Projects New Daily Driver - Squarebird

So, I have been driving junk late models daily for several years now and have been wanting to get back into something old. I have been looking around a little for a few weeks ever since I had a transmission go out in a Yukon my son was driving that I decided to sell for parts instead of fixing. Anyway, I also have three kids turning 16 this year and my progress on two of their vehicles hasn’t been as fast as it needs to be to get them done in time so we are getting short on driver cars overall.

So, all that said...I was sitting at my desk at work yesterday when a co-worker walked up and told me his father in law was selling his T-bird cheap. I have known his father in law and this car for about 30 years now and knew it was set up to be a great driver. The owner had put a later model motor and transmission (which we won’t talk about here) in it back in the early 90’s so it would be better on gas than the 352. After they did that, they drove the car all over the US from coast to coast. Anyway, they are now in their mid-70’s and the car has mostly been sitting for several years. I am more of a traditional guy and would likely never put an engine in an old car like this, but for what I was looking for, it makes a lot of sense. So, I made a deal which I think was pretty dang reasonable and now have something old for my 60 miles of driving every day again. The paint has some bad areas and I will do something different with wheels and tires, but it is way cooler than what I have been driving. Anyway, it needs a little work first, but I am excited to be back in an old car for my main driver again.

 

Congrats ! Kool ! I like them square Birds

 

^^^^ I’m with you, cool looking rides.

 

What's not to like? You could be Efrem Zimbalist Jr,-Jr!

 

Awwww man! You don't want that old beater! Bring it to The Gathering, and I will take it off your hands.

Did you see that black 'bird at Lead Aint Dead? The paint on that car was as slick as it gets.

Great score! I have been tempted many times to buy a Thunderchicken!

 

Congratulations ! That's my favorite year of all the Thunderbirds.

 

Lol! Yea, I already told Mick that seeing those 3 nice square birds including the black one from California helped remind me how much I like these cars...then one fell in my lap. To be honest, it probably will get driven up to the Gathering, just not entered. My son already has all that planned out.

 

Kool.

 

Good luck...OT drivetrain ...mmmmm...ok... No worries...

 

It is still a Ford V8 and it was installed in about ‘92, so it isn’t terrible. But, I figure it is best to leave it at that.

 

sometimes it is good to be Square - ya did good - lots of rides at car gatherings keep the hood shut - keep eye out for a deal at swaps, craigslist, etc on seat upholstery kit that includes correct foam

 

Congratulations!

If you gotta drive 60 miles a day, you might as well be comfortable, this is the prefect long distance cruiser.

And with a few easy changes - a kruiser.

Russ

 

That is a perfect driver!! It needs black steel wheels with chrome lug nuts and a pair of Porter Steel pack mufflers....

I would get a set of Wheel Vintiques Series 62 wheels in 15 x 7 with a 4.25 back space chrome lug nuts.

For tires Cooper 235/70r15 tires black wall out or even better black sanded smooth, no lettering..

That looks like a real comfortable car...

Steel wheel https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wvi-62-575504

Chrome reverse https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wvi-64-575504

 

What I like about the 58-60's T- birds is they look customized without having anything ever done to them. Slick looking car you got there.

 

I built a mild custom 60 Square bird and drove it for about 10 years, always liked the style and drove good but got to where I spent more time moving it than driving it.

 

Looks like a keeper, congrats!!

 

Well everybody’s heard about the bird...


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Nice, those T birds have gown on me over the years. I do love the interior of those cars. Thats what we put in the Taboo we restored it as it was a good looking set of buckets and console, plus the rear seat I like much better over the later wrap around style the later birds got.

 

Congrats! Cool daily

 

Best looking face of all the birds. Sinister! IMHO. Congrats.

 

Got it picked up and gave it a bath tonight. I figured might as well drive the 56 to go get it. The paint is mostly shot, but I still like it and my kid somehow thinks he has some claim to it even though he knows it is to be my daily.

 

Nice. Snowman

 

I have a 1960 T-bird and really enjoy driving it as it just floats down the road. So smooth.

The styling is so unique that it gets much attention every where I take it. Also, I have noticed that they have grown in popularity over the past few years.

Enjoy your new car!

 

This is one of the reasons I like the square birds. This was my dad standing by his 59 in high school. You can also see his 57 Ranchero in the background.

 

I learned to drive (officially) in my Dad's '59 T-bird, I always loved that car it was the best of all the back row beaters he fixed up. Many years later I found myself a '60 and went to town on it. They are solid and powerful cars, fun to drive. Like many of the cars that I actually finished, it was too nice and a pain to keep clean and nick free so I sold it. The only thing I didn't like about it was all the wind noise from around the side windows on the highway. I never could quiet it down.
Sorry for the picture of a picture. It looks like it has IRS and the front has an underbite - we've gotta get a new scanner. That's Emerald Green Pearl/black and white interior.

 

That color is so nice on that Thunderbird..

 

Thanks for all the compliments guys! I really need to do some work to this thing, but am having too much fun just driving it...

 

You need to drive it all weekend so the gas in the tank is fresh for the Monday commute