1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1960 Ford Thunderbird Coupe
1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
1. 350 HP 430 CID V-8 Still Top Dog Powerplant
2. Grille and Rear Fascia Changed Again
3. Sunroof Offered
4. Side Trim Revised
5. Production Nears 100,000
1960 Ford Thunderbird – Let’s Refine It
For the 1960 model year, the grille was redesigned along with some styling changes. The dual-unit round taillights featured on the previous cars were changed to triple-units. A new option was a manually operated sunroof for hardtop models. Sales increased again, to 92,843.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts: Resources
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1960 Ford Thunderbird
The 1960 Thunderbird had the same unit body and styling as the previous two years, with only some updated trim. This would be the last of what were called the “Square Birds”. The grille returned to the same pattern of small squares used in 1957 but was behind a large horizontal chrome bar with three vertical dividers. The grille pattern was duplicated behind the taillights as had been the practice in the previous two years. For this year, however, three taillights were installed on each side, versus two. The “Thunderbird” script returned to the. door but the script was unique to 1960.
The 430 CID V-8 was again an option, but only available with automatic transmission. The most significant change for 1960 was the addition of a manually-operated sunroof – 2,536 cars were produced with this option.
Sales increased to 92,843 units.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Factoids
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The Thunderbird was the only car in the Ford model line to receive the 430 CID MEL V-8. The 350 HP engine was available as a performance option for the last time this year. It’s 490 ft. lbs. of torque moved the heavy T-Bird along at a brisk pace. It would be replaced y the 390 CID FE in coming years.
Ford introduced a modern-like sliding sunroof on the car for 1960. Unfortunately, the cost of the option brought the car up to close to the cost of the convertible version – and it was difficult to install, requiring the car to be removed from the assembly line. Only 2,536 cars were produced with this option.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Models Offered
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The Thunderbird hardtop continued on its 113.0 inch wheelbase to allow for the rear seat. The only major change was to offer a manually operated sliding sunroof as an option.
The 1960 Thunderbird continued to offer a convertible body style. The most significant change was a fully automatic operation for the top, whereas previously, the trunk had to be opened manually prior to lowering the canvas.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Engines
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Thunderbird V-8 All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast Iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 352 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.50 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.6:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 381 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 270°, Exhaust: 270°, Overlap: 49°; Lift: Intake 0.401″, Exhaust 0.401″.
Carburetor: Holley 4- barrel Model C0AE-D or Autolite 4100 four-barrel model C0AE-J or C0AE-K.
Thunderbird Special V-8, Automatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast Iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 430 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.30 x 3.70 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1.
Horsepower: 350 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 490 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 270°, Exhaust: 270°, Overlap: 49°; Lift: Intake 0.408″, Exhaust 0.408″.
Carburetor: Carter AFB Model 2992S.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 113.0 inches.
- Overall length: 205.3 Inches.
- Overall width: 76.9 Inches.
- Overall height: Convertible: 53.1 inches; Hard top: 52.5 inches.
- Front tread: 60.0 inches.
- Rear tread: 57.0 inches.
- Tires: 8.00 x 14 4-ply tubeless.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrains
- Three Speed Automatic Transmission Ratios
- 352 CID V-8: 1st – 2.40:1, 2nd – 1.47:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 2.00:1.
- 430 CID V-8: 1st – 2.37:1, 2nd – 1.484:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 1.84:1.
- Three Speed Manual Transmission Ratios
- 1st – 2.49:1, 2nd – 1.59:1, 3rd – 1.00:1, Reverse – 3.15:1.
- Rear Gear Standard Ratios
- 3-Speed SMT – 3.70:1, Optional 3.10:1
- 352 CID V-8: 3-speed AMT – 3.10:1, Optional 2.91:1
- 430 CID V-8: 3-speed AMT – 2.91:1 only
- Engine Options
- 352 CID 300 HP Single 4-barrel carburetor V-8 was available with all transmissions.
- 350 HP 430 CID MEL V-8 with Carter 4-barrel with Cruise-O-Matic only.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Powertrain Options
- Transmissions
- Three speed manual was standard equipment.
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was optional, except with 430 CID V-8 where Cruise-O-Matic was standard.
- Engines
- 352 CID 300 HP FE V-8.
- 430 CID 350 HP MEL V-8.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Significant Options
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- 70-amp battery, standard on convertible, on coupe: ($8).
- Air conditioner ($466).
- Backup lights ($10).
- Cruise-O-Matic Automatic Transmission – Standard with 430 CID V-8 ($242).
- Engine, V-8, 350 horsepower ($177).
- Fresh Air heater ($83).
- Leather interior ($106).
- Outside, left or right mirror ($5).
- Power brakes ($43).
- Power driver’s seat ($92).
- Power steering ($75).
- Power windows ($102).
- Radio and antenna ($113).
- Rear fender shield ($27).
- Seat belts, front ($23).
- Sliding roof for hardtop ($212).
- Tinted glass ($38).
- Two-Tone Paint ($26).
- Under-coating ($14).
- White sidewall tires, nylon, size 8.00 x 14 ($64).
- White sidewall tires, rayon, size 8.00 x 14 ($36).
- Windshield washers ($14).
1960 Ford Thunderbird – Downloads and Images
1960 Ford Thunderbird
Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Foldout Brochure
1960 Ford Thunderbird Prestige Brochure
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1960 Ford Thunderbird AMA Specifications Sheets
1960 Ford Thunderbird Road Test – High Performance Cars Magazine
1960 Ford Thunderbird Facts – Related Images
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible was a more upscale version of the Coupe with 10,606 352 CID and 1,254 430 CID versions delivered.
1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Coupe
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop Coupe was the most popular model this year with 74,547 352 CID and 3,900 430 CID without the sunroof sold. An additional 352 CID 2,159 and 377 430 CID sunroof models were delivered.