Volume 25 Number 5
March / April 2016
A Chapter of the International Thunderbird Club Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. PO Box 505 Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 contact@toqinc.org Membership dues are $40 per annum. Fees payable on April 1 each year. Club magazine “SOUNDS OF THUNDER� is published bi-monthly and distributed electronically. Contributions are encouraged and should be emailed to the Editor: johnny@toqinc.org
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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Editor’s Report
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Club Calendar
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Events Calendar
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New Members
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Fish in the Park
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Australia Day Rally
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Getting away Thunderbird Style
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Texaco ‘The Texas Oil Company’
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The History of Mid-Century Modern
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Deuces Unlimited Cruise In
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Fine Iron Hot Rod and Custom Show Flyer
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Parts and Service
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Merchandise
On the cover.. The feature of this issue is the History of Mid-Century Modern. On the cover a 1958 Edsel Bermuda Station Wagon is parked out front of a classic Palm Springs California Modernist Alexander Construction Company designed home in the Vista Las Palmas Estate.
www.tbirdregistry.com facebook.com/groups/tbirdregistry 4
Club mem bership fees are d ue!
Hello all.. Yes its that time again and membership fees are now due so it’s time to write that cheque or transfer those funds. Remember we need your completed renewal forms posted or scanned and emailed in with any changes to your personal details. There is a renewal form included with the hard copy of the magazine or attached to the email you received with the link to the electronic magazine. If all that fails it can be downloaded from the club website www.toqinc.org/renewal.pdf Just a reminder that the magazine will be no longer available as a printed book after this volume and fees are changing to a flat $40 per year for all members. In extreme circumstances where a member has no access to the internet we will try and accommodate in what way we can. Please contact me directly if that may be the case… Don’t forget most libraries have internet access and printers all you need is a web based email address like Gmail or Yahoo. As always we hope that you will want to stay with us but understand that for all sorts of reasons people come and go. If you no longer want to continue your membership with the club we would appreciate it if you could let us know. I’d like to give long time member Phil (the Sheriff) Cutter from Gympie a bit of a plug. He has a business called Phil’s Car Care and does full car detailing and also modern plastic headlight lens refurbishment. These lens’ are going yellow with a few years under the Australian Sun. Phil can bring them back to as new condition with his treatment and technique. Phil may be based in Gympie but he does travel. Give him a call if you need his expert assistance on your old or new ride. See his flyer on page 22 We are only eight weeks into the new year and have already had a number of membership enquiries. Those that have joined the club are Robert Taylor with a stunning red 62 Thunderbird Sports Roadster and Sean McCarthy with his neat Australian marketed 1968 Galaxie 500 Sedan. Welcome to the club guys. You can view their cars on the New Members page. There are club runs and events aplenty coming up.. The Logan Show which was great last year, our annual BBQ Breakfast bash this year at Crockett Park Woody Point, our picnic cruise to Atkinson’s Dam in the Brisbane Valley. Not forgetting to mention the TOQ Annual General Meeting on April 3rd. The committee works hard all year long keeping your club running in tip top shape.. please consider attending this meeting and social occasion. Its only once a year we decide on a new committee and the club members support is always appreciated. As always all committee positions are open and it is always preferred if we have members outside the current committee put their hand up for a job. We look forward to seeing you there… Keep Cruisin’ Johnny 5
March
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Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Ted Stocks’ place Earlier meet-
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CLUB RUN: Logan PCYC Car Show Lot 7 Jacaranda Avenue, Logan Central.
ing time of 7.00pm. Bring a plate
20th
April
3rd
17th
May
Meet Logan City Tavern car park 104 Wembley Rd Logan Central 7.30am Run Coordinator Doug McCammon CLUB RUN: Billy’s Breakfast Bash to Crockett Park Woody Point BYO BBQ Breakfast. BBQs onsite. Meet Shell Nudgee 7.30am for 7.45am departure. Google Map of Route: https://goo.gl/DyCr39 Run Coordinator Barry Ralph
2016 TOQ Annual General Meeting: The most important meeting of the year. Please show the club your support by attending and helping to decide on a new committee for the next financial year. Dennis and Merron’s Place 10.00am BYO BBQ lunch Contact Dennis CLUB RUN: Picnic lunch (or BYO portable BBQs) at Atkinson’s Dam in the Brisbane Valley. Stopover at Fernvale for morning tea. Meet BP Truck Stop Boundary Rd Rocklea 8.00am for 8.30am departure. Map of Route: https://goo.gl/Rkih1x Run Coordinator Barry Ralph
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Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Barry and Libby Ralph’s place
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CLUB RUN: Scenic Rim Cruise via Tamborine Village, Mundoolan and
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Beaudesert to Veresdale Hotel for lunch. Meet Palmdale Shopping Centre Logan Rd opposite Garden City 8.00am for 8.30am departure. Run Coordinator Barry Ralph CLUB RUN: 2016 Mac’s Bridge Sports and Classic Car Festival. Qld Rifle Assoc Belmont Range 1485 Old Cleveland Rd Belmont. Meet Autobarn Wynnum Rd Cannon Hill 7.00am for 7.30am departure to arrive at show as a group. Run Coordinator Doug McCammon
7.30pm Bring a plate.
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Get those rides out on the road and have some fun... March
6th - PCYC Logan present the Logan Car Show, hot rods, utes, muscle cars and more, Lot 7 Jacaranda Avenue, Woodridge, $5 general entry, $5 per vehicle and driver, $10 for vehicle and driver in judging, Book your club in! Ph: 07 3442 1700, marika.saliba@pcyc.org.au 6th - Banyo Swap Meet Earshaw State College Earshaw Rd Banyo 6.00am 6th - Northern Districts Rodders Swap & Show and Shine Redcliffe Show Grounds 13th - Rockabilly Revival Cleveland Show Grounds 10.00 am to 5.00pm Cars to be parked between 9am and 10 no car movement until 5.30pm 20th - 18th Annual Gold Coast Super Swap Meet & Show n Shine. Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang Beaudesert Road. 26th - Drive n Jive Yatala Drive In Gates open 4pm 27th - Mustang Nationals - Broadwater Parklands Gold Coast
April
16th - Auto One Browns Plains Show and Shine 5pm - 8.00pm 18 Commerce Drive Village Square Home Centre. 17th - Queensland Auto Spectacular.. Willowbank Raceway 30th - Fassifern Fifties Festival Aratula State School.
May
1st - David Hack Memorial Classic Aircraft and Car meet. Toowoomba Airport Aerotech Hangar Spitfire St Toowoomba. 15th - Fine Iron Rod and Custom Club 23rd Annual Hot Rod, Car and Bike Show and Swap Meet Ebbw Vale Soccer Grounds Ipswich (see flyer inside) 21st - Laidley Show and Swap Meet Laidley Show Grounds.
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
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 Hungry 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
Robert Taylor - 1962 Thunderbird Sports Roadster
Sean McCarthy - 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 Sedan 8
Fish in the Park Paradise Point The
evening started off well with five Cars leaving the Yatala Pie Shop... But sometimes fate takes a hand when the good times roll. Just after leaving the highway at Oxenford the Big T played up. Two Carby failures and a flat tyre all in about 4klm. After much help from all the guys we finally arrived at Paradise Point. Many thanks to Ted, Dennis, Doug and Damian for their help. We were welcomed by the staff at Fish in the Park on arrival. It was great to see Lynne & Terry (62 Tbird) Graham Aston (56 TBird) and Damian & Fiona Bond (62 TBird) along for the ride. Thanks for joining us folks. We all enjoyed a lovely fish & chip dinner and the location was great. Was nice to get the Classics out for a night run on a nice cool Summer evening. A good social night for all, thanks for coming. Cheers Bill & Lyn. Roadside repairs everyone chips in (excuse the pun) and your back on the road.. If it was a newie you’d probably be calling the tray..
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Bayside Vehicle Restorers Club 2016 Australia Day Rally
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Getting Away Thunderbird Style
Here are some pictures of our tear drop camper trailer and 64 Tbird on the Moonshine Run at Stanthorpe last weekend. We all had a great time. The tear drop was very comfy. Friday night was freezing but it was warm and cosy in the tear drop. The Thunderbird towed it great up the range. We all had no car troubles and our friend Tony took out best combo with his Chevy and vintage Riviera caravan. There were 130 cars at the Moonshine Run this year. All in all a great weekend‌ Dianne and Mick
Doing anything interesting with your car that you would like to share with the club? Please send it in for publication..
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Texaco Inc.
"The Texas Company" is an American oil retail brand. Its flagship product is its fuel "Texaco with Techron". It also owns the Havoline motor oil brand. Texaco was an independent company until its refining operations merged into Chevron Corporation in 2001, at which time most of its station franchises were divested to the Shell Oil Company. It began as the Texas Fuel Company, founded in 1901 in Beaumont, Texas, by Joseph S. Cullinan, Thomas J. Donoghue, Walter Benona Sharp, and Arnold Schlaet upon the discovery of oil at Spindletop in Texas.
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The History of Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern is a term originated by Cara Greenberg to describe a particular style of architecture and furniture design that was prominent in the US during the post-World War II years. The originations of this particular style along with the accessories that accompany it, were created from the exuberance period when American soldiers came home, the economy boomed and new homes were being built across the country. Out of this time period came a wealth of new design ideas that shaped architecture and furniture based on the technology of the day. As technology changed and a new generation of children was being born into the post-nuclear era, the mid-century modern style began to fade rapidly. By the 1980s, the mid-century modern style was no longer considered “hip”, although many people to this day grew up in homes and furnishings that were of that time period. Mid-century modern style should not be confused with Art Décor which dominated the previous era after the end of World War One in particular. However, it did take a few cues from that former style in terms of the lines and angles used in larger structures. The Beginnings of the Mid-Century Modern Style The end of World War II brought about great change across the US as returning soldiers along with their brides created huge demands for new housing. The sudden surge led to what was known as “tract housing” which sprang up in former rural areas at the edge of cities and towns. Tract housing was simple in design and cut corners in certain places so that the homes could be built faster.
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Mid-Century Modern Housing However, the speed of building the homes also created new designs that became a hallmark of the post-war period which lasted until the early 1970s. The emphasis on horizontal lines and a clean, open flow setting make mid-century modern style rather apparent in architectural designs for residences. Even afterwards, mid-century modern style has re-occurred as retro-trends often do, particularly on popular period series such as AMC’s “Mad Men�. One of the biggest changes to the modern home was the inclusion of the garage to house the vehicle. This new addition to homes began in the 1920s when vehicles were becoming popular, but it really took off with tract housing after World War II. Carports were another feature that were in place of garages depending on the overall design.
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In addition to houses, larger commercial structures also reflected the mid-century modern style that emphasized clean lines which were sometimes stylized in terms of their angles or sweep. Buildings such as the Riverplace Tower in Jacksonville, Florida or the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental design featured the straight, rectangular shapes that are familiar across the skyline. However, the striking North Christian Church in Columbus, Ohio or the main terminal at the Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia (below) reflect more the sweep and angle of lines that really stand out...
While Frank Lloyd Wright was arguably the most notable figure of mid-century modern style in terms of crafting commercial and private structures, he was certainly influenced by others, including the Bauhaus movement and the works of Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona below was Wright's winter home. It's now the main campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.
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Furniture and Mid-Century Modern The furniture also reflected this particular look as well with clean, simple designs that emphasized curves, geometric shapes and other angles instead of the more elaborate and ornate appearance that was common in both furniture and housing of the pre-World War II era. Examples of the midcentury modern style in furniture include the famous Egg chair created by Arne Jacobsen or the Eames Lounge Chair as fashioned by Charles and Ray Eames, a chair that was prominently featured on such television programs as “Frasier”.
The Rise of Multipurpose Arguably the most telling rise in furniture design was how it was not regulated to a single purpose. For example, chairs could be used for many different reasons rather than being regulated to the living room, kitchen or den. Tables became places where people would eat, write, stack magazines, play cards and more. No longer was furniture limited to one purpose which in turn created a more uniform style in many different homes… Even furniture that was still used for a singular purpose took on a simpler, straightforward look. Coffee tables for example became neat and clean in design with an emphasis on lines and angles as opposed to being ornate. In addition to homes and furniture, accessories such as lamps, clocks, glassware and even artwork took on a more simple, straightforward design that reflected the new age. The simpler, multipurpose style also reflected an approach to casual living which brought about more comfort accessories such as toasters, time-saving gadgets, barbeque sets and the like which either saved time and effort or helped create a more casual atmosphere around the home. With the explosion of popular music in the 1950s, stereos or “hi-fi’s” were becoming quite common as well. Of course, all of these new appliances and accessories needed a place to be stored when not in use, so simpler closet designs were crafted as well…. The most notable works of mid-century modern style in terms of furniture and accessories includes Charles and Ray Eames, An Eames Chair and Ottoman to the right. Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and many more..
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The End of the Mid-Century Modern Style By the mid-1960s, the era of the mid-century modern style was fading fast as the slowdown of new housing and new tastes in design, furniture and accessories became more fashionable. It is not surprising that the mid-century modern style coincides with the Baby Boomer generation which consists of babies born from 1946 to 1964. The beginning of a new generation combined with advances in technology and materials led to the construction of larger homes that abandoned most of the typical mid-century modern style that had been so prevalent before. Today, the mid-century modern style is now considered a retro-look that respects the attitudes and practicalities of the time. While it is an era that has passed, it has certainly not been forgotten and vestiges of that style continue to influence designers of today. Reference: www.huset.com.au/blog/the-history-of-mid-century-modern/
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Cruise in to Bayer Smash
Awesome roll up of 103 cars & a bike to the Rods Inc / Deuces Unlimited coffee and sizzle cruise in morning at Bayer Smash Repairs. Thanks to the club members that attended and to Herby and Randy Bayer for putting it on...
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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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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
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1970 Mercury Cougar - 351W, FMX Auto, 9 Inch Diff, Upgraded MSD Ignition and twin thermo fans for cooling, 100 amp alternator, duel fuel. Everything works on the car including the A/C. The Heater Cores have been removed. Car is RHD and drives and steers well. I believe it was converted to RHD in Ipswich in early 70s. The car Originally had a black vinyl roof which I had removed about 10 years ago. Also has leather seats which are still ok. I have 3 big trunks of parts for the car , some new and some used , also various Cougar nick nacks. Also all the original distributor, alternator and cooling system if someone wants to put it back to original. All old parts are in working order. The paint has a few stone chips and scratches as it has been my Daily Driver for the last 12 Years. It has been maintained always to a high standard and on a regular basis. I have all the dockets etc. The car runs well and still has many more miles left in it as long it is looked after. The Roo Bar and spotlight can easily be removed. I had these on for trips up to Rockhampton. Asking $23,000 for everything. Contact Frank Tangney 0414 553 227 Cooroy
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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 26
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/