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!

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.

Gary Ryan San Antonio.TX.

Well lets see some pics.I am always surprised that there are still baby birds out there unrestored non running.

  

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

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

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!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

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.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, I'd settle for 56!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

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

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.

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.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias