Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Body-off restoration completed in February of 2016
312 cubic inch Thunderbird V8
Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission
All-original sheetmetal / Colonial White paint / Sale includes the
car's hardtop
Factory power drum brakes
Sale includes: An original purchase contract / An original
Title
Sale includes: Restoration photos / Restoration notes &
receipts
Town and Country radio
14-inch wheels
Two cars literally defined the newfound freedom of the 1950s: the
Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird. Eventually Chevrolet
took their Corvette to the racetrack, while Ford continued to turn
their Thunderbird into the ultimate boulevard king. Now, over sixty
years later, first generation Corvettes are cool, but first
generation Thunderbirds are more endearing. If you're looking for a
sweet 50s-era classic that's valuable, fun to drive and has the
ability to turn Main Street into a parade route, RK Motors
Charlotte is your kind of place. And if you want to be the star of
that parade, this award-winning, largely-original Thunderbird,
backing a hot 312 cubic inch V8 with a correct Ford-O-Matic
3-speed, is definitely your kind of classic!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Purchased by its most dedicated owner on January 1st, 1958, this
largely-original T-bird was daily driven until sometime around 1973
when it was stashed in storage. No one really knows why that
happened. But it probably wasn't due to mechanical failure, since
the car's aforementioned owner also ran a respected auto repair
business that was well known around the Greensboro, North Carolina
area. At any rate, the owner began collecting spare Ford parts in
preparation for a ground-up restoration. And that restoration began
sometime in the early '80s, with a complete overhaul of the car's
frame and drivetrain. Sadly, while restoring the car, the owner
began to develop dementia and, naturally, the restoration was
sidelined in the name of more important things. Fast-forward
roughly 25 years to the Spring of 2015 when the Ford's current
owner was notified of its inclusion in an estate sale. The current
owner, having restored Thunderbirds in the past, was delighted to
find a fantastic, rust-free project that merely needed finishing.
And in February of 2016, this Thunderbird hit the road as a clean,
body-off restored classic that wraps all-original sheetmetal around
a roster of original components.
The Thunderbird was Ford's refined response to Chevrolet's crude
Corvette. And when introduced in 1955, it outsold Chevy's newly
minted halo by almost 24 to 1. Part of the reason for that big
success was the car's versatile mix of American substance and
European aesthetic. At the front of this 'bird, a stainless
egg-crate grille rides between clean headlights, chrome-trimmed
parking lamps, an intricate header emblem and a bulleted bumper
that bends around peaked fenders. Between those fenders, a classy
hood scoop leads the eye to a wraparound windshield that's
reflected in a correct chrome mirror, cleared by polished stainless
wipers and framed in thick chrome trim. At the top of that trim, a
Colonial White hardtop latches down over a White soft top as a part
of Ford's innovative dual-roof system. Below those roofs, sculpted
door handles and stainless-trimmed fender skirts perfectly
complement sedate louvers and flowing "Thunderbird" scripts. And at
the back of the car, chrome-trimmed, jet-inspired taillights center
an intricate trunk emblem above a second wraparound bumper.
ENGINE
Tilt this Ford's lightweight hood and you'll find a 312 cubic inch
Thunderbird V8 that, fully rebuilt in the mid-80s, has been
recently overhauled with fresh bearings and seals. Introduced in
1956, this stout little Y-block remained an option in blue oval
staples well into the mid-70s. At the top of the bright orange
mill, a functional hood scoop funnels wind into a mirrored and
decaled air cleaner that's perched on a big Holley carburetor.
Atomized octane passes through a color-keyed intake to correct,
cast iron heads that are topped by polished and Thunderbird-branded
valve covers. At the front of those covers, a rebuilt generator
spins 12 volts of electricity beside a vintage AC fuel bowl and
pliable FoMoCo hoses. Spark comes courtesy of a traditional points
distributor, which sequences fire between a modern battery, a
proven FoMoCo voltage regulator and fresh plug wires. From its
glossy fenders to its chrome oil filler, this roadster's bay
presents a clean, highly detailed appearance. And best of all, the
spry engine fires instantly and sounds surprisingly beefy breathing
through brash turbo mufflers and restored factory manifolds.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
At the bottom of this Thunderbird, a fully sorted undercarriage
houses solid floors that are bolted to a roster of proven
components. Nice enough to show but still fully drivable, this is
the perfect compromise for enthusiasts who like to display their
car and still enjoy the occasional top-down weekend. Behind the
aforementioned Y-block, an overhauled Ford-O-Matic 3-speed spins
power to what appears to be a traditional Ford 9-inch. The car's
suspension remains in its original configuration, with control arms
up front and leafs out back. Turns come courtesy of lucid steering.
Braking is quick and adequate thanks to power-assisted drums. All
of the chassis' parts feature a weather-free appearance,
reinforcing the idea that it's been a very long time since this
'bird's seen daily-driver duty. And on the outside of those parts,
color-keyed wheels spin 205/75R14 American Classic whitewalls
around white-trimmed center caps.
INTERIOR
Colonial White paint is legendary for its characteristically
upscale feel. And when paired with this Thunderbird's bright white
roof and rich vinyl interior, it creates the perfect culmination of
class and sophistication. Thanks to the car's quality restoration,
its pleated bench seat is livable for years to come. There's tight
carpet that, thanks to thick, color-keyed mats, features a fluffy
red tint. Front and center, classy telemetry and a familiar Town
and Country radio look great inside engine-turned bezels. In the
middle of the floor, a chrome shifter feels both firm and precise.
In front of the driver, a glossy steering wheel spins a chrome horn
ring around a mirrored steering column. At the sides of the
passengers, scuff-free door panels center perfectly placed armrests
below pristine, engine-turned trim. And behind the soft top, a
fully restored trunk centers a full-size spare tire between a fresh
mat and old school jack.
AWARDS/FEATURES
Fresh out of the restoration shop, this Ford is already racking up
some serious accolades. Here's a few of the car's most impressive
honors:
First Place at the 2016 Zooland Region AACA Car Show in Asheboro,
North Carolina
Outstanding Stock Production Auto at the 2016 Run for the Son Car
Show in Archdale, North Carolina
Featured in the 2016 Matrix System Automotive Finishes calendar
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
The car's original Handbook
An original purchase contract dating to January of 1958
An original Title dating to 1967
Vintage factory and aftermarket literature
Vintage restoration notes and receipts
Modern restoration receipts
Modern restoration photos
A copy of the car's feature in the 2016 Matrix System Automotive
Finishes calendar
A few car show participation plaques
Trophies for the afo...for more information please contact the
seller.
