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By cpabird - 18 Years Ago
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Is anyone familiar with the construction of the once produced 1957 TBird kit car? I am aware that the car has an all fiberglas body with Ford running gear including a 289 engine and usually a C-4 automatic transmission. I believe one of the companies that produced this kit was Camelot. I was wondering if a y-block could easily replace the existing 289 or were the frame rails built exclusively for the 289? It would seem that the replica would weigh far less than the original TBird and would provide a good base for a stroker y-block powered street/strip car. I am a new member and would appreciate any thoughts on this topic. Thanks
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By paul2748 - 18 Years Ago
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In all probability, a YBlock would work. New mounts would have to be made up, no big thing if your handy at fabricating.
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By Canadian Hot Rodder - 18 Years Ago
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Interesting concept, maybe Jerry Christenson could help you. Not sure where he got the glass body for his T-Bird? I would love to actually see a car like Jerry's that was street legal. It would probably be down right scary!  Rob
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By MoonShadow - 18 Years Ago
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It's not that uncommon to put a SBF 289-351 in place of a Y-Block. There is even a kit for it. Based on that I don't see why you couldn't put a Y in a replica. Sounds like fun! Chuck
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 18 Years Ago
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Camelot Motors was (or is?) in northern Indiana, Elkhart, I think. Our Hoosier T-Bird club toured their plant, and we got a chance to drive one of the cars. Seems it had strut type front suspension, ala Fairmont, and could be ordered with a 4 cylinder or a V-8. I was not impressed with the fit and finish, and firewall shake was terrible on a rough road. I'm trying to pull all this out of my cloudy memory, because it didn't leave much of an impression. One of their selling points was that the genuine '57 Thunderbird fender script would fit the mounting holes of their script, which said "T Fifty Seven". I don't know anyone who bought one. John
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By cpabird - 18 Years Ago
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Thanks to everyone who has responded to date. I found two completed cars for sale at Lance Motors in Monroe Township NJ if anyone is interested in at least looking at the pictures on the web-site (www.lancemotors.net). I have not called the dealer so I do not know what company manufactured the kits. John's comments about structural instability of the kit cars does concern me and somewhat confirms my original fears that although I may stuff a y-block into the frame rails I may have to deal with other problems as well. This idea has not cost me anything yet (other than time thinking about it) so I guess I will pursue it a little further. Thanks again!
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By Y block Billy - 18 Years Ago
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Ther is a company called Regal T Bird that builds 55 &56 replicas but I am not sure of 57. Just type "Regal T Birds" in a google search and you will find them. I do Not know the quality but I built a 34 ford 3 window from Streetbeast for a guy last year and I would stay clear of them, they were no help at all and gave stupid answers when I had questions. I ended up assembling it 90% my way.
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By cpabird - 18 Years Ago
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I am familiar with the Regal T-Bird kit. It is a 1956 t-bird reproduction with packages starting at $ 16,000 up to a completed car for about $ 50,000. I was thinking more toward the 1957 kit cars which are presently selling used for $ 20,000 or less. Thanks for the input.
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