Poll: Which Gen II Ford Thunderbird? (7/28/2023)

I almost tied this one, but the 1958 is just a little bit cleaner, while the 1960 grille is a tad too busy.

+1

I love this design. It was actually more true to the original intent of the '55 model, to be more of a boulevard cruiser than a sports car. But, to be honest, I've never been able to quickly identify which year of the three is which. This is my first tie. 

Have to go with the sixty because of it's sunroof. The rarest of the square birds.

For me it simply boils down to which grille and tail light design I like best.  The '58 grille opening seems lacking trim; a bit unfinished.  The '60 is nice looking but seems a bit cluttered with trim bits.  The '59 is just right to my eye.

'59 please. Like the trim best of the three.

I have always preferred the '58's apparent 'vents' on the fender spear to the chrome point and script of the others. I also find the mesh grille cleaner on a front end that is already busy. But there's little between them to object to any single one.  What I love about the post '55 original are the nicknames Americans give them: Squarebird and Bulletbird: where would we be without U.S. culture?

I voted a TIE.  Not something I do often, and I try not to.  But in this instance, I love all three the same.  With but the mildest differences, this styling for Thunderbird is far and above the best of the brands entire production run over the decades.  

Another tie I'm afraid. None of these three stands out to me above the rest. I still prefer the first series over this one despite it being more of a boulevard Cruiser as John suggests.

I'm a Gen I guy but I love these too. Today I'm in for excess so it's the '60 with the '58 and '59 in a tie for the number 2 position.

@david-green, I agree the original design is a classic. And I think Ford hit the nail on the head with its intent. But most folks seem to categorize the 55 T-Bird along what the Corvette. They were two different animals. I imagine that both of them being two-seaters led a lot of folks to believe they were both sports cars. But the Corvette was a bit raw and rudimentary. It squeaked and creaked and demanded driver involvement, albeit at an early fifties level.  It was portrayed as a pure sports car. Meanwhile, some of the T-Bird ads showed women driving them, telegraphing a more sophisticated audience. Most of the ads put the T-Bird in elegant backgrounds. By the time the '58s arrived, there was no question. This car was more of a gentlemen's express than a sports car. As things turned out, both cars hit their mark quite well. 

For me I did not like any of this model T-Bird.  So I just went with a tie. 

60, 58, 59 would be happy with any one of them.  👀