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)
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1960 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 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).
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.
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
- 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 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 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
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Sources
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