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Wordless Vintage Snapshots: 1961 Ford Thunderbird & 1956 Cadillac – Learning To Love A Marque From An Early Age
– Posted on October 15, 2023
Two gorgeous cars!
Indeed. was 3 when the 55 Thunderbird was introduced. Friends of my parents got a new torch Red one. with a 2hite top. Couldn’t pronounce the name correctly, but i knew what I liked. Have always like Thunderbirds. thought the gigantic ones of the mid 70s and the misstep of 80 through 82s were difficult to do so. Cadillacs were my Grandaparents car. at least until 59, my grandfathers usual 2 year turnaround. He did not like the huge fins and kept his 57 Caddie until 61, then surprisingly went to a Buick Electra. and stayed with them. Returning to the 2 year cycle until his passing.
When I was young, we used to call them “Thunderchickens”.
Growing up in the mid ’60’s, I’d tag along with my dad when he visited the used car lots on E 14th. St. in Oakland. There were always ’59 and ’60 model Cadillacs in the front row. ’55 and older Caddies were usually in the back row, along with those enormous squinty eyed Lincolns. The cars were usually unlocked and I’d slip inside a ’56 Cadillac and dream of the day when I would be able to own and drive a car like that. For some reason the tombstone speedometer and chrome plated dash made a big impression on me. So did that distinctive old Cadillac smell. I eventually had a lot of older Cadillac models, but I didn’t get my ’56 until the mid 1990’s.
I would have been right there along with those kids, if given the chance at that age. Or even now, for that matter.
I am trying to figure out that front wheelcover on the Thunderbird. That little dimple in the center does not belong – is it just a reflection or maybe a dent of some kind?
Also, I love the houses behind the Cadillac almost as much as I love the cars!
I too noticed that wheelcover imperfection. And the whitewalls for a new 1961 would have been wider. Photo might be a year or two into ownership with replacement tires.
Would like to know where that “Caddy pic” was taken.. For some “odd reason” the background looks familiar.
The front tire on the T bird looks quite “new”.
Not sure why, but Dad always took me with him when new car shopping. Age 12, Dad was interested in a new 1963-1/2 Ford 500 XL. I climbed into showroom model of a 1963 T-Bird and would not get out, telling other shoppers it was sold. After about 45 min. that is the car he bought. The Bird became mine on my 16th birthday. Age 15, Dad took me shopping thinking he wanted a 1966 Mustang. Sorry Dad, I had other thoughts and a new 1966 T-Bird was bought and we became a two T-Bird family. The 1966 became mine at age 19.
My love of Thunderbirds started early, age 6, when a neighbor lady would drive me to school in a new pink 1957 Bird. My father had an affair with the neighbor lady, parents divorced, mother flush with divorce revenue bought a new 1960 T-Bird convertible. My love of T-Birds has endured and very happy with my current 1966 T-Bird convertible.
I love that Caddy Coupe ! .
-Nate
I’m 82yrs old. I had 5 T-Birds, a bare bones ’58 “no power”3speed stick shift on the “tree” 352, a ‘white ’59 full power 430 Linclon powerd ‘Bird that was no faster than the black 352 stick shift, then a ’63 black with red interior semi loaded ‘Bird, then a triple black fully loaded ’62, which l put on chrome reversed wheels with black wall tires. That car was “bad ass”! I then had a ’65 fully loaded “Rangoon Red”, red interior white topped convertible. I put on Gabriel “heavy duty” shocks with 15″x7″ wheels off of a Boss 302 Mustang, with one size wider Firestone tires. What a tremendous improvement in the ‘Birds ride and handling! I’ll always my old Birds! The 390 cu in FE’s were great smooth reliable semi- high performance powerful engines. Damn…..I sure do miss those good old days of beautiful highly identifiably differently designed machines as opposed to today’s corporate unidentifiable “jellybeans”!