A top-down ride along

We returned the ’63 Thunderbird to her rightful owner a couple of weeks ago, roadworthy and ready for cruising. She’s a head-turner. Here’s a couple of minutes from the final road test… https://www.johnaustinmotorworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/63-TBird-Road-Test.mp4

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Stubborn Ol’ Bird? (plus Video 4)

Christine the Car (from Wallpaper Cave)

Have you seen the 1983 John Carpenter supernatural horror movie, Christine? It’s based on a Stephen King novel of the same title and features a possessed 1958 Plymouth Fury. Sometimes we think this old bird has a mind of it’s own but instead of repairing herself like Christine, she instead seems to say, “Nope, I’m…

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Progress Report on the ’63 T-Bird (Video 3)

63 TBird Progress Part 3

We removed umpteen pounds of oil-soaked sound deadener in the truck area. It’s asphalt-based (tar and paper). A leaking convertible top hydraulic system made a mess of things. We also found remnants of trunk mat material. The weatherstrip around the deck lid was deteriorated and had been painted over. We used chemicals and abrasives to…

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Electrical Gremlins

Electrical Gremilin

Troubleshooting electrical problems in old cars can be a challenge sometimes. When a component fails, like a light bulb, it’s relatively easy to track down and repair. Other faults, like corrosive resistance at a connection, an open circuit, or short circuit to ground somewhere can take time. The ’63 T-Bird came in with a couple…

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Progress Report on the ’63 T-Bird (Video)

Engine Service

Seems like we spend a fair amount of time just waiting on parts to arrive. Some parts are generic in nature as they were used across many years and models. They can be picked up at the local parts store. Others are Thunderbird specific and they’ve got to come from the specialty suppliers. And then…

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Undoing the Effects of Time

Mostly gutted Thurnderbird dash

The ’63 Thunderbird sat for a long time and we’re finding evidence of decay and signs of neglect in a past life – which, in many cases, is to be expected. We wonder what stories this old drop-top bird would tell, if it could. Kudos to the current owner for wanting to get her back…

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The Body Count

Rodent nest under the back seat

Working on old cars that have sat for a long time are always interesting and a bit like an archaeological dig. One of the first things on the ’63 T-Bird was to determine why there were no brakes. A quick inspection turned up at least one leaking wheel cylinder – so we know where the…

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1963 ‘Bullet’ T-Bird

66 T-Bird - Wash

We brought a 1963 Ford Thunderbird to the shop, not for restoration, but to get her cleaned up and made roadworthy for a little top-down Summer fun. It was built September 18, 1963 – the 5,331st unit built that year and 1 of 5,895 convertibles. She’s been sitting for quite some and has no brakes…

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