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

Ok, a little background. Had a customer bring me a "restored" 56 bird, that had just been painted, but needed final assembly. He had a major falling out with the "shop", you know the type where they push the car into the middle of the street and hold all the parts ransom, and police have to get involved... so you can imagine how the quality of the restoration was.

Upon first look it was wavy as can be in places and was not worthy of finishing. The customer wasn't too thrilled to find out we needed to strip the $10k he spent in paint and start all over, but never the less that is what we did. He then decided that the painted chassis with all the over spray wasn't going to cut it, so out it came, and off to powder coat we go.

With the body on rotisserie and about half way into assembling the chassis he decided paying a lawyer (for what I do not know) than finishing the car so more important. So in order to recoup the little bit he owed me and to bail him out I wound up buying it.

Since I can't leave well enough alone, while it will be a fairly faithful resto., as it is a factory Peacock blue and white with all the options, and a 312/auto, but I'm finishing the car just a little different than original. Think factory show car... so I figured you could follow along as I irritate the purist......

As it was brought in after a little investigating on my part with what was under the paint.

 

I hand stripped the body, before taking to be blasted inside and underneath.

 

Primed/sealed the body in tinted prime before going to blasters...

 

Off to blasters and the underside upon return.

 

Winded up having to put a new trunk floor and front pans. Also welded up a gillion holes, and other misc. repairs.

 

Floor all patched up and spotted in prime.

 

All the basic body work completed, and in final prime.

 

Ok, here is where the purist and going to start to cringe...
There is this huge indention where the battery once was, and now there is not....

 

Can't leave the Wilwood master alone, in a 50's "factory custom"... The lid gets done as well later.

 

Welded in every unnecessary hole as there will not be any wiring or clutter.

 

Underside painted with the wheel tubs, front fender area, and tail pan done in bed liner. The pass. compartment gets done in liner as well.

 

had a blast with mine just sold it on to new project

 

Here is the "restored" engine and chassis.... everything on the chassis was painted including the caked on dirt they failed to clean and then has blue over spray all over... nice.

 

Frame and all the components back from powder coat.

 

Did you fill in the writing or was there enough meat to file it smooth?

 

The "rebuilt" engine...First time that I found actual change inside an engine.. about 12 cents total...

 

Engine back from re builders, and being prepped for paint, painted correct factory red, not rattel caned as previously, and reassembled. Everything was painted apart and not just all at once as not to get any paint on any gaskets. Exhaust manifolds were ceramic coated.

 

Mostly assembled chassis, there are still a few changes that were made later on, so don't get to picky..lol.

 

Body back on the frame, and a look into the engine compartment. I chromed a few things like hinges, hood release, and power steering reservoir, for just a little show car feel..
Note the generator, as it is a alternator...
.

 

Hate how big, and bulky the blower is on these, so I fixed that.....

 

As it sits now, still have several things planed so this is no means the final ride height......

 

Stay tuned......

 

Great looking work. Recently had a close up look at a '56 'Bird. The engine is behind the front wheel centerline, like a factory setback.

 

Very nice! I love T-birds.

 

Nice work. It is going to be a great car.
GP

 

Why do people feel the need to post a pic/pics of their car on a members build thread?

I like it, will be a great car when done, keep the progress pics coming.

 

I sir do amazing work.

 

Great Job,Love the attention to detail!

 

Purist be damned I love where you are headed. Bucket list car for me, how do you feel about laser straight unchopped 50 Mercury's?It may be time to check this off my bucket list.


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Enjoying this thread, great job!!