Second generation · 'Square Bird' · 1958–1960
1958Ford Thunderbird
Gained a back seat, effectively creating the 'personal luxury car' segment; named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1958.
Photo: “1958 Ford Thunderbird (27507199440)” by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Quick facts
- Engines
- 1offered352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)
- Top output
- 300hp352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)
Body stylesHardtop coupe · Convertible
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1958 Ford Thunderbird model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Complete, source-verified lineup
Find your exact 1958 Thunderbird
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified
We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory body and named-series roster with source-supported engine and transmission combinations; option packages are excluded unless Ford marketed them as distinct models. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-09-01 from Ford — 1958 four-passenger Thunderbird deluxe brochure, Ford — 1958 Thunderbird foldout brochure.
Hardtop coupe, 352 V8, 3-speed manual
- Body
- Hardtop coupe
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Hardtop coupe, 352 V8, 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Body
- Hardtop coupe
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Hardtop coupe, 352 V8, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Hardtop coupe
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible, 352 V8, 3-speed manual
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible, 352 V8, 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible, 352 V8, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Convertible
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1958 model year
Overview
The Thunderbird became a four-passenger personal car for 1958. Ford's factory brochures document a Hardtop coupe and a Convertible, each using the 300-hp 352-cu-in four-barrel V8 with a conventional three-speed manual, overdrive manual, or Cruise-O-Matic automatic; the Convertible joined the Hardtop during the model year.
Specifications
- Engines
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)300 hp
- Transmissions
- 3-speed manual, 3-speed manual with overdrive, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body styles
- Hardtop coupe, Convertible
Year over year
What changed
- An all-new second-generation body replaced the two-seat 1955–1957 Thunderbird.
- The cabin gained rear seating and the range expanded to Hardtop and Convertible body styles.
- The 300-hp 352 V8 was documented with three transmission choices.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Ford's sales literature advertised an optional 430 V8, but it is not promoted into the verified delivered roster without delivered-production evidence.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Confirm body style and transmission from the car itself before ordering parts; Ford documented all three transmissions, while the model-year reference photograph depicts only the Hardtop.
- Use the period 1958–1960 all-model V8 lubrication chart for the published service points and do not infer a 430-V8 schedule for 1958.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1958 Thunderbird on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1958 Ford Thunderbird. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 7
- Factory intervals
- 7
- Fitment-scoped
- 7
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Main chart — crankcase row and 1,000-mile service heading · checked
Engine oil filter
Exact reference available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Service as shown — every 5,000 miles · checked
Baldwin B2
Baldwin B2
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1958 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 675, Lube column · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1958 Ford Thunderbird. Confirm VIN, installed engine, and filter housing before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1958 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 675, Lube column · checked
Search this part on Amazon
Dry-type engine air-cleaner element
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Main chart and Service as shown — 2,000-mile service / 10,000-mile replacement · checked
Cruise-O-Matic fluid
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Service as shown — every 25,000 miles or once a year · checked
Manual-transmission lubricant
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Service as shown — every 10,000 miles · checked
Rear differential lubricant
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Service as shown — every 10,000 miles · checked
Front wheel bearings
Sourced interval available
Source: Purolator — 1958–1960 Ford Thunderbird V-8 all-model service and lubrication chart (period chart; manufacturer data) · Service as shown — every 10,000 miles · checked
Collect
Bring this model year home
Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.
Sources
Other Second generation years