1960 Ford Thunderbird problems

General information about Ford-Thunderbird
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company from model years 1955 to 2005 (with a 1997–2002 hiatus), across 11 generations. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was offered variously as a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, with the final generation designed again as a two-seat convertible.

Ford targeted the two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, but the 1958 model year design introduced a rear seat and arguably marked the expansion of a market segment eventually known as personal luxury cars, positioned to emphasize comfort and convenience over handling and high-speed performance.

Overview

The Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. Ford positioned the Thunderbird as an upscale model and it is credited in developing a new market segment, the personal luxury car. For 1958, the Thunderbird was redesigned with a second row of seats. Succeeding generations became larger until the line was downsized in 1977, again in 1980, and once again in 1983. Sales were good until the 1990s when large two-door coupes became unpopular. Thunderbird production ended in 1997, then briefly resumed as a two-passenger, marketed from 2002 to 2005.

From its introduction in 1955 to its final phaseout in 2005, Ford produced over 4.4 million Thunderbirds.

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Common 1960 Ford Thunderbird problems

The Ford Thunderbird, a classic American car produced from 1955 to 2005, has been beloved by many over the years. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems. This article will focus on the 1960 Ford Thunderbird and its most frequently reported issues, based on complaints from owners.

Engine Issues: Engine problems are a common complaint among Thunderbird owners. These issues can range from overheating and coolant leaks to oil leaks, which can cause significant engine damage if not addressed promptly.

Electrical Issues: Electrical problems, such as faulty wiring and electrical component failures, have also been reported in some 1960 Thunderbird models. These issues can lead to various problems, including reduced fuel efficiency, rough running, and even engine failure.

Body and Suspension Issues: Body and suspension issues, such as rusted body panels, worn suspension components, and broken springs, have also been reported in 1960 Thunderbirds. These issues can affect the car's handling and overall safety, making regular inspections and maintenance essential.

Transmission Problems: Transmission problems, including slipping and failure to engage, are a common issue across multiple generations and models of Thunderbirds. These problems can be costly to repair and can affect the car's drivability.

Brake Issues: Brake problems, including worn pads and rotors, have been reported in 1960 Thunderbirds. These issues can lead to reduced braking performance and potentially dangerous driving conditions.

Fuel System Issues: Fuel system issues, including clogged fuel injectors and fuel pump failure, have also been reported in some 1960 Thunderbird models. These issues can lead to decreased fuel efficiency, rough running, and even engine failure.

In summary, the 1960 Ford Thunderbird, like any car, has its share of common problems. These issues can range from engine and electrical problems to body and suspension issues, transmission problems, brake issues, and fuel system issues. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to keep these classic cars running smoothly and safely.

What year is the most desirable Thunderbird?

The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster M-Code is a rare classic car and one of the most sought-after Thunderbird versions.

What engines came in a 1960 Thunderbird?

They were the 354 cid V-8 with 300 horsepower, and the big 430 cid V-8 with 345 hp. Power went put to the rear wheels through either a 3-speed manual transmission or a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. Ford sold 11,680 convertible Thunderbirds in 1960. For this year, Ford also offered a sunroof as an option.

What is the value of a 1960 Thunderbird worth?

The typical price for a 1960 Ford Thunderbird would cost anyone around $20,000 and up. There are a few models on the market for slightly less.

What is the most valuable year Thunderbird?

A: The highest recorded sale was $495,000 for a 1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD CONVERTIBLE on Jan 27 2023.

What engines came in a 1960 Thunderbird?

Why did Ford stop making the Thunderbird?

It wasn't a terrible car, but a sad interior combined with divisive styling meant that the Thunderbird's best days were behind it. According to Hagerty, sales dropped off in 2003, with under 15,000 Thunderbirds leaving the dealership lot. Its last model year was 2005.

What is the gas mileage on a 1960 Ford Thunderbird?

Based on data from 3 vehicles, 128 fuel-ups and 18,453 miles of driving, the 1960 Ford Thunderbird gets a combined Avg MPG of 11.94 with a 0.60 MPG margin of error.

What was the top speed of the 1960 Ford Thunderbird?

The concept was for a two-passenger open car, with a target weight of 2525 lb (1145 kg), an Interceptor V8 engine and a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h).

1960 Ford Thunderbird car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Thunderbird problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1960 Ford Thunderbird vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1960 Ford Thunderbird complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

2001-01-30

TIRES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-12-01
Components: TIRES
Summary: TIRES STARTED SEPARATING BETWEEN THE WHITEWALL AND THE TREAD, THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 5K MILES ON THEM (COKER CLASSIC RADIAL WHITEWALL P215/75R14 DOT DYKD EKX347, P1018). NLM

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1960 Ford Thunderbird problems:

1960 Thunderbird a Good Daily Driver? - Squarebirds, Rocketbirds ...

https://www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/forum/-1958-to-1960-thunderbirds-general-technical-discussion/-1958-to-1960-squarebirds-general-technical-discussion/93-1960-thunderbird-a-good-daily-driver

Feb 7, 2003 ... I drove it and had a couple of issues. As it's been awhile since I drove an older car, the brakes seemed like I had to really press down to stop ...

Slipped Out Of Park and Into....... - Vintage Thunderbird Club ...

https://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=8673

Feb 18, 2013 ... VTCI Home Forums Thunderbird Forum 1958-1960 Thunderbirds ... A common problem. Usually caused by a worn ... problem is necessary to fix these ...

Cruise-O-Matic Questions - Squarebirds, Rocketbirds, and Fifties ...

https://www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/forum/-1958-to-1960-thunderbirds-general-technical-discussion/-1958-to-1960-squarebirds-general-technical-discussion/21320-cruise-o-matic-questions

Aug 3, 2016 ... 1958 To 1960 Thunderbirds - General Technical Discussion ... Drainback is a common problem. However that ... What they incorrectly show is a later ...