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E X E C U T I V EThunderbird FlyerB O A R DNewsletter of the Northwest Vintage Thunderbird ClubV O L U M E3 8 ,I S S U E2F E B R U A R Y ,2 0 1 7Road TripSSPECIALPOINTS OFINTEREST: Thunderbird Appreciation Dayon May 21st!INSIDE THISISSUE:ThunderbirdValuations2Passing of DickAaron3ThunderbirdRegistries4Local Car Resto- 5ration ScamNWVTC Meeting Minutes6Calendar ofEvents7Passing Lane8everal months ago I was asked if I couldput a booth together to promote FordThunderbirds and the clubs that supportedThunderbird owners at the Classic AutoShow; a new show in Los Angeles, CA. Severalfolks joined me in putting a group of Thunderbirdstogether that would show a cross section of theeleven models of Thunderbirds. Amazingly, weexperienced many T-birders that could not or wouldnot put their car into the show. So as the time forthe show approached, I realized that I was going tohave to drive my T-bird to LA!I’ll tell you now that the show went very well andmyself and the others that manned the booth talkednon-stop over the three days of the show to dozensof folks that wanted to reminisce about Thunderbirds, locate Thunderbird parts or determine what acertain problem might be with their Thunderbird.There were even one or two offers to buy some ofthe cars but, of course, they were politely refused!One thing that stands out during these conversations was that most everyone was surprised that Ihad driven a 52 year old car almost 1000 miles toattend the show. Frankly, I had some concernssince this was going to be the farthest distance aswell as the most continuous use that I had subjected my T-bird since putting it back on the road. Howwas it going to handle that long drive?One plus I had was that I had been driving it regularly for the last two years and most of the bugshad taken care of. You might say that I am intimately familiar with the quirks of the car. Like the rattlesound when the trunk lid is raised (I have yet beenunable to fish out whatever is in there!). The powersteering pump makes a slight humming sound whenthe fluid level drops to a certain amount. And I always know that if I am not the one filling the gastank (only in Oregon) that there will be a trail of gascoming from the tank during the first right hand turnsince the attendants always insist on filling the tankto the brim. If you are riding in my car after a stopat the gas station I apologize for the smell. Don’tworry, with the mileage of this car, the tank won’t bethat full for long!.I felt pretty confident that the car was going toperform well. After all, this was a car that a familywould have loaded into and headed off for vacationto Disneyland back in the day, right? So, to borrowa television theme song lyric; “I loaded up the trunkand headed to Beverly.Hills that is.” Well, at leastheaded in that general direction.And do you know what happened? Not much.The car averaged 10-11 mpg while loping along at65-70 mph. The springy seats with the new foamcushions provided a comfortable ride. Much betterthan the seats in the multi-million dollar jet that I flyfor work. The weather throughout Oregon, into theSiskiyou Mountains across the state line and thenthough the Sacramento Valley of California wasmild and cool. Between the fresh air vents andheater, I was able to keep the cabin cozy. Theonly fluids that I had to top off was the gas stationcoffee. I wonder if gas station coffee was as badback then as it is today?The only nod to the present in the car was mysmart phone that provided me with traffic updates,music and podcast entertainment and movingmaps. I synced that with a Bluetooth speaker thatsat on the dash. And since cup holders were notsomething that automotive designers had startedputting in every car, I dropped a whole 1.29 for aplastic cup holder that hung by the vent window onthe drivers door. The only thing that I think wouldhave been nice would have been a head rest.Maybe I’ll bring one of those neck pillows you seepeople wearing at airports.I split the trip to LA into two days and plannedan overnight with some old friends in the Bay Area.The first day was around ten hours of driving. Ittook another seven to reach LA. As I said earlier,the show went well with lots of folks talking to usabout Thunderbirds. Hopefully these people willdo something to get more Thunderbirds out there!Oh, the drive home. Well there were somechallenges on the drive home. But you'll have tocome to the club meeting to hear that story!Tom
PAGE2Thunderbird ValuationsAs an insurer of classic vehicles, Hagerty is 800 lb. gorilla in the room. It isn’t surprising to find outthat the company keeps a close eye on classic car valuations. Hagerty analyzes sources includingauctions, dealer sales and peer-to-peer sales. They also note condition, history, optional equipment, quality of restoration, degree of documentation, and sales venue. Also incorporated intovehicle values are inventory, demand, recent trends of similar vehicles, movement within related marketsegments, and general directions of the vehicle market overall.Owners that insure with Hagerty may access a current valuation of their vehicle through the Hagerty website.The following valuations look at the change in valuations from January 2016 to January 2017 for models ofThunderbird that can be found in most clubs.Baby Birds2017 valuations are a few hundred dollars less than the 2016 values for 1955 models while the1956 model is a few hundred higher. All models for 1957 see substantial increases; from 4k fora “Fair” C code to a remarkable 57k for a “Concours” F code.Square BirdsBoth the Coupe and Convertible for 1958, 1959 and 1960 remain within a few hundred dollars(higher or lower) of 2016 valuations.Bullet BirdsSimilar to the Square Birds, each model and year of Bullet Birds saw only mild changes from2016. The biggest change was in the Sport Roadster models with an increase for a “Fair” modelof 3.7k and a high of 14k for a “Concours” vehicle.Flair BirdsFlairbird owners of every body style also experienced a relatively flat year. Even with the additionof the 428 ci engine models, Flairbirds were all within a few hundred dollars of their 2016 valuations.Retro BirdsThough not in the “classic” category just yet, all years of the Retro Bird saw a slight decrease of afew hundred dollars with the exception of “Concours” quality vehicles that experienced severalhundred dollar increases. These vehicles experienced a several thousand dollar increase justtwo years ago.To find a report on your specific model, the Hagerty Valuation Tool may be found ch/autoTHUNDERBIRDFLYER
VOLUME38,ISSUE2PAGE3Passing of Dick AaronDick Aaron, an honorary member of the Northwest Vintage Thunderbird Club passed away in January. He hadjust celebrated his 90th birthday in November. Some of our current members remember Dick and Pauline(married for 67 years) from the early years of the club. Dick’s mechanical background provided an enjoyment inrestoring many vehicles, one of which was a 1965 Thunderbird convertible which was modified into a SportRoadster. Dick also fulfilled his ambition of flying by receiving his Private Pilot certificate and restoring a 1941Boeing Stearman, a biplane that was used as a primary training aircraft for many of the aviators of WWII.Club member Dennis Tokstad said he wasnewly hired at Hyster Corporation, a heavymachinery manufacturer here in Portland, OR,in 1975 when he first met Dick (as well as deceased club member Reed Fleener).Dick retired from Hyster in 1984 and he andPauline would travel across the US and tooverseas destinations. The time spent at home was filled with their three children andgrandchildren. Dick and Pauline both served as elders at the Eastminster PresbyterianChurch and as guides at Vista House in the Columbia Gorge.The last club event that Dick attended was the club’s 2008 summer picnic at Dennis’house in Troutdale. Unfortunately, many members had already gone by the time Dickand Pauline showed since he was showing some of his wildlife carvings, yet anotherhobby that Dick excelled in.A service will be held at 2pm on February 11th at the Hearthstone at Murrayhill in Beaverton where Dick and Pauline have resided since 2013.Ford used heavy metal staples to attach some of the weather stripping and rubber trim to the body of the Thunderbird in many model years.When you are trying to restore these pieces there is no tool that will replicate these staples. A member on the Squarebirds Forum, DebLiberator posted a simple, yet close way, to replicate these staples. The following text and pictures are from Ms. Liberatore.I pushed the seal onand centered it, thenpushed the staplesthrough from the bottom edge(because it was easierto see holes) throughthe metal and theseal.First I made a pattern on paperof the holes in the metal skirt.Cut some brass wire (16 gauge)to length and mark where itshould be bent.These are the metal staples afterI bent them into shape. It took 9for each fender skirt.This photo shows theback side of bent staples. A pretty neat application.Ford usually installed the staplesso the prongs were on the metalside of the attached piece. EditorHere it is all done.I did rubber cementthe ends as I saw recommended by othermembers and allowedthem to dry.This shows after I shortened thestaples and bent them over.
PAGE4Thunderbird RegistriesThis article appeared in the September 2014Thunderbird Flyer. It is being reproducedbecause of information received concerningthe Thunderbird Registry administered byJohn Rotella and more recently, Cody Burch,an employee at Bird Nest.How many times have you seen the term“RARE” used in an ad in the paper or online? Seems everyone has a rare part or carfor sale. I have a 1964 2-door Hardtop in mygarage, does this qualify as a rare car? How would I goabout finding out if this was a one of a kind example?Hmmm Enter the Thunderbird registries. Maybe you have seenthem in a club magazine or website. But what exactlyis a registry?much easier. Wonder comments in his e-mailthat it isn’t just the VIN information that is important. He says the car “ may have beenbuilt for special purposes (like a Pace Car orPresidential Parades). Of course, photos ofany unique markings like paint daubs, greasepen marks, etc. should also be documented.”So not only does a registry share the uniqueness (or possibly the commonality) of yourThunderbird, it also adds information on thehistory of these cars.Now, how do you go about getting on a registry?Rotella says that all production years of theThunderbird are welcome to be in ThunderbirdRegistry (www.tbirdregistry.com). The carThink of the registries as a history book. The owners ofdoesn’t even need to be around! As long asthe registries are trying to keep a history of these carsthe VIN and data plate info is known the caras they came from the factory. John Rotella is keepercan be registered. An owner submits the VINof the 33,000 entries on Thunderbird Registry. Rotellaand/or production codes information alongsays in an e-mail that gathering and sorting the inforwith a narrative and pictures (e-mail or lowmation details the production ofresolution settings).these cars: what options wereRotella then adds thempopular (or not), what types ofto the database. ThunThunderbirds were sold wherederbird Registry thenand even what factors may havehas search options tocontributed to a car surviving forpick from. With over40 or 50 years. William Wonder,33,000 Thunderbirdsauthor of Thunderbird Restoraregistered on the site,tion Guide 1958-1966, also runsthere is no limit onMTV’s “Pimp My Ride” did a number on this 1965a very specific registry for 1962- Thunderbird. Information from a registry could assist what a person can63 “M” Series and 1963 Limitedsearch for. When Iin putting it back into original condition.Edition “Monaco” Thunderbirds.searched for 1964 2Wonder writes in his e-mail “These registries help indoor hardtops, the database returned 1,000documenting the production history of these vehicles. AThunderbirds matching the criteria! So muchhopefully permanent record of their production, optionsfor my having a rare model! Then by scrollingand interesting histories associated with each. This kinddown the list I was able to find a VIN that wasof information will also be helpful when others find existproduced five cars after mine. For some reaing examples to purchase and serve as a guide in theson it was fascinating knowing that there wasrestoration of similar vehicles.”another Thunderbird still around that wasprobably produced the same day mine was.Rotella comments “There are far too many crazy adaptations and modifications. Not that people should not beRegistries can benefit us all with the inforable to do what they want with their car, of course, but Imation they can provide. As Rotella puts it,do think it is worthwhile for Thunderbird enthusiasts of“We are writing a history, we are not producthe future to have a resource which will tell the story theing a beauty pageant or a talent contest. Weway it was written in the first place.” Imagine having tomust write this history as a team, I cannot do ittry to restore the 1965 Thunderbird that was “madeall on my own.”over” on MTV’s Pimp My Ride. If a past owner hadregistered the car and left detailed information andSee next page for current news about Registrymaybe even pictures on a registry the task would beTHUNDERBIRDFLYER
VOLUME38,ISSUE2PAGEThe Thunderbird Registry is an on line database dedicated to registering all Ford Thunderbirds; whether they are operational, a parts cars, or just the data plate.Cody Burch, who is assisting John Rotella, says the Registry has not been up and operational of late due to the fact that the database is outdated. It is in need of a current upgrade;however, upgrading the Registry takes quite a bit of time and funding.Since 2002, John Rotella, creator, owner, and curator of the Registry, has donated histime, money and knowledge about Thunderbirds. Burch states that It is time to relieve someof John's burden by donating funds to insure that the Registry continues to be viable.To accomplish this a GoFundMe account has been established. GoFundMe is a crowdClick on either picture to go to theGoFundMe page.funding platform that allows people to raise funds for ideas and projects. Funds will be usedto restructure and modernize the Registry. Specifically this will include: discontinuation of theuse of Access Database with ASPX pages and conversion to MySQL and PHP. PHP is amodern technology standard that is reliable, quick, and unable to have data pirated or altered. Approximately 30 pages of code will need to be reformatted, each containing approximately 100 lines of data.As of February 1st, donations had reached 590 of the 3000 being sought.Local Car Restoration ScamAVancouver, WA couple have been accused by Clark County (WA) prosecutors of taking thousands ofdollars from veterans who hired him to restore their classic cars. Josh Evans and his wife KathleenHouseholder used a Craigslist post to advertise full service car restorations. An investigation done by(Portland, OR television station) KOIN 6 News in July 2016 found at least 8 victims had suffered acombined loss of more than 85,000 after responding to Josh Evan ’s Craigslist ad for restoration body work.Evans claimed to be a veteran himself by showinguniforms and awards and claiming to have beenwounded. Several victims reported that paymentswere given without any sort of work accomplished.No customer of Evans reported that their car was restored completely. Carl Lange said he lost more than 50,000 for work that was supposed to be done onhis Chevy coupe.Evans is charged with first-degree theft and unlawfulissuance of bank checks. He is scheduled to go ontrial in mid-March 2017.A KOIN 6 reporter attempts to talk with Josh Evans. Photo courtesy KOIN.5
PAGE6NWVTC Meeting MinutesThe January meeting was cancelled due to adverse weather that evening.THUNDERBIRDFLYER
VOLUME38,ISSUE2PAGECalendar of EventsClub Meetings February 21st (Tue) Regular Club Meeting, Flying Pie Pizzeria, Details on page 8VTCI Eventshttp://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/events.htm No Events scheduledITC tml June 2nd-4th, (Fri-Sun) All Ford Nationals, Carlisle, PAAugust 29th - September 3rd (Tue-Sun) ITC Convention, Fort Wayne, INCar Shows and Events February 4th (Sat) Collector Car Auction, Salem, ORFurther information at petersencollectorcars.comMarch 11th (Sat) Astoria Automotive Swap Meet, Astoria, ORFurther information at 800-220-0792March 17th-19th (Fri-Sat) Portland roadster Show, Portland, ORFurther information at portlandroadstershow.comMarch 25th (Sat) Pacific NW Model Car Fest, Portland, ORFurther information at sabanw.comThese are not all the events in the area. If I have missed any that you think the club members would like to knowabout send in the information and I’ll put it in the list! If you attend an event snap a picture or two and write upsomething for the newsletter. Each event has a certain flavor and we all like to find a fun and interesting event.7
2017 Executive BoardPresidentTom Przedwojewski64skibird@gmail.comVPEric icky WimsattWeb site/Tom PrzedwojewskiNewsletterFind us on the web atwww.nwtbirds.orgCar-Part.com and the CarPart app (available as anAndroid or Apple app andalso on line) is a quick way tosearch thousands of autorecyclers' inventories tolocate hard to find parts.There are over 120 millioninventoried parts in the Car-Part.comdatabase, and the search is quickand simple – you can choose thestandard search or multi-part searchif you know what you need, and if youaren't sure you can use the image search to easily click on the correct part. Sortyour results by price, grade, or distance from your location. A live chat feature willconnect you to the recycler to ask more questions or arrange a purchase.For your entire club apparel needs; hats, shirts, jackets or even backpacks, go to Stitch-n-Embroidery. Order on-line, over the phone or inperson. Delivery to the next club meeting is available. Tell them youwant the NW Vintage Thunderbird Club logo!stitchnembroidery.com/index.htmlClub Meeting TimesOur next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, March 21st, 2017. We will be meetingat Flying Pie Pizzeria located at 7804 SE Stark St. in Portland. This is the samelocation as the January meeting which was cancelled. Please do not confuse thiswith Stark Street Pizza where we have also met! Flying Pie is a few blocks west ofthat location.Meeting will start at 7pm and dining will be up to you.Hope to see you all there!Passing Lanefun and funny stuff from the road
A service will be held at 2pm on February 11th at the Hearthstone at Murrayhill in Bea-verton where Dick and Pauline have resided since 2013. Passing of Dick Aaron Ford used heavy metal staples to attach some of the weather stripping and rubber trim to the body of the Thunderbird
