What would you buy 1957, 1959 or 1965?

[canadiancreed]

Morning all

So was made aware of three tbirds that are local and are in good condition (think #2 level), and wondered if anyone that owned these models would have any feedback on them? What to look out for? How they drive? Part availability? What would be a better choice investment wise (not the main reason, but it is a tertiary consideration). For reference all are around the same price.

The first one is a '59convertible, red with black leather, rocking a auto transmission with a J model 430 under the hood.
The second is '65 convertible, red with black leather, with a 390 under the hood. Has the cover that makes it look like a 2dr (I forget the term for it sadly)
The third is a '57, has soft and hard top, red with red and white interior, running a 312/245 engine with an auto transmission

Anyone that has any thoughts or advice, I'm all ears.

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[zeroroadkill]

All depends what model you like. The ‘59 may not be as desirable as the ‘57 and is a big bird like the ‘65. Do you want a 2 seater or 4 seater? Hardtop or soft top or both? Do you want stock or modified? Parts are available for all models. Buy the one that floats your boat!

 

[74 Harley]

Put your wife in each one and see which one makes her smile the most.
As far as value goes, the '57 will probably be the better investment.

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[JimRC]

All depends what model you like. The ‘59 may not be as desirable as the ‘57 and is a big bird like the ‘65. Do you want a 2 seater or 4 seater? Hardtop or soft top or both? Do you want stock or modified? Parts are available for all models. Buy the one that floats your boat!

LOL! The 65 will have the "lounge seating" rear seat style...tres-cool and comfy!

 

[zeroroadkill]

I stand corrected! Buy the one that floats your wife’s boat ?

 

[NTouchOne]

If you are interested/planning to join a club, I think you'll find the clubs supporting the '55's, 56's & 57's a bit more active. Just a personal opinion.

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[WLB]

Buy the 57. No woman will ever stop her car after coming through a 4 way stop, lower her window, actually stick her head out the window and say "that is a beautiful car" for a 59 or 65.
Actually had that happen to me as I waited my turn at the 4 way.

 

[zeroroadkill]

Will your wife be driving it? If so make sure it has power steering and brakes! The ‘57 should but if not it’s a bear to park!

 

[Tom Alpers]

That's a really personal choice. I had a 64 and now have a 57. The 64 was, not surprisingly, like driving a boat in every way, I would expect the 65.66 to be pretty similar. Great on the freeway. For my preferred kind of driving, around town, I much prefer the 57. No, not really a sports car but much sportier than the flairbirds and in around town use it drives very similar to a modern car if you don't get carried away. As to the 59... Never drove one. Styling wise, it's my least favorite although I have seen some in certain colors that were appealing. I've had power convertibles (not tbirds) and really don't like them when the soft top is up. Of course, top down they are all great. I like the 57 because it has the hardtop which I much prefer to the soft-top. Need a top in summer here in phx and I run an AC in the 57.

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[zeroroadkill]

I’ve had a ‘62(390), ‘66(428) & now a ‘55(292). The ‘62 & ‘66 were hardtops. The ‘55 has both. The’62 was very stylish. The’66 was luxurious and big. The baby birds are more fun to drive and probably a better investment. I’d go with fun ??

 

[odannyboy]

The level of work needed, condition of body, which one would she look best driving.
I bought my 55 based on body condition, no rusted through at all spots, only two small dents.

 

[Stan Erickson]

We have a 57 and love it. Rides great and drives great. Even more they look great.

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[PaulB]

As the others have said, its personal choice. I own a 59 and it's the only body style I like. Some of the later years 61 upward look bigger and had not so attractive body styles except the flair bird (64-66). There is a difference in mentality between the owners of the 2 seaters (55-57) and the four seaters. and there's no middle ground. nTouchone is correct there are more clubs for 55-57s if that's your thing. My personal opinion i think the 55-57 look more feminine and cater to the ladies.

 

[mark costello]

I had 57 and it drove like an old truck not good for me any more than an hour of driving. I have a 59 convertible and love it 7 very nice too drive, actually have 2 59s and 2 60s. Also have a 66 Q code ( 428 ) and it also is very nice to drive. If you want people looking at you then buy the 57. parts don't seem to be hard to get for any of them. most of all have fun.

 

[jimiTbird]

Hey guys, I’m comming late into the conversation.. I like Both the late 50’s and mid 60 T-birds. The early birds are respectable!

It wasn’t until I walked along side a ‘65’ that I realised it is on a league of its own… curves, T-bird symbol on the bonette, tail.. interior with cathedral back seating.. amazing ride. Really!!

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[widgits]

My wife drove my '56 only once shortly after I purchased it 5 years ago, it handled like a waterbed with weak brakes on
bad tires and wheels
Calling it a horrible machine would be an understatement. But now that most everything underneath has been rebuilt or
upgraded its started to behave and quite wonderful cruising down the highway or mountain road
Swaybars, disk brakes, radial tires, leaf springs and the list goes on. Learning and working on it is actually a lot of fun
But after all the time, money and work my lady won't drive it, loves to ride passenger all day long anytime you want
Will not drive it and doesn't want to be responsible for any part of it, says it's mine and happy to enjoy it along with me

On another note, it's crazy how women love this car!!
Almost everywhere I go someone stops to admire and talk, constantly someone is honking and waves with thumbs up
and a few have asked "where is the blonde girl?" and "baby when you gonna ride me in that car?"
Just smile and carry on.

Love of the old cars is what drives my ambition, I'm sure there must be easier and cheaper ways for attention if that's what you want
I won't ever add up my receipts cuz it could get spooky, and guess a bit for the classic car insurance buy out price if needed
In the end we are just caretakers so make it better than whence it came and enjoy it!!

All be well

 

[Tom Alpers]

My wife drove my '56 only once shortly after I purchased it 5 years ago, it handled like a waterbed with weak brakes on
bad tires and wheels
Calling it a horrible machine would be an understatement. But now that most everything underneath has been rebuilt or
upgraded its started to behave and quite wonderful cruising down the highway or mountain road
Swaybars, disk brakes, radial tires, leaf springs and the list goes on. Learning and working on it is actually a lot of fun
But after all the time, money and work my lady won't drive it, loves to ride passenger all day long anytime you want
Will not drive it and doesn't want to be responsible for any part of it, says it's mine and happy to enjoy it along with me

On another note, it's crazy how women love this car!!
Almost everywhere I go someone stops to admire and talk, constantly someone is honking and waves with thumbs up
and a few have asked "where is the blonde girl?" and "baby when you gonna ride me in that car?"
Just smile and carry on.

Love of the old cars is what drives my ambition, I'm sure there must be easier and cheaper ways for attention if that's what you want
I won't ever add up my receipts cuz it could get spooky, and guess a bit for the classic car insurance buy out price if needed
In the end we are just caretakers so make it better than whence it came and enjoy it!!

All be well

Curious... do you have power steering? Before I bought mine, which has power steering, I drove a couple that did not and did not like them at all. On the one I eventually did buy I put on new shocks, the smaller steering wheel, and the heavier front sway bar. It drives around town little different than a small modern car, very easy to zip around corners, etc. On the freeway it shows its older design a bit more. It most certainly does not feel like an old truck.

 

[widgits]

Yes power steering is a must on this one and the power assist front disc brakes make a big difference, big sway bars keep the body roll down but mostly it's the front bar doing a lot of the work. Rebuilt the old parallelogram front end, trying to get someone who knows how to align this is rare. But I found one !!
Gotta put as much forward caster in it as possible (3-1/2 to 4 degrees) and about 1/4" of toe in. I know it seems like alot but the rolling wheel pressure
forces it back out of all the steering linkage, my tires wear is just fine.

On the '56 the continental kit is useless and just adds too much weight to the rear end, I had to put new leaf springs in and add in another leaf and re-arced
the springs about 3" up. Before this it seemed like the tail was wagging the dog. Now it has a full size matched spare and a nice little Harbor Freight
aluminum floor jack in the trunk. BTW, I wrapped the jack into a moving blanket and tucked it right in front of the tail light, fits perfect!!
On the opposite side is a tool bag for emergency stuff. A couple other tool bags reside on the shelf forward trunk area with oil coolant trans fluid etc
for road trips. Even with the added weight it still has about 2" of down rake to the front end and still handles and corners nicely. Maybe the big rear
sway bar does more than I thought.

Wife and I took it to South Tahoe in July. Always thought the RPM's were a bit high with the Dana 44 rear end ratio @ 3.31 cruising down the freeway
with traffic. But after this trip at 6k foot elevation I could feel quite a drop in power from lower oxygen levels. Without the lower ratio this car
would have been a pig on performance. Lower octane fuel would have probably helped but I had mostly a full tank and at lower elevation
it knocks and pings on low grade. Yes the timing is perfect!! Averaged 17 MPG so not too bad
So maybe the old Ford engineers did it right for the average performance everywhere

Going thru the cooling system now, a lot of the information shared in this forum is very helpful.
New copper 4 row radiator, big water pump and thermostat tomorrow.

Spending more of my wife's money.
SMILES !!!

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[Tom Alpers]

I've read the stock 57's handled better than the stock 56s, probably due mainly to the rear conti kit. Good info can be hard to find, I also read that the 57's used softer springs to soften the ride but that should make them handle worse.

 

[ldella]

The level of work needed, condition of body, which one would she look best driving.
I bought my 55 based on body condition, no rusted through at all spots, only two small dents.

I`m just curious, would you live in Illinois?