Volume 25 Number 3
November / December 2015
A Chapter of the International Thunderbird Club Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. PO Box 505 Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 contact@toqinc.org Membership dues are $65.00 per annum which includes a hardcopy magazine or $35 per annum for electronically distributed magazine. Fees payable on April 1 each year. Club magazine “SOUNDS OF THUNDER� is published bi-monthly. Contributions are encouraged and should be emailed to the Editor: johnny@toqinc.org or posted to address above.
Join the TOQinc Facebook Group facebook.com/groups/TOQinc The Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation and enjoyment of Thunderbird passenger vehicles built by the Ford Motor Company.
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President’s Report
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Editor’s Report / New Members
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Club Calendar
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Events Calendar
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Yankee Doodle Cruise Flyer
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TOQ Club Christmas Party
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Kingston Butter Factory
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Henry Ford’s Airport
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Tbird for Tailgatin’
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Village Rock Diner Cruise Night
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Harrigan’s Car Show
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Classifieds
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Parts and Service
23 Merchandise
On the cover..
Christmas postcard promoting the 1956 Ford Victoria. This postcard was also a playable 78 RPM promotional record featuring Rosemary Clooney and Mitch Miller's Orchestra.
www.tbirdregistry.com facebook.com/groups/tbirdregistry 3
It only seems like last week I was writing my last President’s report.. boy, doesn’t time fly when you’re getting old!! The September Run to Bribie Island and the Sandstone Point Hotel for lunch saw a great turnout of around 30 members and 18 cars on a near perfect day. It was the first time most of us had been to this new Hotel but I’m sure not the last. The food and atmosphere was excellent. It was great to meet long time members Stewart and Denise Hood on the run that had recently moved back to the South East from spending some time in Cairns.
A few of us returned to the Sandstone Point Hotel a week or so later for a car show situated on the front lawn area overlooking the Pumicestone Passage. The show was excellent with over 200 cars on display.. the same event next year will no doubt be even bigger. The Sunday morning run to The Kingston Butter Factory was a pleasant surprise. For those that haven’t been there it’s worth the run to learn about the area’s history. Thank you Doug for organising a great morning out! I was unable to attend the Harrigan’s Rod and Custom Show on the 18 th but a few club members who went along said the class of cars was again exceptional as usual at that show. The offering of prize money always brings out the big hitters. I would like to take the opportunity to welcome a few new members to the fold. Joseph and Maree Adcock 63 Thunderbird Hardtop and Damian and Fiona Bond 62 Thunderbird Landau. Welcome to the club and I hope to meet you on a run sometime soon. The Club Christmas Party is being held on 29th November at the Redland Sporting Club at Wellington Point. I hope you can all make it along to celebrate the festive season and another highly successful year. See flyer on page 9. Be sure to let Doug know as soon as possible if you are attending. The venue would appreciate numbers to help them set up for us on the day. Catch you on the next run to the Bearded Dragon Hotel at Tamborine ... Cheers Barry
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As 2015 draws to a close we can look back and reflect on yet another great year with the club... But it’s not over yet and there are still a few runs on the calendar, the Christmas Party being one of them. This year we are heading to Redland Sporting Club for lunch. We hope you can make it along. We are cruising there in our cars and will display them together in an area allocated for us by the club. The flyer on page 9 has full details of meeting times and places for both North and South Side members. We have one last get together in December to end the year, the run to Rewind Mid Century Antiques at Shorncliffe. This will be a fun morning out to that very peaceful and pretty bayside location. Just a reminder that there are a number of 2015/2016 18 month calendars still available for purchase. Quite a number of members still haven’t purchased one of these high quality calendars. They are fantastic value at just $10 free post. With Christmas just around the corner they would also make fantastic gifts.. So even if you are not particularly interested maybe someone you know might be. Order forms can be downloaded from the club website www.toqinc.org To those members far and wide we won’t see before the new year we wish you and your families a very happy and safe festive season….. Johnny
Joe and Maree Adcock 1963 Thunderbird Hardtop
Damian and Fiona Bond 1962 Thunderbird Landau
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November
1st
6th
CLUB RUN: Yankee Doodle American Car Cruise to Burleigh Town Tavern.
December
Hosted by Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. Meet Logan Hyperdome front car park behind Caltex Servo Exit 28 off M1 9.30am for 10.00am departure. Run Coordinator Dennis Williams Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Dennis and Merron’s place 7.30pm Bring a plate. NOTE! The Rockabilly Revival Event gazetted for 8th Nov in last issues calendar is now being held in March 2016 at Cleveland Show Grounds CLUB RUN: Bearded Dragon Hotel Tamborine Mountain Rd Tamborine for countryside cruising and lunch. Meet Park n Ride cnr Loganlea Rd and Nujooloo Rd Slacks Creek 10.00am for 10.30am departure Run via Loganlea Rd and Waterford Tamborine Rd via Logan Village to Tamborine Mountain Rd. Return via Beaudesert Beenleigh Rd branching off to Stanmore Rd to Yatala. Run Coordinator Doug McCammon CLUB RUN: Thunderbirds of Queensland Christmas Party Redlands Sporting Club Anson Rd off Birkdale Rd Wellington Point. Northside members meet Skyway Airport Shopping Centre in front of Woolworths 9.15am for 9.45am departure to Cannon Hill Shopping Centre. Southside members meet Cannon Hill Shopping Centre in front of Autobarn 10.00am for 10.30am departure. See event flyer on Page 9 Run Coordinator Doug McCammon
8th
29th
4th
Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Bill and Lyn Flanagan’s place,
13th
CLUB RUN: Rewind Mid Century Antique Shop 69 Sinbad Street, Shorn-
7.30pm Bring a plate.
cliffe. For coffee and browsing.. Meet Shell Nudgee 8.30am for 9.00am departure. Google map route https://goo.gl/Lo8oVo Run Coordinator Tony Lake
January
16th
26th
February
CLUB RUN: Annual Fish ’n’ Chip Cruise Night to kick off the new year to Anglers Rest on the Gold Coast Broadwater. No excuses from Gold Coast members please come along and join in. Cruising from Brisbane Meet Yatala Pies 4.30 pm for 5.00pm departure or else meet there. Run Coordinator Bill Flanagan CLUB RUN: Australia Day Rally Ormiston State School. Free breakfast. Car cruises around the Redland Shire. Meet Alexandra Hills Hotel Finucane Rd 7.00am Run Coordinator Barry Ralph
5th
Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Max and Carol Herbert’s place
29th
CLUB RUN: Amberley Airforce Base Tour. Details TBA Run Coordinator
7.30pm Bring a plate. Vince Blanchard
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Get those rides out on the road and have some fun... November 15th - All American Thanksgiving Day at Lakeside Park. Open to all American built vehicles. With over three hours of cruising throughout the day, Show n' Shine, 1/8th mile drags and kids entertainment! Gates open 7.30am 7th - Hervey Bay Swap Meet Come to the beautiful Hervey Bay and check out our swap meet while you're there. Not only will you grab a bargain or unload some treasures, you'll be helping us raise funds for Hervey Bay High School P&C to go towards student resources. Call Kylie on 4194 3790 (Mon-Fri, 7am-3pm) 7th - Old Skool Cars n Street Machines Car Show Ales Barr Oval Cnr Tuckeroo Drive and Beerburrum Road, Caboolture. 5.00pm Rock n Roll Music and Dancers. Over 25 stalls - Food, Markets and trades. Jumping Castle, Face Painting and Train Rides. $5 entry per car regardless of numbers. Bring the whole family. Any queries please don't hesitate to call me on: 0418835974 22nd - Kustoms Of Australia Drive In Night, Yatala Drive In, gates open at 4pm, James Bond movie at 7pm.
December 6th - Gold Coast Retro Cruise night hits the stella cool American Bar ''ONE50'' near Broadbeach with tons of parking and extra spots across the road at the Arts Centre. Come for some of the best gourmet food, beer and cocktails on the Coast at this venue overlooking the water. Upstairs will be vintage stalls and downstairs bands and dance floor on the big flat screens kustom kulture videos. free event- celebrate our Kulture with mates bring out your chrome bumper cars no idiots! no hoons! just good fun. ONE50 @ 150 Bundall Rd 5.00pm till 9.00pm
Friday Nights Munchies @ Elizabeth Street Shops, Acacia Ridge. Harry’s Diner Old School Night every Friday Village Rock Diner 1st Friday of the month 512 Warwick Rd Yamanto Brisbane Retro Cruise Nights Wellington Point every 4th Friday
Saturday Nights Luv My Fish, Browns Plains Rd, Opp Grand Plaza. Yank Tank Display/Cruise In 2nd Saturday of the month Masters Old Coach Rd Upper Coomera Rodders Rumble Cannon Hill Plaza next to Hunry Jacks from 6pm every 3rd Saturday Ol Skool Cars n Muscle Machines 1st Saturday of the month. Westfield North Lakes Cnr Anzac Ave & North Lakes Drive 7
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Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc.
Club Christmas Party Sunday 29th November
Redlands Sporting Club Join us in celebrating another fantastic year of cruising and fun times.. Venue: Redlands Sporting Club Corner Birkdale Rd and Anson Rd Wellington Point. $23 per head full buffet North Side members meet Skyway Airport Shopping Centre in front of Woolworths 9.15am for 9.45am departure to Cannon Hill Shopping Centre. Tony Lake North Side Coordinator 0413 614665 South Side members meet Cannon Hill Shopping Centre Wynnum Rd outside Autobarn 10.00am for 10.30am departure both groups Ted Stocks South Side Coordinator 0419 141146
Numbers attending required ASAP!! Please RSVP to club Secretary Doug McCammon 0412 988544 9
Congratulations Gerard Bartasavich Newly Elected President International Thunderbird Club
I would like to thank the International Thunderbird Club members for selecting me as your next President. It is truly an honour to be selected to serve members and chapters from around the world. This wonderful Thunderbird club would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for the enthusiastic contributors. These passionate groups include ITC members, board members, chapter representatives, vendors, Ford Motor Company, and ITC Facebook members. I look forward to continuing with ITC’s progress. Feel free to Facebook message me or send me an e- mail at gebart@ameritech.net with your thoughts regarding ITC. Thanks again. Gerard (Bart) Bartasavich International Thunderbird Club 9 10
I was recently on holiday in Canada. I caught up with Larry Lee, Vice President of the Calgary Thunderbird Club, and his wife Gladys at his business H&H Autos in Calgary. Also in the photo is Bruce Christie, photographer for the club. We exchanged club calendars and I gave Larry some of our club logo pens. It was great to see them again. We are pictured beside President Dale Foreman's Thunderbird and the white 1989 Thunderbird belongs to Dale Lee who is the club's activity organiser. Cheers Tony Lake
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The Kingston Butter Factory run turned out to be a nice day. A good turnout of 8 cars but only 2 Thunderbirds. 18 members. Shame on you Ted not bringing the Cobra but Merle ailing with flu type complaint – I guess excused on this occasion but how could we not be impressed with Ted with his business type appearance with a tie and all. Mr Treasurer Sir. A confirmation phone call to the butter factory of numbers attending all good for the setting up of tea and coffee with scones and cream. On the spur of the moment we also decided to do a quick trip to the Mt Gravatt lookout to kill some time so as we didn’t arrive too early to the butter factory. We certainly created some interest to the small number of people already on site with our arrival. Photos of the occasion in order and a good group photo taken with the City backdrop. The stop at the lookout took a little longer than anticipated and needed some prompting to get on the way.
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We got the UHF radio communication on track for the run to the Butter Factory. Arriving on site about 11.00 am with plenty of parking available in a nice setting of Gumtree backdrop. On entering the main hall of the Butter Factory a very nice setting of tables all set up waiting for us to be seated for scones jam and cream. This certainly was a very surprising presentation. The options of coffee or tea along with the scones were $3.50 per person and very well presented with the older style cups sources and plates. Very well received by all. The museum was the next attraction with lots of general interest items. The overall interest which attracted me more so was the Airfields that where around during WW11. Woodridge, Marsden, Waterford, Parkridge. Also a photo of a crocodile caught in June 1905 in the Logan River at Logan Village. It would be 4 metres plus. Also the order of the day was checking out the craft area more so by the ladies and some interesting purchases made. On the finalising of the general look see we all made our way out to the carpark where Ted had his raffle happening. Lots of goodies to select from, some getting two bights of the cherry with prizes. Some people happy not to win – Sorry Ted; all in a good cause. Good work. Some decided to move onto a lunch venue which hopefully didn’t see them get caught tops down in the convertibles when the storm moved through about 2 hours later…. Generally a good day for all.. the added Mt Gravatt Lookout visit working in well. Cheers Doug
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Henry Ford’s Airport
Henry Ford liked to own things. In 1924 he even built his own airport in Dearborn, Michigan and in its day, it was one of the most modern facilities in America. Here’s a brief look. As one of the richest men in the world in the 1920s, Henry Ford enjoyed exercising his vision. His many far-flung projects included a rubber plantation in South America, a shipping fleet, and a railroad. Dedicated in November of 1924, the airport remained in operation until 1947. Today the same piece of ground is the Dearborn Development Centre, one of Ford’s several vehicle proving grounds. This map shows the airport’s general layout, including the two runways, which were grass at first, then paved in 1928-29, becoming (then) the longest concrete runways in the world.
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The main photo on the previous page shows Ford Airport during an air show circa 1930. The two Ford Trimotors at left are parked in front of Ford’s Stout Metal Airplane division plant, where the aircraft were built. Part of this facility, at the northwest corner of the property, still exists today and houses Ford’s advanced power plant and fuel cell labs. In the background is the Henry Ford Museum, constructed a few years after the airport.
This aerial photo shows the airport, Oakwood Boulevard side, and the Dearborn Inn (note circular driveway), which opened in 1931. The elegant hotel, another Henry Ford production, was originally constructed to service the airport but remains a popular and first-rate destination today. Looking northwest up Oakwood, we can see the aircraft buildings, then the Ford Museum, then the Ford Engineering facility, known today as the EEE building, where HF I kept (but seldom used) an office. Directly across Oakwood Boulevard from the Dearborn Inn was the airport’s passenger terminal and administration building. By the late ’30s, the Detroit area and Southeast Michigan had a surplus of commercial airports and the Ford facility was now redundant. The first dedicated automotive test road was laid down on the property in around 1938. 15
In 1925, Ford had the world’s tallest commercial dirigible mast erected at the airport. It was used only twice before it was torn down in 1946.
By 1949 the property was no longer in use as a commercial airport and its transformation into a vehicle testing facility was well under way. For a number of years the place served as both airfield and test track, which reportedly produced some interesting moments. Here’s a new 1951 Ford convertible climbing the carburettor grade at the Dearborn Proving Grounds, as it was then called. Above and behind the car in the photo are the old passenger terminal, torn down in the early ’60s, and the aircraft buildings. The carburettor grade is still in use but it probably isn’t called that anymore, we bet.
Article first published on Motor City Garage - March 2013 16
T-Bird for TailgaTin’ Daniel Strohl Sep 1st, 2007
Had a visit recently from a Connecticut-based Thunderbird club, passing through on their annual New England tour. One of the cars in particular, Donald Lemieux’s ’57, had a killer look with those American Racing Torque -Thrusts, but then we had to investigate the little two-wheeled Thunderbird behind it. Donald said he and his brother pieced this particular matching trailer together out of three different Thunderbirds, all rusted beyond hope of repair. The hood was shortened 16 inches to fit. Rather than whack it flat out back though he used another T-bird rear end, then custom shaped the fender skirts. No bulkhead divides the interior of the trailer. Donald and his wife now have about four times the cargo space of the original Thunderbird trunk. It also looks like the little ‘Bird has enough wing to pull the trailer: Donald fitted a 302 stroked to 331 cubic inches in place of the original Yblock...
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Village Rock Diner Cruise Night
The Friday night run to the Village Rock Diner at Yamanto turned out to be a great night. After meeting at the BP Archerfield at 6pm.We set off in convoy from Rocklea for a great night Cruise with 8 classic cars along for the ride. Great to have some of members from the All Classics Club along as well. After a few traffic delays we arrived at the venue to find approx 200 classic cars assembled so we were not able to park as a group (if we go again we will have to be earlier) Anne-Marie, Leon and Jason had arrived earlier so had prime parking spots. The Diner had a good selection of food at reasonable prices. This event is held on the 1st. Friday of every month and seems to be well supported. Great to get the Classics out at night now the weather is warmer. All in all a good social night was enjoyed by everyone. Thank you all for making it a good night. Bill & Lyn.
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The Yatala Pie Shop car park was overflowing
(with Toyota MR2's) when I arrived at 7am for the club run to Harrigan's Car Show at the Drift Inn at Jacob's Well. Shane & Debbie Fernan were already there with their red '66 Mustang and shortly after Damian & Fiona arrived in their '62 powder blue 'Bird. Graham Aston phoned to say he was almost at the event in his immaculate black '56 Bird, so I suggested he continue due to yet another huge bicycle event. Don't get me started..!!! We were directed to the "pointy" end of the venue (prime real estate) with water on either side where we met with another Club member whose name I cannot disclose. Why? Because he purchased another car while his wife was in Sydney without telling her. Oooh Aaah. His initials are GL. So there. Graham Aston had us in stitches with his stories of the "good old days" much better than mine by the way. He began driving on public roads at age 12 and took other kids to school for the equivalent of 20 cents (the bus fare was 50 cents) so they had more money to spend at the Tuck Shop. What a good Samaritan he was? The quality of many cars at this event is similar to Summernats with engines you could literally eat off, which explains why I leave my Cobra hood closed.. Polished alloy items looking like chrome with blowers, turbos and rear ends glistening in the sunshine. Some of the paint works were spectacular, so deep you could thrust your arm in up to your elbow. A custom 2 door green Chevy delivery van (with suicide doors) had to be seen to be believed, with the engine bay done with a "mild" metalflake paint that certainly took me back to the 1960's. An EH Holden fitted with a Gen3 engine & running gear was also an eye opener along with a Ford truck that simply had the engine under the hood. God only knows where everything else was hidden... In the glovebox maybe? Fiona & Damian entered their newly acquired '62 powder blue Landau for judging as did Graham Aston with his black beauty '56 Bird, but I wasn't able to stay for the result, as my face was bright red after 7 hours in the sun. A Gazebo or an umbrella will be a must for next year. See you on the blacktop.. Cheers Ted
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4 Thunderbirds For Sale Contact Pam Wright on 0427 721117 for more info
1960 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop LHD Auto 430 cu Motor Restoration 90 % complete. Assembly only required for newly rechromed bumpers, bonnet and boot lid. Still to be done are the exhaust system and the upholstery (seats) Supplied carpet, door trims, badges etc still to be fitted also. Restoration done to Concours standard. Asking $30,000 O.N.O.
1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible RHD 390 cu Motor. Fully restored to Concours condition 1990. Tonneau Cover Currently problems with transmission in selecting reverse gear and steering linkages underneath need replacing Paintwork now needs attention also. Asking $25,000 O.N.O. 20
1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau LHD 428 cu Motor C6 Auto Disc Brakes Front end Power Ÿ windows Undergoing restoration – Car is complete but some bodywork still needs attention where rust is a problem. Asking $12,000 O.N.O.
1985 Ford Thunderbird LHD Fuel Injected V8 4 speed Auto with O/drive Interior very good condition Some rust in back panel above the boot lid EFI Carby needs assembling Eligible for SIVS (Special Interest Vehicle Scheme) Asking $8,000 O.N.O.
Cars are located in Brisbane 21
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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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 Boxes 2/19 Kitchener Rd Kedron Ph 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 INNOVATIVE AUTO DESIGN - Specialising in compliancing of American & European Classic Cars. 3/14 Lapis St Underwood. 3290 2177 or 0411 311473 MODIFICATION PLATES - Club member Luke McCammon fully licensed engineer for all your blue plate needs. Contact Doug McCammon for info and bookings 0412 988544 KNIGHTS OLD SCHOOL BRAKES SERVICE - Wynnum Ph 3393 3188 OZ RODS - Hot Rod and Street Machine Specialists. 3805 7155 www.oz-rods.com BRIAN ARMSTRONG AIRCONDITIONING 0447 349495 AH 3802 2994 NO BULL ACCESSORIES - Hard wearing vehicle accessories.. molded carpets for classic & European cars 18 Ferguson St Underwood 33414988 www.nobullaccessories.com.au
Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. Club Polo Shirts They’re Back !! 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
New Club Caps $15
Contact the Merchandise man to purchase Doug McCammon 0412 988554
Club Logo Stickers.. Small $2 Large $4 One of each for $5
Denise Ramsey Unit 7/121 Kerry Road Archerfield QLD 4108 Ph: 3277 5039 or 0408 012957 sales@shortyshirts.com.au 23
JOIN THIS GREAT CLUB
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International Thunderbird Club
http://intl-thunderbirdclub.com/
Thunderbird Registry
http://www.tbirdregistry.com
Thunderbird Headquarters
http://www.tbirdhq.com
The Bird Nest
http://www.tbirdparts.com/main.htm
Thunderbird Ranch
http://www.tbirdranch.com/
Home of the Thunderbird Italien and XM400 Mercury Concept Car
http://www.tbirdsquare.com/
Squarebirds.org
http://www.squarebirds.org/
Automotive Mileposts: Thunderbird
http://automotivemileposts.com/ contentstbird.html
Jim Wulf's Tbird Garage
http://www.tbirdgarage.com/
All American Auto Parts - Ballarat VIC.
http://www.allamericanautoparts.com.au/
Jim Osbourne Reproductions
http://www.osborn-reproduction.com/
The Old Car Manual Project
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/
Colour Codes - Tbird Cross Reference
http://goo.gl/qCrQee
Vintage Ford Publications
http://mustangtek.com/Litterature.html
Auto Colour Library
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/
Plan 59 - Museum of Mid Century Illustration
http://www.plan59.com/
Original Auto Interiors
http://www.originalauto.com
Ford V8 Workshop
http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/
Permanent Painted Coatings Australia
http://ppcco.com.au/
Cruzin Magazine
http://www.cruzin.com.au/
Pinky’s Car Shows and Swap Meets
http://www.pinky.com.au/queensland.htm
QLD Historic Motoring Council
http://www.qhmc.org.au/
QLD Motorised Sports Council
http://www.qmsc.org.au/
Roadside Architecture
http://www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html
Internet Movie Cars Database
http://imcdb.org/
Thunderbird Junior Central
http://www.jrcentral.com/