Thunderbird Coin

Thunderbird Bronze Antique Coin

CTCC member Dave Zornig submits the following website for '55 owners ...

1955 Ford Thunderbird Coin
The coin is minted in a brass alloy and given an antique bronze finish and is provided in a special sleeve. This custom printed and die cut sleeve also acts as a display card. The medallion is encased in a protective plastic capsule to preserve it's lustrous finish.

-- Copyright 2008 Northwest Territorial Mint

Dancing Birders

The Dancing Birders

Our January event was a dance held at the Willowbrook Ballroom. The Willowbrook Ballroom, in south suburban Willow Springs, is one of five ballrooms left in the country! It has been around for 85 years and the original wooden dance floor has a spring to its step. Thirty CTCC members enjoyed a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon at Willowbrook, dancing and swaying to a live big band. A family style luncheon was served in a cozy, private dining room with a roaring fireplace. The luncheon included platters of beef, chicken, and sausage along with some kraut, perfectly steamed vegetables and home-style mashed potatoes. Cheesecake was served for dessert - plenty to eat and delicious too!

Willowbrook is also home to a ghost -- Resurrection Mary (buried in a local cemetery) --- the story is that she was on her way to her prom and was struck by a car. Every so often she is spotted in her flowing gown dancing the evening away. However, no sightings when we were there!

The Kramer's thank everyone who came - being new to the club, we welcomed the opportunity to plan an event. We hoped it would be fun and something a little different. It turned out that everyone in attendance had a great time. Maybe we should make this an annual event -- just maybe. Not to worry, you don't have to know how to dance -- it is a great people-watching place too!

The Dancing Birders included; Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Dick and Karen Bruck, Mitch and Pat Mitchell (drove the farthest - from Pekin, IL) Len and Mary Keil, Len and Irene Vinyard, Paul Ureche and Maryann Graziano, Bill and Liz Werth, Gordon Gluff and Mary (voted best dancers of the group), Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Paul and Urszula Mounts, Bob and Helen Hoge, Larry and Karen Kelly, Joe and Sandy Kraatz, and Pete and Marylu Kramer.

-- Marylu and Pete Kramer

Editor's note: you can view additional pictures from the CTCC Willowbrook Dance on the Photos page.

News from CTCI

News from CTCI
Classic Thunderbird Club International

Greetings,
We recently returned from the CTCI Board meeting, the new officers are:
President - Sue Smith
VP - Scott McGilvray
Secretary - John Sailors
Treasurer - Jim Hack

Tulsa was granted a Regional for July 2-5, 2009. At present that is the only Regional in 2009. I was able to get a resolution passed that each host club would receive $500.00 for a Regional or International Convention. $500.00 will be given to the Portland club for the International Convention they are hosting this summer. The registration form is online.

Also, $200.00 worth of CTCI merchandise for a Regional and $300.00 for an International event will be donated to the host club. $350.00 will be allotted to the host club to rent a computer, projector, podium, etc for judges training.

The roster will be published in even years with an addendum published in odd years. You will have the option of listing one phone number, email address and spouse name.

The McPherson Endowment failed and the money will be used to add colored pages to the EB. This will be spent over many years for everyone to enjoy.

CTCI gave a $1,000.00 donation to McPherson College in the honor of "48 in O8." There are five T-Birds that will drive the entire route of "48 in O8." Lucy and her group are anxious to attend "Birds in the Dells.

The By-Law Amendment about "to put wording in about email voting" passed. I will be sending the meeting synopsis when I receive it.

Thanks for your time.
Gwen

Still Flying High

Still Flying High

Half-Century old '56 T-Bird still "Flying High!"

At right: "Florida Fling" cover photo from Delta Airlines' February 2008 publication Sky Magazine with an additional Florida scene from page 43.

-- Kathy Smizinski

Pizza Party

CTCC PIZZA PARTY and MEMBERSHIP MEETING
February 14, 2008

The meeting started at 8:15PM.

Ken Smizinski welcomed the 38 people in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the many variations of pizza and pop arranged for by Bob Burhop.

Minutes of the November General Meeting were approved as written and copies of those minutes were made available to anyone who wanted to review them.

Bob Hoge gave the Treasurer's Report as printed in the February "Bird-News". The Club has 112 members as of 2/14/08.

Ken reported on the development of the CTCC website and said that three vendors have purchased links to their sites. He urged members to view the site: www.CTCC9.com.

Ken discussed the various activities planned for the year (see elsewhere in this and future editions of "Bird-News" for times and dates).

Bob Hoge presented the 2008 proposed Budget. He explained it line-by-line. The budget includes several lines for Club subsidies of events to benefit members using funds saved on the newsletter printing costs as well as a $300 donation to the Rose City Thunderbirds for the International Convention. The Membership will vote on the budget at the March 13, 2008 membership meeting at Russell's Bar-B-Q.

The March 13th Membership meeting will include the election of Directors. Those present were asked to think about running for a seat and to advise Ken if interested.

Ken advised the group that, after much thoughtful discussion, the Board decided that the Club will not host a Regional Convention in 2009. While many members were enthusiastic about the prospect of attending the event, there were not enough members willing to commit to the time and energy required to produce the event.

The meeting officially adjourned at 8:50PM.

-- Respectfully submitted, Liz Werth, CTCC Secretary

Coast to Coast Rally

Subject: Fwd: Coast to Coast Thunderbird Rally

Greetings from Indiana -
We are putting together a coast-to-coast rally for next summer. Are you interested or could you help spread the word? You may contact me at vbm@allarnericanroadtrips.com or get more information at www.allamericanroadtrips.com.

I welcome any help or advice you could give.

With Appreciation,
Diana Taylor - Trip Coordinator

FORD Quiz

Ford Photo Quiz

Yes, it is definitely a FORD PART! But the question is, what is it and what Ford product was it used on? Also, how many of these wooden-boxed parts were used on each vehicle? (Note the odd Ford script design)

Answer coming in the April 2008 edition of Bird-News.

Tech Tip- Rebuilding Hood Hinges

Rebuilding Hood Hinges


The 1955 through 1957 Thunderbird hood hinge has developed a reputation of being something similar to a time bomb just waiting to go off. The riveted hinge bolt which holds the two parts of the hood hinge together has a tendency to break due to wear or corrosion. When this bolt fails, the owner will immediately become aware of its failure. The hinge's two component parts will separate. One part will remain attached to the hood. The other part, being spring loaded, will violently unwind and will stop only by crashing into or through the front nose of your car. Either way, there will be significant damage to your car. To protect your car, inspect your hood hinges for wear or corrosion. This is a part of the car that is hidden inside the body. It is often overlooked when restoring a car. If there is any doubt as to the condition of the hood hinges, they should either be replaced or rebuilt. As this has happened to fellow club member Paul Mounts, Paul has provided the following tip as to how to rebuild your hood hinges.

To rebuild the hood hinges you first have to gain access. The hood hinges are accessible after removing the hood and the front grill. Once you have gained access to the hinges. unbolt the hinge brackets from the body of the car. Make sure you have compensated or neutralized the spring tension on the hood hinges before you remove them. After removing the hood hinges from the car, remove the hinge bolt from each hinge. The hinge bolt connects the two moving brackets of the hinge. You will need to remove the factory rivets from the hinge bolt. This can be done by grinding the rivets off. Replace the original hinge bolt with a clevis bolt which is the same size or slightly larger than the original hinge bolt. Use a locking nut to secure the clevis bolt. Tighten the lock nut enough to secure the clevis bolt, but not so tight as to restrict the movement of the hinge components. Mark the location of the lock nut on the clevis bolt and disassemble. Once the clevis bolt is removed from the hinge, have the bolt and nut drilled out so that on reassembly you can insert a cotter pin to insure that the lock nut will not work itself loose. If your clevis bolt is slightly larger than the original hinge bolt. you will need to drill out the hinge bracket holes to the new larger size to accommodate the larger clevis bolt. A tight fit will also give you smooth hinge operation. Don't forget to grease the new hinge bolt on reassembly. Once completed you have eliminated the problem of the exploding hinge bolt. Now you just have to deal with realigning the hood! Good luck.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997

Tech Tip- Maintenance chart

Quick Reference Maintenance Chart

As the time has come for most of us to put our T -Birds away for the winter, the following information submitted by fellow club member Craig Beilstein may help to insure that your Bird is ready for Spring. Though the quick reference maintenance chart is for a 1955 Thunderbird, most of the information is correct for 1956 and 1957 Thunderbirds. One exception is that 1957 Thunderbirds require a tire size of 6.70 - 14 inches. The reference chart appears to be from a Conoco Service Station reference manual. The chart indicates the various lubrication points on the car as well as fluid requirements. In addition, the chart provides a recommended frequency of maintenance that most of us probably do not comply with. As such, I have to go now, my car needs to be lubricated. It's been more than a 1000 miles since my last greasing. Thank you Craig for the information.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997

Tech Tip- Battery Replacement

1956-57 Thunderbird Battery Replacement

For those of you out there who drive your Thunderbirds regularly this tip from Ken Smizinski may be for you. There still is a battery made by Interstate Battery that fits into the original battery tray of the 1956 and 1957 Thunderbirds with no modifications necessary. The battery part number is 29NFVHD. It is not "original" like the batteries available from the various Thunderbird parts suppliers, but the battery is current in its technology and the casing resists cracking.

As of September of 1994, I was able to purchase this battery for less than $90.00 from one of the local auto parts houses. I bought my battery from Forest City Auto Parts located in Arlington Heights, II. You will most likely have to order the battery. It is not a popular size with today's cars. When you hook up your battery, it helps to apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the terminals. This will help inhibit corrosion.

As an add-on to the above article, I wish to pass on a few simple "handy" tips that I have been accumulating from various club members but haven't figured out how to incorporate them into an article. The first tip also involves petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly can also be applied to the headlight terminals which are also prone to corrosion. Secondly, when changing your oil, it helps to rub a little oil on the gasket of the new oil filter. This helps create a better seal and also makes it easier to remove the oil filter in the future. Lastly, when changing the various turn signal or back up light bulbs, a piece of 5/8" heater hose cut to about three inches in length makes a great light bulb changer. Using the hose is much safer than using your fingers. Hope these tips were of some use.

source: CTCC Tech-Tip Manual 1993-1997