1960 Ford Thunderbird

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £7,000, then £350 is added, making the total amount payable of £7,350.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this car comes with very little history and no service records.

This Ford Thunderbird 2-Door Hardtop was built in Wixom, Michigan, in 1960.

Its chassis number is: OY71Y117131.

While we know virtually nothing about it and have not tried to start or drive the vehicle, it is clear to us that this T-Bird is in very decent condition – outside and inside.

We know that it was alive and well somewhere in Michigan in 2013.

We know that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2016.

And we know that its current mileage is 14,325.

This enormous car looks very good from every angle.

The bodywork is largely free of any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds of note.

The cream paintwork is very good, too, and the panels and shut lines seem consistent and even. The door gap on the n/s seems a little wider than it might be.

The chrome work has endured the passage of time with commendable fortitude, which is to be applauded in a car with more chrome that the Chrysler building.

The wheels, lights, lenses, and exterior rubber trim are all perfectly acceptable.

There is a crack and a chip in the paint by the o/s door handle, and a tiny spot of rust has crept in as a consequence.

There is a split in the paint and a minor encroachment by rust in the sill on the o/s.

The T-Bird badging on the n/s flank needs to be re-attached properly, and there are one or two scuffs on the door on this side.

There is also a spot of bubbling at the base of the n/s door and what looks like evidence of a previous repair in the sill below it.

There are some cracks in the paint and a tiny spot of bubbling below the rear screen on both sides and below the chrome trim on the ‘C’ pillars.

There are a few stone chips on the leading edges of the boot, bonnet and doors.

The interior condition is even better than its exterior counterpart.

Apart from a few cracks to the leather on the bolster nearest the door on the driver’s seat, the red leather upholstery is very good and the seats, front and back, are supportive and comfortable.

The door cards are as they should be, as is the headlining.

The carpets and mats look virtually unused.

The dashboard, steering wheel, instruments and internal chrome are all fine.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start the vehicle.

There is a little bit of rust and staining in various places inside and around the door jambs and hinges.

The cavernous boot is in excellent condition.

There is some rust and flaking to be seen underneath, primarily in the sills. You’ll want to see for yourself and make your own judgement.

The engine bay is clean and dry and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. There are a couple of patches of rust on the undersides of the bonnet.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, this car has neither an MoT certificate nor a current V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this. Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

With the proviso that we can’t vouch for the car’s mechanical and electrical status, we think this is a very handsome example of a 1960 T-Bird.

If the engine, mechanicals and structural integrity all tick the right boxes, then this has the potential to become a very fine example of an iconic piece of automotive Americana.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £7,000 - £10,000 plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.