1956 Ford Thunderbird

I have not had an update since October 11, 2018. Why? I lost my place with the body shop due to the mechanic taking an extra 5 weeks before removing the engine, engine bay parts, and the transmission. The car sat for 5 months at the body shop before work commenced again. About 98% of the body work is complete with primer on most of the car. The windshield was removed and I sanded all of the scratches out but I am not pleased with the results. There is one spot, right in the middle that I had to go what appears to be too deep. I can see the spot where I sanded and I don't like it. Most likely I will have a new one installed. Both doors are in the glass shop having the inside parts installed after having them out so the inside could be painted. I am about a week away from having them back to the body shop. The car has been totally rewired, bumper to bumper. A picture of the old wiring is shown below. The electrician did a good job. I paid $900.00 for his service. I was well pleased with the wiring kit I purchased. The instructions were outstanding. A first year electrician most likely could have followed the directions, they were so clear. When the seat was removed, the seat frame was fairly rusty. The body shop media blasted it and was then primed and painted black. Unable to upload a picture due to message that doing so would exceed web site maximum MB. I would hope I can do it another time. Waiting on chrome shop to call for the bumpers. It has now been 7 months and the lady told me today that I am now 5th in line and it may be another couple of months before they call. She said their orders have been large and taking longer than expected. My bumpers have some flaking but no repair is required. I have contracted an upholstery shop to do the interior. I purchased a vinyl set due to the OEM embossment on the back rest. With the seat frame out and painted, the seat cover will be the first to be installed in the interior. Hope to have you an update soon as we near the end.

It is now October 11, 2018 and I am just now feeling good enough to give you an update on my restoration. Only the engine bay has been painted so the engine and transmission can be installed so the body man can move the car at will since he has other commitments for some smaller jobs to which I totally understand. He works out of a shop behind his house. He retired with 40 years of service in a paint and body shop here in Evans, GA. So when the mechanic took the heads off the engine he knew the engine had been recently overhauled and nothing further had to be done. Most likely overhauled by the owner previous to the one I purchased it from. The previous owner told me that the man who he purchased it from was grumpy and did not supply much information to him. I thought I had someone lined up during my illness to take before and after pictures. Good luck with that one. I have some finish pictures that I will share of the painted motor and transmission (T-Bird red). Several new parts were purchased such as starter, master cylinder, blower motor, fuel tank, stainless exhaust, and other parts too numerous to mention. The underneath had only minor surface rust which we thoroughly cleaned and sprayed a rust inhibitor then sprayed a 3-M product on the frame. The underneath is a showcase. It looks great. The car is now running. It sat at the mechanic's shop for 5 weeks before he installed the parts I mentioned above. He had the car for a total of 7 weeks. The car is now at the body shop. During the time at the mechanic shop I lost my place at the body shop so I am waiting for him to complete the body work and paint. I purchased a new vinyl upholstery kit. The reason for vinyl was I wanted the embossment on the back rest which I could not get with leather which I preferred, even though not OEM. I hope you enjoy the pictures and if not please let me know. You will not offend me.

Here we are near the end of June and I am now just getting started with my restoration. The motor and transmission are out, engine bay empty, and both bumpers off along with some outside chrome pieces.. I had the underneath pressure washed and as earlier thought the frame is in great shape with no rust. The car is now in Clearwater, SC with the body man. The second picture (the first being my first posting) is attached. It is hot here so going forward will most likely be slow.

EBoose7, Was your T-Bird painted with a one stage paint or did you apply a base coat followed by clear? Do you mind telling me the brand of paint you used. Everyone has an opinion but the proof is in the looks and I wondered which yours was. I also think your interior looks fantastic. Do you mind telling me what supplier you purchased your parts from? I know we are not supposed to identify names on this thread so here is my personal email address. Phillips.larryc@gmail.com I will be appreciative of any information you can give me and it will be kept confidential. Thanks for your help. We both have a lot in common with our cars. Larry Phillips Evans, GA 30809

EBoose7, What a beautiful car you have, congratulations. I have a black top also but I keep my hardtop on at all times. I am looking forward to the restoration and I can only hope that mine turns out as good as yours. Wow what a beautiful car. Will keep all of you posted throughout the process. Regards to all, Larry Phillips

The body man I contracted called me about 3 weeks ago and said he would not be able to help with the restoration as he now has some health issues. I have found another highly recommended body man so the restoration will start next Monday, May 28. We will start by pulling the engine and transmission. Will pull the fuel tank and exhaust system to allow complete entry into the underneath of the car. The engine will get checked for possible overhaul. Both the engine and transmission will get painted. The underneath will be cleaned and a rust inhibitor applied followed by primer and paint. Car will then be media blasted, body checked for potential rust repair then appropriate body work followed by paint. I will post pictures for you to see. Larry

Pacerman and Frank Tate: Thanks so much for your help. The picture looks very much like the one I purchased. I appreciate your input. Larry

I am good now with an engine stand but some bad news came my way. I received a call from the body man who was to start on my T-Bird this month and he is unable to help me. He is having health issues and I told him that his health is much more important than my T-Bird. I have found another man in the business and will pay him a visit one day this week. Will let you know how the visit goes. I will request references to verify his skill set. Larry

Frank, thanks for your post.. I hope I can be as lucky. Can you send me a good picture of your stand to my email address? At Phillips.larryc@gmail.com Thanks for your help, very much appreciated. In the meantime I will try Craig"s list. Larry

To all on this thread: Does anyone know where I can locate a low profile engine cradle with casters that will hold my 312 engine for the duration of my restoration. The closest I have come is on the Summit Racing web site. I spoke to a sales person who recommended one but would require modification and I'd rather not do that if I can locate another source where modification is not required. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Larry Phillips Evans, GA

May I ask where you purchased your engine cradle (stand)? Brand name, web site, etc. Thanks, I am looking for a low profile engine cradle for my 1956 Ford Thunderbird 312 engine. The closest I have come is on Summit Racing web site. The problem is I would have to modify the one they recommend. I'd rather not do that if there is one I can purchase elsewhere that would fit the 312 engine. Any help you can give will be very much appreciated. Larry Phillips Evans, Georgia 30809

Lew, I don't mind at all. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (bone cancer) in October of 2016. My wife died in August of last year and now I need something to do while I fight this disease. Although from a 100 feet away the car looks very nice while a close up look will reveal something entirely different. I won't go into detail as it most likely would be boring to all who read it. A magnet has pretty much verified that the car is solid with no major issues with the body. It runs well and a view of the underneath shows no major problem with rust. The interior is in good shape with only the dash cover and headliner needing replaced. I have looked for a fully restored Fiesta Red Bird with a 312, automatic, power seat, power steering, and power windows with no success so I decided to restore this one. I have 2 sons who are deeply interested in this car. I most likely could have found another color T-Bird with these same features but I did not pursue finding one with professionals in the industry. I am approaching this restoration with great enthusiasm as are both sons. I will keep everyone updated as to our progress along the way. Thanks to all for your comments. They are very much appreciated. Larry Phillips Evans, GA

Frank, thanks for your message. I have reviewed the Accessible Systems and yes it looks to be a good system. You mentioned that the system is pricey, so is Merrick, maybe moreso. I would like to do a frame on restoration but I am concerned about the condition of the top of the frame fastened to the body. No way to tell the condition that I know of as to rust, etc. Frame off will tell all. Thanks again for your comment. I will let you know later which way I will go.

I am considering the purchase of a Rotisserie and doing a frame off restoration. Do any of you have any experience with a good brand name with model number, etc.? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. I like the Merrick brand with jacks. Thanks for your help.

Fordrodsteven, and confirmed by Lew. Thank you so much for this good information and the web address. I have been trying to find out this information for months and was never able to get it. Two heads are always better than one. Thank You. I now have all 3 years and color by percentage in an Excel spread sheet. I am forever grateful and in your debt. Larry