Assembly worker contacted on last Thunderbird!!!

[Guest]

So there ya go, Folks! That is my story and I am sticking to it!

Ray, WOW!, hats off to both you and Greg. You guys are like the best bird dogs ever! Somehow Ray, you really do need to digest all of this information, re-format it and write yourself a book on this story, co-author with Greg, publish it and offer it for sale on the merchandise link to this forum. I will be looking forward to your literary prowess.

[trim code 76]

well folks, this has been the most I have learned about cars in a long , long time. I will send to Ray the pics of the car when it is done being painted. Unfortunately I am now VERY nervious to drive the car!! Only back roads for sure now and limited miles. I still have one more person to call from the plant so it may not be quite over yet. Again thanks all, how do we top this....... Ok who has the first one?????? Now that would be totally cool!!
Greg (actually have a break at work!!)

[trim code 76]

Mike,
Your black 59 bird is beautiful!!!!!!!
Greg

[Coral]

Itz Mz. Watson if you please....or Batwoman, whichever will do, Ray happens to know me by both, LOL

Since this thread started, and I had some pages copied out of library book (40yrs of thunder) and just happened to capture 2 of the 3 pages on Gene's article that was reproduced there-in, I went looking for peoples names and numbers, email info.
I gave the phone numbers of the people that I couldn't find e-addies on to Ray since he is a gentleman among the highest elite (also has a great calling plan) and if anyone has spoken with him knows he is a trustworthy, warm hearted soul....someone, anyone... a person could talk to out of the clear blue sky, for hours on end!

I have suggested a book to Ray already, twice; the name:
Thunderbirds Greatest Hits

Ray's BRILLIANT idea to contact the writer at the newspaper was indeed the straw that broke the camel's back on holding out on secrets for us...I know I am a recent member, however I do feel the great sense of open arms, and camaraderie that one doesn't find on just ANY forum, but when folks are handing out badges for detective work, just want my name added to the 'B' list of the dawgs....LOL


Pity I can't get my spell check to work on IE while using the smilies program, so will have to edit this later in case the fingers were faster than the brain -

[fomoco59]

Mike,
Your black 59 bird is beautiful!!!!!!!
Greg

Thanks! I think it was the LAST 59 built ! ...(just kidding)

[YellowRose]

Assembly worker contacted on last Thunderbird!!!

Please don't get me started on the last '59 or the last '58 built! Lol... I am still gathering information on how they did things on the line! I have another person to talk with shortly about that! I also hope to make contact with someone in the Budd Body Company who is still breathing and can shed some light on how they built the shells and panels for our Birds, and the SS ones!

[Coral]

Oh come on Ray.... where's your sense of adventure?

[Rockin Kev]

last Squarebird

Greg,
Some extra info on the Golde cars would be nice to know, but as i have DRIVEN the last Squarebird Built i feel very warm inside.

So just confirmation that the Golde cars had there own fitting line would be nice to know.

Did i say you lucky sod!! i will be reminding you on quite a regular basis now but the next time i drive your car mate make sure i am not driving to Vancouver BC for there export port, with a nice little steel container with my name on it bound for the UK.

Would i????...lol

Kev.

[trim code 76]

First regarding Rockin Kev..............A word to the wise "NEVER TRUST THE BRITISH!!!!!!" LOL (so as nobody is affended, Kevin and myself are very good friends in case you could not tell!) Ok, I just went up to see the car after being painted. All I can say again is WOW! A fantastic job of recreating a factory paint job!! the attention to detail in recreating the factory look of correct type of "runs and folds" in the paint in the door jambs and under the trunk and hood. He recreated them where they were before and made them look just right. A VERY talented man. It still needs to be rubbed out. He said painting old school enamel without clear coat (single stage ) is VERY HARD IN METALIC. There is no room for errors! I sent the pics to Ray so hopefully they will be on the website soon, that is if we can get Ray to actually do something on this site!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!! I just got done talking to the lady who did the imfamous newspaper article and she is going to do a taped interview of a conversation with the guy we talked about on the assembly line!!!!! It will be posted!!!!! Everybody get ready to copy that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excited today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greg
Ray, I just recieved word that there are now ten car clubs that want you to investigate who has the last car made on 13 different makes. I will send you the list shortly. Hello? ......Ray.....are you there?.......Ray?........................................... ................................ somebody call 911!!!LOL

[Coral]

Just the Last ones?

pish....LOL

[YellowRose]

Assembly worker contacted on last Thunderbird!!!

Just so ya'll know, I am traveling this weekend into next. Greg, I might not be able to post your pix until I get back, but I will.. Kev, in answer to your questions regarding Golde Tops, here is what Bob had to say about them.. I do not know at which stage the cars went through water testing. I gather after they had come off the line, and they went though road testing also..

Ray, As I remember all golde tops came down the line with the rest of the birds,as they were all run through the water test booth. The ones that leaked were set aside for water test repair in a separate area. Golde tops were invented in Germany and later became American Sunroof and owner was Heinz Prector. He later committed suicide. American Sunroof was in a separate factory across the street. Employees would drive the cars over to them. Later we did the sunroofs in our own plant. The unit was made by a company called Webasco near Flint mi. and sent to our plant for installation.--BOB

[Rockin Kev]

time is a vertue

First regarding Rockin Kev..............A word to the wise "NEVER TRUST THE BRITISH!!!!!!" LOL (so as nobody is affended, Kevin and myself are very good friends in case you could not tell!) Ok, I just went up to see the car after being painted. All I can say again is WOW! A fantastic job of recreating a factory paint job!! the attention to detail in recreating the factory look of correct type of "runs and folds" in the paint in the door jambs and under the trunk and hood. He recreated them where they were before and made them look just right. A VERY talented man. It still needs to be rubbed out. He said painting old school enamel without clear coat (single stage ) is VERY HARD IN METALIC. There is no room for errors! I sent the pics to Ray so hopefully they will be on the website soon, that is if we can get Ray to actually do something on this site!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!! I just got done talking to the lady who did the imfamous newspaper article and she is going to do a taped interview of a conversation with the guy we talked about on the assembly line!!!!! It will be posted!!!!! Everybody get ready to copy that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excited today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Greg
Ray, I just recieved word that there are now ten car clubs that want you to investigate who has the last car made on 13 different makes. I will send you the list shortly. Hello? ......Ray.....are you there?.......Ray?........................................... ................................ somebody call 911!!!LOL

Never trust the British???.. i remember a certain gentleman taking Rachel and myself to a nice quite restaurant in up sate Washington a place called Port Townsend, a funky Fish Restaurant with a twist.
Word to the wise Never go to a place with someone with strange dress sense!!!!..so do i post pictures?...hmmm i think not!..lol 2010 Mr Prince cannot come quick enough for me and OUR road trip in the UK.
Kev

[frank58]

I wish Alexander was here for this history making info...........
Great work guys.

[Dan Leavens]

Frank58 yes Alexander would have been extremely proud about two (2) things. One (1) that this site has grown tremendously in size both daily / weekly usage and member count and two (2) the very talented and dedicated members that have kept this site and his legacy alive.I am sure he is smiling that Yellowrose and others have taken the lead.

[trim code 76]

dan,
I could not have put it better myself! Well done!
Greg. T minus 4 days until the bird is back in her "cage"!!
Greg