Register now to get rid of these ads!

Technical The Valley Custom Bird

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Jul 20, 2012.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,627

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

  2. I've never been a thunderchicken guy. The '57 my Dad owned proved to be hard for a 6'4'' galoot like me to fit in, but I would gladly squeeze into this masterpiece. Utterly Brilliant!
     
  3. snelson57
    Joined: Jun 3, 2008
    Posts: 544

    snelson57
    Member

    That car does if for me...glad to see it has been preserved.
     
  4. 1929rats
    Joined: Aug 18, 2006
    Posts: 659

    1929rats
    Member

    It is an amazing car to see in person. I saw the car for the first time four or five years ago in a sea of '32, '33,'34 fords, willys, etc, at the Ty-rods show in Lancaster, MA. The car demanded your attention. Grace, style, and class. Still to this day, one of my favorite cars ever. Love the Merc Wagon tailights...
     

  5. josh highley
    Joined: Nov 13, 2011
    Posts: 405

    josh highley
    Member

    Not much of a T-Bird guy either, but damn! Great Car!
     
  6. basicbob
    Joined: Nov 2, 2003
    Posts: 865

    basicbob
    Member

    Super T-Bird with timeless look.

    Dave is just a super nice guy, perhaps one of the most talanted "Hot Rod builders" ever.

    Just google his name & admire his work, his work is second to no one!!!
     
  7. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    Best T Bird Ever.

    I could listen to dave say "Cah" (Car) all day long.
     
  8. flamingokid
    Joined: Jan 5, 2005
    Posts: 2,200

    flamingokid
    Member

  9. All of the above comments times 2. I am working my Sunbeam over with hints of this car cause it is so cool (this and the Doane Spencer Sunbeam). It is one of the iconic T-birds.
     
  10. John B
    Joined: Mar 9, 2001
    Posts: 1,433

    John B
    Member

    Anything Valley Custom has always drew my attention and this bird is no exception.
     
  11. jazzbum
    Joined: Apr 5, 2005
    Posts: 598

    jazzbum
    Member

  12. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 14,807

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I would like to thank Chuck Vranas personally for putting us in contact with Dave to show this beauty to the hotrod and Custom masses.
    A very truly beautiful cah.
     
  13. pumpman
    Joined: Dec 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,674

    pumpman
    Member

    Damn, not a big bird guy, but that is just plain damn sweet!
     
  14. need louvers ?
    Joined: Nov 20, 2008
    Posts: 12,903

    need louvers ?
    Member

    Damnit Ryan! Just when I thought I could live with out the Jalopy Journal in print you have to go and drop contents like this on me?! this 'Bird and the couple that Doane Spencer put together are like major Hot Buttons in my DNA! Yes early birds are terribly uncomfortable to drive if your over 4' tall, but talk about glamor when your driving them! So how cool is evil glamor...
     
  15. TRuss
    Joined: Jan 7, 2007
    Posts: 549

    TRuss
    Member

    I've had a thing for this car since I saw it in the TRJ (#48 or 49 also has Rex Burnett story) with Jimmy Kings '39 that Dave built. There is a good photo of it along with some of Dave's other cars in front of Dave's shop in the front of that issue. There is also that Purple '34 coupe that I would like to see more of.

    Anyway, it was a real nice surprise to see the t-bird in JJ#2. And this behind the scenes video is really nice. This is a great car and I can only imagine what it must have been like driving it around Burbank.
     
  16. guitarmook
    Joined: Mar 8, 2007
    Posts: 256

    guitarmook
    Member
    from Austin, TX

    right-click

    'save as'

    "someday.jpg"


    gorgeous.
     
  17. 66Coronet440
    Joined: Oct 26, 2009
    Posts: 422

    66Coronet440
    Member

    I've always loved '55 T-birds, but this is the best one I've seen.
     
  18. derbydad276
    Joined: May 29, 2011
    Posts: 1,336

    derbydad276
    Member

    beautifull example of when cars were designed by visionarys instead of bean counters and lawyers
     
  19. sophisto79
    Joined: Apr 21, 2010
    Posts: 189

    sophisto79
    Member

    Thanks for that. It was fun listening to Dave Simard tell that story and add to the article.
     
  20. 1great40
    Joined: Jan 1, 2008
    Posts: 484

    1great40
    Member
    from Walpole MA

    I have been out to Daves place once, early in the build of my 40 pickup. I bought a truck body from him. He was a very nice guy and a gentleman. I met him again just a couple years ago at the monthly Amherst NH swap. I was surprised that he remembered me!
     
  21. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,389

    catdad49
    Member

    Just finished reading JJ#2 and this interview w/ pics are a perfect addition. Wish I could put them together. Thanks again, things like this keep the fire burning. Cat
     
  22. Zombie Hot Rod
    Joined: Oct 22, 2006
    Posts: 2,452

    Zombie Hot Rod
    Member
    from New York

    I had the pleasure of filming Dave for "A Sweet Sickness" (the flathead movie I shot, for those who don't know) and he is one of the most modest, yet highly talented guys I have ever met.

    I was looking at the work going in his shop with my mouth open. I'm talking about chopped cars in bare metal where everything from the bracing, to the welds inside, where no one would ever see, were perfect.

    The cars I saw didn't look like somebody chopped them, they looked like they came from the factory with a lower roof line. Truely a master of his craft, and a really nice guy.
     
  23. customcory
    Joined: Apr 25, 2007
    Posts: 1,831

    customcory
    Member

    Just reading a little R&C this morning, showing Valley Custom putting the licsence plate surround in the front bumper.
     
  24. resqd37Zep
    Joined: Aug 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,216

    resqd37Zep
    Member
    from Nor Cal

    Yeah that Bird is bad ass! If I ever get my hands on one it would look a lot like that one. Thanks for history.
     
  25. Pewsplace
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 2,795

    Pewsplace
    Member

    The Bird is nice and Dave is one of the best if not the best metal men in the country. He has the eye for perfection and the talent for execution.
     
  26. hotrd32
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,560

    hotrd32
    Member
    from WA

    Love the car......... but not the wheels.....cool ride.
     
  27. Rattle Trap
    Joined: May 11, 2012
    Posts: 358

    Rattle Trap
    Member

    I have had that car in my screen saver rotation for a few years now. It's the only t-bird I have ever liked. Im not a t-bird guy at all. Now I know the story behind it. Thanks.
     
  28. pitman
    Joined: May 14, 2006
    Posts: 5,148

    pitman

    First met up with Dave in '71, he had built a 30-31 2-door w/a SBC. Nice straight build it was. We cruised the Fitchburg area of northern MA, many good memories of those early days.
     
  29. AndrewnTX
    Joined: Sep 13, 2009
    Posts: 182

    AndrewnTX
    Member
    from Plano, TX

    Sweet Thunderbird, great story to hear on the phone call...
     
  30. A favorite!
    However, the text in JJ #2 is wrong concerning the taillights. They are from a Mercury wagon, not a Ford. Merc wagon taillights is a classic use on custom 55-56 Ford's and T-bird's...
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.