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By skygazer - 14 Years Ago
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I have an interesting story that I think folks on this forum might like to hear. My Grandma bought her 1955 t-bird in San Diego sometime in the spring of 1956, probably from a military family going on deployment. She kept the car until she died in 1962 (stomach cancer), one month after my 4th birthday. I actually remember riding in that car with her, but I don't remember may specifics. I do have fond feelings toward Grandma, even though I don't remember her very well.
My Aunt got the car when Grandma died, and took it to the bay area. She had driven it with Grandma on several road trips, and was quite fond if it. She kept it for 10 years, during which time it got an awful green metallic paint job and almost no maintenance. She felt guilty that she couldn't keep it up, and was looking into selling it. By this time I was 14, and my Mom decided to buy the car for me! Of course I was thrilled! My aunt drove the car to Whittier (with a case of 40wt oil in the trunk). It had 120K miles on it (and still does), and barely ran. With youthful exuberance, I took the car to high school auto shop and pulled the engine. I had a local machine shop do a short block, and I did a valve job myself. I put the engine back in about a year later, but I didn't have a secure place to put the car. Parts started disappearing. By the time I graduated from high school, quite a few parts were gone, including the grille and the seat. My Dad wasn't particularly helpful, and it became clear to me that I just didn't have the means to make the car run again. With a heavy heart I decided to sell the car.
My uncle (not related to Grandma) bought the car, and took it to Santa Barbara, where it sat for 20 years. He then gave the car to his son, who kept it for almost a decade, but didn't do anything with it. Finally, he took it to a t-bird restorer in Santa Fe Springs, and realized that he would never get much money out of restoring the car. Last April, my cousin asked me if I wanted the car, and I promptly bought it!
I admit that I have an emotional attachment to this car, and not all my memories of it are good ones. I have started a blog about my current experience. My thought is to finish the engine first, then work on making the car safe to drive, then work on exterior paint, then interior. This will be a multi-year process, limited by both time and $$ flow.
My son and I have pulled the engine, and I'm working with a mechanic to build it up. My goal is to make it a pleasant, safe driver with just a little more power than stock. I plan on keeping the Ford-o-matic, but not the Load-o-matic. I got 113 heads, Mummert Y265S cam, B manifold/carb, and plan to zero deck the block & shave the heads to get an honest 9:1 CR. Everything else is up in the air right now. This is my first (extended) restoration project, and I have a few wounds from my earlier experience, but I'm feeling pretty good about it now.
Please post any similar stories, especially involving family members! Thanks!
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By glrbird - 14 Years Ago
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That is quiet a story, Glad you got it back. I got my first 57 t-bird in 1968. I still have it, my son drove it through High School and one year of college. There are lots of upgrades you can do to the brakes, You might conceder a different transmission since you are up grading the engine. Keep us updated and pictures also.
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By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
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Well lets see some pics.I am always surprised that there are still baby birds out there unrestored non running.
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By texasmark1 - 14 Years Ago
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great story! read your blog... a first for me... not a real fan of stuff like blogs, facebook, new technology in general! in fact, I subscribed to your blog and am looking forward to the updates. I have a 57 Fairlane that I've been "restoring" for the last 20 or so years; got it about the same time my family got started, so I had little extra time and extra money for a car; it all went to raising a family. One of my greatest joys over the years of having this car has been seeing one of my sons come to love old cars, working on old cars and spending time with me working on the Fairlane. we are almost done, with only the carpeting and headliner left to go... it CAN be done, so don't lose hope that one day you will again drive your 'bird... enjoy the journey of bringing it back to life! Mark
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By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
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guys, trust me, it's all worth it when you cruise through town and watch the people stop in their tracks and watch as you rumble by. Even the kids look!
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
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You're right Frank. I was driving the yellow '56 though town a couple days ago when I stopped at a light. A couple of pretty early teenage girls standing on the sidewalk stopped their conversation to look, and one said, "we like your car". Oh to have been 16 again at that instant.
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By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
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John, I'd settle for 56!
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By kevink1955 - 14 Years Ago
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Hoosier Hurricane (8/26/2011)
You're right Frank. I was driving the yellow '56 though town a couple days ago when I stopped at a light. A couple of pretty early teenage girls standing on the sidewalk stopped their conversation to look, and one said, "we like your car". Oh to have been 16 again at that instant.That's because your solid core plug wires caused their cell phones to break up and they had nothing else to do till you passed. Just kidding, It's cool the reactions you get sometimes. Everyone loves old cars. Ever notice that the late model performance cars have a sickining exaust sound, It' sounds almost like a cow MOOOOOO The sound of the Y will never be duplicated
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By 56f100LongIsland - 14 Years Ago
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I have allways had two dream vehicles, a 41 Willy's (but need to hit Lotto for that one) and a 56 f100. I was on my way to buy a 53 chevy truck because it was in my means. I got there and the fella decided to keep it. arggggggg. So my wife wanted to stop at a store on the way home, upon leaving the store, I went home a way I never went before, low and behold there is was, in all it's glory. A 1956 F100, the guy that owned it , bought it from ebay and had it shipped from tennesee, on a 1-10 it was a 2 with a plumbers body on the back. but I bought it. I wound up rebuilding the y-block, all because of you guys and you love for the sound. Now the drivetrain is complete, the sound is incredible, I drive it all over.(Lead East next week if the hurricane doesn't level the hotel). It's primer black with metallic green flames, but someday it will be shinny.It's a keeper and will be handed down upon my demize.
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By mctim64 - 14 Years Ago
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Cool Blog. I think I will check in from time to time to see how it is going. I like the part about the "Heath Kit" TV, my dad did a few of their radios being a HAM and I spent many hours with him on some sort of project or another. Good times. I wish the best for you and your son. 
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By skygazer - 14 Years Ago
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Thanks, Tim! And thanks to all for the responses. I need to talk about this project to keep the motivation level up!
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By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
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I imagine we all have a few "Yarns" about life as a 'teen. Sometime I'll relay why I chose my 57 ford rather than the Pontiacs I actually owned.
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By speedpro56 - 14 Years Ago
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Frank, it's because it's nicer looking and faster than the GM brand .That one was easy
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By glrbird - 14 Years Ago
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The 57 pontiac is the best looking car GM had that year.
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By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
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glrbird (8/31/2011)
The 57 pontiac is the best looking car GM had that year. Maybe, but this F code would suck the indian off the front of my Tri-Power Chieftain! I have been trying to get somebody with a 57 Scrub 2x4, 270 hp to show up at the pure stock races so i could have some fun. NADA.
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By glrbird - 14 Years Ago
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Mr Rice I did not say they were fast, I just liked the body, you dont see them very often anymore. I had two memerable rides as a passenger when young, a new 57 supercharged ford and in high school a 427 powered 1957 thunderbird. I know why you build one for yourself. That might have been the reason i have a 57 bird.
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By famdoc3 - 14 Years Ago
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I bought my dream car in 1971 a 57 T'bird. It was a hunk of junk but it was mine! It was not my first restoration as we (my brother father and I) had already restored my first car (stock model A) my brothers first car (model A) both 1930 tudors. My T'bird was highly rotted even then it needed floors, rear fenders and wheelhouses. I made the floors out of steel salvaged from an incinerator that was being removed from the grocery store where we worked part time in high school. I bought fiberglass sections to repair the rear fenders and wheelhouses (couldn't afford steel). Drove it to college as my daily driver. Since that time re-did it in the late 70's then, went frame off complete in 1995 and have been enjoying it ever since. We had the hurricane here and traffic to work was awful but the weather was nice so just took the bird to work. Easy to decide that if I was going to be sitting in traffic it might as well be in my favorite seat. So many memories over so much time. Don't give in just stay at it and make memories for you and your family. MIKE
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By pegleg - 14 Years Ago
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Gary, You almost got it! I was a 15 year old kid that year. One of my neighbors bought a hardtop 500 with the blown engine. He was showing it off to my Dad, and gave us a ride. Never Ever will forget that ride!!! My Dad had a '52 Olds that we thought was pretty quick, until then. Never heard much more about Oldsmobiles after that, from him.
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By PWH42 - 14 Years Ago
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Here's a Y-block story that doesn't have a happy ending.
A local doctor bought his 16 year old son a new Bird in 56.The son was one of these guys who was a genius,but didn't have a lick of common sense.He drove the Bird for a couple of weeks,putting about 150 miles on it.He decided that he should change the oil at that point,so he drained it and poured new oil in.He then started it up and let it run for about 20 minutes to warm it up.He said it made a funny noise and stopped running.He had forgotten to put the drain plug in and the new oil was on the garage floor.So,he proceeded to dismantle the engine to see if he could fix it.That's as far as he got before he decided it was too much trouble.So he closed the garage door and it stayed closed until about 1985 when the new owners of the house demolished the old garage with a bulldozer,including everything that was inside.
Not a happy ending!
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By skygazer - 13 Years Ago
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Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but this seemed the most logical place to post. Sunday I drove my Grandma's t-bird back home from the shop where I had been working on it. She's not finished, but she's home and ready to be enjoyed!
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By slumlord444 - 13 Years Ago
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Neat story. Geat that the car is back in the family again. Sounds like the engine mods will make a strong street engine. Bought my '57 Bird back in '65 when I was 21 and still working on it at almost 68. Hopefuly this will be the final and best restoration. I have a good T Bird story. Several years ago when I was still working full time I was in sales doing cold calls selling business phone systems. I was walking through a small business office not too far from where I live. I saw my last name on a door and fiured we were probably related. Walked in and introduced myself to a guy near my age. Turned out that we were distantly related and I knew his brother from way back. Got to talking about cars and he is telling me about the red '55 T-Bird he had in the late '60's with a hopped up Y block. I laughed and pulled a picture of my red '57 T-Bird from my wallet. He had sold the car a long time ago but still had the tri power set up which he gave to me when I tried to buy it. Never used it but looks good on the shelf in my garage. Guess Y-Blocks can be a genetic disease!
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