Hello Guys and Dolls! I've been a car fan since I can remember, and have owned many different cars. Currently, my main ride is an 08 Honda Accord Coupe v6 Manny. The summer car is an 87 MB 560sl that was resurrected two years ago. My next project is the long-awaited Bullet Bird coupe. I am presently looking at 3 different cars in the Boston/Southern NH area. I'm partial to a 62 coupe that is in pretty good, original condition. Yeah, it needs a complete tuneup and the usual going through, but I'm hoping to make it into a mild custom with a low ride, some rumble, and the right 'look'. I am interested in your opinions about the Bullet Birds (61-63), particularly the coupes, as in making them quicker (cams?), better stopping (no more single reservoir brakes!!) and cooler looking (maybe dropping the leafs or cutting the springs??). I also did some searching, but was not able to find many threads on these particular birds....any help? Any input is appreciated! Regards, SmattaHead
Here's mine. Cut one coil in front and am running 2" blocks in rear. In the front make sure those front coil lower swivel pads are working correctly. They can be trouble if not. Also make sure you put in new coil spring insulators. If you don't the squeaking coils will drive you nuts. As for the master cylinder I used a 1977 Granada drum/drum dual cylinder. You will have to adjust the pedal push rod to get the proper pedal height. Make sure you don't go to far because the brakes will drag. It might take you two or three try's to nail it. Hope this helps ...
Hey Guys! thanks for the replies DDB, great looking custom car! Thanks for the pointers! I will use them. Imperial, yours is beautiful as well. My search continues for the right car to start with...I looked at 2 bullet birds this week. Neither of them were in decent starting condition. The second one made me consider buying it just as a shell, but that's crazy. I'm beginning to realize I need to same more cash and spend more out of the gate, so as to get a solid and driving car to start with. If Im gonna do all this work, I might as well have a nice one to keep at the end! I appreciate the pointers and the pics! Bring it on! The two that I looked at were listed on Craigslist for under $4k. I would think that I should be able to find a nice running car for $4-5k, then be willing to spend the money that it will need to be 'right'. I am also considering making it a choptop, though I guess that would be expensive.
heres mine roof chopped off homemade carson type top needs some TLC but fun to drive also has a dual master on it ,lost the brakes on a previous one I had once not fun
Hey Imperial what size and kind of rims you got on that bird...I'm having a hard time finding decent rims in 14". Thanks, Lee
Finally made a deal on a hot-rodded 61 bullet bird. I'll post some pics in about a week or so. It comes with a good start, but is not finished. Hoping to be working on it in another week! Keep those bullet bird pics and custom ideas coming!!!
After a series of mishaps, my car finally showed up on a truck. Plenty of work to do, and still trying to figure out where to start. Broke the camera on the cell phone, so the pics will be delayed. Planning on getting started this weekend! Wish me luck
Good for you! I'd recommend that you spend an evening (or three) Googling images of customized '61, '62, and '63 Thunderbirds to hone in on the style of build you want. Try lots of different search terms to get the greatest sampling of images. Good luck!
Hi Smattahead, sounds like an interesting build! A buddy of mine had one of these in his family for 3 generations bought new by grandpa, sold last spring out of the Hartford area. I had no idea you were looking for one of these, I knew the car for around 25 years! I almost bought it for myself, as some years I would be interested and it was not for sale, others I had other things going. Well, he caught me in an off year and it is now gone. Congrats on yours. We have crossed paths on the BW R107 forum where I go by OldWorldShepherds - using more relevent "Fast Brass" handle here for the T Speedster project we recently added. Just wanted to say hello & good luck on your project!!
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