January 2021

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkWeb-page

httpclubshemmingscomtonyindexhtmlMember Classic Thunderbird Club International ndash Chap 49

1

Thunderbird Owners of New York

Newsletter Message from2

Next Club Meeting Next Club Meeting Thunderbird Owners of

New YorkAt this time there is no meeting

scheduled pending a final decision from Stan

I will notify you by e mail if a meeting is scheduled

OFFICERS

PresidentStan Matusewicz ndash 631-231-3156curveroptonlinenet

Vice PresidentDennis Benfantendash 631-447-3847 tbirddenoptonlinenet

SecretaryJohn Cattonar - 631-269-4705cattbirdhotmailcom

TreasurerPete Cochrane - 631-363-6662pcochrane45outlookcom

CTCI Advisory Council RepBob Ceraso - 631-757-9476legendbirdbobhotmailcom

Tech Advisor 1955rsquosBob Ceraso - 631-757-9476legendbirdbobhotmailcom

Tech Advisor 1956rsquosStan Matusewicz -631-231-3156curveroptonlinenet

Tech Advisor 1957rsquos

Lou Realmuto - 631-226-1733louebirdoptonlinenet

Computer Advisor amp Newsletter Editor Sal Perrotta - 631-991-0306Salperrotta1951gmailcom

Newsletter Message from2

Next Club Meeting Next Club Meeting Thunderbird Owners of

New YorkAt this time there is no meeting

scheduled pending a final decision from Stan

I will notify you by e mail if a meeting is scheduled

OFFICERS

PresidentStan Matusewicz ndash 631-231-3156curveroptonlinenet

Vice PresidentDennis Benfantendash 631-447-3847 tbirddenoptonlinenet

SecretaryJohn Cattonar - 631-269-4705cattbirdhotmailcom

TreasurerPete Cochrane - 631-363-6662pcochrane45outlookcom

CTCI Advisory Council RepBob Ceraso - 631-757-9476legendbirdbobhotmailcom

Tech Advisor 1955rsquosBob Ceraso - 631-757-9476legendbirdbobhotmailcom

Tech Advisor 1956rsquosStan Matusewicz -631-231-3156curveroptonlinenet

Tech Advisor 1957rsquos

Lou Realmuto - 631-226-1733louebirdoptonlinenet

Computer Advisor amp Newsletter Editor Sal Perrotta - 631-991-0306Salperrotta1951gmailcom

Sal PerrottaJanuary 2021

2020 is behind us and I am relieved as I could be

A friend asked if I would want to relive any part of 2020 and I told him that would be like getting a bonus track on a Yoko Ono album No one wants that

I remain hopeful that 2021 will be a better year for our families and our club Getting together at car shows cruises and enjoying the company of good friends is something I missed this year and I look forward to your company next season

It is very important that club business continues Clearly the 2020 season was not what any of us expected and it has limited our club participation

Based on the current restrictions that we have had to contend with throughout 2020 a decision has been made to have the current Board of directors continue to support the club without change in their positions and one adjustment that has to be made

It should be noted that if any member wants to take on a broader roll in the club leadership you should contact Stan Matusewicz or Dennis Benfante as soon as possible Your request with be given appropriate consideration

With no nominations or changes to our Board of Directors positions in the 2021 consist of the following club members as follows

President Stan Matusewicz (631) 231-3156 Email curveroptonlinenet

Vice President Dennis Benfante (631) 447-3847 Email tbirddenoptonlinenet

Secretary John Cattonar (631)269-4705 Email cattbirdhotmailcom

Treasurer Pete Cochrane (631) 363-6662 Email pcochrane45outlookcom

Newsletter Editor To Be Determined

Tech Advisor 1955rsquos Bob Ceraso (631) 757-9476 Email legendbirdbobhotmailcom

Tech Advisor 1956rsquos Stan Matusewicz (631) 231-3156 Email curveroptonlinenet

Tech Advisor 1957rsquos Lou Realmuto (631) 226-1733 Emaillouebirdoptonlinenet

Computer Advisor Sal Perrotta (631) 991-0306 Email salperrotta1951gmailcom

CTCI Advisory Council Rep Bob Ceraso (631) 757-9476 Email legendbirdbobhotmailcomPlease be aware that at this time the Board of Directors is seeking a replacement for me as the Newsletter Editor3

Due to a number of personal obligations I simply cannot continue to give the monthly newsletter the amount of time that is required

I want you to know that I have enjoyed putting the newsletter together for the last 3 years and I hope to do it again sometime in the future but for now I really must hand it off to someone else who can devote the amount of time it requires If you would like to take this on I advise contacting Stan as soon as possible

I do not know how long I will need to step away from the Newsletter Editor position At this time personal obligations are very demanding

Again I just do not have the time to continue engage at the level needed to put out the kind of work product you deserve as a club

When I am able to resume the newsletter or a broader in our club I will reach out to our leadership and ask what I can do to help the club

Over the past 3 years I have received a great deal of encouragement from our membership and other clubs on the content and the format of our newsletter I want to thank you all

I know my replacement will put together a great document that will be both informative and entertaining I am looking forward to getting it each month

Respectfully

Sal

4

SECRETARIES REPORT Meeting Recap January 2021

JOHN CATTONAR Thunderbird Owners of New York Secretary

CATTONARS CORNER

CATTONARS CORNER

COOLING SYSTEM TIPS -- When was the last time you changed your anti-freeze cant remember Then its time if you can before hitting the road this spring

THIS ITEM SHOULD BE DONE FIRST BEFORE DRAINING THE ANTIFREEZE

Check both hoses

IMPORTANT---Make sure there is a spring in the lower hose

When a hose is new its very rigid and works fine but as it gets older it softens up If there is no spring inside the hose it can collapse cutting off the water flow to the radiator

Check by squeezing the hosehellipyou should feel the spring inside Also you can rev the engine up to 2500 rpm and check if there is a movement (collapse) in the hoses Be sure to run the engine so the temperature gets hot enough to determine the rigidity of the hoses (Remember an old hose with no spring left in it will eventually start collapsing and chock off coolant flow through the system

1 Use a high-quality brand name when selecting the anti-freeze you will put into your engine cooling system and be sure it is a pre-mix to ensure 5050 This is the best and recommended coolant

2 Drain out as much as you can (petcock on bottom of radiator)

3 Fill it back up with only water and run the engine up to running temperature to flush out the radiator and engine block

4 Drain the system a second time and refill with new 5050 anti-freeze NOTE Do not fill to the top coolant should cover the radiator core but not fill the expansion tank

5 General Maintenance Now would be a good time to check your fan for any kind of wobble Check that the four (4) bolts supporting the fan to ensure they are tight If you still see the fan has rotation wobble it could indicate that the water pump bearing is failing and may require a water pump replacement Remember penetrative maintenance is a much safer option then a failure on the road

5

6 Last but not least give a quick check of the freeze out plugs on both sides of the engine block for corrosionleakage

And that should cover your cooling system for another few years of Happy T-Birding

John Cattonar TONY Club Secretary

From Sal Perrotta Some Vintage Club Photos

6

News from the ClubNews from the Club

7

8

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

SECRETARIES REPORT Meeting Recap January 2021

JOHN CATTONAR Thunderbird Owners of New York Secretary

CATTONARS CORNER

CATTONARS CORNER

COOLING SYSTEM TIPS -- When was the last time you changed your anti-freeze cant remember Then its time if you can before hitting the road this spring

THIS ITEM SHOULD BE DONE FIRST BEFORE DRAINING THE ANTIFREEZE

Check both hoses

IMPORTANT---Make sure there is a spring in the lower hose

When a hose is new its very rigid and works fine but as it gets older it softens up If there is no spring inside the hose it can collapse cutting off the water flow to the radiator

Check by squeezing the hosehellipyou should feel the spring inside Also you can rev the engine up to 2500 rpm and check if there is a movement (collapse) in the hoses Be sure to run the engine so the temperature gets hot enough to determine the rigidity of the hoses (Remember an old hose with no spring left in it will eventually start collapsing and chock off coolant flow through the system

1 Use a high-quality brand name when selecting the anti-freeze you will put into your engine cooling system and be sure it is a pre-mix to ensure 5050 This is the best and recommended coolant

2 Drain out as much as you can (petcock on bottom of radiator)

3 Fill it back up with only water and run the engine up to running temperature to flush out the radiator and engine block

4 Drain the system a second time and refill with new 5050 anti-freeze NOTE Do not fill to the top coolant should cover the radiator core but not fill the expansion tank

5 General Maintenance Now would be a good time to check your fan for any kind of wobble Check that the four (4) bolts supporting the fan to ensure they are tight If you still see the fan has rotation wobble it could indicate that the water pump bearing is failing and may require a water pump replacement Remember penetrative maintenance is a much safer option then a failure on the road

5

6 Last but not least give a quick check of the freeze out plugs on both sides of the engine block for corrosionleakage

And that should cover your cooling system for another few years of Happy T-Birding

John Cattonar TONY Club Secretary

From Sal Perrotta Some Vintage Club Photos

6

News from the ClubNews from the Club

7

8

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

6 Last but not least give a quick check of the freeze out plugs on both sides of the engine block for corrosionleakage

And that should cover your cooling system for another few years of Happy T-Birding

John Cattonar TONY Club Secretary

From Sal Perrotta Some Vintage Club Photos

6

News from the ClubNews from the Club

7

8

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

7

8

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

8

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

From Arlene Swenson

Please remember your club dues for 2021 Please submit payment to our club Treasurer Pete Cochrane as soon as possible The goal is to have all dues paid by December 31 st

Thunderbird Owners of New YorkDUES are DUE ndash All membership dues for 2021 are due by December 31 2020

Please your check payable to TONY to Peter Cochrane

41 Arthur Avenue

Blue Point NY 11715

2021 Dues Please circle type of Membership Individual - $20 Family - $25 Business Advertiser - $36

Name ________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________

Board members FREE ndash spouse of Board Member $500

9

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Hemmings a Great Feature Thunderbird Story

1955 Ford Thunderbird Fordrsquos first halo car has held its value and continues to gain By David Conwill from April 2020 issue of Hemmings Motor News

Was there a more desirable new car in 1955 than the two-seat Ford Thunderbird Its doubtful Dowdy Mopar was only just getting into the styling-and-performance game with its 100 Million Dollar Look Chevrolet still had its screen-headlamp Corvette but it had overestimated the publics reaction to spartan accommodations and hopped-up six-cylinder power Not even the addition of the new V-8 for 1955 could buoy its slow sales and it was close to being canceled entirely

Ford however had hit a home run with the T-Bird It wasnt a serious sporting effort but it was sporty enough thanks to a 193-hp (198-hp when coupled with the automatic transmission) 292-cuin V-8 Plus it came with creature comforts like roll-up windows and a lift-off hardtop Perhaps better from a marketing standpoint the Thunderbirds styling evoked that of regular Ford passenger cars and vice versa At a base price of $2444 it was the most expensive Ford-badged passenger car offering for the 1955 model year short of a Country Squire wagonmdashand that was before adding in options like overdrive automatic or the soft-topThe magic of Fords first halo car barely faded too Like the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air the T-Bird was in high demand as a used car throughout the 1960s Nobody seriously thinks the young woman mentioned in the 1964 Beach Boys hit Fun Fun Fun had actually borrowed her fathers Bullet Bird to blow off the library in favor of the hamburger stand do they In later decades the two-seat Thunderbird like the 57 Chevy and the 59 Cadillac was easy shorthand to evoke The Fifties and thus it became one of the first collector cars of that decade

Such early and strong support for the Thunderbird made us wonder how they had fared from a value standpoint Our initial speculation based on casual observation of the market was that values had plateaued in the 1990s and remained fairly constant but to confirm or refute that guess we turned to our trusty value guides

The most recent pegs an average value of around $46000 before factoring in those aforementioned optionsmdashoverdrive adds a little over $400 to the overall value and the soft-top almost $2000 We then looked backward to the end of 2009 to see how they had done in the intervening decade $20000 for the same car Back in 1999 the value is a little higher $24000

Was 09 a fluke After all it was right after the economy collapsed from the whole mortgage-backed securities fiasco To split the difference we pulled out our old guides from 2004 and 2014 The 2004 value turned out to be $27500 and in 2014 the same 55 Thunderbird without any value-changing options had a reported average value of $36000

10

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

That reflects a steady but not outrageous gain in value for one of the most recognizable automobiles of the mid-20th century It suggests to us that interest in these cars remains strong and while youre not going to get rich buying and flipping 1955 Thunderbirds youre also highly unlikely to lose money at resale time Best of all youll have a competent and handsome 1950s grand tourer in your garage

From Sal Perrotta

1 Which was Henry Fords first vehicleA Model B B Model A C Model T D Quadricycle

2 Which Ford model was produced for the most yearsA Taurus B F-Series Trucks C Mustang D E-Series Vans

3 Which car has the fastest 0-60 timeA 2001 Ford F-150 Lightning B 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 C 2010 Ford Taurus SHO D 2013 Ford Focus ST

4 Which of the following is NOT a Ford model11

Newsletter Car QUIZ

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

A Windstar B Pinoneer C Crestliner D EXP

5 Which model has the most horsepowerA 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible B 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 C 2006 Ford GT D 2013 Ford F-550 XLT Truck

6 Which 4 years did Ford win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT40A 1963-1966 B 1964-1967 C 1966-1969 D 1968-1971

7How many Ford GT supercars were produced between 2003 and 2006

A 1974B 9401C 748D 4038

8 In which year was the Ford Motor Company foundedA 1906B 1910C 1898D 1903

9Ford Motor Company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2009

A TRUEB FALSE

10 Which of the following has NOT been a Ford sloganA Built Ford tough B Everything We Do is Driven by You C Have you driven a Ford lately D Ford Inspiration comes standard

12

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

11 Who was Henry Fords only childA Edsel Ford B William Clay Ford C Josephine Clay Ford D Benson Ford

12 Which Ford model was NOT sold during the 1990sA Five Hundred B Tempo C Escort D Probe

13 Which Ford Thunderbird generation was the 2002-2005 body styleA Eleventh B Ninth C Eighth D Sixth

14Who was one of the main designers of the original Boss 302 Mustang

A George W Walker B J Mays C Larry Shinoda D Lee Iacocca

Quiz Answers

13

Question Number Answer1 D 8 D2 B 9 B3 A 10 D4 B 11 A5 A 12 A6 C 13 A7 D 14 C

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Brakes are 1950rsquos original style and they are good but not as responsive as modern brakes Use caution

until you become familiar with their stopping power

Radial tire pressure must be maintained at 35 PSI

Starting the engine cold requires the accelerator pedal to be pumped while the engine starter is engaged

After the engine is started cold it will have a fast idle until it warms up

If equipped with an automatic transmission the engine starts in neutral only

When the engine is started and before a gear is selected you should always place your foot on the brake

If you must drive in the rain you should know that one of the characteristics of the early Thunderbirds in spite of all new seals is they will leak

In 1956 models try not to use the spare tire in the continental kit it is difficult to remove and the paint will more than likely be damaged Carry a spare wheeltire (Mini) and jack in the trunk Carry a mini-spare in a 1955 also as it requires much less trunk space

It is recommended that the battery have a quick disconnect It should be used when the vehicle is not in use or for emergency disconnect

Engines run ok on regular gasoline but run better on higher octane

It is recommended that a fire extinguisher be carried in all older vehicles

Tops both hard and convertible are not user friendly They are difficult to remove and more difficult to properly latch when reinstalling If the hard top is removed for extended periods it has a tendency to widen between the rear side latches making it very difficult to engage the side alignment pins in the receptacles at the end of the rear garnish When folding the convertible top especially the first time get help from someone familiar with the procedure It is easy to damage the convertible top especially if the material is not pushed away from the side scissors and latch arms Always use two people when folding the convertible top

14

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

Expect some small oil leaks it is next to impossible to prevent some seepage from the engine transmission and power steering components Rear main seal leaks can be expected especially on the 312 engines Automatic transmission leaks can be expected if the vehicle is not frequently used

It is recommended that a drip pan be placed under the engine and transmission when the TrsquoBird is parked in the garage

The more the vehicle is used the better it performs

The automatic transmission normally shifts one time under normal driving conditions the transmission starts off in second and shifts into third gear It can be manually down shifted into first when necessary to accelerate from a low speed It can automatically be shifted into first at low speeds by flooring the accelerator pedal This procedure is not recommended because it places undue stress on the drive train

After a rebuild check the level of the brake fluid weekly at least for the first month of use and monthly thereafter

These cars were not originally equipped with air conditioning if the air-conditioning is used in slow traffic install an electric fan to augment the mechanical fan

The original temperature and Fuel gauges are not always accurate Installation of aftermarket gauges is recommended if you desire more accurate readings

15

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

From Sal Perrotta

The Classic Thunderbird was produced in 1955 1956 amp 1957

Some interesting fun facts as to what else was happening

1955AD TAGLINES Enchantment unlimitedthe new Ford THUNDERBIRD

NEWS EVENTS AND TRIVIA

RCA Victor offered a $35000 recording contract to Elvis Presley

The first McDonalds Restaurant opened

Lee Merriwether from California was Miss America

James Dean died in a single car crash at the age of 26

It cost $003 to mail a letter first class

People were going to the movies to see Picnic Rebel Without A Cause and East of Eden

1956

Even dreamier - even newerFord THUNDERBIRD for 56

1956 is generally regarded as the year rock and roll music began and the song Rock Around the

Clock by Bill Haley and The Comets is credited for starting it

Elvis Presley appears on the charts for the first time with Heartbreak Hotel

Grace Metaliouss book Peyton Place hits the best sellers list

The DNA molecule is photographed for the first time

The population of the United States was 168903031

16

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

1957 Adventures in motionthe Ford Family of Fine Cars

Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS television On October 31 1957

Toyota exports its first automobiles to the United States

Oklahoma celebrates its 50th anniversary since statehood in part by burying a brand new 1957 Plymouth Belvedere in an underground concrete vault in Tulsait is to be unearthed as part of the 100th anniversary celebrations in 2007

Cadillac debutes the Eldorado Brougham priced at $13074 it was the most expensive production car to date

The baby boom climaxed in 1957 with 42 million American babies born

From CTCI ARE YOU A MEMBER NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO

Classic Thunderbird Club InternationalToll Free 8004882709 bull PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116 USA1048579 bull Email ctciofficectciorg

Web site wwwctciorgMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINTName____________________________________________________Spousersquos Name______________________________________Mailing Address_______________________________________________________________________________________City_______________________________________________ StateProvince______________ ZipMail Code___________________Telephone (______) _____________________________ Email Address__________________________________________________CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any) _________________________________________________________________17

bull New members please fill out application and send payment (in US funds ONLY) to the address below

bull Make checks payable to CTCI or pay by credit card by email fax or phone

bull Mail to CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB INT PO Box 7393 North Kansas City MO 64116

Please select one of the following prorated amounts Month Joining One Time Initiation Fee + Dues = Total January thru March $1500 + $3750 = $5250 April thru June $1500 + $2900 = $4400 July thru September $1500 + $1900 = $3400 October thru December $1500 + $1000 = $2500 NOTE Add $1800 to select Premium Packet with CTCI Grill Emblem

Annual dues renewal will be $3750 payable January 1 of each yearSignature _______________________________Date ______ Check here 1048658 if you wish to be listed in the CTCI roster as of April 1stI give permission for my 1048658 phone number andor 1048658 email address to be listed in the CTCI roster(NOTE Phone numbers amp email are for office use only or for the roster if you choose to have it published Roster addresses may be sold only to T-Bird vendors to be used only for catalog purposesAre you a former member of CTCI 1048658 Yes 1048658 No If Yes what is your former CTCI membership number ________________

Sponsored or Referred by _______________________________________________ CTCI (if known) ________________

From From Sal Perrotta Reprinted from Gils Garage CTCI

The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places

FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

18

Photo 1 is from an original FoMoCo Trim and Sealer manual page 7-3556 showing the correct position for installation on the right front fender the right side is the only drawing in the trim and sealer manual

Photo 2 ornament part number 16228 right side correctly installed on a right front fender

Photo 3 ornament part number 16229 left side correctly installed on a left front fender

19

Photo 4 ornament part number 16228 being held below a correctly installed right side it flipped end for end which is very easy to do if bolted in place it would be incorrectly installed

Another way to determine proper installation is the top of the louvers have a straight connecting casting between the louvers

Gil Baumgartner

1955 or 1957 Thunderbirds were not supplied from the factory with continental kits

All 1955rsquos was 6 volt and were positive ground

All 1956 and 1957rsquos was 12 volt and installed with negative grounds

The battery on all Thunderbirds were installed with the positive terminal forward

All classic Thunderbirds with Automatic Transmissions will start in neutral only they will not start in park

All classic Thunderbirds were supplied with Holley carburetors All 55 amp 56rsquos had 4-barrel carburetors The 1957 offered a 2-barrel option

Backup lights will only work when the lights are on

Originally the doors and the ignition were operated by the same key The trunk and the glove box used the same key

20

Thunderbird Trivia

The front license plate bracket for the 1955 amp the 1956 mounts to the lower bolt on the passenger side bumperette

The glass in a Thunderbird was either all clear or all tinted including the hardtop

The flat glass was made by Ford and carried the FoMoCo logo The curved glass windshield and hardtop back glass was supplied by PPG and supported the PPG logo

All 1955 Thunderbirds had power seats

Deck mounted antennas were an option in 1957 only

Porthole hardtops were not available in 1955

A crest emblem was used on each side of the 1955 hardtop and a round T-Bird emblem was used on the non-porthole 57 hardtops No emblems were used on the 1956 tops or any porthole top

21

From Sal Perrotta

1 The car in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit was which of these models

A 1978 Pontiac Trans AmB 1978 Pontiac FirebirdC 1977 Chevrolet Camaro D 1977 Ford Mustang Fastback GT

2 In what year did the Ford Mustang make its debut

A 1957B 1960C 1964D 1968

3 What is not true about the Chevrolet Corvette

A It was first manufactured in 1953B It is built exclusively in Bowling Green KentuckyC It was the first American sports car built by an American manufacturer D It made its debut at the 1953 Worlds Fair

4 What was the last year that the classic Pontiac GTO was manufactured

A 1972B 1974C 1978D 1980

5 What is true about the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible

A The highest price ever paid for one at auction was $120000 B There was only 7 madeC The Plymouth Barracuda never came with a HemiD The engine was known to overheat and explode

6 What color was the last (as of 2002) Chevrolet Camaro to roll off the production line

A RedB BlackC GreenD White

22

Second ChanceNewsletter Car QUIZ

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

Photo 1 is from an original FoMoCo Trim and Sealer manual page 7-3556 showing the correct position for installation on the right front fender the right side is the only drawing in the trim and sealer manual

Photo 2 ornament part number 16228 right side correctly installed on a right front fender

Photo 3 ornament part number 16229 left side correctly installed on a left front fender

19

Photo 4 ornament part number 16228 being held below a correctly installed right side it flipped end for end which is very easy to do if bolted in place it would be incorrectly installed

Another way to determine proper installation is the top of the louvers have a straight connecting casting between the louvers

Gil Baumgartner

1955 or 1957 Thunderbirds were not supplied from the factory with continental kits

All 1955rsquos was 6 volt and were positive ground

All 1956 and 1957rsquos was 12 volt and installed with negative grounds

The battery on all Thunderbirds were installed with the positive terminal forward

All classic Thunderbirds with Automatic Transmissions will start in neutral only they will not start in park

All classic Thunderbirds were supplied with Holley carburetors All 55 amp 56rsquos had 4-barrel carburetors The 1957 offered a 2-barrel option

Backup lights will only work when the lights are on

Originally the doors and the ignition were operated by the same key The trunk and the glove box used the same key

20

Thunderbird Trivia

The front license plate bracket for the 1955 amp the 1956 mounts to the lower bolt on the passenger side bumperette

The glass in a Thunderbird was either all clear or all tinted including the hardtop

The flat glass was made by Ford and carried the FoMoCo logo The curved glass windshield and hardtop back glass was supplied by PPG and supported the PPG logo

All 1955 Thunderbirds had power seats

Deck mounted antennas were an option in 1957 only

Porthole hardtops were not available in 1955

A crest emblem was used on each side of the 1955 hardtop and a round T-Bird emblem was used on the non-porthole 57 hardtops No emblems were used on the 1956 tops or any porthole top

21

From Sal Perrotta

1 The car in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit was which of these models

A 1978 Pontiac Trans AmB 1978 Pontiac FirebirdC 1977 Chevrolet Camaro D 1977 Ford Mustang Fastback GT

2 In what year did the Ford Mustang make its debut

A 1957B 1960C 1964D 1968

3 What is not true about the Chevrolet Corvette

A It was first manufactured in 1953B It is built exclusively in Bowling Green KentuckyC It was the first American sports car built by an American manufacturer D It made its debut at the 1953 Worlds Fair

4 What was the last year that the classic Pontiac GTO was manufactured

A 1972B 1974C 1978D 1980

5 What is true about the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible

A The highest price ever paid for one at auction was $120000 B There was only 7 madeC The Plymouth Barracuda never came with a HemiD The engine was known to overheat and explode

6 What color was the last (as of 2002) Chevrolet Camaro to roll off the production line

A RedB BlackC GreenD White

22

Second ChanceNewsletter Car QUIZ

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

Photo 4 ornament part number 16228 being held below a correctly installed right side it flipped end for end which is very easy to do if bolted in place it would be incorrectly installed

Another way to determine proper installation is the top of the louvers have a straight connecting casting between the louvers

Gil Baumgartner

1955 or 1957 Thunderbirds were not supplied from the factory with continental kits

All 1955rsquos was 6 volt and were positive ground

All 1956 and 1957rsquos was 12 volt and installed with negative grounds

The battery on all Thunderbirds were installed with the positive terminal forward

All classic Thunderbirds with Automatic Transmissions will start in neutral only they will not start in park

All classic Thunderbirds were supplied with Holley carburetors All 55 amp 56rsquos had 4-barrel carburetors The 1957 offered a 2-barrel option

Backup lights will only work when the lights are on

Originally the doors and the ignition were operated by the same key The trunk and the glove box used the same key

20

Thunderbird Trivia

The front license plate bracket for the 1955 amp the 1956 mounts to the lower bolt on the passenger side bumperette

The glass in a Thunderbird was either all clear or all tinted including the hardtop

The flat glass was made by Ford and carried the FoMoCo logo The curved glass windshield and hardtop back glass was supplied by PPG and supported the PPG logo

All 1955 Thunderbirds had power seats

Deck mounted antennas were an option in 1957 only

Porthole hardtops were not available in 1955

A crest emblem was used on each side of the 1955 hardtop and a round T-Bird emblem was used on the non-porthole 57 hardtops No emblems were used on the 1956 tops or any porthole top

21

From Sal Perrotta

1 The car in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit was which of these models

A 1978 Pontiac Trans AmB 1978 Pontiac FirebirdC 1977 Chevrolet Camaro D 1977 Ford Mustang Fastback GT

2 In what year did the Ford Mustang make its debut

A 1957B 1960C 1964D 1968

3 What is not true about the Chevrolet Corvette

A It was first manufactured in 1953B It is built exclusively in Bowling Green KentuckyC It was the first American sports car built by an American manufacturer D It made its debut at the 1953 Worlds Fair

4 What was the last year that the classic Pontiac GTO was manufactured

A 1972B 1974C 1978D 1980

5 What is true about the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible

A The highest price ever paid for one at auction was $120000 B There was only 7 madeC The Plymouth Barracuda never came with a HemiD The engine was known to overheat and explode

6 What color was the last (as of 2002) Chevrolet Camaro to roll off the production line

A RedB BlackC GreenD White

22

Second ChanceNewsletter Car QUIZ

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

The front license plate bracket for the 1955 amp the 1956 mounts to the lower bolt on the passenger side bumperette

The glass in a Thunderbird was either all clear or all tinted including the hardtop

The flat glass was made by Ford and carried the FoMoCo logo The curved glass windshield and hardtop back glass was supplied by PPG and supported the PPG logo

All 1955 Thunderbirds had power seats

Deck mounted antennas were an option in 1957 only

Porthole hardtops were not available in 1955

A crest emblem was used on each side of the 1955 hardtop and a round T-Bird emblem was used on the non-porthole 57 hardtops No emblems were used on the 1956 tops or any porthole top

21

From Sal Perrotta

1 The car in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit was which of these models

A 1978 Pontiac Trans AmB 1978 Pontiac FirebirdC 1977 Chevrolet Camaro D 1977 Ford Mustang Fastback GT

2 In what year did the Ford Mustang make its debut

A 1957B 1960C 1964D 1968

3 What is not true about the Chevrolet Corvette

A It was first manufactured in 1953B It is built exclusively in Bowling Green KentuckyC It was the first American sports car built by an American manufacturer D It made its debut at the 1953 Worlds Fair

4 What was the last year that the classic Pontiac GTO was manufactured

A 1972B 1974C 1978D 1980

5 What is true about the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible

A The highest price ever paid for one at auction was $120000 B There was only 7 madeC The Plymouth Barracuda never came with a HemiD The engine was known to overheat and explode

6 What color was the last (as of 2002) Chevrolet Camaro to roll off the production line

A RedB BlackC GreenD White

22

Second ChanceNewsletter Car QUIZ

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

From Sal Perrotta

1 The car in the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit was which of these models

A 1978 Pontiac Trans AmB 1978 Pontiac FirebirdC 1977 Chevrolet Camaro D 1977 Ford Mustang Fastback GT

2 In what year did the Ford Mustang make its debut

A 1957B 1960C 1964D 1968

3 What is not true about the Chevrolet Corvette

A It was first manufactured in 1953B It is built exclusively in Bowling Green KentuckyC It was the first American sports car built by an American manufacturer D It made its debut at the 1953 Worlds Fair

4 What was the last year that the classic Pontiac GTO was manufactured

A 1972B 1974C 1978D 1980

5 What is true about the 1971 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda convertible

A The highest price ever paid for one at auction was $120000 B There was only 7 madeC The Plymouth Barracuda never came with a HemiD The engine was known to overheat and explode

6 What color was the last (as of 2002) Chevrolet Camaro to roll off the production line

A RedB BlackC GreenD White

22

Second ChanceNewsletter Car QUIZ

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

7 In what year did the Plymouth Fury first come available as a convertible

A 1957B 1958C 1959D 1960

8 The Chevelle Malibu SS came with one of the most powerful engines in muscle car history the 454 in LS6 How much horsepower did it have

A 372 HpB 402 HpC 450 HpD 822 Hp

9 What year did the Ford Thunderbolt make its debut

A 1957B 1959C 1964D 1966

How many Dodge Chargers were used in the original Dukes of Hazard television show

A 57B 309C 570D 1009

Question Answer

1 A2 C3 D4 B5 B6 A7 D8 C9 C10 B

23

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car

24

Member DateEllen Bruckner 14Lou Realmuto

15

Sonni Paci 15Betty Pickios 16Joe Nolan 19Robert Groen 117Benjamin Volpicello 118John Fink 120Jim Mezey 126Linda Faust 126Lynne Van Name 127Lynn Van Name 127Joseph Ciervo 131

• The reason this article is being written is because of the ease of installing these ornaments upside down as observed in various pictures that appear in the Early bird as well as other places
• FoMoCo referred to these parts as ornaments part number 16228-A right side and 16229-A left side Thunderbird owners sometimes refer to them as louvers or hash marks They are not interchangeable from left to right fenders but they can be installed upside down on each fender because of the casting and alignment of the mount studs Think of these ornaments as being louvers that exit toward the rear of the car