Volume 24 Number 1
July /August 2014
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Presidents Report
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Club Calendar
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Events Calendar
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Editors Report
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Club Run to Woody Point
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Thunderbirds at the Beach Hop
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First Production Thunderbird
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Club Run to Rick’s Garage and Diner
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Club Person of the Year Award
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Technical Talk
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Parts and Service
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Classifieds
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Merchandise
On the cover.. The first production 1955 Thunderbird P5FH100005 Recently sold for $660,000 Read all about it inside...
www.tbirdregistry.com
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Hi Folks
The months are flying by and we are getting some great support from our members organising runs to their favourite weekend spots. Bill and Lynn Flanagan took us to Mt Tamborine, Max and Carol Herbert to Ricks Garage and Diner at Palmwoods and Terry and Lynn Street’s suggestion of the Hinze Dam for a picnic had a fantastic turnout just this weekend. Up-coming runs are being organised by Doug and Sandra McCammon to Boonah, Darryl and Mindy Heiner to the Caboolture region and Tony Lake to Samford, with plenty more to come. The Larger events such as All American Lakeside and the "all new" All Ford Day at Willowbank are just around the corner. We’d love everyone’s support at these shows to promote ourselves to the classic car community. The new run checklist sheet for the run coordinator with departure point list is keeping everything running smoothly. We really appreciate the effort members have put into organising the recent club runs. It has added to the interest factor and to the atmosphere on the day. We are always open to suggestions from members on places to go and appreciate that they are adding a little of their time to organise the finer details. Thanks also to Dennis and Johnny for offering support to these members along the way. It’s been a terrific team effort. The second monthly runs are also proving to be very popular and well attended.. it’s just giving folks a second option to attend a club run if they can’t attend the first or vice versa. The success of the more recent outings can be read about further on in this issue. We took great pleasure in recognising Tony Lake and Jill Fechner for their support in publishing the club magazine and also for their continued involvement moving into the next twelve months. Tony has also been hard at work promoting us overseas, more recently on his attendance of The Beach Hop in New Zealand spending time with members of the Thunderbird Owners Club of NZ. We’re hoping through his connections to be able to share something from the NZ club in an up-coming issue. Thanks Tony and Jill, Terrific effort. The club would like to welcome some new members… Ted Stocks, 88 Shelby Cobra Tribute, Neill Ford, 2 1960 Thunderbird Convertibles, Blake Stevens 1971 Galaxie LTD, his partner Melanie Devoy with her 1964 AP5 Valiant and Ben Allen with his 1975 Ford LTD Station Wagon and 1979 Ford F-100 Keep an eye out.... 6th July - All American Independence Day Lakeside... a great event the club has been supporting since its inception. 20th July - The Inaugural "All New" All Ford Day at Willowbank Raceway 30th November - Thunderbirds Christmas Party.... (Mark those calendars folks) Keep those Classic's moving… Kieran (TOQ President) 3
July
Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Mick and Dianne Dignam’s place, 7.30pm 6th CLUB RUN: All American Lakeside. Meet Nudgee Shell on Gateway at 7.00am to cruise or meet at show. Gates open 8.00am. TOQ have designated area in front of Lakeside Convention Centre and Café. Look for club flags. CLUB RUN: All 20th Ford Day. Willowbank Raceway. Meet BP Roadhouse Boundary Rd Rocklea 7.00am for 7.15am departure. We have allocated parking. Run Coordinator Johnny 0412 458434
August
Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Dennis and Merron’s place 7.30pm 10th CLUB RUN: Bayside Cruise to Victoria Point. For Picnic / BBQ lunch. Meet car park next to KFC 96 Old Cleveland Rd/Banfield Lane Capalaba 10.00am for 10.30am departure. 24th CLUB RUN: Scenic Rim Touring Run. Boonah Hotel for lunch. Meet BP Service Centre Regents Park on service road 3484 Mt Lindesay Hwy. Heading south take turn off just under Middle Rd over pass.
September
Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Doug and Sandra McCammon’s place 7.30pm 14th CLUB RUN: Caboolture Historic Village. Café on site or bring picnic lunch. Meet Shell Nudgee 9.00am for 9.30am Departure.
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Friday Nights Munchies @ Elizabeth Street Shops, Acacia Ridge. Petrie Country Markets Historic Village. Ferry Rd Diner, Southport on da Gold Coast.
Saturday Nights Kosmos Kitchen, Browns Plains Rd, Opp Grand Plaza. Ferry Rd Diner, Southport on da Gold Coast. Ol Skool Cars n Muscle Machines First Saturday of the month Supa Centre 314-344 Morayfield Rd, Morayfield. 4
Get those rides out on the road and have some fun... July
6th - All American Independence Day, Lakeside Park, Kurwongbah, spectator
August
admission $10pp, kids 12 and under free! $10 per car to park in the infield and participate in Show & Shine and public cruise session, visit www.qldraceways.com.au/AllAmericanIndependenceDay 13th - RACQ Motorfest Eagle Farm Racecourse, Ascot 10.00am –15.00pm 15th - Ipswich Swap Meet , Ipswich North State School. 27th - Gold Coast Muscle Car Expo, Worangary State School, Worangary, hot rods, classics and muscle cars, trophies, prizes, raffles, great food and drinks, car entry $10 from 6am, public 9am $5. Contact Bryden 0417 756586 27th - 28th - Lakeside Touring Car Classic . Historic Group N Trans-Am, classic sports sedans, HQs etc . Gates open 8.30am racing from 9.30am each day
1st - 3rd Greazefest Kustom Kulture Festival Rocklea Showgrounds. Full thtottle
weekend of hot rods and custom cars, live bands, markets, kustom kulture art shows & great food www.greazefest.com for ticketing information. 10th - Rocklea Swap Meet, Rocklea Showground, contact 0412 183 804 23rd - 24th - Historic Leyburn Sprints on the Darling Downs. Racing around the houses. Show n Shine, Vintage Caravan Show www.leyburnmotorsprints .com.au 27th - Just Rock Ipswich Back to 63 Classic Car Show n Shine, North Ipswich Park, all classic, special interest vehicles and hot rods welcome, gates open 6.30am, cruise to the event departs 8.30am from the BP Truck Stop, Boundary Road, Rocklea Public free, car entry $10 visit www.jri.com.au/events 30th - Jimboomba Auto Extravaganza and Swap Meet. Tully Park Maclean’s Bridge. All makes restored ,classics, hot rods, customs, bikes no site fees entry $5 www.earlyfordv8qld.org
September 13th - Gympie Historic Auto Club Swap Meet and Car Show, Gympie Showgrounds, gates open for public on Saturday at 6am for $4, car show from 10am $10 per car includes 1 adult. Contact 07 5482 2303 or 0408 708321 for swap 14th - Annual Beaudesert Swap Meet, Beaudesert Showground, gates open 6am, unlimited sites, no booking required for swap sites, camping available $15 per vehicle plus $3 per person, entry to swap $3. Contact 0414 066121 or www.beaudesertswap.weebly.com 21st - Eliminators Hot Rod and Muscle Car Show and Swap Meet, Beenleigh Showgrounds, Beenleigh, swap meet from 6am, car show from 9am, trophies 1pm, no vehicle movement until noon please, admission $5 per adults, info Ph 0413 755 130
October
5th - Chrome Bar Bonanza, Lakeside Park, Kurwongbah, spectator admission $10pp, kids 12 and under free $10 per car to park in the infield and participate in Show & Shine and public cruise session. 19th - Harrigans Rod and Custom Show, Harrigans Drift Inn, Calypso Bay, Jacobs Well. State of the art hot rods, classics, customs and street machines. Entrants $15 for your car and two people and spectators $5, judged cars $5, trade stands from $75, trophy presentation at 2:30pm, contact Elton 0417 791 595
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It was around this time 18 years ago that I was preparing to publish my first issue of Sounds of Thunder, Volume 6 No 1. I was taking over from Darryl Heiner who had been doing a mighty fine job up to that point with a type writer and the old cut and paste… and that’s not the Ctrl X Ctrl V cut and paste we’re used to today.. It wasn’t until Issue 3 that I had convinced the committee at the time that we needed a colour front cover for our magazine. To the left is the very first colour front cover we produced. I printed the covers for the 40 odd mags required at home on an HP Inkjet printer that in those days cost me around $500!! How things have changed. We were indeed lucky a few years ago while Merron was editor to have lots of colour splashed around the magazine, printing the magazine at her work for a very reasonable cost to the club. Fast forward about 3 years and we are very fortunate to have the support of club member Tony Lake and his work colleague Jill Fechner to print our club magazine. Our gratitude has been extended to both Tony and Jill by means of the “Club Person of the Year” award for Tony and a Certificate of Appreciation for the effort Jill has put into printing our magazine over the past twelve months. We have decided to print this first issue of Volume 24 in full colour to show everyone how much more life can be brought to the content. This extra quality does come at a price which we feel is still very reasonable but unfortunately doesn’t fit into the budget with the existing $50 per year membership. From next year we would like to be publishing every issue of Sounds of Thunder in full colour. But with that will come an increase in fees. We’d love your feedback on this. Don’t forget that issues of the magazines back to Volume 21 including our 21st Anniversary Edition are available for viewing in full colour on our club website. Further on in this issue there is a flyer promoting the International Thunderbird Club (ITC) Over the past 21 years there has been a number of our members involved in this club. Involved to the extent that they travelled to the USA and participated in the ITC’s Annual Convention. Being part of the ITC became cost prohibitive during the nineties with a weak Australian dollar and restrictive ways of paying the membership dues. In recent times being a member of this great club has become a lot easier. Annual membership is now only USD $40 per year and can be paid quickly and safely via PayPal. What you get for your money is 6 issues of the award winning Thunderbird Script magazine per year along with a great membership pack on joining that includes a certificate, a club sticker and key fob along with a World Wide Membership Directory. Our ultimate goal is for Thunderbirds of Queensland to be a recognised Chapter of the ITC and to achieve that we need at least 6 of our members affiliated and we’re well on the way to that. Take some time to look at the website and see if it interests you. A complimentary magazine is available by contacting ITC Treasurer Gerard Bartasavich gebart@ameritech.net If you would like any information please contact ITC Pacific Representative Darryl Heiner on 0410 429 421 or myself on 0412 458 434. Great times is what the Thunderbirds of Queensland is all about and you will see inside that we’ve been having plenty of those... Enjoy catching up on all the news from your club...
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Johnny
James Wong - 1957 Thunderbird
Ted Stocks - 1988 Shelby Cobra Tribute
New members Billy and Vicki Pritchett along with Lyn Flanagan Enjoying an evening out in their 1964 Thunderbird Hardtop On the recent club cruise night to Kosmos Diner at Browns Plains.
Maclean's Bridge Sports and Classic Festival 2014 Congratulations Chris and Ann Murray "Best Of Show" American Sports Sedan
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ANZAC Weekend Cruise to Woody Point
It was at relatively short notice that a second run for April, to Woody Point was organised for the ANZAC day long weekend. The weather had been wonderful all over Easter and the days following. Showers had been forecast for the Sunday but they didn’t come through until later making it another perfect day to be out and about in the cars. Despite the short notice a healthy contingent of classic Fords and passengers gathered at the meeting point or went straight to our destination. The run up to Redcliffe Peninsula got off to a bit of a shaky start with Dennis’ 57 Tbird suffering a vapour lock as soon as it hit the Highway.. This caused a bit of confusion but once we got going again and off the Gateway Motorway things got back together again. It was a beautiful day for a bayside cruise the convoy snaking its way through Sandgate then onto the Esplanade along Brighton Beach and onto the Horneybrook Highway Bridge.
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On arrival we discovered new members Kevin and Catherine Johnson had been holding enough parking spaces along the foreshore park for nearly everyone. On top of that they had their boys holding a shelter for us, something that proved very valuable on this rather warm autumn day. Legendary stuff guys!! Kevin told me he had been there since 7.30am blocking off the spaces with his work truck and trailer and another car… for your first outing with us Kevin, that’s real commitment and much appreciated by all. The cars always provide a real attraction wherever we go as the crowds gathered quickly to ooh and aah over all that colour and chrome. It’s a real spectacle. We have such a diverse and interesting range of cars in the club now. The mandatory photos were taken then it was time for lunch. While some headed for the local Fish n Chip shop others pulled out the picnic hampers. There is never a shortage of conversation, meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones.. at least one thing in common our passion for the beautiful cars that bring us together. It was great to meet some new faces and wonderful to have such a great day and turnout to welcome new members Catherine and Kevin Johnson and David and Megan Bood along on their first outing with us. We’re looking forward to our next club run to Rick’s Garage and Diner in May. If the numbers on this run are any indication we should be in for another cracker. Until next time…. Johnny
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Thunderbirds at
I was fortunate enough to attend Beach Hop 2014 from March 26 – 30 in New Zealand. It is THE Event of the Year, the biggest classic, custom, & hot rod car show in NZ with the best Nostalgia Fair and the greatest Rock N Roll bands & dancers for miles around. The format of the week includes the day in Whangamata on Tuesday, the Go Waihi Warm up Party on Wednesday, the Repco Kick Off Party At Tairua on Thursday, the Castrol Edge Thunder Cruise To Onemana Beach on Friday, the Main Parade on Saturday with bands everywhere and the main stage at Williamson Park, and finishing with the Nostalgia Fair on Sunday.
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The Ford Thunderbird Owners Club of New Zealand was founded after a group of like-minded Thunderbird enthusiasts met in Hamilton on the Labour Weekend in 1994. Since then the Club has met every labour weekend and has other events that it attends and hosts throughout the calendar year. Members are welcome from all over NZ. The main objectives of the club are to preserve and promote the Ford Thunderbird and to have fun while doing it! Their annual convention on the Labour Weekend is the largest event the Club celebrates. It is in a different town every year hosted by a club member and includes a mix of activities and a car show. Another enjoyable event is the Champagne Breakfast held in February every year hosted and catered for by members. A number of members attend the Beach Hop every year from all over the North Island and I was privileged to be invited to the Pot Luck Dinner held on the Friday night. The dinner gives everyone an opportunity to catch up and is flexible enough that, once dinner is out of the way, there is ample time for cruising, heading into town to listen to bands or just hanging out at the dinner venue and catching up with other members. Many thanks to Claire Dawson for the invitation to attend the dinner and to Angela and Graham for hosting everyone. It was great to meet all the members including Facebook friends like Jason Bough. I will certainly be back next year!.. Tony Lake
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Do you like your birds rare?
Though it's not quite on the endangered species list just yet, there's no doubt that any 1955 Ford Thunderbird is a desirable classic car, and none more so than this particular example, which just happens to be the first T-Bird ever produced. Powered by its original 292 cubic-inch V8 engine and automatic transmission, this car was restored to completely original condition back in 1965, just 10 years after it was first built, and it's also the same car that underwent the first instrumented testing of the T-Bird in the October edition of Sports Illustrated magazine. According to the Ford Motor Company, which confirms the car's unique status, this is the most valuable Thunderbird in existence, and it earned a whopping $660,000 at this year's Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ.
First Production 1955 Ford Thunderbird: VIN #P5FH100005 The rarest of all "Birds". If your one of the millions of avid Thunderbird owners, restorers or fans, you may have wondered about the very first Thunderbird ever produced. What became of it? Where is it now? How did it look originally? Ford Motor Company and Barrett Jackson are pleased to bring you up to date on the rarest and most valuable T-Bird built by Ford Motor Company. As you can see, the black beauty is very much alive. It was produced at the Michigan factory on September 9, 1954. This car came equipped with the 292 "Y" block. Fordomatic transmission, power steering, windows and seats. The wheelbase is 102". The BMP rating is 198 and the weight of the vehicle is 3250 lbs. One of the first performance road test of the newlycreated Thunderbird car was by a national magazine was tested on this same car. "Sports Illustrated" did an article October 4, 1954 entitled "Testing the Thunderbird", and the first T-Bird was used as the test vehicle. Ford verified the status of this car in 1966, designated as the most valuable T-Bird in existence.
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This car has captured the attention of writers, collectors and car buffs throughout the United States and globally. This car has been featured in magazines, books, promotions, internet blogs, television shows and more. It has also made many special appearances at various museums, car shows and special events like the 1984 Olympics. The Ford Motor Company has and continues to commission the car, usually in its private trailer to various events such as their national conferences and car shows including Ford headquarters in Dearborn, MI. It has been pictured with generations of Ford executives and celebrities such as Carroll Shelby, Barbara Streisand and Jay Leno to name a few. The history of the Thunderbird dates back to the early 1950's when a few individuals at the top of Ford's organizational chart conceived the idea of a sports car. Designer Frank Hershey fathered the idea of the sports car program that became the Thunderbird. The real history of this car dates back to 1965 when a well admired gentleman and car buff by the name George Watts came across what he called "A needle in a haystack". After Ford officially verified the status of his car as the first production Thunderbird, he meticulously restored the "original" to original. After documenting every step with photos, it appeared three years later as if it just rolled off the assembly line.... The rest is history. Photos and text sourced from Barrett Jackson
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Cruise to Rick’s Garage & Diner
By Max and Carol
Sunday 18 May
the run started off at the Nudgee Shell Service centre, the weather was forecast for intermittent showers, but the sun was shining we were fortunate enough to see not one but three Delorians (back to the future fame) cars that were parked with us on their own run for the day. We had a drivers meeting prior to heading off, each car had a copy of the map of the route we were taking we tried out our new communication system (walkie talkies) and it appeared to work well some tweaking for the next run needed. I punched in the destination, we all headed off at the listed time and picked up the rest of the group at the BP Morayfield the drive through appeared to work well with not stopping and the remaining group tagging on. The change of going straight up the highway and taking the scenic route was an understatement with me leading and following the trusty GPS what could go wrong you would think…. Well the first instance the GPS took us past our right hand turn off and it wasn’t long before I thought this isn’t the right way so everyone had to turn around in a small space. Back on track we headed through some really nice scenery that was definitely much nicer than driving up the highway. The next right hand turn the GPS said go straight and not knowing the area at all and this wasn’t the way we’d done a rec run, we started to head up the mountain again. After some bends through more nice scenery I though we are running out of road here and we’d got to a point were it was so steep I’d realised the GPS had made another mistake well when I attempted to turn around and head down the rear brakes kept locking. Everyone else had realised we weren’t going the right way and had stopped short of the steep incline, Barry was last seen running into the scrub to check out the vegetation apologies to everyone and to the big cars that had to turn around.
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Back on track again we arrived at Ricks garage and were welcomed by the manager, parking space had been blocked off for us but a couple of blow ins had taken up pride of place so apologies for anyone that didn’t get front spot, our arrival created quite an interest from the general public. Lunch was enjoyed by all on the grass area beside Ricks Garage. There was lots of memorabilia and great photo opportunities available. Kieran in his usual professional voice gathered everyone together for some announcements. He welcomed Richard and Helen Hilton and Gary Dutton that had come on their first outings since joining the club.
Certainly a highlight of the day was the presentation of CLUB PERSON of the YEAR AWARD which was given to TONY LAKE for his outstanding help and dedication to the club. It was a surprise to Tony but well deserved. The weather turned out a treat and hope everyone enjoyed the day despite the glitches.
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Presenting the Club Person of the Year Award gives the members an opportunity to recognise and say thank you to a person whose efforts have contributed to an outcome that has made a difference to the club. By Recognising a member who... Contributes, volunteers, organises, supports, shows a personal interest, and adds value to the club, whose enthusiasm makes a difference and produces an outcome‌ The recipient this year has done all of these things and like a lot of things that are achieved during the year they have been achieved behind the scenes but in this case the results are seen regularly. This person has also shown personal enthusiasm by promoting the club overseas and shown his support by creating an opportunity for the club by organising the printing of the magazine at a rate that has given the club a "working budget" allowing us to add value to the club by providing replacement equipment for members to benefit from at events and club runs including the gazebos, club banners and feather flags. Also organised the video of the club driving around Lakeside Raceway at the 21st Anniversary celebration, has offered to co-ordinate printing the 2014 Club Calendar and instigated the production of the club business cards for use when meeting up with Thunderbird owners in America and New Zealand. We are proud to recognise Tony Lake as this year’s recipient of the Club Member of the Year Award. Very well deserved and congratulations Tony from the committee and club members. Kieran Club President
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"Hello Ford Motor Company, yeah listen. I just bought a new '55 Thunderbird. I have all my bags packed for a very important business trip and there appears to be a problem getting the suitcases in the trunk. You might want to rethink the '56 model". 18
Checking Instrument Gauges Are your gauges playing up? When checking instrument gauges on classic cars, and in general and I am referring mostly to the fuel, temperature and clock. Test the Constant Voltage Regulator, it may not be producing a constant voltage of 5 volts. This effects the general operation of the gauges. The voltage regulator in my case in 1963 Thunderbird is mounted directly behind the clock. I have located replacement source of the original unit from Able Instrument Service at Loganholme Phone 38011232 approx. cost $30 Note: The connections of the replacement unit are the same as on the original so connection is straight forward. Hope this is of help. Doug McCammon
New Seatbelt laws for older imported cars From 1 June 2014, a person who imports a light vehicle that was built prior to 1972 and intends to register it will no longer be required to fit new Australian seatbelts under the pre-1972 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance process (LO8). Of these vehicles, those manufactured without seatbelts will no longer require seatbelts fitted prior to registration, while vehicles fitted with seatbelts will be able to retain their original seatbelts. Damaged belts will need to be replaced, however. In addition, owners of imported pre-1972 vehicles, that were previously required to fit new Australian seatbelts to obtain registration, will now be able to revert to their originally fitted seatbelts, or new versions of them. DTMR vehicle standards notifications webpage has been updated with new laws.
QHMC News From the meeting with DTMR on the 11th June we have been advised that a decision has been made on the much debated SIVs Scheme and the decision is to retain the current scheme as it stands. DTMR advise that in the future the matter may be again debated but the matter is now finalised under current discussions.
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We have compiled a list of repair or service shops who have been found to be of great help in the restoration of our Classic Cars, this is not a commercial ad nor do the Thunderbirds of QLD Inc. take any responsibility for workmanship or service! However if you have found a good shop that has provided what you require then let us know and we shall list them for others to try out.
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BHSS TBS - Brakes & Power Steering. 38 Smith St Capalaba 3620 6555 EXHAUST INNOVATIONS - Custom Exhaust Systems. 5/33 Steel St Capalaba. 3390 3200 ANNVID Auto Upholsterers - 24 Smith St Capalaba. 3390 3444 COL ROBINSON & CO - Power Steering Box Rebuilds. 2/19 Kitchener Rd Kedron 3350 5000 GLEN HENDERSON - Parts & Advice Anything Thunderbird. Greenbank 3297 5342 KEITH 4 WHEELS - Whitewall tyres, wheels and quality wheel alignments by Kiwi Pete. 11 Smallwood St Underwood. 3841 6244 (See advertisement below) INNOVATIVE AUTO DESIGN - Specialising in compliancing of American & European Classic Cars. 3/14 Lapis St Underwood. 3290 2177 or 0411 311473 CHEVRON AUTO - General Auto Mechanic. 224 Gold Coast Hwy Labrador. Paul Immermann 55290422 ACCESS TOWING - Tilt Tray Service. Parkridge 0418 721987 OZ RODS - Hot Rod and Street Machine Specialists. 3805 7155 www.oz-rods.com BRIAN ARMSTRONG AIRCONDITIONING 0447 349495 AH 3802 2994
Want to sell something that may be of interest to other members? Please email me the details johnny@toqinc.org or give me a call 0412 458434 Free for members, $25 per annum for Business owners. 1979 Mercury Cougar XR7 coupe Completely original, only 34000 miles. Auto rebuilt end of 2012. Regrettable sale due to family illness. $15,000. Phone Anissa 3281 6148.
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Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. Club Polo Shirts NOW AVAILABLE !! Check them out on the TOQ web site.. Just click on the Merchandise link choose your colour then follow the instructions to download the order form. Not online contact me, Johnny directly on 0412 458434 and we’ll post you an order form
Club Stickers.. Need extra? $1.50 Max and Carol proudly wearing theirs at the Fingal Run last year
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JOIN THIS GREAT CLUB
Our goal is for the Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. to become a Chapter of the ITC 23