Projects '59 Thunderbird Radical Custom build.

Yeah, I've have a buddy who's an engraver and could whip that up (he did the Diamond T logo center caps for the truck for me) new dial faces, but I think I'm good to go for now. Once the speedo and other gauge pointers are repainted orange to match the tach, it'll all be fine. An, it all comes apart by simply popping the bezel off, so it's easy to change later if I want.

Brian

 

Your instinct in using the original, aged, clock face was spot-on. Perfect solution!

 

HOT DAMN! It's here! Got the new steering wheel today, it's too pretty for a car of mine! We've had a rough couple of weeks, my father in law passed away, so now that the dust is settling, the weather is FiNALLY decent, I can get back to the 'bird, with the inspiration of the beautiful steering wheel.

Brian

 

Brian, not sure how much time/effort you want to put into the tach, BUTT! (gratuitous big butt) You COULD scan that clock face into a PC and photoshop it. Put a zero where the 12 is and then run your numbers up to what ever you want. (ie 8K redline) Color match the bottom and blank out the rest of the numbers. Hit print and youre in bidness.
Sumpin' to think on....

 

I could, but (small butt) I've already added to my "to do" list enough with the column and wiring. And, I'm an analog type of guy, and photoshopping anything is WAY beyond my ken!

Brian


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The chicken looks great. Love your ideas so far and looking forward to more. Sorry to hear about your father in law.

 

Hey Brian the steering wheel looks really good and matches the car for sure.
I'm sorry to hear about your father in law, but can relate. My father in law will turn 97 next week and we can only hope he enjoys more birthdays.

 

Thanks. I was thrilled with how pretty the wheel is. Bummer indeed about Kim's dad, but, we all agree it was a blessing he went pretty quickly when the end came (he had Hospice care). I spent Tuesday with my Dad and Mom, ages 90 and 84, driving them up to northern Michigan for a get together with Dad's siblings, ages 93, 95, and 97!

 

Looks like you have good genes for a long life. You may just live long enough to finish your bird.

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Any updates?

 

Eli,

I got an update from Brian's blog June 2nd, sounds like they've been out and about. He said no updates on the bird. By the way, are you the Eli that worked with Chad Jones @ Performance Machine?

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Thanks for the info. I'm guessing they're making the most of the summer weather.
Also, no I'm not familiar with Chad Jones and company.

 

No problem, Eli. Performance Machine was in Waipahu, but it's closed now. Chad is now the Manager at Ted's Machine Shop, and has a 9 sec. maroon Saleen Mustang you might have seen at the track when it was open.

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No work on the Bird lately due a busy schedule and doing a '59 Edsel wagon. Now that's done, back on the 'Bird today.


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I gave in to peer pressure and a good deal and bought a set of four NOS wide whites. The tires are mounted on a crusty set of chrome Astro's and it took me a couple days t remember that I have a car that could use a set of 14" white walls. The tires are never run, still have the tits on the tread, and will be fine for display and short hops. And for $80, I couldn't pass on them.


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That last post makes me nervous. I'll just have to trust that you wouldn't do anything to endanger you or the' bird.

 

I wouldn't worry about Brian, he's got his shit about him. he wouldn't do anything to endanger his ride or his wife.

 

The paranoia about 'old' tires came out of the Explorer/Firestone debacle. Numerous test were done by the DOT, Ford, and several of the tire makers, with the conclusion being six years was the recommended 'safe' maximum age (some have adopted a longer ten year 'life'). What was mentioned was that this was based on primarily the sunbelt states, and specifically based on Phoenix AZ (the major urban area in the US with the highest average daily temps). But what was buried was the finding that deterioration due to heat (the main rubber killer) went up exponentially with temp, so this was a worst-case scenario based on Phoenix. So if you live in a cooler climate and/or the tires have been stored properly, the tire will have a longer life, likely considerably longer than six years if you live in the cooler northern states.

A big motivation of this was a CYA by the manufacturers and tire company lawyers, so ultimately it falls on the end user to use good judgment.

 

Grear things you're doing again Brian. Can't wait to see this thing painted.

 

Not to worry. I am well aware of the danger of old, weather-checked tires (witness the blow out I had on the crappy old motor home I got early this summer, when the original, 1988 Michelon 10 ply on the right front blew in spectacular fashion about 50 yards from the driveway of the guy I got it from. And he thought it was never gonna be in his driveway again!). I'll mount them up on a set of Astro 5 spokes and just use them for showing, short drives around here (we have several cruise nights within 20 miles) and if we're going to trailer the car somewhere like Autorama. For touring, which we plan to do, I have the 17 " polished Salt Flats and sticky radials. I wouldn't drive the car on NEW bias ply tires any long distance, let alone 25+ year old ones. It's not a strictly "traditional" build, but having a set of WW's will make it fit into both traditional and contemporary categories. It's all good!

 

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Brian, anyone know wth happened with ynottayblock? I would have guessed he would be getting close to finishing his thunderbird.

 

Today I rearranged the shop in order to get the T'Bird front and center. It looks good out away from the wall, I'm anxious to get the body work wrapped up .


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Moving the T'Bird over in the shop yesterday made me focus on a styling problem that I had passed over before. When I shortened the massive B pillar, it left what was formerly the package shelf out side the roof line. My initial thought was that the top wasn't going to be on the car all that much, and it wouldn't be a problem. Now, I think I don't care for that little hiccup at all. The tonneau cover extends all the way to the old edge of the body, and while it's OK with the top off, it's looks like a mistake with the top on. So, HAMB styling consultants, should I cut the back 6 or 7 inches off the tonneau, weld it to body and create a new tulip panel that matches the new roof line? Or leave it be, save 12 hours of work and scuff my toe in the dirt and apologize for skipping that step in what has turned into a 10 year long repaint project?

 

You know what to do, cut it and reweld it. The 12 hours of time now will save you years of regret every time you look at the seam with the top installed. Just my $.02. CTJ

 

Yep, what he said....

 

Just putting in another 2 cents worth. If you're feeling ambitious extend the roof to where you could add a bottom channel that would hold the rear glass-plexi, or whatever, and that channel would also hide the seam in the tulip panel when the roof is on. Would make for a nice clean appearance ....,

 

It is on, like Donkey Kong. That was going to haunt me, but I like it better already. I have a bottom piece made that will cover the new tulip panel/tonneau cover seam, to hold the back glass (it's actually Lexan), so it will look proper once that's welded to the top. Pinch weld gasket will hold the "Glass"


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You made the right call. I think that will look a lot better and save you way more than 12 hours in "excuse time" after it's done.

 

No sooner had I read the question than you've got it solved! I think you made another terrific choice. Loooking goood!

Dave