Second generation · 'Square Bird' · 1958–1960
1960Ford Thunderbird
Gained a back seat, effectively creating the 'personal luxury car' segment; named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1958.
Photo: “1960 Ford Thunderbird photo4” by AlfvanBeem / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Quick facts
- Engines
- 2offered352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross) → 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)
- Top output
- 350hp430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)
Body stylesHardtop (Model 63A) · Convertible (Model 76A)
The 1960 model year
Overview
The final Square Bird year retained Ford body model 63A Hardtop and 76A Convertible. The factory AMA specification lists the 300-hp 352 V8 with manual, overdrive, or Cruise-O-Matic and the 350-hp 430 V8 with Cruise-O-Matic as standard transmission for that engine.
Specifications
- Engines
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)300 hp
- 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8 (gross)350 hp
- Transmissions
- 3-speed manual, 3-speed manual with overdrive, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body styles
- Hardtop (Model 63A), Convertible (Model 76A)
Year over year
What changed
- Ford's exact-year specification retained the two-body, two-engine Square Bird range for its final model year.
- The 430 V8 remained Cruise-O-Matic-only; the 352 retained all three transmission choices.
Worth knowing
Notable
- The AMA sheet documents the sunroof as optional equipment without assigning it a separate Thunderbird body model.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- Verify the 63A or 76A body model plus installed engine and transmission before ordering service or restoration parts.
- Treat the optional sunroof as equipment on a Hardtop, not as proof of a separate factory model or powertrain.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1960 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 1960 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
- Scheduled topics
- 7
- Applicability stated
- 7
- Exact references
- 1
Before ordering Identify 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 oilView intervals, applicability and sources
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 filterView intervals, applicability and sources
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 1960 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 674, Lube column · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B2
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1960 Ford Thunderbird. Confirm VIN, installed engine, and filter housing before ordering.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Ford 1960 — Thunderbird application, printed catalog page 674, Lube column · checked
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Dry-type engine air-cleaner elementView intervals, applicability and sources
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 fluidView intervals, applicability and sources
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 lubricantView intervals, applicability and sources
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 lubricantView intervals, applicability and sources
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 bearingsView intervals, applicability and sources
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
Complete, source-verified lineup
Find your exact 1960 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 — 1960 Thunderbird AMA passenger-car specification (issued September 15, 1959).
Browse 8 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Hardtop (Model 63A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, 3-speed manual
- Body
- Hardtop (Model 63A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Hardtop (Model 63A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Body
- Hardtop (Model 63A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Hardtop (Model 63A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Hardtop (Model 63A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Hardtop (Model 63A), 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8, 350 hp, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Hardtop (Model 63A)
- Engine
- 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8, 350 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible (Model 76A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, 3-speed manual
- Body
- Convertible (Model 76A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible (Model 76A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Body
- Convertible (Model 76A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- 3-speed manual with overdrive
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible (Model 76A), 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Convertible (Model 76A)
- Engine
- 352 cu in (5.8-liter) four-barrel V8, 300 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Convertible (Model 76A), 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8, 350 hp, Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Body
- Convertible (Model 76A)
- Engine
- 430 cu in (7.0-liter) four-barrel V8, 350 hp
- Gearbox
- Cruise-O-Matic automatic
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.