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Poll: Why did you restore a Squarebird??

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  • JohnG
    John
    • Jul 28 2003
    • 2341

    Poll: Why did you restore a Squarebird??

    hi everyone!
    George touched on this in another thread. . .

    What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?

    How long have you been at it?

    What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?

    What would you pass on to others?

    John
    1958 Hardtop
    #8452 TBird Registry
    http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

    photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
    history:
    http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm
  • YellowRose
    Super-Experienced


    • Jan 21 2008
    • 17188

    #2
    Poll: Why did you restore a Squarebird??

    Why did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?

    Because a Squarebird would fit in my garage and a '59 Caddy Coup de Ville would not.. Also, it was a car I wanted to buy in '59 when it came out, but being a three striper in the Air Force, I could not afford it then. I liked the style.

    How long have you been at it?

    8 months.

    What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?

    Not many unexpected pleasures, except it is well received when I do get to drive it or show it off. No disasters, as such, but there have been a lot of things on it that need or needed to be fixed. It has cost me much more than I expected.

    What would you pass on to others?

    If you can do a lot of the work yourself, go for it. If you can't, due to lack of ability, knowledge, funds, buy one that has already been pretty well restored and enjoy it.

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

    Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
    The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
    Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
    Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
    https://faye.rayclark.info/index.html

    Comment

    • tbird430
      Super-Experienced
      • Jun 18 2007
      • 2648

      #3
      What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?
      I had just finished helping my father restoring his '59 Ford Galaxie 500, I was then bit by the need for a classic Ford for myself. I looked through books and notice the T-Bird was the flagship car of that time, so the hunt began.

      How long have you been at it?
      Since 1992.

      What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?
      A continued bonding with my father. Furthermore, it is a great feeling to be at a red light in town and see the elderly couple next to me give the ol "thumbs up". No disasters (knock on wood), but parts for these 430cids are EXPENSIVE and sometimes hard to find.

      What would you pass on to others?
      Take ur time, "Thunderbirding" can be an expensive endeavor, yet very rewarding. Try and buy the most complete/running/restored Thunderbird as u can afford up front 1st; It will save u more cash down the road. POST US UR PICTURES!!!
      Last edited by tbird430; July 19, 2008, 04:10 PM.
      sigpic
      The 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The WORLD'S most wanted car....

      VTCI Member#6287.

      Comment

      • Guest

        #4
        Why restore the squarebird.
        My Father owned a 59 HT in the 60s I really loved it.And when on my way home I saw the Red Bird in a guys yard for sale,I parked my 18 wheeler on the side of the road and gave him a deposit.

        How long have you been at it.
        2 years this August.

        Any unexpected pleasures or disasters.
        I really did not know how many people appreciate the classics.I have seen people almost run into the ditch when they drive by my house,trying to get a look at her.I have had a lot of people pull in the drive and come to the door and ask if they can take a look at her.
        No real disasters to speak of.A lot of scratchs and a few scars.She has only been on a hook once,because I got a little sloppy and mounting the tranny cooling lines to close the the fan belt.

        TAKE YOUR TIME.Only work on the Bird when you really feel like it,complete one task at a time,and when she starts getting on your nerves,let it sit for a while.And last is DRIVE IT.I drove the Red Bird to the golf course today even tho it was 95 deg on the way home.NO AC.But I rolled down all the windows and enjoyed the ride.

        Comment

        • Penelope
          Super-Experienced
          • Mar 4 2008
          • 670

          #5
          What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?
          I guess it was love at first sight. She was large but graceful, finned yet not pretentiously so, curvy but svelte and powerful yet not obnoxiously so. In short, a classy peice that promised plenty of good times although you knew she was going to make you pay...hmmm, reminds me of something else.

          How long have you been at it?
          One year and loving it.

          What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?
          Some one else said it was one thing after another, to which I agree, but it has become an obsession. Now it's not disappointment that greets a new problem, rather , a challenge to get it sorted! The pleasure comes with every drive, and the thumbs up and admiring, respectful glances from everyone.

          What would you pass on to others?
          Enjoy your baby, no matter what skill level you have personally, always get her pampered with the best you can afford.
          sigpicBill
          Thunderbird Registry 21903 & 33405

          Comment

          • JohnG
            John
            • Jul 28 2003
            • 2341

            #6
            What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars? As a kid in the mid 60, my father had one and it was the first car I ever drove. I thought it was a classy car then. Loved the center console for some reason. Always wanted to buy my own (or track his down). In 2003 I found a 58 which was identical in color and all details to his so I bought it for $5200 on Ebay from a guy in PA. Turned out to look great due to a good paint job and everything wa worn out as it had 150K miles or so... But I could drive it while restoring it so we got alot of enjoyment out of it no matter the mechanical state.

            How long have you been at it?
            Since May 2003

            What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters? After I got the dash replaced and the bumpers rechromed, bringing it up to about a "3" for condition, it was like going around with a celebrity or something. It always draws attention. People want to photograph it. To car collectors, it is the mistake Ford made with the 2 seater. To the man on the street it is a beautiful design in its own right and brings back fond memories for many people.

            I have personally enjoyed tackling all the little projects within it and doing what I could to "do it right".

            What would you pass on to others?
            You can put yourself into the car and be part of why it is, in 2008, a great car. You can learn alot, have alot of fun, and show others that in 1958, Ford did not make a mistake, they simply introduced a beautiful design, independent of what came before.
            1958 Hardtop
            #8452 TBird Registry
            http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

            photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
            history:
            http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

            Comment

            • RustyNCa
              Super-Experienced
              • May 31 2007
              • 1370

              #7
              Answers

              [quote=JohnG;23548]hi everyone!
              George touched on this in another thread. . .

              What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?

              A patient of my fathers wanted to give him one of his cars/tractors as a gift, dad wasn't really interested so he took me along, so I chose the 58 TBird over a 65 C10 Truck and an old tractor. My dad didn't see the potential in the car, me, well, I thought it had possiblities.

              Basically...... I got the car for free


              How long have you been at it?

              Got the car in May of 2006, so just over 2 years.

              What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?

              Started out knowing nothing about tbirds, was always a GM guy, well, I have come to really like the birds I have. I have been impressed by the design and way the car was put together. Disasters, yes, didn't know about the oil pump shaft and umbrella seals in the FE blocks, after losing a pump shaft, the orginal never touched motor sits in the corner of my garage..


              What would you pass on to others?

              It's a good car to restore, not run of the mill like all the BelAirs, 30's Coupes, Camaro's etc. Even as rough as mine is all I get is compliments on it.

              Comment

              • byersmtrco
                Super-Experienced
                • Sep 28 2004
                • 1839

                #8
                My father bought the 60 conv I have (brand new). It was his every day car for 25 yrs. Then a weekend car after that. We went everywhere in that car. Tahoe (several times) Disneyland (twice). He took all the boy scouts when I was that age. when I was an infant, my 1st ride home from the hospital was in the TB.(No that I can remember that)


                The other reason is, I really like frustrating projects, banging my head into cement walls at every turn . . . NA!!! Kidding!

                A Chevy would have been allot easier . . . and cheaper !!!!

                Comment

                • Anders
                  Super-Experienced
                  • Jan 19 2008
                  • 2213

                  #9
                  What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars? Have to blame a Matchbox or Corgi Toys toy as a kid I guess. Or that the design affected me already as a kid. Have ALWAYS loved the Squarebirds without knowing why. Every time I saw one, it just hit me in my stomac. The design is just adressing pure style, sportyness and power.

                  How long have you been at it?
                  Since Feb 2008

                  What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters? The choke fooled me for a while in the beginning, giving me heavy explosions that totally blowed away the exhausts. But with cars like these, you learn quick. Pleasures? I love watching her, and I love driving her.
                  What would you pass on to others?
                  If you want to drive in style, you better get yourself a Squarebird.


                  Edit: It´s a bit complicated sometimes to get the colours right. After 3 attemts, I give up...

                  Anders: when you get into the Editor, take the "Go Advanced" option and you can just pick the colors off the menu without having to deal with HTML code - John G
                  Last edited by JohnG; July 22, 2008, 09:50 AM.
                  sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
                  http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?

                    Always been partial to Fords. When these cars came out I thought the rear lights were so cool, the seats were so "upscale". Time went on and they faded while I pretty much memorized all of the Ford models and most of the Ch**y models of the 60's like most boys may age (except for the occasional diversion to Mopars), dreaming about driving them.

                    About the age of 50 (mid-life crisis?), I was on my way to a dental appointment and my Squarebird was along the side of the road with a For Sale sign. Went back to look at the cool old car, and kept going back until I talked with the owner and made a deal.

                    Unfortuanately, I have not had it on the road. The previous owner drove it, but I have not as I want to fix up the rockers first. My current diversion is the barn (see Anything Goes).

                    How long have you been at it?

                    I have had it 3 or so years.

                    What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters??

                    I am amazed at the interest and excitement people have about it and it is not even on the road..........

                    What would you pass on to others??

                    Do it - which ever way you can - a fixxer upper, a driver, whatever. They take you back to a nostalgic time, an escape from the smooth noiseless unemotional way of todays cars. It you want to kick it up a notch get a stump pulling pick-up from 10 years before........

                    John

                    Comment

                    • Anders
                      Super-Experienced
                      • Jan 19 2008
                      • 2213

                      #11
                      WoW! I am hacked!
                      Thank´s John
                      sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
                      http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

                      Comment

                      • dgs
                        Super-Experienced
                        • Feb 13 2003
                        • 962

                        #12
                        What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?

                        It wasn't my choice, really. I was partial to GM growing up, never liked Fords. I always loved grandpa's Squarebird though and when he passed on, I ended up with it. Wasn't in the market for a toy car yet, in fact had no $$ for one. Because this was an inheritance, it was doable. BTW - Not really restoring it, just trying to stay ahead of the problems so I can keep driving it!

                        How long have you been at it?

                        She came to live with me in June of 2000. Been in the family since 1978, but Grandpa didn't do a lot with it. Had the top worked on (some of which I've had to redo), the power windows repaired (not working again) and the dash replaced. I've done a lot more - brakes, wheels & tires, refinish interior, rebuild the front end, repair top hydraulics.

                        What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?

                        Disasters? None, although I came too close for comfort to hitting a deer a couple of weeks ago. Plenty of challenges. Getting the ball stud out of the PS control valve for one, the leaking decklid cylinders, the top that's slowly disintegrating. That doesn't matter much as the top goes down in the spring and stays down until fall.

                        I truly didn't expect how relaxing it is to drive through the country with the top down on a warm summer night. Nothing better after a stressful day. Nothing.

                        What would you pass on to others?
                        DGS (aka salguod)
                        1960 Convertible - Raven Black, Red leather
                        www.salguod.net

                        Comment

                        • fomoco59
                          Super-Experienced
                          • Jun 10 2005
                          • 729

                          #13
                          What did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?
                          I also grew up on GM cars, mostly Pontiacs, but I married into a Ford family in '78. Father-in-law gave me a '59 Ford wagon to play with and I was hooked. After researching Fords more, I loved the '59 Squarebird and the search was on.

                          How long have you been at it?
                          I sold the wagon in 1990 after locating a drivable '59 TBird locally. Hickory Tan and white , which I changed to red. So, over the last 18 yrs I've had Eight TBirds (3 Square)


                          What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?
                          No disasters, other than blowing a water pump on the hiway in a downpour (wipers hardly working) and getting a flat a car show (leaky wire wheel).

                          Pleasures are countless as I was a car-show nut for many years.. I must have 50 trophys. Now I just drive it alot. Won 2nd Junior at an AACA show in '07, and now it's sitting in a museum. I've met hundreds of interesting people, gained a few good friends and then there's this gang of great guys on this website....

                          What would you pass on to others?
                          I dunno... don't get discouraged...it's worth the trouble.
                          sigpic
                          Mike Lemmon
                          '59 Raven Black Hardtop

                          http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=2461

                          Comment

                          • Guest

                            #14
                            Why did you decide to restore a Squarebird vs other cars?
                            Loved the lines and the uniqueness of these cars and Thunderbirds interiors are 2nd to none in my opinion.

                            How long have you been at it?
                            Bought El Guapo on father's day '07 and Chiquita April of '08

                            What unexpected pleasures or successes has it brought? Any disasters?
                            Didn't expect to land a convertible.(had to have been good karma,built a big shed for my mom that weekend in the pouring rain and found Guapo on the way home).
                            Though rough(mold Mildew rats rats nests and poop,blown head and exhaust gasket) Guapo had a 390 w/C6 that I rebuilt,Disk brakes,60's custom interior,60's taillights, filled emblem holes but took little work(with help from ya'll) to get him running solid and on the cover of a Seattle magizine.

                            Chiquita I got a great deal on and really haven't put too much into her but she's getting a top end rebuild this weekend.15" wheels,wide whites and some very cool wheel covers.
                            Possibly a t-10 trans.

                            What would you pass on to others?

                            When looking for a car to restore make shure everything is there and be patient..The right car will come and if you have to strech the budget a little... do it..Hobbies are one of the key's to enjoying life which is way too short!
                            And drive it and enjoy it!

                            Comment

                            • JohnG
                              John
                              • Jul 28 2003
                              • 2341

                              #15
                              hey! We just gotta see a scanned in version of that Seattle cover!!!

                              john
                              1958 Hardtop
                              #8452 TBird Registry
                              http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

                              photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
                              history:
                              http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

                              Comment

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