[1965 Bonneville Suspension Question]

Hey friends, 

 

I’m working on restoring a ‘65 Bonneville Convertible, and I’m unsure about what color the suspension components should be. I have the frame in a semi gloss black, but I’m not sure what all gets black, silver, etc. 

 

Any input and/or pictures would be appreciated!

[‘56 Seat Mounting]

Hey friends,

 

I got a rookie question. I bought my ‘56 that had new floors put in, and they came with the holes for the body mounts pre-drilled, but no holes for the seats. My shop manual doesn’t have any info, nor can I find anything online. 
 

Anyone have any input on where the seat is supposed to go and where to drill the holes?

 

TIA!

[1956 Project]

On 3/4/2022 at 7:22 PM, 1957Birdman said:

Hi King,

I agree with Neil, joining CTCT (www.ctci.org) is the way to go. At a minimum you need the 1956 Ford Shop Manual and an Owner's Handbook if one didn't come with the car. The "window sticker" is actually the factory invoice that was sent to the dealer. The window sticker as we know it came into being in the 1960's.

As for your car, the body looks in pretty good shape as long as it isn't rusted out underneath. I can tell the following:

• Your car is missing the continental kit. Your rear bumper is from a 1955 Thunderbird.
• The front bumper is missing the bumper guards that a 1956 should have.
• The carburetor on the engine is for a 1957 T-Bird (it looks like a Holley 4160). It should be a Holley 4000 "teapot"
• The car should have a soft top. I can't tell whether yours does or not. 

Your car looks pretty straight and I am glad that you are not going to make it into a gasser.

Best of luck with the restoration.

Lew Bachman

1957 Thunderbird 

Thanks for the info! I didn’t think it was the window sticker but the guy I got it from swore it was! I’m just glad I could save the car! It doesn’t have the soft top unfortunately but the car is super solid. No rust anywhere except for some surface rust on some of the trim. The bumper guards did come with the car, and you’re correct that it has the 4160 carb. 
 

I am in the process of becoming a member of CTCI, so I’m hoping to get some good pointers during the resto.

 

 

[1956 Project]

Hey Everyone,

 

I just picked up this ‘56 from a guy who was going to make it into a gasser but ended up being too nice to cut up. I got it for a steal but don’t know much about it other than it being a ‘56, factory Raven Black, with a three speed manual and OverDrive.

 

All I was given by the owner was the window sticker. To be honest, I don’t come from Thunderbirds. My background is in Mustangs and Corvettes, and when we wanted to get documentation, we looked up the NCRS or got Marti Reports. My question is is there any place, tri-five Thunderbird specific, where you can get documentation for these cars? I am excited to start on this car and learn about these cars.

 

Thankfully the car is super complete…. It’s just in pieces. 

 

[Question about HPOF Judging.]

You are correct. The reason we are planning this for 2021 was because it would just be turning 25 and be eligible. 

[Question about HPOF Judging.]

Hi everyone,

 

I have a quick question for the show car guys. I have a client who is the original owner of an all original 1996 Camaro Z28 Convertible. I've known about the car for years and have serviced it and helped maintain its originality. Even though the car is unbelievably original, the owner very rarely did the owner ever want to show it. 

 

That was until he tagged along to go to the Gettysburg gathering for the Hershey event. My shop and client are local to Hershey (a few towns over in Mount Joy) and we were thinking of showing the car at the next Hershey show. We decided to put it in the HPOF class to get a first HPOF, and then go on to hopefully get an HPOF Original award. My question to you all is, do they evaluate HPOF cars at a big show like Hershey? After doing some research and consulting last years judging guidelines on the AACA website, It didn't sound like that class gets evaluated at a Grand National like Hershey. I could be wrong however. If they don't get evaluated there, what event would that be?

 

I've been around the AACA for a long time, but this would be the first time I would be actually showing a car, so forgive the ignorance. I am just looking to get pointed in the right direction so I can have a more complete plan to present to the owner.

 

Attached are a few pictures of the car. 

 

Thank you kindly,

Alex