1959 Ford Thunderbird

Convertible

5.8L 5769CC 352Cu. In. V8 GAS OHV Naturally Aspira

Automatic

H9YJ100897

Clear

Gasoline

I'm selling my 1959 Ford Thunderbird Convertible project. I purchased it about 6 months ago from the original owner who lived in San Francisco area. My intention was to make it a tribute '59 Thunderbird Racecar - but I have too many other projects at the moment and I've decided to sell some of my cars. When i purchased it there was a hood, trunk and engine. The hood and trunk were by far the most rusty items of the car. So, I got rid of them - but saved the various trunk lid parts that attached to the trunk lid. I located a perfect trunk lid for a '59 Thunderbird convertible - but the guy wants $1,500 for it. I still have his contact information in case the new owner wants his trunk lid - he is located in the Santa Clarita Valley. The hoods are readily available for around $250. Probably the best parts on this car - in terms of condition - is the front and rear bumpers. I believe they both are near perfect. Also, the body appears to be in excellent shape throughout - I see no dents or indications of body work. The passenger door does have a ding that looks like a line scrape. Both doors open and close very well. The car is currently registered and the tags aren't due until June 2016 - the clear title is in my name. I saved a color copy of the original pink title. I drove the car several times around the streets in the community where I live - with the original engine - it drove pretty well - no noticable drips, it shifted well, steered perfectly, felt a little like driving a cadillac or boat - but probably because it needs new shocks all the way around. To get it running, i had the gas tank professionally flushed and sealed, I had new steel fuel lines installed, new brake lines installed where needed, and new front brakes and rear brakes, and new brake master cylinder. It brakes very well. However, the engine began overheating and had a rough idle. I pulled the engine and my mechanic said the engine block had a crack. So, the engine is gone. The good news is FE blocks are readily available - whether 352's or 390s - they will all bolt in easily. I saved all of the '59 Thunderbird specific parts so that the engine installation will be a breeze. The following are some of the items saved, and included in this sale: generator both engine mounts both exhaust manifolds both header pipe and mufflers fuel pump (which is unique - has dual vacuum feeds for accessories) power steering pump (still connected to car) transmission and torque converter (still connected to car) water pump and pulley (which is unique to these years) many more miscellaneous items. I had the dashboard restored and looks very good. Included is a brand new ignition key switch. All dash chrome, glove box, glove box door, gages, ect, are all included. The convertible top is included, but not attached to the car. it will need to have a new vinyl top installed in it - the chrome header is in good condition. The car does have some rust - but based on my assessment (i'm not a professional) the rust is not significant and can be easily fixed. The following are the areas of rust that need attention: Both rear quarter panels have rusty panels. But, on these thunderbirds there is an inner and outer panel. The inner panel - which has ribbing - is not rusted on either side of car. I did some research and found that this is important. The outer quarter panels (skins) will need to be replaced. Both rocker panels appear to be in excellent shape - but the 'skirt' that hangs below the rocker has some rust spots along it, on both sides of car. The door jambs and door support jambs are in excellent shape, no rust. The floor pans front and back show occasional small holes - and so its up to the new owner on how to fix that. The passenger front floor pan definately will need to be replaced. The lip area of the trunk - where the trunk lid will rest shows some spots of rust. The trunk itself seems pretty solid - in spite of a lot of surface rust. But there are isolated spots of rust here and there in the trunk. I am including a low mileage FE 390 - complete motor - it was in my '72 Ford F350 truck that i parted out last year. Depending on the buyers preference the engine can be installed or picked up separately. I realize this Thunderbird is not destined to be a frame-off rotisserie restoration (but it sure could be). But this thunderbird has so much potential. My plans were to make it a clone of the famous #93 - 350HP race car which raced in 1959. Without question, the coolest convertible car to ever race NASCAR. Please feel free to ask me any questions, and I will respond as soon as I can - and will post to Ebay so everyone can benefit. On Oct-06-15 at 10:01:56 PDT, seller added the following information: The windows in both doors and in both rear quarters appear to be in very good shape - they all roll up and down well, and fit just like they should.On Oct-08-15 at 09:48:53 PDT, seller added the following information: The '72 390 FE truck engine (which is low mileage) is a relatively low compression ratio engine according to the available information. It felt quite powerful when it was in my F350 camper. I also have a '63 390 FE block that came out of a '63 Tbird that I parted out recently. This block does not have heads or intake currently. However, I could install the heads and intake from the truck engine onto the '63 tbird engine - all at no additional cost to buyer. just let me know your preference once the sale is final.On Oct-08-15 at 09:53:36 PDT, seller added the following information: Ebay doesn't seem to be posting all of my email responses to bidders. Sorry about that. the following was my response to a recent inquiry: I understand that the trunk itself is not available.,but what about the lid that attaches to the trunk on folds as well as all the hinges that were on the trunk itself with the actuators.,relays and switches,do you have those available? Thanks Can I call you on the phone? Regarding the trunk, I was able to remove all of the actuators, hinges ect that were connected to the trunk. As it turns out, I still have the trunk - I thought it was thrown away. So, if the buyer wants the trunk lid they can have it. I suppose its possible the trunk could be fixed with some welding. let me know if this answers your question. I seem to have reached my photo limit. If you want to see the trunk lid photos I have - which show the actuators and hinges, please email me your email address. Of course, lets keep all of our correspondence here on ebay, for our mutal protection. thanks. -garyOn Oct-08-15 at 10:00:19 PDT, seller added the following information: Is the radiator available too Thanks for the info. The new radiator is not a part of this sale. If desired, I will be happy to discuss a fair purchase price for the radiator with the tbird owner.On Oct-08-15 at 10:43:37 PDT, seller added the following information: Would you be willing to sell me the collapsable lid that goes on the trunk and all the hinges and switches that pertain to the trunk and the radiator.,since you do not have them listed. If you need a hood or any part of the body I have a perfect 1960 T-Bird available for parts too I appreciate that. The collapsible lid is already included in the sale - I think it is in one of the posted photos. I separated it from the trunk lid. [I can provide this person's contact information (if he is not the winning bidder of course) to the new tbird owner if requested - he has many parts that could assist this restoration]On Oct-08-15 at 10:53:11 PDT, seller added the following information: I wanted to clarify the decklid question. There are (2). One that attaches to the trunklid, the other attaches to the convertible top. Both are included and original to this car.On Oct-10-15 at 20:52:26 PDT, seller added the following information: I have a few important updates to share. The original rear wheel skirts (both sides) are included in the sale and are in good condition - not previously mentioned. The original steel wheels/tires have been installed in the rear, and the spare tire is included. And I wanted to take a moment to discuss rust. I rarely buy a car with rust - usually the only rust is a floor pan or wheel well. But this car has more than that. I have a 100% satisfaction on ebay - and i hope to keep it that way. I can offer a guarantee that if you are not satisfied with the car has described by me that i will buy it back from you - as long as you pay to ship it back to me. I want you to be happy. So, please only bid on the car if you (or your mechanic) know and understand how to fix rust on cars. thanks, -gary