'58 Tbird W/Opera Windows!

[YellowRose]

'58 Tbird W/Opera Windows!

I also like the looks of the Opera Windows on your Squarebird and wish mine had them also. It certainly does improve the look of the C pillar, I think. It is interesting that Ford was considering keeping the Opera Window in effect on the Squarebirds, as evidenced by the three picture mock ups I posted showing one of the models with the windows in place.

I suspect that someone in marketing said no, we want to make the Squarebirds look entirely different. So they decided not to use them. It is to bad they didn't. I like them..

[tbird430]

Maybe it was a "cost cutting measure"- kind of like reusing the same '57 little bird drum brakes on our bigger, heavier Square Birds.....

-Jon

[YellowRose]

'58 Tbird W/Opera Windows!

Shortly after Marco joined us, I started talking with the second owner of his Tbird. Unfortunately, the first and third owners have both since passed away. However, the second owner was able to give me a lot of information about it. Including the fact that he had it re-painted it's present color. Then he said he found some pictures of what it looked like when he first bought it. He send me several 35mm film strips. Finding someone who could still process 1970's-1980's 35mm film strips was interesting, since those do not have the sprocket holes on the sides. After making several stops at photo processing places, no one could do these anymore. It turns out that Walgreen was able to do it manually. So they put the pix on a CD for me and I took them off, downsized them, and sent them to the previous owner and Marco. Marco was very happy to get them. Now he knows what his Tbird used to look like before he bought her. And now you will also... Here are several shots taken about 1984. This is old film, so a lot of the color has been lost from the background. Notice that in these shots the car still had its side and front Tbird emblems.

[Penelope]

Great work as usual Ray, you always go that extra mile! I think it looks fabulous with the opera windows and I would ahve to say that it looks better red than the original color, there is more of a contrast with the roof. Great car!

[Dan Leavens]

Ray great work on getting the original pixs of Marco's Tbird and the fact that these are original pixs taken. I am sure Marco appreciates the " extra bonus " that one of the owners was down your way and you went to see him. This is another testament of just how good this site is and it's members comittments.

Dano Calgary,Alberta Canada

[frank58]

Can anyone tell what the emblems are next to the porthole windows?... they are not there in the newer photos.


Ooops, nevermind, they are the Tbird emblems..... I'm so blind.

[saverio]

Nice Boat

Great looking car,I love the porthole windows. Don't know which color I liked best?
When i was growing up, the local referral to a nice car was that's some boat. I thought it was fitting due to the porthole windows.

Great job on the interior too.

Proud to own a T-Bird!

Sal

[dgs]

Interesting detective work. How did you go about tracking down the prior owners? My car came from Los Angeles and I've often wondered if I could find the original owners. Of course, since my Grandfather bought the car from them in 1978, I'd be surprised if they were still with us. I think I have a name and maybe an address somewhere ...

On the portholes, I have to dissent. I prefer the solid 'B' pillar. I will say that replacing the wide chrome under the porthole with something narrower would help balance the look in my opinion.