How much is a 1960 Ford Thunderbird worth today?
Today, a 1960 Ford Thunderbird typically sells for roughly $25,000 to $60,000 in standard market conditions, with highly original or expertly restored examples capable of reaching $75,000 to $100,000 or more in competitive auctions and private sales (prices can vary by year and market conditions in 2024–2025).
Current market range
Prices vary by condition, originality, and provenance; the ranges below summarize typical market values today.
- Driver-quality examples (running, safe, with cosmetic wear): about $25,000–$40,000
- Good to very good condition (solid cosmetics, some restoration desired): about $40,000–$70,000
- Excellent to concours quality (show-ready, documented history, correct components): about $70,000–$100,000+
Note: These ranges reflect current market activity across auctions and dealer networks and can vary by region, finish, and options such as two-tone paint or landau vinyl roofs.
Key value drivers
What makes or breaks value? Buyers weigh a few factors more than others. The most influential include:
Numbers matching and provenance
- Original drivetrain and numbers-matching components
- Overall condition and alignment with factory specifications
- Rarity of colors, trim, and options (e.g., two-tone paint, vinyl top)
- Documentation, history, and provenance (original sales records, maintenance logs)
- Recent restoration quality (authenticity and workmanship)
- Condition of body, frame, and rust-free structure
These drivers help explain why two Thunderbird models from the same year can have very different prices in the market.
How to verify current market value
To confirm current value, consult multiple sources and recent sales data. Here's how to proceed:
- Check modern price guides (e.g., Hagerty Price Guide and NADA Classic Car Guide) for condition-adjusted values.
- Review recent auction results from Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, and Bring a Trailer for comparable examples.
- Scan current listings in classifieds and dealer inventories to gauge going rates in your region.
- Consider a professional appraisal if you're planning a sale or purchase, especially for rare combinations or documented provenance.
By triangulating these sources, you can develop a realistic expectation of value for your specific Thunderbird.
Summary
The 1960 Ford Thunderbird remains a desirable classic American luxury coupe, with value driven by condition, originality, and provenance. In general, expect to see prices from the mid-$20,000s for rougher drivers to well over six figures for rare, concours-quality cars. Always verify current market data from multiple reputable sources before buying or selling.
How many 1960 Thunderbirds were made?
In 1960, the total production for the Ford Thunderbird was 92,843 units, which was a record year for the model. Of this total, 11,860 were convertibles, and 2,536 were produced with the optional sliding sunroof. The hardtop version accounted for the majority of the sales.
- Total production: 92,843
- Convertibles: 11,860
- Hardtops: The remaining units were hardtops, which was the highest volume configuration.
- Sunroofs: 2,536 hardtop models were equipped with the new sliding sunroof option.
How much is a Ford Thunderbird worth?
Recent used model years of the Ford Thunderbird are currently priced at an average of $14,956, according to our used car price index.
How much is a 1960 Ford worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $8,240 for a 1960 Ford Falcon in good condition with average spec.
What made the 1960 Thunderbird special?
1960 Ford Thunderbird – Let's Refine It. For the 1960 model year, the grille was redesigned along with some styling changes. The dual-unit round taillights featured on the previous cars were changed to triple-units. A new option was a manually operated sunroof for hardtop models.
