History Restoration Ethics (Your Thoughts)

Here is a thought, build it exactly as you want it, do a great job and then in thirty years someone can ask if the should change it as they don't want to destroy the history. Why is your history or legacy any less important than some person from 30 or 40 years ago.

In my opinion a lot of so called famous or important people were not necessarily the best in there field but they had the biggest mouth, or a couple of mates who pushed there reputation.

 

Here's what it's looked like in various stages as I've reassembled it:

 

I had a 55 bird I bought in 1967 and had for 4 years. The one I have now I bought in 1999. Just some kind of random thoughts.

1955 birds are the low man on the pole. More following for 56’s and more yet for 57’s. The only 55 that ever interested me was the one’s Doane Spencer built. He had 2, a clone of the original and a more modified version of the original. Those sold maybe 5-6 years ago about a month apart in the $100K range. Both very high performing road cars. A bit of research will turn those up.

The only real valuable ones are mentioned above. Factory E codes (dual quads) and F codes (supercharged). And famous cars, like Nancy Sinatra’s 56 (supposedly blew the engine in sight of the shop when a McCulloch supercharger was installed).

Some of the famous customs are shown above, but to the extent any have survived I don’t see any crossing the block for big dollars. The best ones were mostly 57’s. The longer rear end lent itself better as a custom in the day.

So I’d say build what you’d enjoy, but it’s for love, not money. The classic “drag racing” change was to drop in a side oiler 427, but a lot more ended up with plain FE’s wearing Cobra valve covers and air cleaners.

You can get quarter panels, floors, most major panels. A lot of stuff is reproduced by the T bird suppliers, but you’ll be way too much money at that point.

If you want to see the top of the market for these, drive down to Amos Minter’s in Dallas. But I don’t think there’s more than 2-3 shops in the country that command his level of pricing. Or just check his web site.

I love my 55 and just enjoy the ride. My kids won’t ever realize how much money I wasted when they sell it when I’m gone. Better that way.

 

Friend of mine had one at 9k
Would yard drive.
No takers.
I posted it here a couple years back.
One in pieces similar to the one here popped up around $4500 at that time

 

The original hood and speed parts from the gasser build:


A 1957 Olds 9.3:

1964 1/2 Mustang Toploader:

1960 Dodge Dart Taillights:

Ansen Clutch Pedal and Stock Master Cylinder:

 

Well, the four speed will bolt to the Y-block if that helps! LOL..

 

I appreciate your thoughts and your wisdom. I do have to say that I don't care about the money. If I cared about the money, I wouldn't be into old cars. These cars are worth much more in parts. Unfortunately...

About six months ago, I was watching a video that Jay Leno did on a Corvair Pickup that he owns. He restored the whole truck to better than factory. At one point in the video, Leno looks right at the camera and said something along the lines of, "I spent $60K restoring a $15K pickup. Only car guys will understand why."

That wisdom has stuck with me ever since. None of this is about the money.

 

Hey, I ain't broke by a mile, but I ain't got Jay Leno money! Lol.

I do think that would look awesome as a gasser... And I'm not really a gasser guy. Just looks like it's already got the gasser spirit in er....

 

I haven't looked at these pictures in a while. The funny thing is that you can look right at something and not see what's right in front of you.

The "muscle car" conversion really did take a great deal of the custom out of it. Didn't realize that until I was looking for these pictures.

I would say you're right sir.

 

I initially was going down this road. What stopped me dead in my tracks is that this car was converted to the 5x5 bolt pattern front and back. I couldn't find replacement drums for the 5x5 hubs. I have no idea what they came off of, and I've spent close to a thousand dollars trying to find something that would work. Hit a wall and changed directions.

 

Louvered hood, Dodge tail lights, shaved fuel filler door, radiused wheel wells, all under a new candy red paint job, with stock style interior, stock style optional equipment, and a Y block with the toploader 4 speed behind it. Leave the nose panel and front fender emblems shaved, just like they are now. Keep the big Olds rear. I'd probably paint the top black instead of vinyl but honestly, I wouldn't even mind it if it were reupholstered again. You could make perfect use of what's here along with what you've collected for the car and have something really cool with some mystery-history when you're done.

That sounds really cool to me.

 

Looks like you just have a shell to build into what ever you want. Its just a car. If you like all the original options, build it that way. I don't see too much of a custom there, just minor changes. I would not worry about modifying something special, its kinda ordinary in the world of cars.

 

Hopped up with 3" pipes coming out of the bumper guards.

 

I actually agree with this. That's not a bad idea at all.

 

ESPECIALY if it is ALREADY a basket case. That is what Hot Rodding is all about. Isn't it?

Ben

 

I'd keep those Dodge tail lights. The rest of it might as well be a stock tbird for all you'll have to do to it to make it whole again, it's a blank canvas.

I see an opportunity to redo the rear wheel arches in steel (same size of course) and stuff some big cheaters under there. Keep it sleek & clean and you will make a magazine car out of it!

 

You can build a 390 with aluminum heads and intake, painted blue to hide them, and not weigh more than a Yblock, and probably not much more than my 320 stroker with the aluminum heads. Probably less money, too, and way more horsepower. That would be pretty cool and a period correct change. If you care.

As a side note, those are 56 back up lights. A little flashier with the Dodge taillights, I’ve seen that change before.

 

The museums are all full.

Get to cutting.

This is a rod and custom site.

 

I looked high and low for a 390 a few years back, and couldn't find one to save my life. I really wanted one from a third generation Bird just for those awesome valve covers.

 

I really dig what Squablow suggested. That's the right direction. The whole reason I bought this car is because I could see that very vision at the start:


Seeing this picture again really brings that idea back into focus. I love it.

 

Just put all the modified parts on the car, and let people figure out for themselves what it's supposed to be

 

It is your car, labor, headache and money now.
Build what you want and enjoy it.

 

Y blocks can be made lighter as well aluminum heads, intake, timing cover, valley cover, and you cannot beat the sound. Just sayin

 

390s aren’t a hard score.
eBay and swap meets have valve covers.

 

I've actually got something in mind. Started off as a temporary solution, but it might turn into a permanent deal if I like it.

 

I don't see anything about it that says it was a famous enough custom to restore as that custom.
I don't see anything that says it was a famous drag car that might have held multiple records over a pariod of time. The "some guy was going to make a gasser out of it" is meaningless nonsense. in that it just flat doesn't mean anythign unless you have always had a thing for a T bird set up as a gasser.
I don't see one mod on it that has to be kept unless you just flat like that mod. The rear end can be swapped easy enough, the front brakes most likely can be swapped to a bolt pattern that matches the rear of choice and will stop. reliable power and isn't a bank breaker might be a better Choice.
Personally I'd build it the way that I thought I would get the most enjoyment out of and use it the most. Probably as a mild custom set in the late 50's Mid 60's with pretty well stock body work except for a mild dechroming. Or put Victoria side trim on it as the dad of one of my classmates had done to his that he ordered in 1954 after seeing a photo one or maybe a drawing of it. His was red over white divided by the Victoria trim but a solid color would still look great. But it isn't about what I would do.
Or go a simple and maybe original color, leave the big rear rear wheel openings, put some tall skinny tires that fill the opening on the back and let it look just a bit more than mean and make folks wonder a a bit as to how mean it is.

 

Squablow hit the nail on the head (as he always does).
I'd build it just as if it was 1963-65 and I was the guy that bought the mild Custom, caught the Drag Racing bug and made some changes;
Sold off the www/fiestas and dummy spots but retained the mild body mods. I'd lose the front bumper eye sights and drop in a tube grille. Y block with headers, maybe dual quads, hot cam.
Black paint with black n white interior. Chrome reverse wheels with blackwalls.
I'd do it up in the "triple threat" style of the day - street/drag/show, emulating a guy that had a really nice daily that could be spiffed up for a car show. An occasional trip to the strip on Sunday would see a set of drag slicks, 5:13 chunk for the Olds, uncorked headers and a top off of high test for the fattened up tune.
That 3/4 rear photo of the car is just how I envision it hooking up and leaving the line...anyone up for a photoshop.

 

My friend's 56, back in the 70's, ran a Hi-Riser 427, and then a Cammer.

 

I like that idea. Bare bones, handling and form following function.