New member needs some advice

[Guest]

Hi all

I've just joined Squarebirds and already I'm impressed with the knowledge and support your community offers. We don't have too many 58-60 convertibles down under and so I thought I'd start looking further afield.

I would like a 58, 59 or 60 model convertible (who wouldn't?) Hopefully my budget will stretch to a good original car or an older restoration. Naturally, my main concern is rust and the condition of the body so that has to be the first priority. I've owned and driven classic cars for many years but I'm not that familiar with the Squarebirds apart from loving the shape. So, I'm after any advice you can offer on what to look out for in order to find the best car possible especially since getting it over to Australia will add quite a bit to the cost.

I'd appreciate your opinions on prices and what you get for your money. I'm not after a show car, just a nice driver that doesn't have too many unpleasant surprises. I like the look of the 60 model but realise that it has issues with the power top. Coincidentally, I dropped by to see my mechanic last Saturday and he was working on a 60 convertible with a top that wouldn't close. The mechanism is quite complicated!

Perhaps we could start with opinions on these two cars (I don’t know if they are still available):

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2800098166.html

http://www.collectorcarads.com/Ford-Thunderbird/43708

Regards

Mark

[JohnG]

hi Mark

Welcome to Squarebirds!!!

If you are looking for a convertible, my first suggestion would be to ponder the structural differences between those and hardtops. The Squarebirds are unibody cars - no traditional frame. Thus the roof is a key structural component of the hardtop. The convertible, lacking that, has additional reinforcement in the lower portions of the car.

I mention this for two reasons:

1) you need to check the lower portions of any car you look at for rust, not only for the usual cosmetic reasons but also as it might impact the integrity of the car. Really go over the rocker panels. Also , if feasible, remove the splash pans behind the front wheels and see what damage is hidden there. Rain water is supposed to pass all the way thru but if the area is clogged, it sits there and eats up the body.

2) there are any number of fake convertibles in existence - cars that were converted (no pun . . ) from hardtops. They look nice but lack the structural integrity mentioned above. Careful research on the VIN of the vehicle is needed, at the very least. The VIN may appear in two places: stamped into the frame, and on a data plate on the driver's door pillar. Not only do you run the risk of grossly overpaying, but end up with a poorly made car (there are horrror stories of such cars cracking the windshields under stress - - flexi flyers!)

Please keep us posted! There are many highly experienced and knowledgeable members here to help . . .

best wishes

John

[jopizz]

The main areas to look at with any squarebird are the inner and outer rocker panels, quarter panels, radiator support and behind the splash shield as mentioned. With a convertible you also have floor pans, trunk pans and convertible top package tray as problem areas. The two cars you mentioned look to be excellent cars but if you are buying sight unseen it is always a gamble. The prices seem fairly reasonable for a nice convertible. If you are going to be buying one in the states and you can't see it in person I would post it here and see if any members who live nearby can look at it for you. It's worth asking. I am a big fan of the 58-59 convertible top mechanism over the fully automatic '60.

John

[Dan Leavens]

Mark both of the cars on the links for sale seem to be well priced but as John stated need to be checked out thoroughly. The major concern is RUST unless the seller has already resolved this issue and replaced a lot of metal.
Convertibles due to the low production numbers are certainly rare but need to be inspected again as John mentioned very carefully. For example in 58 there were approx. 2800 converts produced, so dojng the math 54 years later just how many ( in good condition # 2 ) are really around

Of course then you need to factor in the top mechanism working / not working / costs to repair / weather etc. before deciding on purchasing. For example here in Calgary, Alberta Canada we have about 2 1/2 - 3 months of convert weather so, it wouldn't be a good idea to by one. I have a 69 MGB convert for my wife but drive it very little due to the weather. Take your time and check out several ones and remember " patience is a virtue" especially with these old classics.

[YellowRose]

New member needs some advice

Mark, you might want to check in country to see what be for sale there. I would suggest that you contact the Thunderbird Owners Club Of Australia, or other Down Under Tbird clubs, to see if they know of anything available. Here is the link to their website. If you can find a good candidate there it will certainly save you from having one shipped in.

http://www.toca.net.au/index.htm

[tbird430]

And then you have the 1960 sunroof birds. Factory sunroofs with 352cid engines will be cheeper to buy in these models.

A great investment with the added fun of a "somewhat" convertible feel...

[Guest]

Thanks for that information everyone. I appreciate it. I recently sold a 1965 Mercedes 230SL and am very aware of the need for structural integrity in the sills and floors in a convertible. My car was very well maintained when I bought it 12 years ago but still required considerable rust repairs that only became apparent when I put it in for some minor body work.

Naturally, any car I am serious about will need to be inspected thoroughly. I know the pitfalls of buying a car sight unseen having done this a couple of times in Australia. I can use the services of a professional inspection service although unless they know the model well, I suspect the report will be pretty generic.

As to buying one in Australia, well, as many of you have said, convertibles are pretty rare in the US. They are very rare here and are priced accordingly. I’m seeing more coupes available now although not as many as first generation Thunderbirds or ones from the mid 60’s and later. Still, I’m keeping my eye out.

I’ll keep you posted.

Mark

[Anders]

Hi all

I've just joined Squarebirds and already I'm impressed with the knowledge and support your community offers. We don't have too many 58-60 convertibles down under and so I thought I'd start looking further afield.

I would like a 58, 59 or 60 model convertible (who wouldn't?) Hopefully my budget will stretch to a good original car or an older restoration. Naturally, my main concern is rust and the condition of the body so that has to be the first priority. I've owned and driven classic cars for many years but I'm not that familiar with the Squarebirds apart from loving the shape. So, I'm after any advice you can offer on what to look out for in order to find the best car possible especially since getting it over to Australia will add quite a bit to the cost.

I'd appreciate your opinions on prices and what you get for your money. I'm not after a show car, just a nice driver that doesn't have too many unpleasant surprises. I like the look of the 60 model but realise that it has issues with the power top. Coincidentally, I dropped by to see my mechanic last Saturday and he was working on a 60 convertible with a top that wouldn't close. The mechanism is quite complicated!

Perhaps we could start with opinions on these two cars (I don’t know if they are still available):

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2800098166.html

http://www.collectorcarads.com/Ford-Thunderbird/43708

Regards

Mark

If I could, I would buy this baby on the spot. It have been at a museum, and looks fantastic. Love the color too.

http://www.jameslist.com/advert/377023/for-sale-ford-thunderbird

[Guest]

1960 Convertible in Phoenix

Hi All

Is anyone familiar with this 60 convertible in Phoenix? It's on Craigslist. I've tried emailing but the message keeps bouncing back.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2811406229.html

Regards
Mark

[JohnG]

factory tonneau cover ????????

[jopizz]

I've seen that car posted quite a few times. The non original tonneau cover, seats and door panels don't do anything for me. For that money I'd want an all original car.

[JohnG]

So, Mark, since you started the thread and then found a car to look at, here are some questions that one would research if serious about it.

* what is the VIN ?
* is it consistent with a convertible?
* a photo of the data plate would be good (if there is one)
* is it in the TBird Registry? (what # if yes)
* for those of you more knowledegeable than I am, does the instrument area seem consistent with a convertible? I vaguely recall some difference
* some under-the-hood photos would help.

The tonneau thing is removable . . . we had a member in Squarebirds who had a car very much like that. I am sure Ray will remember.

[jopizz]

It looks to be a factory convertible. The top switch under the dash is in the right position. Everything looks consistent with a convertible. Without a picture of the engine compartment it's hard to tell if it was originally red or repainted. If it's still for sale I would get a lot more detailed pictures and as mentioned a picture of the data plate. Just because it's been in California and Arizona doesn't mean it won't have rust issues that could be hidden.

John

[tp tbird]

60 convertible

I have some pictures of that car when it was for sale for $23,500.It has chrome valve covers and non stock chrome air cleaner and inside fender wells black

[Anders]

Hi All

Is anyone familiar with this 60 convertible in Phoenix? It's on Craigslist. I've tried emailing but the message keeps bouncing back.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2811406229.html

Regards
Mark

Looks realy nice! But something looks not quite right with the roof up