Original Owners Story

ORIGINAL OWNER STORY by: Joe Kraatz

In the Fall of 1954, while at my desk in the Chaplain's Office of the U. S. Army in Fort Carson, CO, I sat admiring a special brochure. This brochure, that my father had just sent me, was of the new Thunderbird. Wow, what a great car! As I admired this beauty, I started looking at it closely and decided the car needed a straight bodyline with skirts, like the 1951 Mercury. Fast forward to April 1957.

Photo Caption: 1957 E Model, 3-Speed Overdrive, Both Tops, Tonneau Cover, FoMoCo Spotlight, Power Seat, Engine Dress Up Kit, Signal Seek Radio, 110,000 miles

In April 1957, after special ordering and a two-month wait, I took delivery of my 1957 "E Model" Thunderbird. It was my only vehicle at the time, and I drove it every day. I was working in South Bend, IN, and living in Valparaiso, IN, so it was about 150 miles per day. About once a month, there was a weekend trip to Western New York to see my family. Thus, another 1,200 miles The T-Bird was an all-weather car, driven winter and summer. Indiana snow and salt did take its toll.

In 1962,1 put some special undercoating on it, added my "nationally known" Mercury Cruiser Skirts, and did a repaint. From 1958 to 1968,1 owned and operated a Mobil gas station (thus the Mobil red paint under the hood on the fan shroud and heater assembly). I am constantly asked why I have a trailer hitch. Well, I donl have a yacht to tow, but I was a U-Haul trailer dealer, also. Many evenings my wife, Sandy, and I would spend a summer evening traveling to the U-Haul factory in Hammond, IN, to pick up a factory-fresh trailer.

Sandy and I dated in the T-Bird, and in 1963, we took our honeymoon in it to the Florida Keys, up the East Coast to New Jersey, and back to Indiana (with the top down, of course)! Sandy remembers being wrapped up in an army blanket traveling through the Smoky Mountains. It was quite chilly in April, but I did not want to put the top up. What a way to treat your new bride!

In June of 1964,1 joined the Classic Thunderbird Club International. I found my cancelled check written to Roger Neiss, Editor, dated 6/13/64 for $10 (membership $5 a year, plus $5 "initiation fee"). My CTCI membership number is 299.

For quite a few years, the T-Bird was only driven occasionally during the summer. When our daughters started driving, they were allowed to drive the 'Bird so they would learn to handle a stick shift on the floor. They also drove our 1968 Mustang that Sandy's parents purchased new and that was a stick shift also. Our girts were trained right!

About 15 years ago, having retired and realizing we would finally have time to enjoy the 'Bird, Sandy and I joined the Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland. When we learned of the Thunderbird 40th Celebration in Dearborn, it was the big signal to get the'Bird out of hibernation and prepare it in a roadworthy condition for the 500 mile trip. This was our first big event and trip with the Chicago Club. The members of this club have been so gracious and helpful to us over the years, and we really treasure their friendship. Our daughter, Kami, is also a member of this club. She still talks about our trip to Dearborn for the 40th event, with the three of us in the Bird traveling with the top down.

We take in most all road trips with our club, and I even enjoy taking the car out on dry, winter days. T-Bird and Mustang Club activities and car shows keep us on the go. As I talk to people about the car, I like to tell them - three more payments and it will be all mine!!!

My T-Bird is a "keeper" as is my wife, and I have luckily been able to keep them both all these years.
Joe Kraatz, CTCI #299

PRESIDENTS REPORT

Happy New Year, Fellow CTCC Members!

2010 is shaping up to be a busy year for us. We started off with a great outing planned by Bob and Helen Hoge. The delicious Brunch at the Onesti Restaurant in St Charles was followed by a riveting performance at the historic Arcada Theater, featuring the magic of Terry Evanswood, Bob and Helen's very talented son.

A capacity crowd enjoyed free pizza and pop at the February Membership Meeting where we gave preliminary acceptance of the 2010 budget. Our March meeting will include formal approval of the budget and election of three Directors.

Many members have expressed an interest in attending the CTCI International Convention in Dayton in June. On March 6, Ken Smizinski is offering a planning meeting to discuss and answer questions about the Concours. The CTCC Board decided to eliminate the Annual Spring Tour this year and encourage members to attend the Convention.

A Spring Tech Session is scheduled for April 24 at Bob and Sue Wenderski's home. June 27 is the date of a one-day outing to Joliet and July 17 is the date of the 4th Annual Hot Dog Gala. Please refer to the "Calendar of Events" for information about all of the Club's planned activities

I look forward to seeing you throughout the T-Birding season.
- Len Keil

The Editors Notebook

THE CTCC CALENDAR FOR 2010 HAS BEEN FINE-
tuned since the publication of the February issue of B-N. The HOT DOG & BRATS GALA event date has been changed to July 17th. The revised dates for the Fall Tour: September 17-20.

This issue marks the first in the 49th year of publication for BIRD-NEWS. So, Happy Birthday to B-N as we head for 50!

See page 5 for updated info on the SPECIAL Breakfast meeting: Are You Convention Bound? This is a MUST for your Concours entry.

The featured item for this month is the March 1954 Chrysler Report on the design parameters and specifications for the 1955 T-Bird. The material, reduced from 10-pages (8 1/2x 11"), is on pages 8-10.

See page 4 for PREVIEW information on the CTCC Tech Session.

CTCC has donated $500 to the Dayton Convention. In addition, a member has anonymously donated $250, making the total $750!

Our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Karen Kelly who is now at home, following her recent surgery.

Bert Eisenhour

Editor's Notebook- Feb. 2010

THE Editor's NOTEbook
BERT EISENHOUR

THE CTCC CALENDAR FOR 2010 HAS BEEN FINE-tuned since the publication of the January issue of B-N. The HANGAR event date (August 22), has been confirmed by our host, member, Ken Kresmery. The revised date for the ONE-DAY Spring Tour is June 27th since Bob Hoge has learned that the Park site is not open in May. A SPECIAL meeting has been set-up for those members who are planning to enter a 'Bird in the CTCI International Concours competition. Details are presented on page 5. Are You Convention Bound? (A good introduction to one of the main items to be discussed appears on page 18 of the Jan./Feb. issue of EARLY BIRD magazine.) Check it out.

Speaking of the Convention, your room reservations should be made as soon as possible! Some rooms are already sold-out.

The January B-N list of contributors to our Holiday Party gift list (page 7) omitted the following firm: SURF CITY GARAGE - 5872 Engineer Drive, Huntington Beach, CA. We appreciate their help.

January Outing

CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB OF CHICAGOLAND
WINTER OUTING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010

Photo- cover page of February issue of BirdNews. Click on photo to enlarge it to read captions on picture.

The 2OIO CTCC January outing saw the club doing what it does best-EATING! Bob Hoge arranged a private brunch at the Onesti Restaurant in St. Charles. Club members enjoyed a variety of delicious brunch items including, salmon, chicken, bite size beef and cheese sandwiches, salad, eggs, bacon and sausage, and Len and Ken's favorite — Broccoli, along with orange juice, coffee and tea. We were joined by the cast and crew of the Terry Evanswood Magic Show. CTCC members enjoyed meeting the people who would later entertain them.

Speaking of entertainment, during the brunch we heard faint sounds coming from the far end of the room. Suddenly, who should appear but-8 tiny reindeer-oops wrong story-it was Bob Hoge on accordion and Kelsey Craggett on violin. It seems Bob secretly searched for a violinist to accompany him during the brunch. With the shortest practice time in history, they managed to sound like a long-standing duo, playing a wonderful selection of Italian and other favorites.

Following the brunch, we were off to the Arcada Theater for an afternoon of MAGIC. The Art Deco Theater, built in 1926, had many vaudvillian performers in its day. At 2:15 p.m., The Geneva Pipe Organ rose from the orchestra pit & Debbie entertained us with great flair, for 45 minutes. The organ has 3 manuals, (keyboard) multiple tabs, and 1,000 pipes. The organ was manufactured in Geneva Illinois. The console is of Art Deco design, and fits well into the 1926 Theater. At 3 p.m. the Organ disappeared (not by magic but by hydraulics) and the Magic began. We were amazed at the illusions performed by Terry and crew. Terry's show included slight-of-hand, disappearing and reappearing assistants, and sword piercing through a box containing Terry!!

Terry showed us how to escape from a straight jacket (a Houdini specialty) and he did it in full view of the audience-amazing!! In the finale, Terry was magically transported from the stage to the rear of the theater faster than Captain Kirk could beam up Scotty. At one point in the show Terry introduced - from the audience - Marshall Brodien, better known as WHIZZO of BOZO CIRCUS fame. An interesting fact: It was the Marshall Brodien Magic Box that 9-year old Terry received as a gift, that started him on the road to being a magician. Although Terry's magic IS beyond belief, it is his stage presence and personality that are his greatest assets. At the end of the show, Terry signed autographs on (his own version) Magic Boxes. Just ask Len Keil to show you his--he is still practicing the rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick, but our cat, Jenny, is not very cooperative.

A special thanks goes out to Bob for organizing this great event. Can't wait to see Terry's show in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Oh, and did Len Vinyard find his family that he lost at the theater???
- Mary Keil

CTCC BRUNCH/MAGIC SHOW ATTENDEES:
Members and guests on-the-scene on a cold winter day: Bob and Marcy BURHOP, Bert and Jane EISENHOUR, Gordon GLUFF and Mary Ziemba, Maryann GRAZIANO and Paul URECHE, Joel GREENBERG and Annie LUGINBILL, Gail HASCEK, Laura HASCEK and Mike CIELINSKI, Bob and Helen HOGE, Len and Mary KEIL, Pete and Marylu KRAMER, Ed LEVIN, Lloyd and Joan SCHELLIN, Ken and Kathy SMIZINSKI, Len and Irene VINYARD and family, Bill and Liz WERTH, Joe and Madeline ZAMBON.

Cover Picture Story- Right Hand Drive

Copy of Invoice (left)

Cover Photo (right)

IT WAS LATE IN 1977 WHEN I FIRST
became inspired to launch a search
into the history of the (rare) Right-Hand
Drive Ford Thunderbirds. (A CCCA friend
had advised me that he had seen a '57 in
the U.S. in the summer of 1977.)

My research began, quite naturally, with
our CTCI publication, Early Bird. In 1973, a
certain Carl Cason (CA) had his article, T-
Birding in the Far East, published in the
July/August issue! Interestingly, the 'Bird
was for sale at the time, my correspon-
ence indicating that the asking price was
"big $$." This T-Bird was located in Kansas
City, MO, and at one time, I contemplated
a trip to inspect and photograph it.

Having determined the S/N of this T-Bird,
(see copy of the Factory Invoice on pg. 9)
I learned that the conversion toR-H Drive
had been accomplished in Hong Kong.

By March 20, 1978, I had received
photos and a "history" on the Kansas City
T-Bird trom Neil Oldridge (see page 8).

A letter from CTCI member, Ron Hitter
(dated Feb. 27, 1978) is among several
contacts in my files. Ron supplied me with
the copy of the Ford Factory Invoice
(page 9), indicating that the quality of the
copy was "....not great." [Historic Note:
The TARTC cost for a copy of the Invoices
was a mere $3.00 at the time!] Today, the
Dearborn Michigan Club offers Invoice
copies at $50.00 each, this representing a
major fund-raiser for the TARTC Treasury!
For the sake of clarity, I have re-typed the
main body of the Invoice pricing information.

My (dated) research was aided by Carl
Cason, Ron Hitter (TARTC) and Neil Oldridge.
Perhaps we'll see a R-H Drive in Dayton?

RIGHT-HAND DRIVE "57 T-BIRD STORY (from pg. 7)

NEIL L. OLDRIDGE
8080 WARD PARKWAY, SUITE 250
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64114

March 20, 1978

Mr. Bert E. Eisenhour
Crane Road
St. Charles, Illinois 60174

Dear Bert:

Thank you for your letter and particularly for theinformation attached. As you have no
doubt surmised by now, I have not pursued my T-Bird ownership interest academically.
I can, however, add a little information regarding your inquiry inHong Kong. My car left
Hong Kong when I did in May of 1970. My Hong Kong license plates (which I still have)
were 9047. I have somewhere my original Hong Kong registration, which is a small hard
cover book. This registration, has the names of all of the previous Hong Kong owners.

I purchased the car in april of 1969 from a chinese car dealer in Kawloon for a price of
4200 Hong Kong dollars, or almost $700 U.S. The car was a virtual wreck and barely
drivable. I had work done on it there at the local Hong Kong Ford Agency and a body shop
recommended by an Australian collector friend.

The car you referred to being in Hong Kong as of 1973 was not, therefore, this car. It is
interesting to note, however, that when I purchased the car the hard top and fender skirts were
white, while the body was red.

Regarding the engine, I had it replaced with a new 292 in February of 1977 in Roxsbury, Conn.
I obtained the engine from a friend and Vice President of Saville Ford in Waterbury, Conn.
I asked them to replace the engine exactly and it had a 292 engine in it at the time. If the
original automatics had the 312, I can only assume that sometime between 1957 and when I
acquired the car in 1968, the 312 was replaced with a 292.

Somewhere in my files I have a cancelled check covering the purchase with the name of the
car dealer. I do recall his first name was Anthony and his last name Wong, Chow or something
like that. The other document that I have not been able to locate, but know I have, is the hard-cover Hong Kong registration. If these items will be of assistance to you, I would be happy to press a concerted search for them.

Your resources are apparently fine and my interest too is piqued.

Once again, thank you for this information... I shall add it to my files on the car.

Sincerely,
(signed) Neil L. Oldridge,
NLO;srb


2/27/78
From the Desk of -
RON HITTER
Dear Bert,
Please find enclosed a copy of the Invoice on T-Bird # D7FH172545. The quality of the copy is not great, as the original is gone, and the file copy is old. We have no idea who received the original, as early in the process of mailing invoices, there were no records kept. Also, there is no information that we have found concerning right-hand conversions.

It is interesting to see on the invoice that the car was/is a 312 Fordomatic, whereas you mentioned 292 Stick.
I hope this helps you, and I'd enjoy hearing of any new discoveries.

Sincerely, Ron

Holiday Party- 2009

CTCC HOLIDAY PARTY

December 12th saw the best attended Holiday Party in recent C'l'CC history! Seventy-two members joined together at Chandler's to celebrate the season, friendships and a great Thunderbird year.

The tables sported festive pink and blue Thnnderbird centerpieces with candy treats; once again, a creative delight thanks to Liz Werth. Ken and Kathy Siminski provided our "tree topper/oil filters" as place cards.

Pete Kramer provided a viewing of the "Year in Review" DVD during the party. And, any time we want to relive memories, we each can view our own party favor copy! It was such a great idea and we thank Pete and Liz for their work in producing the DVD's.

The BERT EISENHOUR AWARD was presented to Irene and Len Vineyard - with an emphasis on "Irene". The Club thanked them for their years of service and ignored Len's bad jokes.

Everyone came away with some great door prizes. Ken pulled names to come and pick a priz, and then pulled more names to do the same. I believe there were at least three rounds of drawing names. Thank you Ken, for collecting and organizing the loot! Santa has nothing on you!

We were entertained during the evening by Elmer Lange, playing Christmas carols and other standards that had some CTCC members dancing and rockin". He did a great job and the accordion music added to our Holiday Cheer. (A special THANKS to Bob Hoge for underwriting the cost of bringing Elmer to our Party!)

It's always nice to spend the holidays with friends and family. And. thanks to Ken and Kathy, Pete and Liz,. our Thunderbird family enjoyed another great Holiday Party
- Karen Kelly

CTCC: MEMBERS WHO DONATED ITEMS FOR DOOR-PRIZES/PARTY USE: Bob & Marcy Burhop, Bert & Jane Eisenhour, Joel Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Bob & Helen Hoge, Pete & Marylu Kramer, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len & Irene Vinyard, Bill & Liz Werth, Joe & Madeline Zambon.


A SPECIAL NOTE OF APPRECIATION TO THE
FOLLOWING THUNDERBIRD SUPPLIERS FOR THEIR
GENEROUS DOOR-PRIZE CONTRIBUTIONS:

CLASSIC AUTO SUPPLY CO. INC., COSHOCTON, OH
DIAMONDBACK CLASSICS, CONWAY, SC
HILL'S THUNDERBIRD CENTER, RACINE, OH
LARRY'S THUNDERBIRD & MUSTANG PARTS,
CORONA, CA
PRESTIGE THUNDERBIRD INC., SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA
THUNDERBIRD HEADQUARTERS, CONCORD, CA

The Editors Notedbook- Jan. 2010

The editors Notebook


AS THE NEW YEAR SWIFTLY APPROACHES, IT'S TIME
to extend a note of appreciation to the many
members who supplied articles, news items,
photos and help during 2009! Again, we are
indebted to Bob Hoge and the Valley
Community Bank for underwriting the color-
printing cost of BIRD-NEWS. Bob's support also
extends to our Holiday Party, where we receive
a VCB squeeze flashlight. Bob also contracts for our Party
entertainment, provided by accordionist, Elmer Lange!

The arrival of 2010 also means that it is CTCC DUES RENEWAL time!

Our Feature for this month is the rarely seen Right-Hand Drive
Thunderbird (Cover photo). (See pages 7-9).

It appears that we will have a good turnout for the special Brunch/Magic Show on January 10th. Next, the popular Pizza Party event in February finds us enjoying FREE pizzas at Jake's Pizza on the 11th. (See page 10 for detailed information.)

WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bert Eisenhour

The Magic of Terry Evanswood

YESTERYEAR

STAR'S CARS

Pictured here, we find film star. James Cagney, driving his mud-splattered }955 T-Bird! His passenger is not identified, but may possibly be his daughter?


Thanks to Bob Hoge for submitting this (rare) photo of a very young looking movie star! (Of course, the photo dates back more than a half-century.)


While Cagney starred in many gangster roles (The Public Enemy - 1931), he also appeared in several romantic films.