64 Thunderbird promo project

[darkrapid]

Here is one that I started recently. I started with a 64 Thunderbird promo hardtop that was well used. Both A pillars are destroyed and the glass is broken. The body has multiple scratched and all the chrome is junk. Here is what I started with.

[darkrapid]

I plan to make a stock 64 Thunderbird conv from it. I'm using the AMT 66 Thunderbird for most of the parts I need. I will swap in the chassis and use the glass and parts of the body to fix this. I will need to order the chrome items from Modelhaus as these are to far gone for just a rechrome. I also need to order a set of wheels as two of them are wrong. Here is where I'm at now.

[davewilly]

Looks pretty cool so far. Keep us posted as to the progress of this one...I am sure Greg will enjoy watching it come along...being topless and all!
Dave

[darkrapid]

Thanks Dave. This will be a slow build. I still need to order all the chrome items. This has lots of scratches and dings in the body that need attention. I still have not decided if I will cut the hood out. I have a kit issued 64 hood that was on my 65 Thunderbird project. Plus I allready got the correct 65 hood in resin. Only problem is that the front section that ties the fenders together and the hood rests on is not there and would have to be recreated.

I pulled this out to see if I could salvage it. I know I can now with the work I have done. It may stay a curbside build. I plan to build all the Thunderbirds from 55-66. I did an inventory to see what one I was missing. I purchased a 63 Hardtop on ebay and that was the one year I was missing.

[darkrapid]

Also convertible T-Birds are easy to build. None of them ever had a conv boot!! From 58-66 the convertible top was held under the trunk. Originally the 58's were going to have a retractable hardtop just like the Sunliner. The Thunderbird was smaller and it just would not fit. That delayed the convertible offering untill mid model year. Only 2100 58 convertibles were made and are the rarest of the Thunderbirds without getting into options.

[davewilly]

Thats sounds pretty cool. It will be cool to see them all built. I have a 70 Impala convertible promo that I would like to rebuild. It has a broken windshield frame and I think it it has a broken rear bumper (its been awhile sense I looked at it) But it would be nice to fix it up.

[darkrapid]

Merry Christmas everyone. I got my Modelhaus order and got back to work on this one. I decided to cut open the hood on this one. Here is an update photo.

[darkrapid]

I guess it's time for an update. Some of you saw this at the build session on Saturday at Sunni's.
I finished up all the bodywork and sprayed on some color.

[davewilly]

looking pretty cool I like the green.
Dave

[Mastercaster]

Another winner in the making! Looks good, Raoul.

[darkrapid]

Thanks guys. This one is coming along nicely. Might even be done soon. I got the rear seat tonneau cover yesterday from Modelhaus.

[darkrapid]

Time for some more updates. This one is almost finished. The chassis is done as well as the engine. I resin cast the valvecovers as I only had one set of them. I like these and needed multiple sets for my other Thunderbird projects. The chassis is realy simple and is from the AMT 66 Thunderbird donor kit. As you can tell I'm not focused on any super detailing of this build.

[darkrapid]

The body is also done. I clear coated it and assembled the chrome items and detailed the grill, hood scoop and the rear bumper. I still have a few items to detail but it's mostly done. I still have to paint and detail the interior. I'm still looking for an interior color that will go well with this color. I could always go with black but just looking for something different.

[danschevelle]

That looks great! All of the sharp chrome details really make that paint stand out.

[darkrapid]

This one is finished. I just need to take some pics and get them uploaded. I'm real happy with how it came out.