extra fun with an optional Sport Roadster feature equipped with a double-hump two-seater tonneau cap and a 390, 6-V powerplant yielding 401 hp. The T-bird didn't change much until 1964.
#1958 FORD THUNDERBIRD PERSONL LUXURY CAR SERIES#
With the redesign came Ford's 390 FE series big-block sporting plenty of power for the nation's growing interstate highway system. The body took on an aerospace facade, looking like it could take on Bonneville and not break a sweat. One V-8, the MEL series Lincoln big-block displacing 430 ci, made a brief appearance in 1960.įord stylists made a quantum leap with the redesigned Thunderbird for 1961. During the years in between, Thunderbird evolved with more and more luxury features, including a growing lineup of FE series V-8s. So the T-bird grew to be a four-place sport/luxury car for 1958, which is where it stayed until 1967. There weren't enough being sold to justify mass production, despite its charm and appeal.
#1958 FORD THUNDERBIRD PERSONL LUXURY CAR CODE#
A coveted F code supercharged 'Bird today would be the find of a lifetime, even if you didn't like Thunderbirds.įord saw the writing on the wall early in the T-bird's life. The 312ci V-8 returned for 1957 with an optional supercharger, though few were produced.
What made the fins sexy was Ford's subtle approach to the concept, just like with the larger '57 Ford. The T-bird became downright sexy in 1957, with a honed body and the best-looking fins of any nameplate in the '50s. Same lovable two-seat design and affordable base sticker price, just like the '55. Nineteen fifty-six brought with it significant improvements, including a 12-volt electrical system, a revised interior, and a 312ci Y-block V-8. The T-bird didn't sit still very long, however. Fuel mileage was nearly 20 mpg highway in one road test, which is astonishing considering fuel system technology in 1955. The interior was inviting, with plenty of legroom and a four-way adjustable seat. Unlike the Corvette, the T-bird had adequate storage space, with a sizable trunk and easy access. An optional Ford-O-Matic transmission and power steering made driving effortless by '50s standards. Ford's 292ci Y-block V-8 yielded 190 hp from its 3.75-inch bore and 3.30-inch stroke. The T-bird was a '55 Ford with its hair down and clad in a striking bikini. Much of the sporty fun car was borrowed right off the shelf from the '55 Ford, which kept manufacturing costs down. What made the original T-bird affordable was logical engineering.
It was an excellent value in a booming, promising post-war era. The Thunderbird was a personal two-seat luxury car with a removable hardtop, bucket seats, overhead valve V-8 power, and a host of nice appointments that could be had for a bit more money. And many saw the original T-bird as Ford's answer to Chevrolet's Corvette, but it wasn't. Many perceived the '55-'57 T-birds as sports cars, but they weren't. But the '55 T-bird proved that it could be done, and for less than three grand. Skeptics predicted Ford couldn't build the car for under $4,000. For those who wanted a two-seat personal luxury car, the price was unbelievable. When the Ford Thunderbird debuted in the fall of 1954, it had two seats, a V-8 engine, abundant charisma, and a base sticker price of just $2,695.
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