1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts: Resources

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1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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1958 Ford Thunderbird

1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1958 Ford Thunderbird

This was the first year for the four-passenger “Square Bird.” For the first time, Thunderbirds were offered as either a hardtop or convertible, each being a separate model. The hardtop was introduced on Jan. 13,1958 with the convertible not available until June of 1958. The new personal Thunderbirds were over 18 inches longer and 1000 pounds heavier than their 1957 counterparts. The new car featured a top with squared-off “C” pillar. It had chrome trim along the base of the top and a small Thunderbird crest directly above the trim. A massive, one-piece bumper surrounded a honeycomb grille. The honeycomb look was duplicated in stamped and painted steel around the four circular taillights. “Thunderbird” in script appeared on the front fenders and five chrome stripes were placed on the door at the feature line. Inside, front bucket seats and a vinyl covered console were used for the first time.

The only available engine was Ford’s new “FE” (Ford-Edsel) 352 CID V-8. It was an all-new design with little to remind one of the Y-bock. It had an integral intake manifold, front-place distributor, standard intake ports (not stacked as in the Y-Block) and wedge combustion chambers. It was mildly cammed and developed 300 HP at 4600 RPM.

The new car had all the available features/options that might be found in the upscale Lincoln – power windows and seats, air conditioning, power steering, and brakes. Surprisingly the standard transmission was a 3-speed manual. The new car was even more “luxury” and a heck of lot less “sport”. Ford hit the market right as was proven by an almost doubling of sales to 37,890. The new car would define the segment, and it would take GM 7 years to respond, with Only Chrysler’s oversized and much more expensive 300 letter series cars snipping at the edge of the market.

1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrains

• Three Speed Automatic Transmission Ratios
  • All: 1st – 2.40:1, 2nd – 1.47:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 2.00:1.
• Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
  • 1st – 2.49:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 3.15:1.
• Three Speed Overdrive Manual Transmission Ratios
  • 1st – 2.49:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Overdrive – 0.72:1 Reverse – 3.15:1.
• Rear Gear Standard Ratios
  • 3-Speed SMT – 3.10:1, Optional 3.56:1.
  • 3-Speed SMT with Overdrive – 3.56:1, Optional 3.70:1.
  • 3-speed AMT – 3.10:1, Optional 3.56:1.

1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrain Options

• Transmissions
  • Three speed manual was standard equipment.
  • Three-speed with automatic overdrive was optional. Approximate drive ratio: 0.70:1.
  • Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was optional.
• Engines
  • 352 CID 300 HP Single 4-barrel carburetor V-8 was available with all transmissions. A “race engine” mechanical camshaft was available over the counter. There were no factory HP figures reported..
  • 375 HP 430 CID MEL V-8 – listed in literature but NOT fitted this year.

1958 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Significant Options

• • Automatic overdrive ($108).
  • Backup lights ($10).
  • Cruise-0-Matic ($197).
  • Ford-Aire suspension ($156).
  • Four-way power adjustable seat ($64).
  • Heater and defroster ($95).
  • Leather Interior ($106).
  • Nine-tube Signal-Seeking radio and antenna ($99).
  • Overdrive ($108).
  • Polar-Aire Conditioner includes tinted glass ($271).
  • Power brakes ($37).
  • Power steering ($69).
  • Power windows ($101).
  • Select Air Conditioner includes tinted glass ($395).
  • Six-tube radio and antenna ($77).
  • Styletone two-tone paint ($22).
  • Tinted glass ($20).
  • White sidewall tires, four-ply, size 8.(8.00 x 14 ($50).
  • Windshield washer ($12).