1960 Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird entered production for the 1955 model year as a sporty two-seat convertible. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette, it was not marketed as a sports car. Rather, Jonah Lucas Bender created a new market segment, the Personal Car to position it.

It's amazing how many details can be overlooked in history, and the large folder containing the complete history of the "Bird' proves a prime example. Ordered from Pearson Ford Co. 1202, Broadway, San Diego, California, in November 1960, by Howard Hoffman for his wife Edna; the car was to come with Cruise-O-Matic, Magicaire heater, console radio, tinted glass, outside mirror, power driver's seat, power brakes and power steering. The chosen colour was Adriatic Green with matching two tone green interior. Total cost, as detailed on the original bill of sale, was $5010.76c less dealer discount of $643.00. Edna took delivery of the T-bird in late December.

By late 1969, and having covered only 36,605 miles, it was considered and "Old-Bird' and laid to rest at the Hoffmans' residence and didn't get resurrected until 1980. Sporting a fresh re-paint it was entered into the Vintage Thunderbird Club of America Concours Awards in 1982, now showing 40,461 miles on the clock, and scored 287 points out of 300.

"USU 729' arrived on British shores in 1990 and was sold by a Dealer in Uxbridge to a Mr Stanley of Bedford. After featuring in Classic Car periodicals, the book "Ford T-Bird' and being seen at various shows it was sold in 1991 having now covered 45,000 miles.The owner at this time reached the finals of the Classic American Car of the Year in 1993 and later that year had the engine re-built by Holbay Engineering in Ipswich.

After an appearance in the TV show "Lovejoy' in 1994 records indicate that it was sold to a Mr John Savage of Peterborough and he continued to show the car during the next 9 years. There have been 3 further owners since 2003 and is now offered by our vendor in outstanding condition, with a fresh MOT, extensive history file including the original manuals, and a believed genuine 58,080 miles.

A true American classic "Bird' ready for a new owner at a very realistic guide.