Workers Dropping Engine into 1958 Ford Thunderbird Body on Assembly Line, 1957
Add to SetSummary
Ford's two-seat Thunderbird was a hit when it debuted for 1955, but vice president Robert McNamara reasoned that adding more seats would sell even more cars. The 1958 model year brought the four-seat "Squarebird" -- so nicknamed for its boxy proportions. Aesthetic arguments aside, McNamara was right. Ford sold nearly 16,000 more Thunderbirds for 1958 than it had the year before.
Ford's two-seat Thunderbird was a hit when it debuted for 1955, but vice president Robert McNamara reasoned that adding more seats would sell even more cars. The 1958 model year brought the four-seat "Squarebird" -- so nicknamed for its boxy proportions. Aesthetic arguments aside, McNamara was right. Ford sold nearly 16,000 more Thunderbirds for 1958 than it had the year before.
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
20 December 1957
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.833.112969.3
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 4 in
Width: 5.25 in
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