Man, today I’m gonna talk about my little project with the 1959 Thunderbird. It’s been a journey, let me tell you.
First off, I started hunting for one of these beauties. I scoured every online car market I could find, like AutoScout24, and *. And man, the prices were all over the place! I saw some listed as low as $4, and others going up to $41. Eventually, I found a decent one in good condition for around $22,125. Not a steal, but fair enough.
- Checked out online listings.
- Compared prices across different sites.
- Negotiated the price down a bit.
Once I got my hands on it, I dug into its history. Turns out, 1959 was the year they made a few changes to the Thunderbird – front, rear, and side stuff. And get this, they started offering leather seats that year. Fancy, right? I also learned that the rear suspension was changed up, which is pretty cool.
Restoration Time
Now, the real fun began. I started by cleaning it up, giving it a good wash and polish. Then I tackled the interior. I managed to restore the leather upholstery to its former glory, made it all nice and shiny again. It was tough work but totally worth it.
Next, I moved on to the engine. I’m no mechanic, but I did my best to tune it up, made sure everything was running smoothly. Changed the oil, checked the spark plugs – you know, the usual stuff. It was running, but I knew it could be better.
The bodywork was next on my list. I found a few rust spots, nothing major, but I wanted to take care of them before they got worse. Sanded them down, applied some primer, and gave it a fresh coat of paint. It took some time, but the result was amazing. Now, the exterior is as cool as the interior!
Finally, I took it for a spin. Man, it felt great to drive it down the road, all eyes on my Thunderbird. It was a lot of work, but seeing it shine like new made it all worthwhile. It has been a great time to spend on this car.
I heard that some of these 1959 Thunderbirds have sold for as high as $59,400 at auctions. Mine’s not quite there yet, but with a little more work, who knows? Maybe one day it’ll be worth a fortune. But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride.
So, that’s my story with the 1959 Thunderbird. It’s been a wild ride, but I’ve loved every minute of it. And hey, if you’re thinking about getting one, go for it! Just be ready to get your hands dirty.
