Those bright beautiful bumpers, and how well they integrate into the design, remind us that style was king before government regulations stepped in. You see the jet age in the profile with the rocket-inspired sheet metal and tailfins. The 1959 Thunderbird was the crossroads of many different styles, and this one blends them all perfectly. It makes for an exceptional classic, especially at this affordable price. This 1959 Ford Thunderbird gives you a premium cruiser look, a distinct leather interior, proper V8 power, and an overall well-kept style. Thanks for your letters, Joe, and if any readers can help Joe with more info just write me.SMOOTH RUNNING 352CI V8, ORIGINAL COLOR COMBO, MAINTENANCE RECORDS, T-BIRD! It’s available on their website at Holman Moody is still in business at 9119 Forsyth Pike Drive, Charlotte, NC 28273. This book explains in detail how Holman Moody built those 1959 Thunderbirds, and gives a great insight to their still popular business. You can give Holman Moody a call at 70 for more info, and also consider ordering a great book called “Holman Moody, The Legendary Race Team” by Tom Cotter and Al Pearce. Regardless, you might be sitting on something of serious collector value or at the least, a valuable replica of a 430 V-8 Thunderbird. However, also remember that of the seven Thunderbirds that started the 1959 Daytona 500, two of them were NOT Holman Moody built Thunderbirds, meaning others in the racing game were building 430 V-8-powered Thunderbirds for NASCAR racing.

Since a dozen 1959 race ready Thunderbirds came from the Holman Moody stables in Charlotte, North Carolina, yours could be one of them. (Or at least, that’s what history indicates.)įord’s corporate backing found Holman Moody building what Lee Holman remembers as a “dozen or so” 1959 Thunderbirds, all having the capacity of removing the top to compete in the convertible races and called “zipper tops.” Thus, there were more than eight 430 V-8 T-Birds built. Back then, I remember seeing ads for those Holman Moody race ready 1959 Thunderbirds, of which Holman Moody built as Ford did not build them on their assembly line.

59 ford t bird