1959 Ford Thunderbird - VIN: H9YH115324 - Offered Without Reserve - One of Ford’s first personal luxury automobiles | Known as the square bird Ford | V-8 engine rated at 300 horsepower352 cid V-8 engine, 300 HP, three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission; wheelbase: 113”


Introduced at the famous Detroit Auto Show in February of 1954, the Ford Thunderbird made headlines as being a two-seat sports car that would be a direct competitor of Chevrolet’s Corvette. Selling extremely well in its debut year, the public fell in love with its comfort and class, as well as its 225-horsepower V-8 engine. The first-generation T-bird lasted till 1957, when Ford decided to restyle and revamp it completely. Even though it was a major success in its introduction years, Ford executives thought sales would be limited by its two-seat configuration, so the second-generation Thunderbird was designed as a four-seater, a bold move at the time. Known as the square bird Ford, the body featured stylish fishtail wings in the rear and four circle taillights that captured what the late ‘50s and early ‘60s styling was all about. The new generation would go on to sell over 200,000 units in just three years, four times the amount of what the two-seat model did. The newfound success opened up a new market segment for Ford, personal luxury cars. It also went on to win Ford’s first individual model line MotorTrend “Car of the Year” award.

Assembled at the Ford factory in Wixom, Michigan, this 1959 Colonial White Thunderbird holds a special place in Denny Kannenberg’s heart, as it was a wedding anniversary gift to him and his wife from his son-in-law and daughter. Though true mileage cannot be confirmed, the odometer shows just under 30,000 miles, which could be accurate due to its originality, but cannot be confirmed, straight and true body, and well-preserved interior. It comes equipped with its original 352-cubic-inch V-8 engine that is linked to a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. This Ford Thunderbird is a true American classic that can easily be appreciated by all generations that might admire it.