1958-60 Thunderbird Junior body from original mold

[roadkillontheweb]

Guess I never did update this thread when I finished the 1960 Thunderbird JR taillight lens and bezel project. Here it is. Or at least 2/3rds of it so you can see the detail.

The back piece and everything is formed as one piece and there are screws cast into the assembly to allow for mounting. Once the lenses and bezel are painted the whole assembly is mounted to the body over the taillight bulbs. Yes you could even do a back up lenses. The lenses are done in clear plastic so they can be painted with translucent red paint to give that realistic red tint to the lens for the operating lights.

I also don't think I have updated the thread since frames have become available? Check the Youtube video for the frames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-X1i8t9zY4

When I get another body order for this body I will post a video for the 58-60 body on Youtube also.

[Dakota Boy]

holy smokes

those little cars are cool

[YellowRose]

1958-60 Thunderbird Junior body from original mold

I was really pleased to see Lee posting again regarding his progress with the Tbird Junior cars! There is a whole section that covers the Junior cars that Lee has been working on. There are three pages of postings in it for those who want to read up on Tbird and other Junior cars. They played an important part in advertising the Tbirds in their early years. Here is the link.

http://www.squarebirds.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6736&highlight=Thunderbird+Junior

[roadkillontheweb]

I have been rather busy lately with making new molds and just life in general. I had some hits from this thread to my server today so i took a look and saw that I never updated the thread.

[Paulie9fingers]

AWESOME !!!!!!!

[roadkillontheweb]

It has not happened yet but I am sure some day someone will take one of my Squarebird bodies and do it with a Larry Watson type paint job or a SoCal low rider theme. This brings up the question how would you do hydraulics and flame throwers on a junior?

[roadkillontheweb]

I just found an original image of the body mold being made.

I believe that the gentleman doing the work is Charles Stobar with Ford styling

[roadkillontheweb]

Found another image of a 1959 that appears to be the grand prize in a drawing? It is a gas powered version, you can tell by the opening trunk lid that the electric powered versions did not have. The drive train would have been a Clinton motor.

[tbird430]

Very cool.....

[roadkillontheweb]

There is a nice original condition 1959 1/4 scale on Ebay right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderbird-Junior-1959-Powercar-Serial-4350-/190856741909

[roadkillontheweb]

1959 Thunderbird JR 3/8 scale parts in the works.
I am currently working on reproduction grille insert and taillights for the larger 1959 Thunderbird JR bodies. Should be done here shortly.

[roadkillontheweb]

The 1959 Thunderbird JR taillight bezel and lens assembly and the grille insert are done.


Next thing I want to do is make the 1960 grille insert for the 3/8 scale version.

[Anders]

Looks GREAT! It make me very glad to see that these cars are taken well care of. Thumbs UP!

[roadkillontheweb]

I am working on the 1960 Grille insert now and the 1959 door spears? (not sure what they are called). I also discovered that the bumpers guards on the Junior cars were side specific so I borrowed an original passenger side and now make a left and right front bumper guard pairs. I have the images on facebook now but should have them hosted soon so that I can share them elsewhere.

[roadkillontheweb]

If you are on Facebook you can watch as a pair of 1959 Thunderbird JR cars get built from reproduction parts. They will be driven by electric motor with 48V Nicad batteries and will run much faster than originals. https://www.facebook.com/1959tbirdjrbuild