1958-60 Thunderbird Junior body from original mold

[roadkillontheweb]

Here is the first body to be produced from the original factory molds in approx 40 years! It is raw from the mold in black gel coat with mold lines still showing. Ready to be sanded and painted.

The original body mold would be 50 years old since it was produced in 1957 to make Junior cars for announcement days festivities in late 1957 for the 1958 model year cars.

for the 1960 cars there was an overlay that covered this pattern and had three taillights. I am working on making a reproduction for that now.

This is an early attempt that is just a little too tall. The taillights and headlights are functional!!

It is reproduced with great detail and the master mold was done by Ford motor company stylists.

Here is an original article from Ford Times magazine in 1959 that shows the clay mold buck and a completed body that was made with the mold that I now own.

I also make the steering wheel, windshield, headlight lenses and I am working on the taillight lenses now. I do not make frames yet but if you can then you can make a miniature version of your car that most normal size adults can fit in and drive. Or you can give it to the Grandkids to get them interested in the hobby?

If you are not familiar with Thunderbird Juniors you can learn more about them on my website http://www.jrcentral.com

[Guest]

That is sooo coooool

[bcomo]

John:

That looks like a Baby El Guapo -- You need one of those

[dgs]

That is sooo coooool

Yep, exactly what I was going to say, coooool. I want one. How much? I'm sure it's more than I can spend on a toy that I have no room for. Still ....

Do you have the bumper molds for the specific years?

[roadkillontheweb]

Yep, exactly what I was going to say, coooool. I want one. How much? I'm sure it's more than I can spend on a toy that I have no room for. Still ....

Do you have the bumper molds for the specific years?

I have been lucky enough to find and purchase the body and bumper molds for the following cars.
1957 Thunderbird

and the 1965-66 Mustang

and of course the 58-60 Thunderbird.
I also can make the 66 T-bird front bumper but no others.
What year Junior do you need a bumper for? If you mean differences in the 58-60 bumper the answer is no. They did not change the bumpers.

All of the prices are isted on the resources page of my website.

[Guest]

Guapo's mini me

[roadkillontheweb]

I went ahead and put a body on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290168369917

It might not sell there but you can not beat the world wide advertising dollar that Ebay gets you.

You can also see some original images in the sale ad!

[Guest]

Let me be the first to get things rolling.Just put in a bid.
What do these run bare bones?

[roadkillontheweb]

Let me be the first to get things rolling.Just put in a bid.
What do these run bare bones?

Prices for all the parts I currently have available are listed on this webpage.

http://www.jrcentral.com/resources.html

I am still working on the taillights and 1960 backing plates but they will be available.

[roadkillontheweb]

Thought you guys might enjoy this?
This guy in Winnipeg Canada sent me pictures and a video of his 1958 Thunderbird JR. He said he found it with the frame rusted through and the body broke in half from a tree falling on it.
They built a custom chassis and it looks like it was pretty much a regular go kart chassis with center steering and the rear of the body high in the air rather than cutting out the wheel wells (have seen that done a lot)

The bumpers look like they are chrome plated but he says it is a new type of chrome paint? Either way they look great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8cdqXwDJY

[bcomo]

That is so cool.

Is there a chance that you could find out what the name is of that Chrome Paint? I am in serious need of that.

Thanks

[roadkillontheweb]

That is so cool.

Is there a chance that you could find out what the name is of that Chrome Paint? I am in serious need of that.

Thanks

Your in luck!
He actually sent me a link to the website.

http://www.sprayonchrome.com/index2.html

[bcomo]

Thank you very much.

[Guest]

I bid on it as well, My 6yr old would love to have a tbird like dad's!

[roadkillontheweb]

1960 Thunderbird junior taillights progress

I thought you guys might be inerested in seeing the progress on the 1960 Thunderbird Junior taillight lens and bezels that I am working on?

Here are all of the final pieces loose fit together. I have some final trimming and then I can start gluing the pieces together. After that I will have to fill in any gaps and do any final smoothing before I make the final mold.

I am sure these are more accurate to the full size detail than the originals but I have also never found an original that has survived. The taillights will be vacuum formed and will stick in from the backside where there is a recessed lip to fit and hold them in place. They will come in clear plastic and will need to be painted translucent red and white to match the full size. The bezel and backplate will come as one solid piece that will need painted or chrome plated?

I sure hope I sell more than one set because this project has been one heck of a lot of work!