My custom 59

[Derbird]

Thought I would share a few pictures of my 59 Thunderbird. Somehow I managed to find a rust free car on the middle of Iowa only to find out the rear quarters had been smashed and artistically repaired with thick Bondo. So far all the body repairs are done and paint is about 90 percent completed. This is an original 430 car and a rebuilt one is going back in it.

[simplyconnected]

Nice work. Whenever I hear a bout an overhauled 430 I get real cautious. If they used flat top pistons the rebuild will have less HP than a stock 352 because most of the compression is sacrificed and gone.

I'm way more comfy hearing about a rebuilt 390. - Dave

[Derbird]

No flat top pistons here. I have two old school brothers working on the engine who were around when it was new. Yes it costs to much, but I like to be different.

[Dan Leavens]

Kyle it is coming along and nice touch with the pin stripe
What is the colour code paint you put on?

[Derbird]

The darkest grey is a 2010 Toyota paint code 1g3. The other two are custom mixed colors that my painter has used on other cars in the past. I will hopefully have pictures of the completed roof paint in a few days. Not quite sure exactly how it will lay it for sure, but there will be scallops involved. I found a guy that loves the lines on this car and has a passion for what he does, so I am giving him some free reign to surprise me.

[Dan Leavens]

Kyle I thought it was a newer paint code but couldn't place it. Almost looks like Thunderbird Grey Mettalic on the babybirds.

I will hopefully have pictures of the completed roof paint in a few days.

Definitely need to see some pictures once completed

[Derbird]

Update

Rear bumper has been painted to match the body and installed. Roof has also been painted. Should be back home soon to finish everything else.

[Dan Leavens]

Kyle nice touch on the roof and pillar striping. Have you painted the front bumpers as well?

[Derbird]

Yes the front bumper has been painted, but not assembled or installed. Also not shown in the roof is a little lace in the paint fades away.

[simplyconnected]

I must get used to 'painted bumpers' but this paint job is fabulous because it is subtle and deep. Beautiful job! - Dave

[Dan Leavens]

Dave I agree with you about the painted bumpers. Having seen many custom projects over the years ( Billy Gibbons/ 58 ), I think Kyle's 59 once finished, will be stunning.

Kyle definitely need completed pictures front / back / top and sides

[Tbird1044]

Here's a picture of a partially painted bumper, color matched to the car. I thought it looked great.
Nyles

[Dan Leavens]

Nyles it sure does. Tow hitch on that classic???

[Derbird]

You gotta have the hitch. I have one on a custom 1952 Chevy truck, used it several times to pull a teardrop camper. My father in law has one on his 69 Mach 1 that he uses weekly to pull his custom painted motorcycle trailer. Plus how else are you going to tow your buddy home?

[del]

nice tail lights!

Wow - nice! What are those tail lights off of?