Not much time before I leave for the "Moonshine-Festival" in Dawsonville, GA. I will be taking my JUST finished 1957 Ford Thunderbird- "Battlebird" replica done AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE REAL ONE. Changes include: Nerf-Bars, Headlight covers, (hand-made)Hood & Deck Pins, Aluminum Tonneau with Lexan Windshield, Gauge Cluster, Race Seat & Belts, Head Fairing/Head Cushion, Louvered (in/ot) RH Door, Dual side exhaust ports, (hand made) Rear Bumper, Deck Gas fill, Lightened Hood, Headers and Halibrand "Kidney-Bean" Wheels. It is lettered as "Fireball" Roberts and Ralph Moody drove it in April 1959 at a 24 hour Daytona race and placed 4th. I did NOT have time to put on the ORIGINAL Hilborn Fuel Injection and then adjust it, hence no under hood pictures yet but I have the coated headers, T-Bird valve covers on the "BUILT" 312 (about 348 c.i.)and the hood lighting holes done. You can look up the Battlebird and Holman & Moody Threads for more Battlebird info. The last picture is a copy of a real picture of "Fireball" racing at Daytona in '59. I also HOPE to have my Bobby Allisons '61 Plymouth Savoy with a 413 CROSSRAM in it at the Moonshine. Can also look up that Thread ('61 Savoy). Thanks to all that have helped me over the past 4-5 years on the Battlebird and especially Ted Kempgens. More info later. Tom
Nice job TKITCH. Lee has got to love that, heck anybody with an ounce of gear grease in their blood will love it.
This is my 5th "Fireball" replica (& 2 Lorenzens). You can google 1957 Ford Fireball Roberts Replica and read/see the Circle Track article about the '57 Supercharged Custom I did with the help of Marvin Panch and Pam Roberts (Fireball's daughter-deceased). My all time favorite is "Fireball". Check under '61 Savoy for the thread & pictures of that one.
I will come up and introduce my self at the festival..Nice autos.. I will be at the garhof table and walking around.. Bobby.............
Yes, One of the two original "Battlebirds" (nicknamed later on) still exhists and sold at an R & M auction last year for $300K. It has the original ALUMINUM hood, doors, deck, tonneau, rear bumper and gas door,Hilborn Fuel Injected(141 made) Y-Block engine set back 6-8", Jag 4 speed and quick change rear end. Rumor is the 2nd B-Bird was destroyed in drag racing (yes, they did that later and wiped-out Vettes). You can google and read all about Battlebirds or use your "Threads-Search" here on HAMB and check under previous Battlebird or Holman & Moody Threads. I have some unfinished pictures of my replica being built there also.
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