1959 Ford Thunderbird

Description

1959 “Square Bird” Thunderbird, 2-door Hardtop for sale in Roseville, Mn. 55113.
Solid car spent at least the last 30 years in New Mexico in a private collection and was not driven since 1990. When I got it, was told it was a “daily driver” by the seller. I wasn’t able to ask questions about it as the Titled owner had died, Title is clear- in my name, Minnesota Title.
Car was built in Michigan, 352 cid (was told) engine was rebuilt prior to 1990- as the car was not being driven, I do not know how many miles are on the rebuild.
(I think it is prudent to have heads looked at to make sure they had hardened valves put in so it can burn Unleaded Gas. After sitting in the desert 30 years, rebuilt engines may need new rubber.  It does have some smoke when revved.)  Sounds strong, runs well. Sounds great!
Speedometer does not work, was told the plastic gear in the transmission needed to be replaced as everything else was good (fairly easy.) I originally had hoped to make the car safe and pass it on to family, but the recession changed their priorities and now it is available for sale. I made the car easy to finish, ready to decide how big (or small) a restoration is wanted.
Work done 2020: Brakes 90% (Master/ Booster not done)
Lines/Drums/Hoses/wheel cyls/ emergency done.
Wiper Motor replaced with electric
Power Steering (all except pump)
Pump is good, installed a magnetic PS fluid filter inline.
Replaced slave cyl, hoses, valve body.
Front Suspension: tie rods/ lower Ball Joints/ shocks/ springs/ idler.
Tires: Diamondback Wide White Walls 215/75R/14
5 correct T-Bird Wheels, correct hubcaps
Rear leaf Springs, rear shocks.
Gas Tank & Sender replaced before I got it. Gauge works.
When new, the car was Black with Black/White Interior.
Had 352 cid engine, Cruise-o-Matic Transmission.
It had several coats of paint on it when it arrived, with faded red being most recent. It appeared some of the bodywork was pretty amateur, lots of small dents and un-needed bondo. Someone swapped the original interior for Red/Black parts from a 1960 (which has different door panels than 1958-59,) Seats are good, but door panels are ratty. All interior parts are available new from Mac’s or Larry’s. I had thought to return it to Black and White for 1959.
I started to source everything possible to begin the return to Black and White. Thought a good start would be to replace the old windshield, replace the dry red dashpad with black, replace the red console with a nice black one- doing the stereo at the same time.
I cleaned up the interior, removed the trim, and discovered no green windshields (or clear) were available due to work slowdowns from the virus. On this car you should do the dash and windshield at the same time as much is in the way. With no windshield, I decided not to do that small project at that time.
The old windshield is still OK for now.
I bought the black console and a Custom AutoSound Stereo and CD player for it.
All goes with.
I did buy a nice green used rear windshield for it, still boxed. Bought all the rubber gaskets (expensive) for windshields and doors. As I had removed the windshield trim and interior trim to do the job, I was able to replace some with polished/restored. But without a windshield to put in, the trim will all be inside the trunk. Trim is easy on this car.
Decided to strip off the thick multi-coats of paint and bondo. Stripped Roof, cowl, hood, doors, door jambs, trunk lid—all currently in primer only. Mostly raw metal, only filled a few small dents. Car needs anywhere from minor patchwork and block sanding for a “fair weather” car to a rotisserie restoration for a potential show car.
The car, floors, rockers are all solid- does need work at minimum in rear quarters and RF lower fender- (all available in patches from Mac’s and Larry’s.) Left side of car is nice and straight, pretty solid. Right side has had amateur work done many years ago on the RR quarter. I bought new skirts for the car- left stays on, right will not. I did not strip fenders or quarters as they will need to be cut and welded (or patched) when that decision is made- they can be stripped at that time. Front frame needs a patch, sway bar brackets need repair and alignment needs to be finished.  We have a shop here that does all of this frame/align work. No estimate yet.  Will need align to drive, way off right now- too many new parts to be close.
Bought better side window frames- have not gotten new green glass yet.
Needs a Tune-Up- car runs/drives but I have just worked on it outside.
I have not been driving it.
Carburetor and electric choke have minor issues.
Exhaust manifold is leaking. Car was converted to HEI ignition, does not have points anymore. Car does not appear to have any major fluid leaks.
I did spot a drip at the transmission linkage and a typical drip at the pinion seal.  Bypassed the heater as the core leaks.  Carpets are new, I washed the passenger side- dried.
Shortage of parts available limited what I could do. I simply have run out of time to do more. I probably have over 12K in the car already and hours, and hours, and hours spent laboring on it. I have other projects to finish. I have lots of parts for this Thunderbird, you would need a pick-up to get everything- they will not fit inside the car. If it is picked up by Transporter, I will fill the car with everything that fits.
Car cannot be locked.
I may continue to do minor things on it. But it has reached the point where most of the easy things are done.
Car looks good. Engine sounds good. Easy resto for a daily driver. Car is safe, runs/stops. I ordered a new (same as original) starter for it.
I just checked the timing, re-set it to 6 degrees- seems to be running great.  I'd prefer not doing work that involves warranties as once it sells, warranties are gone. I don't have a rich uncle so I'm limited from getting front end all estimated/finished. If I had it all finished, I'd likely need to raise the price for sure, or just keep it.  Bulk
of the remaining work is cosmetics.
I see a lot of these Thunderbirds for sale cheap- people bombing out due to the recession.
Most of them seem to need pretty much everything with rust/bondo issues too. At least mine has a rebuilt engine-tires-brakes-power steering.
Since I have not been driving it, I concentrated on everything except the engine.
T-Bird has an older Muff-ex exhaust. Taillights have all new lenses, taillight bodies have all been stripped and re-painted (look great!) Headlights have all been rebuilt- new adjusters. Car comes with both black and chrome headlight doors. Hood scoop has been restored and polished.
Sorry for the long, detailed discussion of everything I had done for this car. If I didn’t mention it, I may not have touched it. Message me with questions. Car is available to see in Roseville, MN 55113, please let me know if you are coming. Also listed in Hemmings, and locally so it can sell at any time, ebay sale can end at any time. Transport is up to the buyer. Ebay requires a 0 down-payment within 3 days of purchase- nonrefundable.
I can keep the car at my home as it has license and insurance on it.
I would like at least half the purchase price paid within 2 weeks of purchase, and the remainder within 30 days or cash upon pick-up.
So the car runs pretty well, looks like the radiator was replaced recently also, ready for align/frame.  After this the car is ready for the highway- details- interior- perfecting. Better than most.
Just replaced the battery and ordered a new oil pan for it.