1960 Ford Thunderbird

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Ignore the criticisms about the four-seat 1960 Ford Thunderbird -- the claims of abandoning sports car roots, prioritizing style over practicality, or the addition of the controversial rear seats.

These critiques are irrelevant because they overlook the essence: Even with its departure from the initial vision, the first four-seat Thunderbird was an undeniable design triumph.

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Indeed, it stands as one of the most remarkable automotive accomplishments of the decade in America. This recognition was achieved without resorting to the era's technological fads: air suspension, fuel injection, supercharging, or retractable hardtops. While these were considered, they were ultimately dismissed.

Bob Hennessy, the lead body engineer for the Thunderbird, asserts that the "Squarebird" was groundbreaking. "Place that car in front of your home today, and it still appears modern. During its development, the average car stood about 61 inches tall -- roughly shoulder height.

The Squarebird, however, was only 52.5 inches tall. To achieve a sleek, sports-car appearance, we reduced the standard car height by 10 inches." The four-seat Thunderbird also became a massive commercial success, far surpassing the popularity of its two-seat predecessor.

For the 1960 model year, Ford Styling suggested several updates to the Squarebird design, which was already two years old. The Thunderbird's roofline had been adopted by larger Ford models in 1959, raising concerns among designers about its diminishing uniqueness.

However, altering the sheet metal was neither cost-effective nor practical from a merchandising perspective, as noted in Ford Division committee records. "Likewise, minor updates to existing features, such as the roof, front end, bumpers, etc., failed to deliver sufficient visual impact to justify the financial investment." The Thunderbird was concluding its styling cycle, and it was deemed more prudent to save significant changes for the 1961 model.

The 1960 Thunderbird models saw a slight reduction in weight but an increase in price. The starting prices were $3,755 for the hardtop and $4,222 for the convertible. Mechanically, there were no changes, and only a few aesthetic updates were made -- vertical hash-marks on the rear fenders, "Thunderbird" lettering on the door projectile, a square-pattern grille with horizontal bars spanning its width, and six taillights instead of four.

Additional updates included minor adjustments to emblems and ornaments, along with a standard rectangular exterior mirror. Door handles were redesigned to blend more seamlessly with the upper belt molding, and the door trim was updated to include an integrated armrest.

Early models, produced through December 1959, featured a smooth belt molding, which was replaced with a corrugated design for vehicles manufactured in 1960. The 1960 model also incorporated several stainless-steel parts, with two units entirely constructed from stainless steel by Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corporation, one of Ford's suppliers.

Discover more about the 1960 Ford Thunderbird's sliding metal sunroof on the following page.

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Continued

In 1960, Ford debuted the first sliding metal sunroof on the 1960 Ford Thunderbird. It was both visually appealing and highly functional.

However, the sunroof wasn't the initial preference for product planners, many of whom favored a retractable hardtop similar to the Ford Skyliner.

The engineering challenges were significant due to the Squarebird's short deck, and even the standard soft top was complex, occupying most of the space under the decklid when folded down.

Planners also explored the idea of a "roof with flippers," likely featuring retractable or liftable sections. This concept was ultimately dismissed due to high costs and technical complexity.

Ford's meticulous design included a chrome railing on the roof, which helped deflect wind and noise from the cabin when the sunroof was open. The sunroof was installed in 2159 standard hardtops and 377 models with the optional 430-cid engine, accounting for less than three percent of total production.

What were the shortcomings of the Squarebird? Its road handling, for one. It fell short of being "the handling car it ought to be," as Motor Trend noted in 1960. "The steering is sluggish and imprecise...it lacks the compact's agility despite not being dimensionally compact." This was a surprising critique from a magazine that had named it "Car of the Year" just two years prior.

Yet, the Squarebird stood out for several reasons, as Motor Trend acknowledged: "It boasts originality, innovation, and a fresh concept...More than any other domestic car, it captures the essence and charm that made 1930s roadsters and tourers so beloved."

Keep reading to explore the specifications of the 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

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1960 Ford Thunderbird Specifications

The 1960 Ford Thunderbird marked a significant advancement in car design, ensuring its enduring place in the hearts of American automobile enthusiasts.