The authentic Thunderbird, introduced in 1954 as a 1955 replica, was a mini, two-seat vehicle. Ford resigned the van into a four-passenger pattern for 1958 and created the personal luxury marketplace, a cranny the Thunderbird comprehensive until the purpose of its Industry oldness successive. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Thunderbird stayed on three-year styling cycles. The 1959 models were not still altered from the 1958 versions.
Exterior Dimensions
The exterior overall length of the 1959 Thunderbird is 205.4 inches. The wheelbase, which is the length between the front and rear wheels, is 113 inches. The diameter is 77 inches, and the heighth is 52.5 inches for the firm top coupe and 53.1 inches for the convertible imitation.
Exterior Colors
The 1959 Thunderbird was available in distinct colours that came from the Lincoln Division. Some of these were Baltic Downcast, Flamingo Pink, Hickory Sunburn, Glacier Foliate, Diamond Dejected and Sea Reef Developing. A uncommon colours were exclusive to the Thunderbird peerless, such as Brandywine Crimson, Tamarack Half-formed and Cordovan (a burgundy colour).
Standard and Optional Equipment
The 1959 Thunderbird came standard with adjustable front bucket seats, an electric Watch, cigarette lighter and automatic dome lights. The options dossier was lengthy, on the contrary some big options were capability brakes, influence steering and authority windows. Air conditioning again was available at additional payment as was a heater and defroster. A Chauffeur's side four-way power seat also was available.
Mechanical
The 1959 Thunderbird came standard with a 352-cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 300 horsepower at 4,600 rpm. The 1959 models had the highest production numbers for the Thunderbird to that point, at 67,456. That was more than all the first-generation models produced from 1955 through 1957. The hard top coupe sold 57,195 units at a base price of $3,696. The convertible sold 10,261 cars at a base price of $3,979. Available at extra cost was the Cruise-O-Matic, a three-speed automatic unit.
Production
The 1959 Thunderbirds were unveiled at Ford dealerships on Oct. 17, 1958. The bore and stroke of this engine was 4.00 inches by 3.50 inches and the compression ratio was 9.6:1. Offered with limited availability was the 430-cubic-inch V8 that produced 350 horsepower at 4,400 rpm. Both engines came standard with dual exhaust and four-barrel carburetors. The base transmission was a column-shifted, three-speed manual, with overdrive an option. Production ended Aug. 22, 1959
