Though the experiement lasted only one year, the second generation ’59 Thunderbird won six NASCAR Championship races that year with Ford’s Fairlanes turning in eight more wins. So for a brief moment in history there was Thunder on the Speedway.

When Ford Motor Company decided to put a 430 ci Lincoln engine in their popular “Square Bird” they had their eyes on NASCAR competition.

The 1959 Ford Thunderbird 430 Convertible comes from Ford Motor Company’s early success in NASCAR. I was even wondered about the fact my Thunderbird did not have a chassis!Īll help and tips of welding on Tbirds are welcome! I am 100% devoted to get this beauty back to its former glory, and add it to my collection, and keep it with me the rest of my live.Novemin Classic 1950s Cars, Convertibles, Feature Story We own 4 other '59 Ford cars, but they are all on chassis. Now my most important question, how should we replace the inner and outer rockers? Of course I understand that we should cut out, and weld new ones in, but since this is my first unibody car is am a bit afraid of the stiffness of the car, and how to manage all this. Everything was the made flat with putty and repainted. Also on the floor pan there where metal plates welded over the rust. Reason to believe this was that there was only rust in the trunk area.Īfter a closer look on the lift at my house, I discovered the they put on new rockers over the old ones with tons of rust underneath. After that it was probably parked above wet grass, or maybe some water. The seller told that the car was restored somewhere in the USA about 10 to 15 years ago. So maybe bought the car a bit to quick, but still happy with it.

The car was sold in a very hard to reach place, but for a very good price. The car has the 430 engine, power seat, steering, brakes. I just purchased a '59 Thunderbird convertible.

59 thunderbird convertible