Dave's '62 T-Bird Hardtop basket case

[Guest]

Picked her up for $600.. looks like she's pretty complete, but she has lots of rust damage. Pretty solid frame, thankfully. Hardtop Base, Z-code 390FE/300hp. Currently not running, but complete. Looking forward to having a little fun getting dirty. Not really going in with intentions of making a show car right now.. a roadworthy cruiser/mild custom is more along the lines of what I'm thinking, if she's not too far gone. Hoping at the very least, my 11 year old son and I get a few good memories out of working on her.

[ranchopower]

Bird Nest

Nice cross flow radiator!

These rides when road worthy get 20mpg with the 390!

good solid car to drive!

[simplyconnected]

Dave, this project should be perfect for you and your son.
There is a lot to do in all areas, Mechanical, Electrical, Trim, Paint and tuning.

Any work you can do will accomplish two important lessons, cost savings because you won't hire the job out and experience that your boy will never get anywhere else. Above all, the time you spend together is priceless. As work progresses, your boy will see 'you' in that car's work.

Hang a few pictures of the finished car around your garage. Then any work you do will be that much closer to the light at the end of this tunnel. I sincerely hope you two stick to it and see your car finished, even if it takes years. Good luck. - Dave

[Dan Leavens]

Dave I agree with Dave Dare in that this project including your son, will no doubt be beneficial to both of you. He will have an immediate bond to you in the learning process of restoration and also helping you along the way. Not stuck to a tablet and gaming

You wll get personal satisfaction that you and your son did something together and possibly turn it over to him when he is old enough to drive. Good stuff. We need more of the younger generation to get involved and take over these classics.

[DKheld]

Years ago when my Dad was alive and still driving his Squarebird that he bought new - I liked the style of the Bullet Bird. I had always wanted to find a '62 - thought that swing-away steering wheel was like rocket science. Never happened but enjoyed many days of working on his Squarebird with him.

Looking forward to seeing the progress. Hope your son enjoys the work and can take over the drivers seat one day. We're close enough that hopefully we'll see each other at a show or cruise-in. I'll be in my Dad's Squarebird. (Ooops - guess it's mine now)

Eric

[fomoco59]

Dano,
I couldn't agree more with your post. I bought a '61 Falcon for $50 back in the '90s for my son and I to refurbish. He learned a lot working on that basic 170 cu motor. His car stuck out in the high school parking lot for sure !

In 2002, he helped rebuild my 352, then we restored a '64 Caddy. He ended up being a Mustang freak and started building his motors and drag racing. One was the fastest car I've ever ridden in. Now that he's a family man, he slowed down but still works on his '97 Cobra. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Dan Leavens]

Mike once you get the " bug " it stays with you for life

[jhuebner]

Dave, thats awesome my son is 3 and loves our T Bird cant wait till he really can get involved with it.