The
Ford Thunderbird was now a four-seater, measuring eleven inches longer and weighing nearly 1,000 pounds more than the original two-seater it replaced. Distinctive styling featured quad headlights, a large chrome grille, and prominent tail fins. Along with the convertible, a hardtop coupe was also offered, whose boxy lines and wide-pillar roof earned it the nickname "Squarebird."
The majority of today's modern cars are based on a unibody structure, but in 1958 it was new technology. The unit construction process allowed the second-generation T-birds to sit long and low. A solid rear axle used coil springs, and front independent suspension used control-arms and coil springs. To accommodate the back seat, wheelbase was stretched to 113-inches.
Conceived as a personal luxury car with distinctive style, Thunderbird interior had bucket seats in front with a full-length center console running into two rear buckets. Powering the T-bird was Ford's new FE block, a 352ci V8 producing 300 horsepower. A 3-speed manual transmission was standard with an automatic transmission optional. Dual exhaust was standard.
With limited funding available, the convertible body was to be discontinued. In its place, a power-retractable hardtop, like Ford's Skyliner, was slated for the Thunderbird. However, engineering issues with the retractable roof prompted the decision to reinstate the convertible. What Ford engineers came up with instead was a rear-hinged trunk lid that raised and lowered with hydraulic cylinders.
The soft-top was also hydraulically operated, and when lowered, hid completely in the trunk. With the top down and the trunk lid closed, the appearance was clean and required no top boot.
Although the Thunderbird began life as a convertible, drop-top Birds accounted for less than a quarter of production in 1958. 35,758 hardtops were sold versus 2,134 convertibles. Total sales figures for the year were 37,892, which was more than double sold in 1956.
В 1958 году дебютировало второе поколение
Ford Thunderbird, которое продержалось на конвейере лишь два года. Модель получила полноценный 4-местный салон, подросла в габаритах, сменила внешность и обзавелась мотором, выдающим 300 «лошадок». И маркетологи компании не ошиблись. В 1958 году было продано чуть менее 38 тысяч машин. А уже в следующем году «Форду» удалось реализовать свыше 67 тысяч.