1962 Thunderbird

Mine is keeping the 390, I want the torque.
I plan on a AOD, I will not do non-overdrive again.
The 9 inch is big bearing and about as strong as they come OEM.

Thunderbirds make great cruisers.

 

Is that a static drop? I like the two tone paint. Cant wait till I can start to cruise mine, couple years from now.

 

If you come across a 64 Bird take the tranny crossmember. It's for a C6 trans and will bolt right in to a bullet Bird (61-63). Keep the 390. They are strong runners and have quite an aftermarket following nowadays. I've got a 62 waiting for it's turn to be cut up. Bags are nice and a Bird will lay flat out without much trouble but for a budget just cut a coil or 2 and put blocks in the rear. 2 inch's make a big difference as they sit pretty low already. Good Luck!

Just choose a better set of wheels!

 

Is there any complications with swapping the trans to a c6 and keeping the swing away wheel and column shift? From what I hear the Cruise-o-matic (-a-matic?) is a pretty good trans as well. I'm thinking rebuild the 390 with a cam, intake, carb, headers and msd distributor and ignition, then find a 390 to do the scat stroker kit and go for some good power, maybe, don't know....... thats all a long way aways.

 

Cruise O Matic is great for a stock motor but For a daily driver with anything over 350hp you'll eventually have problems. The swingaway column won't be effected by swapping a C6 trans.

 

I'm a 3 pedal kinda guy. I'd like to see a bird with a 390 and T5 trans.

 

Good to know. The car should be home this Sunday. I know a guy that will haul it the 100 miles on a rollback for $125, crazy low price.

 

Of Course! 2inch blocks in back. full coils up front.
Drives and handles great, for a big old load.

 

Finally going in the morning to bring the bird home. Oh crap, what am i getting into........

 

Alot of fun.

 

hope so, stopped by the car wash and sprayed 20 years of dirt and gunk out from under it. Its sitting on asphalt for the first time in 20 years as well....

 

Now the question of where to start.... Cleaning and cleaning and cleaning is first, this thing is NASTY. She is definetly going to need all new interior, there will be some saved but NOT MUCH.

 

Things arent looking good for the bird, money is TIGHT. The bird will be sitting for another couple years it looks like. Im about to send her to a new home where she can be fixed up sooner.