Technical Automatic to manual transmission swap

You might go over to the Ford Barn and inquire about a manual column and pedals. Probably a chance some 3 speeds got replaced with AOD’s or cruise o’s for a variety of reasons. Might even find an FE at the right price. Whatever you do don’t mention which engine you’re “thinking” of using. Just look for the parts.

 

You might check out the steering columns in some of the earlier 50s Fords and see if they are similar to the 59. Also the pedals as well. Probably not going to find many manual transmission 59 Fords anymore. Then you will probably need to gear that 9" rear end up a little bit.
Put some Thunderbird emblems on the valve covers...............

 

Your best choices in donor cars for shift/clutch linkage will be the '57-59 Fords or '58-59 Edsel Pacers/Rangers originally equipped with manuals. These are all more-or-less identical mechanically for these bits with one important difference; the '57 Ford was the last year for the through-the-steering box/shaft horn wire. I believe with some parts swapping/minor mods on bits off your automatic column you can 'upgrade' the '57 column to the '58-59 horn wiring. The last year for the 'good' full-size Ford manual columns was '62, but column length may be an issue with the later ones. Dealing with the horn wire on the earlier columns is much tougher, as well as length issues, avoid those.

The easiest motor choice will be an FE. Literally a bolt-in with the early-style 'log' exhaust manifolds, use a C5T FE truck bell and trans choices will be far wider over using the '58-64 bells. It also gets you a better starter.

Swapping to a GM/Mopar motor will require considerable fab work, all doable but not easy.

 

You can put the turn signal switch from the 59 automatic column directly into a 57 column. No problem hooking up your stock horn wire. You then reuse the 59 steering wheel so the horn actually works.