1959 Ford Thunderbird Convertible **NO RESERVE**

Description for Ford Thunderbird 1959

I'm selling my 1959 Ford Thunderbird Convertible project. I purchased it about 6 months ago from the original owner who lived in San Francisco area. My intention was to make it a tribute '59 Thunderbird Racecar - but I have too many other projects at the moment and I've decided to sell some of my cars. When i purchased it there was a hood, runk and engine. The hood and trunk were by far the most rusty items of the car. So, got rid of them - but saved the various trunk lid parts that attached to the trunk lid. I located a perfect trunk lid for a '59 Thunderbird convertible - but the guy wants $1,500 for it. I still have his contact information in case the new owner wants his trunk lid - he is located in the Santa Clarita Valley. The hoods are readily available for around $250. Probably the best parts on this car - in terms of condition - is the front and rear bumpers. I believe they both are near perfect. Also, he body appears to be in excellent shape throughout - I see no dents or indications of body work. The passenger door does have a ding that looks like a line scrape. Both doors open and close very well.
The car is currently registered and the tags aren't due until June 2016 - the clear title is in my name. I saved a color copy of the original pink title. I drove the car several times around the streets in the community where I live - with the original engine - it drove pretty well - no noticable drips, t shifted well, teered perfectly, elt a little like driving a cadillac or boat - but probably because it needs new shocks all the way around. To get it running, had the gas tank professionally flushed and sealed, had new steel fuel lines installed, ew brake lines installed where needed, nd new front brakes and rear brakes, nd new brake master cylinder. It brakes very well. However, he engine began overheating and had a rough idle. I pulled the engine and my mechanic said the engine block had a crack. So, he engine is gone. The good news is FE blocks are readily available - whether 352's or 390s - they will all bolt in easily.
I saved all of the '59 Thunderbird specific parts so that the engine installation will be a breeze. The following are some of the items saved, nd included in this sale:
generator
both engine mounts
both exhaust manifolds
both header pipe and mufflers
fuel pump (which is unique - has dual vacuum feeds for accessories)
power steering pump (still connected to car)
transmission and torque converter (still connected to car)
water pump and pulley (which is unique to these years)
many more miscellaneous items.
I had the dashboard restored and looks very good. Included is a brand new ignition key switch. All dash chrome, love box, love box door, ages, ct, re all included.
The convertible top is included, ut not attached to the car. it will need to have a new vinyl top installed in it - the chrome header is in good condition.
The car does have some rust - but based on my assessment (i'm not a professional) the rust is not significant and can be easily fixed. The following are the areas of rust that need attention:
Both rear quarter panels have rusty panels. But, n these thunderbirds there is an inner and outer panel. The inner panel - which has ribbing - is not rusted on either side of car. I did some research and found that this is important. The outer quarter panels (skins) will need to be replaced. Both rocker panels appear to be in excellent shape - but the 'skirt' that hangs below the rocker has some rust spots along it, n both sides of car.
The door jambs and door support jambs are in excellent shape, o rust.
The floor pans front and back show occasional small holes - and so its up to the new owner on how to fix that. The passenger front floor pan definately will need to be replaced.
The lip area of the trunk - where the trunk lid will rest shows some spots of rust.
The trunk itself seems pretty solid - in spite of a lot of surface rust. But there are isolated spots of rust here and there in the trunk.
I am including a low mileage FE 390 - complete motor - it was in my '72 Ford F350 truck that i parted out last year. Depending on the buyers preference the engine can be installed or picked up separately.
I realize this Thunderbird is not destined to be a frame-off rotisserie restoration (but it sure could be). But this thunderbird has so much potential. My plans were to make it a clone of the famous #93 - 350HP race car which raced in 1959. Without question, he coolest convertible car to ever race NASCAR.
Please feel free to ask me any questions, nd I will respond as soon as I can - and will post to Ebay so everyone can benefit.
On Oct-06-15 at 10:01:56 PDT, eller added the following information:

The windows in bothdoors and in bothrear quarters appear to be in very good shape - they all roll up and down well, nd fit just like they should.