Vehicle Description
There's really no such thing as an undesirable Thunderbird. But, in
the name of variety, a lot of vintage 'birds have been transformed
into insular hot rods that just aren't as cool as their pure,
correctly restored peers. That's why this classy roadster is so
appealing. Benefitting from a detailed, 4-year restoration, it
wraps a smooth 312 V8 / Automatic drivetrain in rich black and
white aesthetics that are both attractive and timeless. If you're
in the market for a cool rendition of a legendary collector car,
this awesome roadster could be the literal interpretation of your
next classic!
RAVENBIRD
This contoured Ford's curvaceous body was massaged back to life
during a recent 4-year, ground-up restoration. Judging by the looks
of the car's smooth metal, there's no evidence it has ever seen any
kind of catastrophic damage. And today, layered in glossy Raven
Black 2-stage paint, it rolls as one impressive classic that's
superbly detailed. Those details begin with a bulleted bumper,
which props a stainless egg-crate grille under hooded headlights
and a teal-trimmed Thunderbird header. Behind that header, a classy
hood scoop leads stainless-trimmed glass that's capped by either a
factory porthole hard top or the black soft top. Below those roofs,
a correct mirror reflects polished door handles, ornate fender
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 that's fashioned
around true-dual exhaust.
THUNDERBIRD V8
Tilt this Ford's lightweight hood and you'll find 312 cubic inches
of chrome-trimmed Thunderbird V8! Introduced in 1956, this stout
little Y-block remained an option in blue oval staples well into
the mid-1970s. At the top of the bright orange mill, a polished air
cleaner funnels wind into a big Holley carburetor, which is
centered in a web of stainless fluid lines. Atomized octane passes
through a cast iron intake to correct, cast iron heads that are
topped by polished and Thunderbird-branded valve covers. At the
front of those covers, pliable V-belts spin chrome-trimmed power
steering opposite a FoMoCo-branded generator. Spark comes courtesy
of an old school points distributor, which sequences fire between a
FoMoCo coil and numbered Ford plug wires. Cooling is provided by a
factory radiator, which passes water through fresh FoMoCo hoses.
And, from its cool AC fuel bowl to its clean FoMoCo voltage
regulator, this roadster's bay presents a highly detailed
appearance.
RESTORATION-FRESH
Park this T-Bird on a lift and you'll find a sturdy, road-ready
X-frame that's bolted to virtually spotless floors. Behind the
motor, a correct Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission twists torque
through a correct rear end. At the ends of the floors, a fully
restored double A-arm front and solid axle rear suspension has been
completely returned to factory specifications. At the corners of
the car, power-assisted drum brakes complement good handling
characteristics with solid and confident stops. Those handling
characteristics are easily explored through factory power steering.
Exhaust is managed by big, true-dual pipes, which span throaty
turbo mufflers. And power meets the pavement through attractive
chrome wire wheels, which spin fresh 7.50-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown
whitewalls around traditional Thunderbird spinners.
BLACK AND WHITE
In keeping with this roadster's high performance theme, interior
outfitting remains minimal. High quality restoration pieces provide
long-term durability without sacrificing good looks. Between the
doors is an attractive and equally welcoming 2-tone interior. Front
and center, a stylish dash wraps engine-turned trim around rebuilt
gauges and a requisite Town and Country radio. At the middle of the
floor, a petite chrome shifter is as handsome as it is stylish. And
in front of the driver, a classy steering wheel laps a retro,
telescopic column.
In the modern collector car market, there is certainly no shortage
of rowdy resto-mods and over-restored pro-tourers. That means
sympathetically revitalized pieces like this timeless roadster
could become increasingly rare. With its correct 312, tough auto
transmission, and detailed restoration, this is a highly authentic
classic that you can drive and enjoy just as Dearborn intended. If
that sounds like a good way to spend your Saturdays, pick up the
phone and become the proud owner of one of Ford's best!
HIGHLIGHTS
Awesome Thunderbird roadster that's benefitted from a detailed,
ground-up restoration
Correct 312 cubic inch Ford V8
Correct Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission
Factory power steering
Factory power brakes
14-inch wire wheels
Raven Black paint / Factory port hole hard top
Two-tone Black & White interior / Black soft top
All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point
inspection
We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world
