1960 Thunderbird Dream car! 

We remove them on purpose to show off the amazing True Spoke chrome wire wheels and the wide whites!

The 1960 T-Bird in this video is probably as perfect as it gets, including the tires and wheels. Personally I'd prefer an exact model of it, only a '59 instead. The simpler horizontal bars, side trim and tail lights make it overall a more beautiful car than the '60. I know they went in sets of 3 back then, but if you think about it, the 1961 model fit in with the 1960 full-size cars and new Falcon much more than the '60 T-Bird did.

Welcome to the club! I have been fortunate to meet several guys that know everything about those years. Let me know if your need help and I can set you up with their contacts.

Until her daddy took her T-bird away.

So glad you enjoyed watching. Making memories are what these cars are all about!

"Then in 1958 Ford introduced the FE with 332ci and 352ci (which could also be considered a Y-Type block because of its deep side skirting)". FYI from YBlockGuy.com

@@cramersclassics I have to,disagree with whoever wrote that. By that reasoning any V8 could be called a Y Block.

Fun Fact: Factory AC on cars in 1960 cost about $750 extra. Translating that to today's dollars equals $7,112 extra for AC!

I believe the radio is solid state audio. 12v tube rf stages I have a 59

I have mine up to 100 once, could go faster but the steering gets a little nervous.....

I think factory HP claims were engineer air pump calcs without exhaust manifolds, water pumps etc. I had a J model that indicated 135 but probably actually 120-125. I'd have another 430 but no manual trans (mandatory) so have a 59 (favorite), GT 390, T85 OD console shift. long tube headers w/2.5 exhaust w/glass packs at the bumper (thunder also mandatory), rear sway bar, front disk brakes and dealer installed spot light (sometimes have luck). By far the best super cruiser of my collection. The fix for high speed steering is 3-4 degree castor, .05 spacer in steering control valve, tight idler arm and really good 15" tires. MUST WATCH Kristensen 59 thunderbird goodwood.@@cramersclassics

That's a great reason to love the Thunderbird! I was born in 1960 along with my car. Funny, it would be 50 years later until I got to restore and drive it. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

Yes, the stock hub caps were really dismal for such a fancy car. Never understood why Ford would use such a cheap wheel cover. The True Spokes are great but getting hard to find.

@@cramersclassics I believe those are Kelsey Hayes. I assume those are oem old stock?

@@HiPlains1 The wheels are a Kelsey Hayes copy. They come from Truespoke.com

tunner, not runner

Wonderful story John! Can you post some pictures? Cheers! Kirby

One of the main reasons the engine only has 491 miles, in the 25 years, is that the car sat in the garage, in pieces, for about 20 years. When I moved into the Blue house, most of my money and time went into restoring the house. I was able to drive the car to the new house, but did it in the dead of night, since it really wasn't legally roadworthy. After I finally retired, I started to complete the restoration which took about 3+ years. The car was in body and paint for over a year. I do drive it, but it is limited and a special occasion. 🙂

Must be a little overspray :-)

I don’t see any varicose veins on the t-bird.

Some people only made $4500 per year for full time work back then.

Well I would like to say it was just good looks, but I think the period correct (but not stock) wire wheels make up for the skirts missing. I thinks its nice to show the wire wheel as much as possible. To me the stock hubcaps were less than what the car deserved.

Luckily, we never use the wipers her in SoCal. Corinthian White is the color. Cheers! -Kirb

This one has a 352, the 430 was an option. Thanks for watching, please subscribe!

@@cramersclassics; 352/300 was a good mill and McNamara had the engineers already detuning the big heavy 430. 1958 was the year for the 430. "Square Bird" forums (that I've looked at) indicate that they haven't found evidence of any Mercury/Lincoln tri-carb/intakes on any 1958 T-Birds.. Those tri-carb air intakes are mid-Tweentieth American Art masterpieces and were going for $2500 years ago, if you can find one.

I just use regular gas. The compression is not high so no need for high octane gas. No additives if you drive it regularly. I use Star Tron fuel stabilizer from Starbrite for the gas if necessary. Can usually be found in a blue bottle at WalMart. Shell Rotella T 30W is what I use for oil. It is for diesel engines and contains some zinc which helps protect the lifters. Or you can add some zinc additive to regular oil.

the pre 1965 engines from most manufacturers did not have hardened valve seats, the fuel we have today would ruin the engine quick, the tetraethyl lead in the fuel cooled the seats and kept them alive. you can either find leaded gas, we used to find it at marina's, they may have it at other places now. or you can have the valve seats replaced with modern hardened seats when you have a valve job done. anyone tells you different you will end up paying the price. don't just take my word for it, check with hemmings they are the experts.

@@jimmieroan9881 Yes, both cars had their engines rebuilt with hardened valve seats. Today's gas is really poor, especially here in CA.

You're correct!

Y blocks were 272 292 and 312 . 332 352 390 and up were FE blocks ...

There was a merc with a bigger than 312 y block. 368 cu also was 383 in 57 may not be y though

There are so many parts on these cars it would take a complete re-engineering, but it would be awesome!