I added this to the end of my previous post but thought I should post it on it's own. My car is at the paint shop right now (the factory paint could not be saved) The body is perfect and the rest of the car is 100% untouched and in fantastic condition. When I was taking everything out of the inside I discovered that on the inside of one of the door panels in black grease pencile it states "7/13" (last day of production), "last day, last car"! I had a pretty good idea it was possibly the last one and know there is some question as to the last actual number produced but this very well may be it!!!! I also found carefully placed under the factory carpet a paper shamrock that states "This is your lucky shamrock" built on the 13th.... I guess so!! The car is 99% factory original to the car, with the exception of the exhaust pipes and mufflers (Have factory date code mufflers in the box, they will be going on. I even have a factory oil filter) and the battery (Have a reproduction Power Punch, only reproduction part on the car). I bought it for the interior (my log in name) but got real lucky on the number!
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Wow . . . Now THATS something !!!
I'd be curious the last didgets of the VIN and the destination code.
Is it in the TB reg?👍 1Comment
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Data plate info: #OY71Y192784 (#92,784). Body:63A, Color:Z, Trim:76, Date:13W, Trans:4, Axle:3. 13W was the last day of production.👍 1Comment
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Last squarebird??
According to Automotive Mileposts, there were 92,843 '60 Squarebirds manufactured that year. The highest number ever for Squarebirds. Also, September 13th (13W) was the last day for production according to them. I don't know why "7/13" would have been written, instead of 9/13, unless part of the 9 wore off.
I do not know how you account for the other 59 that were manufactured between 92,784 and 92,843, but I recall reading somewhere, that Ford did not always manufacture cars in the exact order by serial number. It could be that the '59 other cars, where different models on different lines, like the J Code, or the convertible. I think that one of the line workers would not have taken the time to write what they did, and do with they did if that car was NOT the last car on their line.. And yes, it should be registered on John Rotella's Tbird Registry, since it is a very historical car.
Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
https://faye.rayclark.info/index.htmlComment
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On the other end of the spectrum, I recall a VTCA piece in the seventies where someone scouting a yard turned up a 60 HT, serial number ONE. He bought the car and restored it.
I remember seeing the car in the registry, believe it's located in Pennsylvania.
Interesting concept, two last cars, last built and last numbered. Besides the pencil markings on the car, wonder if there is anyway to document this as the last one, such as a Ford newsletter or a photo shoot to commemorate the ocassion. This was the last 60, the last of the body series and a big sales success, my hope is the last car would have received some publicity.
Does anyone have the data on the Stainless Steel TBirds? These would have been near the end as it's been written the dies would have been damaged stamping the SS panelsLast edited by GTE427; April 16, 2009, 02:40 PM.Ken
1959 J Convertible
1960 J HardtopComment
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Last squarebird??
Here is the information that I and others posted regarding the stainless steel Squarebirds.
This forum will contain information on things of an historical nature, such as the confirmation of Greg Prince as owner of the Last '60 Tbird produced. Ford Motor Co., Budd Body Co. Kelsey-Hayes Co., and others history as it relates to our Thunderbirds.
I think you are right about them not making them until the end of the production run for the reasons stated.
Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
https://faye.rayclark.info/index.htmlComment
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Chris you definitely have to get your 60 accredited by Ford as the last off the production line somehow and get it registered.Dano Calgary,Alberta Canada
Thunderbird Registry
58HT #33317
60 HT (Sold )Comment
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Last edited by JohnG; April 16, 2009, 05:14 PM.1958 Hardtop
#8452 TBird Registry
http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)
photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
history:
http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htmComment
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Last squarebird??
I just talked with Lou Paliani, Pres. of VTCI, here in San Antonio. I asked him if he knew how one could get Ford to write a letter authenticating this Tbird as being the last of production. He said, in essence, good luck! They get NO support from Ford whatsoever, which is a shame. One could contact the VTCI Ford Rep, and see if he could help.
His suggestion was to photograph everything you told us about, regarding dates, and inscriptions you found on the car, and under the carpeting. Then contact Alan Tast, who is sure to see this when he logs on next. Alan might be able to give you full details on this. Lou also said that even though there were 59 other cars in the serial number range, after yours, that they did run seperate lines for different models, ie, J cars, and convertibles. And lastly, that they did, supposedly run the stainless steel cars as the very last runs for the reasons stated below. Hope this helps! And YES, get it registerd in John Rotella's Tbird Registry!
Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
https://faye.rayclark.info/index.htmlComment
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Because our subject bird has a VIN# of 784 and the last numerical was 834, that is a moving quantity of 50 birds on the line at one time thru out the day. It would stand to reason that they got all mixed up to the finish line with optional installs and coffee/lunch breaks.
It would be fun to know if Sept. 13, 1959 was a Friday. Oooh, how macabre if that were the case.Comment
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3 quick notes:
1) take a look at the comments on the next-to-last 1960 which is at
http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=1675 and are for VIN 0Y71Y192812
the comments are:
Registrar's Note: This Thunderbird has a higher consecutive unit number than Ford's official production records indicate would exist. Please see the Thunderbird Registry Lowest-Highest C.U.N. Information Page
2) the last two in the Registry have leather interiors. I wonder if that could cause things to get out of sequence?
3) your car and 0Y71Y192744 both have the rare interior combination 76. His was also produced on day 13W. (see http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=31937 )
All this has reminded me of what a remarkable resource John Rotella has provided us all with!
johnLast edited by JohnG; April 16, 2009, 06:57 PM.1958 Hardtop
#8452 TBird Registry
http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)
photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
history:
http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htmComment
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