Poll: Which Thunderbird? (2/22/2025)

I prefer the square bird look but really a fan of both.  😎👍

The 1961 by a landslide. I especially love the taillights.

'61 rear and interior are great, but the front I totally dislike.  I'll go with the '58 today, but for me any/all T-birds must be a convertible.  Hate the hardtops, the roof is too tall to look good.

I much prefer the look of the '61-'63 T-Bird and recall how pleasantly shocked I was when it was introduced, even though I was only a 9 year old car freak.  I do like the Squarebird design though, save for the unfinished looking grille mesh of the '58.  The '61 was a much more modern looking design with rocket ship styling cues; it made the Squarebird immediately dated looking.

A without thought vote here for me.  THE '58 HANDS DOWN!  Only thing I'd change is the color.  Any color but white!  

A prejudiced  vote for the 61. When the square birds came out in 1958 I liked them immediately and when the bullet birds came out in 1961 I loved them immediately.

@bob-jackman Bob; your stunning T-Bird is IMHO why this comparison is very one sided.

I was upset when the 1958 Thunderbird came out, really liking the 1955 through 1957 versions. I had got over my disgruntlement by 1961 and rather liked that ‘streamlined’ design.

I was mad at the '58 for changing over to four seats. But grew to like it over time. Then I got angry again when they replaced the square birdies with bullet birdies. I'm now over that too with time mellowing my viewpoints.

Guess I must have been pissed at the '58 more because I love the '61 much better.

@perrone1 I agree the change from Babybird to Squarebird styling was a shocking disappointment Tony; those '55s and '57s (delete the connie-laden '56) were so beautiful and of course sporty.  But as we all now know, the decision by Ford execs to broaden the customer base by changing to a 4-seater was reflected in a major sales increase and may well have saved the T-Bird from an early demise.

Posted by: @david-green

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disgruntlement

I can confidently state that, even though it's still morning, this is definitely the best word I will read (or hear) all day today!

The '61 is my choice too.

Steve 

I like them both but, for this comparison, I am partial to the bullet bird.

@jack-dodds Thanks Jack. While I like the Sports Roadster, It was the most difficult restoration I ever did and I vowed that I would never do another. Come to think of it, at my age, I don't think I have another restoration in me anyway.