Customs 56 Thunderbird build... (the T-bird guys are going to hate me...)

Love the color, very sanitary build.

 

And so humble too!

 

Beautiful work so far. Looks like you started out with a really solid rust free car.

 

First class work on a first class bird ! Love it - Keep up the build and posts.

 

WOW!!
You did good! Just what I have been looking for, a bailed out, tri-five 'Bird. Keep the posts coming.

 

under hood looking pretty good....with the small changes

 

Anyone can put it back together stock, it takes a real man to cut one up. I like where its going.

 

I love it. I'd like to know a little more about your heater blower set up. I dislike that mass on the right side too.

 

Wow, very nice work so far!

 

Very nice.

 

Why the expensive billet Willwood Master Cylinder and relocation with stock drum brakes?

 

SO where does the fresh air come in now?

 

This build thread is fantastic. I can't wait to see the next progress.

 

You had me at "The T-Bird guys are going to hate me".

 

Do I have to let all the secrets out....Lol.

 

Because the one deviation from a more of a period build will be the addition of 4 wheel disc, and I did not want a big ugly master and liked the Wilwood set up. The relocation is a must as there is no clearance for the master with the valve cover.

They make this big hideous relocation bracket to move the master, to clear the valve cover but it's absolutely obnoxious....

Yes it has all new brakes, and powder coated drums all the way around now as that is how the original owner wanted it, but that will all change.

 

It's a bit of an experiment on my part, but for the pure aesthetics, I wanted to shorten it down, but not mess with any of the stock heater components in the firewall.

Now, I also had to modify the fresh air ducts to clean up the cables, as you can see those in the stock engine compartment. I moved, and rotated the inside flappers and cables so everything still functions as it should, but nothing now protrudes into the engine compartment. I will post some pics of the ducts from under the car later.

As of right now it's in prime, and not vented in any way but was waiting on getting a new motor installed to see what may, or may not needed to be done to make it work efficiently.

 

For the input air to the blower - a small hole in your inner fender panel that would then allow access to the fresh air duct on the inside of the fender would work. Still would have to cut into the fresh air duct for the air flow.

I"m a T Bird guy and yeah - your hated !

Oldmics

 

Thanks!
I'm trying to tread the balance of not taking anything away from the initial design, but hopefully adding to it.

 

Yeah, not cutting into the fender, as that is one of the reasons I did not like the initial setup, or re-modifying the ducts as they are done, powder coated and installed. I will follow up once I get back to that.

If you don't like me now just wait.........lol..

 

Thanks! Depends on your idea of "rust free"......
Not that bad but did do trunk floor, both front floors, and several small patches.The "restoration shop" laid fiberglass over the floors and trunk that the owner did not realize till I showed him...again he was not too happy.

 

I would like to tank everyone for the kind words!

This has been an on going project so I just threw out a few pics and info. to get the thread started, I will update with more details as I go along.

 

I thought people help each other out on here.......

 

Your work is so clean Insane 1. Even down to painting the engine in pieces so as not get paint on the gaskets. I love it.
And when it comes to safety I don't care about originality. I don't see any issue with updating brakes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Why would you need air input to the blower?

 

And doing an excellent job of it. Keep up the work and posts!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The early 'Birds are beautiful and your work is truly fine but I'm just too big for them. My friend has a '55 and if you are over 5'5" tall and have short arms it is not fun to drive.

 

Thanks, but agree as I have another 56 that was my dads and he owned it since 1984, so I understand the short comings and know these cars extremely well.

I have a plan to make it a little more comfy with modifying the seat.
This is my other car we have had since 84.

 

Got it - was confused with all the M/C work and then showing the nice and pretty stock drums that were installed. Makes sense now.

Still not sure where you are getting air Into the heater blower though.
And Yeah I kinda like the '56 little bird too. Don't Hate anything you are doing so far

 

No hate here. I like these cars, and you're doing a nice job on making this one. Looking forward to see where you take it from here.


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app