Thunderbird w/430 Engine

Found a Square Bird Graveyard the other day. One of 'em has a 430 engine in it, but "hasn't run in years" according to the owner.

What do you guys think a non running 60 Thunderbird in unknown shape 430/standard transmission is worth? Has a few bumps on the nose section too..The guy told me 4000.00 and he'd throw in a part car..

Going back out to see if the engine will turn by hand, I was short on time the other day.

Thanks.

 

Did not know they had a 430 cu. in. engine option. thought 390 cu. in. was the square bird option engine. like the look of a lowered square bird

 

Any pictures?

 

The 430 M E L engine was an option in T-birds starting in 59,that was why they were run in NASCAR.

 

id say your in the ballpark for both cars especailly being from texas they should be fairly solid if the 430 car happens to have a sunroof (FACTORY) its worth a good bit a money

i know someone whos looking for a few parts hint hint

go over to squarebirds.org they know a few things about 430 squares

 

3 speed t/b trans same case gears as the 4speed
very strong great trans for a old style fed............

 

It's a hard question to answer, without seeing exactly what you're buying. I do know this....a square bird with a 430 and stick shift is one rare car. It seems to me that given the fact he's throwing in a parts car, the $4k buy-in isn't too unreasonable for such a car. Only thing I'd ask myself is "What am I wanting to do with this car"? This one is an odd combination, with the 430/stick combo. I'd be tempted to do a stock resto, and believe me I have NO issues with cutting up old cars. However, this thing is pretty cool as it is. Main thing to remember is this. Someone told me they quit making these cars sometime back...lol! Just rescue the thing, and do something cool and fun. They aren't gonna get any cheaper, that's for sure.

 

"430/standard transmission"

Is not an everyday find (at least in my experience) I would give it serious consideration.

 

430s were a factory option in 59 and 60 Square Birds, stock engine was a 352.

I have had a couple of Square Birds (Even had one that ran!) and keep an eye out for em. A 430 Square Bird is uncommon, one with a stick is downright rare. I can't remember seeing one in the flesh but I had a chance about 20 years ago to buy a 430 stick ragtop, solid car, needed restoration for $5k.. still kicking myself. If I remember that's the only one I have ever heard of for sale... export model with KMH speedo too.

As far as price goes, tough call. It's valuable for a Square Bird, but assuming it's a hardtop, Square Birds ain't worth a lot and ain't cheap to restore. what sort of shape is the thing in? They love to rust and are a bit of a PITA to do body work on compared to a body on frame car.

 

The key word wasn't '430', it was 'stick'. If the car is solid, the price is fair. If the car is rotted, it's a tough call. As mentioned, the body work can be expensive. A SquareBird can be a pretty nice...no other way to say it...street machine.

If it was me, I'd leave the body stock, pump up the 430 and if it's a 3-spd, I'd stick a 4-spd in it. Maybe pull the skirts and put some American Racing Torque Thrusts on it. Maybe drop the front end an inch or two.

What wouldn't I do? I wouldn't bag it. I wouldn't chop it. I would do nothing that couldn't be reversed. I wouldn't throw away anything that you take off the car. As mentioned, the car is reasonably rare, and not carving up the car will allow you to sell it for a better price when you do sell it.