![]() The engine was the new 300 hp 352 cu in FE V8 available with a three-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Along with a new, more rigid unibody construction was new styling, including quad headlights, more prominent tailfins, a bolder chrome grille, and a larger, though nonfunctional, hood scoop. The increased size also increased the car's weight by 800 lb. The new Thunderbird was considerably larger than the previous generation, with a longer 113.0 in wheelbase to accommodate the new back seat. It was offered in both hardtop and convertible body styles, although the latter was not introduced until June 1958, five months after the release of the hardtop. It was the first individual model line (as opposed to an entire company) to earn Motor Trend "Car of the Year" honors. This success spawned a new market segment, the personal luxury car. The new Thunderbird began a sales momentum previously unseen with the car, selling 200,000 units in three years, four times the result of the two-seat model. As a result, the car was redesigned as a four-seater for 1958. This class of cars was positioned to emphasize driving comfort and convenience features over handling and high-speed performance.Īlthough the 1955–57 Thunderbird was a success, Ford executives-particularly Robert McNamara-were concerned that the car's position as a two-seater limited its sales potential. These included a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, with the final generation designed again as a two-seat convertible.įord targeted the two-seat Thunderbird as an upscale model, but the 1958 model year design introduced a rear seat and arguably marked the expansion of a market segment eventually known as personal luxury cars. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was produced in a variety of body configurations. ![]() The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car produced by Ford from model years 1955 until 19 until 2005 across 11 distinct generations. Only 179 1966 Riviera GS cars were built with the MZ factory dual 4BBL setup, making it a very rare car.1959 Ford Thunderbird Convertible in Excellent Running and Driving Condition This engine is coded "MZ", while the dealer-installed dual four-barrel setup was coded "MW". Toward the end of the 1966 model year, in approximately May 1966, Buick offered the Super Wildcat 465 with dual 4BBL Carter AFB carburetors as a factory-installed option. For the 1965 Riviera Gran Sport and the 1966 Wildcat GS, the "Super Wildcat" regular production option ("RPO") Y48 included two four-barrel (4BBL) carburetors and the intake manifold, which were delivered in the car's trunk, to be installed by the dealer. The 19 Riviera used the 425 engine as standard equipment.įour-barrel carburetion was standard on all 425 Nailheads, called "Wildcat 465" (see note above, on 401). It began as an option in 1963 for the Riviera and was later available on the Wildcat and Electra models. ![]() ![]() The 425 cu in (7.0 L) 425 was the largest-displacement version of the Nailhead. ![]() Thanks for the interest shown, i would like to share the following info on riveria being a 465 wild cat. ![]()
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