So a suggestion I will give this a shot, I acquired a 1959 Tbird from a gentleman that had owned it since 1983, very much complete and mostly worn out. Plans are to either put an aluminum headed 460/C6 combo or go with a coyote/auto swap (still in the process of what that all entails) have the 460 on a stand now just need a C6 or C4. The guys over at Squarebirds.org are guiding me through a rack and pinion swap including a an aftermarket steering column as these have the shaft to the gearbox, also considering aftermarket A/C. This is going to be a long project and still working out the paint colors/scheme (long way off from that). Fortunately, the last paint just was 1984 and have found 2 places of bodywork and scant rust. Most is in the trunk and under the rear seat. For some reason someone decided to screw the carpet down, there were about a dozen or so sharp screws all sticking out of the floor boards in random places.
I picked it up early October and have just finished tearing it down, have just a few small things to complete before I tackle the steering. Will try to be consistent with updates. Time and money are the long haul lol. Here is a few pictures of it.
1959 Squarebird
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Fully Engaged
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Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:12 am Location: Spring Hill, Florida Country: USA |
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Fully Engaged
Posts: 128
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:12 am Location: Spring Hill, Florida Country: USA |
Trying to figure out how to post with them not upside down.
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Fully Engaged
Posts: 128
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:12 am Location: Spring Hill, Florida Country: USA |
Couple more...
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Looks to be in great shape.
Nice project. 1968 Coronet R/T
ACTS 16:31 |
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Top Contributor
Posts: 6213
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm Location: Pahrump NV. Country: USA |
Dam nice start! Looks really solid!!!!
Screaming to be MILDLY Customized! 1 & 1/2 inches maybe two inches out of the roof and lower a Little with wide tires! Keep it a Big block. https://www.allcollectorcars.com/for-sa ... p/2278595/ 460 Ford https://jonkaaseracingengines.com/shop/ ... der-heads/ Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist. |
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Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:12 am Location: Spring Hill, Florida Country: USA |
Ha! I’ve eyed both of those!!! How do you chop a top with addressing the glass? That purple one had my eye from the beginning, not sure if I’m skilled enough. Don’t think I can swing the Boss 9 motor, but have a standard bore DOVE block with trick flow heads and aluminum intake.
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Chopolds and Sauceman have some customized projects in this section. BAM55 is customizing a truck as well. You might pick up some tips from their posts.
Chopping tops and lowering require a lot of forethought, planning and skill. Do your research before biting off more than you can chew. How are your metal working and welding skills? These older Thunderbirds look good just the way the are in my opinion but it's your car so be sure to have a plan before you delve into it. 1968 Coronet R/T
ACTS 16:31 |
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Top Contributor
Posts: 6213
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm Location: Pahrump NV. Country: USA |
"Chopping tops and lowering require a lot of forethought, planning and skill. Do your research before!" That's is a FACT my friend
Lowering it isn't all that all that hard lots of ways to do it and a lot of Kits available to do it, I suggest All bolt on's to be reversible. Not all the ways to do the job are good ways! you can hurt a cars value if its done the wrong way. A Botched Roof chop will also ruin a cars value big time! Definitely Not a Mod for the Semiskilled or faint of heart. Being able to hand form panels is a must have skill for this job. That said Its a square Top and one of the more easier tops to chop in my opinion Find a good Metal man like Chopolds or other customizer that's done more than a few I am sure they would love to do it for you. As far as the glass goes they cut the Original glass to fit the car after the chop is done. They start by making Templits of the glass making them fit the car, then overlay the Templit on the glass and cut the Glass to match the Templit. Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist. |
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Yeah I did some online research on dropping the roof, I think I can manage the cuts especially this is straight forward and like the purple one it is only lowered in the front. The biggest issue is the speculated cut rate on the glass is 1:3, these are roughly $600 a piece so possible $1800 not including the labor cost just for the windshield, which is massively curved. I can spend the money elsewhere. I do like that look though. Went through it today with the pressure washer inside and out, have a small rust spot in front of the rear wheel drivers side about half a dollar size, I suspected a drivers side repair on the headlight, looks like it was hit at one time, and small bondo area passengers side above the fender skirt, its solid there just looks like a dent. Will know more as I dig in, not sure what to do with the headlight area, I knew the hood was off by about a 1/16th or so there, finding fenders which are part of the structure not a bolt is difficult. The lower rad support has a good amount of rust, a gentleman at a Thunderbird website makes these so I will be purchasing one from him. Still have to stay focused on the steering and motor fitment, before I dig into the body. Almost seems like the easier part LOL.
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That is a sharp car and looks like a fun project.
I'd stay away from the top, there is a lot going on when chopping a roof. But since you have it that far apart, I would raise the tunnel and bag that car. I love the way my Caddy rides with bags at all four corners. Add wide whitewalls with the factory hubcaps or wire wheels!!! Wu hu! You can cut and raise the factory sheetmetal tunnel - don't forget to add some reinforcement at the cross braces. That is what I did the first go around on my car. Or...like my second time around, you can form a complete new piece(s) for a more radical drop. Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...
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