Ford Thunderbird T-tops

[Tbird1044]

I had no idea Ford was even looking at doing something like this. I kind of like the concept, but guess it never made it into production.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/10/19/over-and-over-again-fords-design-team-kept-trying-to-add-a-particular-concept-car-feature-to-the-thunderbird?refer=news&utm_source=edaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2020-10-19

Nyles

[YellowRose]

Hi Nyles, yessss, years ago, Alexander posted a picture of the 1958 Squarebird with the flip up panel that allowed you to get in and out of the car easier. As noted, it never made the cut. If I can find the picture, I will post it.

[YellowRose]

I have looked through my files for the black and white picture that Alexander posted years ago of of a '58 Squarebird with a flipper top flipped up, but I cannot find it! I DID find the picture of the Squarebird with the retractable top though! You can certainly see where the break was in the roof. It was another one that never went into production. Along with the 1958 Golde Top they had tested. Here are pix of both that Alexander posted years ago.

[frank58]

here you go Ray.... I always liked this idea.
image_2580.jpg

[YellowRose]

Thanks, Frank! That is the exact picture that Alexander either posted years ago, or was in all the files that we obtained from his PC after his passing.. I just could not find it after several hours of searching through my PC.. So yes, you can see that Ford was considering doing several different things to the Squarebird, like air bagging it, this, putting a Golde Top on it, a hard top into the trunk, etc.. But eventually, either the engineers decided that it was not feasible, or the bean counters cut them or higher management said no... But it is interesting that eventually, the Golde Top did end up on the 1960 Squarebird, the hard top in the trunk on the 1957-1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner.

[frank58]

it IS the picture Alexander posted... I got it here, long ago.

[jopizz]

That picture along with a number of other Squarebird concept pictures were posted back in the 70's in a VTCI (VTCA then) Squarebird scoop.

John

[OUR5T8BIRD]

here you go Ray.... I always liked this idea.
image_2580.jpg

I would say that the picture is a '59 Thunderbird . '59 wheel covers and light coloured gauges . ( just my observation ) .