My 12 y/o best friend lived with his Grandparents over a diner on the old highway ‘99 in 1969 and I’d sometimes stay over on the weekends and riding in this car felt like being in the Batmobile. Theirs was oxidized red with age but I didn’t care, it had a throaty sound and the radio sounded great.
Thank you for making this entire video even the under carriage and engine interesting aside from just gazing at my favorite car’s beauty! I appreciated your descriptions and details right down to the “goldenrod” color manifolds. I usually skip right by the engine stuff but all the details you included were excellent! My dad was a car salesman so we grew up with many fancy cars including this one (but a coupe) as a “demonstrator“ that we had for a time. TFS
Just found your channel, thank you for posting. In high school, I had a '60 full power A/C, 352 and a factory sunroof. I didn't know what I had, wish I would've kept that car.
Sadly Ford made the decision to enlarge the car, eliminate the frame, and install a 352 engine. I worked on these vehicles, overhauled the complete drive line. Like the saying goes they appeal to the emotion, however the heart of the vehicle is sick. No offence to you the rebuilder, you did an amazing job.👍👍👍
Awesome educational video. I just bought a 59 convert. 9k orig miles. Power windows and a.c. you really have helped me figure something out. Thank you and really nice car.
Hello, I have a question I just purchased the same car. I love all the info, my question, in the engine bay It looks like there is an air valve it’s right in front of the firewall. Do you know what that is for? Thank you so much. My car is rebuilt about 90% through. I still need to paint it and fix a couple of suspension issues, thank you
I believe that is not air air valve, but it looks like one. It is for checking the hydraulic pressure in the automatic transmission. Join the Squarebirds website, lots of great info there: www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/forum/-1958-to-1960-thunderbirds-general-technical-discussion/-1958-to-1960-squarebirds-general-technical-discussion
I have a Custom Auto Sound amp/subwoofer under the passenger seat. Two small self-contained speakers mounter on the outside L-R of the transmission tunnel. There are some improved Bluetooth, hidden systems which are even better now. Sounds pretty good for a convertible.
Show off! ....... yeah yeah subtle, elegant...... Lord please help this square bird...amen. Love it, Kirby and thanks for the heads up! Ps leak-o-matic!?
I finally got the trans rebuilt right after the video was made. Turned out the inside case was cracked. Hense the "leak o matic". Found a new case and it works great and the leaks are gone! Thanks for watching!
They are genuine spoke wheel from Truespoke. Period correct aftermarket look. They are amazing quality. I did not like the stock hubcaps (amazed Ford made the car so cool but the wheels so plain). If you don't want to go retro they are the best choice IMO. Truespoke also sells them with your choice of tires mounted (they require special care so you don't scratch the chrome). www.truespoke.com/ Cheers! -Kirb
My 12 y/o best friend lived with his Grandparents over a diner on the old highway ‘99 in 1969 and I’d sometimes stay over on the weekends and riding in this car felt like being in the Batmobile. Theirs was oxidized red with age but I didn’t care, it had a throaty sound and the radio sounded great.
Pretty cool Kirby! Been a while since we have talked. We are getting a ‘60 for Lori . Great video. The info helped!!!!
I'm not a DIYer so, I commend you on all your hard work. It must be very rewarding knowing that your great car didn't happen automatically.
Nice tribute to the 60 Squarebird. Always great to see one restored and on the road.
Cramer, your narration was great, very educational. Thanks again!
I hope the next generation will pick up our passion. As Jay Leno says, "we are taking care of them for the next owner". Thanks for watching! -Kirb
Thank you for making this entire video even the under carriage and engine interesting aside from just gazing at my favorite car’s beauty! I appreciated your descriptions and details right down to the “goldenrod” color manifolds. I usually skip right by the engine stuff but all the details you included were excellent!
My dad was a car salesman so we grew up with many fancy cars including this one (but a coupe) as a “demonstrator“ that we had for a time. TFS
Just found your channel, thank you for posting. In high school, I had a '60 full power A/C, 352 and a factory sunroof. I didn't know what I had, wish I would've kept that car.
Yes! I think the sunroof was called a Goldie.
They were and still are quite rare.
@@cramersclassics they are, don't remember how many, but under 1000
Great video! I like the integrated door handles!
Yes, the are a really cool styling element. So many on the Thunderbird. I love the shadow lines on the body, amazing from any angle.
Very informative! Thank you.
Sadly Ford made the decision to enlarge the car, eliminate the frame, and install a 352 engine. I worked on these vehicles, overhauled the complete drive line. Like the saying goes they appeal to the emotion, however the heart of the vehicle is sick. No offence to you the rebuilder, you did an amazing job.👍👍👍
Awesome educational video. I just bought a 59 convert. 9k orig miles. Power windows and a.c. you really have helped me figure something out. Thank you and really nice car.
Great video and very informative ! Thank you.
Hello, I have a question I just purchased the same car. I love all the info, my question, in the engine bay It looks like there is an air valve it’s right in front of the firewall. Do you know what that is for?
Thank you so much. My car is rebuilt about 90% through. I still need to paint it and fix a couple of suspension issues, thank you
I believe that is not air air valve, but it looks like one. It is for checking the hydraulic pressure in the automatic transmission. Join the Squarebirds website, lots of great info there:
www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/forum/-1958-to-1960-thunderbirds-general-technical-discussion/-1958-to-1960-squarebirds-general-technical-discussion
My dream car only in Baltic blue.
Great car! 👍🏻
The first American car to have a center console due to the high trans hump was the square Bird.
Also where are your speakers? Was the original speakers located in the center console?
I have a Custom Auto Sound amp/subwoofer under the passenger seat. Two small self-contained speakers mounter on the outside L-R of the transmission tunnel. There are some improved Bluetooth, hidden systems which are even better now. Sounds pretty good for a convertible.
Bravo! 👏
Those drum brakes weren’t dangerous! You just had to drive the car accordingly!
Show off! ....... yeah yeah subtle, elegant...... Lord please help this square bird...amen. Love it, Kirby and thanks for the heads up! Ps leak-o-matic!?
I finally got the trans rebuilt right after the video was made. Turned out the inside case was cracked. Hense the "leak o matic". Found a new case and it works great and the leaks are gone! Thanks for watching!
Your wheel covers, are those hub caps ?
They are genuine spoke wheel from Truespoke. Period correct aftermarket look. They are amazing quality. I did not like the stock hubcaps (amazed Ford made the car so cool but the wheels so plain). If you don't want to go retro they are the best choice IMO.
Truespoke also sells them with your choice of tires mounted (they require special care so you don't scratch the chrome).
www.truespoke.com/
Cheers! -Kirb
Many of these were made? How many of them were convertibles? :-}]
In 1960 there were about 10,000 convertibles made out of a total of about 110,000 for 1960 Thunderbirds.
Exact numbers are 11860 convertibles (352 or 430 cid) and a total production of 92843 1960 TBirds, not 110000 as stated.