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I am posting part of an email that I just received from John Rotella of the Tbird Registry. It regards a 1959 Tbird that is being offered for sale. I think I just saw this on CraigsList last night and wondered about this strange thing. I will post some pictures of this Tbird and you can see the cover that someone, either at the plant, or after that, put over the Heater/AC Control on the center console. And the cover over the blower hole in the engine compartment. This is a reply to Frank, a potential buyer of this Tbird. As you will see, John said that Wixom never made a "heater deleted" Tbird.
"Hi Frank
Well to be really accurate, it is actually a 1959 Thunderbird without the optional heater. Ford never made a "heater delete" Thunderbird. Starting in 1962, the heater/defroster became standard equipment, and unlike other Ford products of the day, the delete option was not offered on Thunderbird or Lincoln.
Anyhow we really do not have accurate information about how many were made with or without any particular option, but in my opinion, 98% were built with the optional MagicAire Heater.
I would say that the firewalls were all built with the heater hole in place, and that a cover was used for non-heater cars like this one. The wiring was likely part of all firewalls, too. But I really do not know for sure. As far as the dash plate it is hard for me to see it very good. And likewise I believe a dash cover would have been used as it would have been more cost-effective to build all of the consoles with the heater control hole.
I know of only one other Square Bird without a heater, it is in the Rochester NY area and it was originally sold in California. I am copying my friend Ray Clark about your car, he moderates a Square Bird Forum so maybe he has some input.
BTW the 3-speed manual transmission does seem to almost "validate" the non-heater situation, as far as what a potential buyer may have chosen. But of course the two items are not dependent on one another.
Best Regards,
John Rotella – Director of LOVEfords
www.lovefords.org
Frank R. van Vliet wrote:
Well to be really accurate, it is actually a 1959 Thunderbird without the optional heater. Ford never made a "heater delete" Thunderbird. Starting in 1962, the heater/defroster became standard equipment, and unlike other Ford products of the day, the delete option was not offered on Thunderbird or Lincoln.
Anyhow we really do not have accurate information about how many were made with or without any particular option, but in my opinion, 98% were built with the optional MagicAire Heater.
I would say that the firewalls were all built with the heater hole in place, and that a cover was used for non-heater cars like this one. The wiring was likely part of all firewalls, too. But I really do not know for sure. As far as the dash plate it is hard for me to see it very good. And likewise I believe a dash cover would have been used as it would have been more cost-effective to build all of the consoles with the heater control hole.
I know of only one other Square Bird without a heater, it is in the Rochester NY area and it was originally sold in California. I am copying my friend Ray Clark about your car, he moderates a Square Bird Forum so maybe he has some input.
BTW the 3-speed manual transmission does seem to almost "validate" the non-heater situation, as far as what a potential buyer may have chosen. But of course the two items are not dependent on one another.
Best Regards,
John Rotella – Director of LOVEfords
www.lovefords.org
Frank R. van Vliet wrote:
Good Morning,
I am looking at a 1959 Thunder Bird which has the original 300HP 352 C.I. V8, 3 speed on the column, 9" with 3.70 gears, it has apparently, the heater delete option. This is a Texas car and it is pretty plain, so not have heat is possible. Data plate info: Body(63A)color(GE)trim(6X)date(11E)trans(1)axle(3). I don’t have the build data and I am not sure if this is a factory installed delete, or if this is an aftermarket attempt at removing the heater. Note that the blower wires appear to be there which is making me suspicious. With that said, can you provide your opinion as to whether or not the plat in the engine compartment and the cover in the dash look to be factory correct? I sold my Square Bird several years ago and I’m very interested in getting another, and I like the uniqueness of this one. Thanks for your help.
Frank.
Frank R. van Vliet, MBA"
I have told both John and Frank that this looks like someone's after market idea. Neither the center console cover, or the engine well cover look professionally done to me. Look at the engine well blower motor cover close up... What say you?
I am looking at a 1959 Thunder Bird which has the original 300HP 352 C.I. V8, 3 speed on the column, 9" with 3.70 gears, it has apparently, the heater delete option. This is a Texas car and it is pretty plain, so not have heat is possible. Data plate info: Body(63A)color(GE)trim(6X)date(11E)trans(1)axle(3). I don’t have the build data and I am not sure if this is a factory installed delete, or if this is an aftermarket attempt at removing the heater. Note that the blower wires appear to be there which is making me suspicious. With that said, can you provide your opinion as to whether or not the plat in the engine compartment and the cover in the dash look to be factory correct? I sold my Square Bird several years ago and I’m very interested in getting another, and I like the uniqueness of this one. Thanks for your help.
Frank.
Frank R. van Vliet, MBA"
I have told both John and Frank that this looks like someone's after market idea. Neither the center console cover, or the engine well cover look professionally done to me. Look at the engine well blower motor cover close up... What say you?
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