New member and proud owner of a 66 Tbird

Commok · Post by **Commok** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:48 pm

Thank you for being such an informative, supportive and welcoming group. After a long search, I have finally welcomed a Tbird to the family - in this case a 66 convertible with a/c, power windows and black vinyl interior. I always wanted a 66, ever since my cousin bought one brand new after returning from Viet Nam in one piece. The memories of riding with him in his baby made me a life long fan, and had his not succumbed to the rust worm, I would have bought it from him when he sold it. Instead I found mine locally and have started to restore her to driver glory. One quick question - was wood trim an option for a vert, or did a PO add the interior from a Landau? Thanks and looking forward to wrenching with you all!

JETBRD66 · Post by **JETBRD66** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:15 pm

beautiful car and welcome, fellow 66'er, safe travels.

Tbird100636 · Post by **Tbird100636** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:51 pm

Wood grain panels was Landau only. Likely the interior (or parts of it) was swapped from another car. The dash panels for 65-66 hardtop/convertible would have been the black camera case finish instead of the wood. What is the paint code and interior trim code is stamped on the driver's door tag?

paulr · Post by **paulr** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 11:15 pm

Welcome aboard.

Call me blasphemous. The woody looks all right with the black on this car!

Paul

Commok · Post by **Commok** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 5:43 am

The trim code is 56, and the paint code is X, so I understand it to be black vinyl and Maroon Metallic/Vintage Burgundy paint... I like the looks of the wood grain, but it has lost its sheen, particularly on the console, and I am trying to decide how to restore it, or replace it with a stock material if in fact it did not come with it...

66T-Bird · Post by **66T-Bird** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:16 am

Welcome! she is a looker, all the best enjoy and many happy miles

ozbird · Post by **ozbird** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:07 am

Very nice, I don't normally like the wood grain when it starts to fade/crack but it suits your car well.

I note that John Draxler sells the correct vinyl wood grain finish, quite inexpensive so could be worth a go?

This is his link : http://www.tbirdranch.com/

Graeme

66T-Bird · Post by **66T-Bird** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:42 am

i don't believe John carries the wood grain for the 1966, only up to 1963 wood grain applications if different please let me know thanks in advancef

paulr · Post by **paulr** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:11 am

Even in most other black (Landau) interiors I don't like the false woodgrain vinyl trim, except when new. This car works because the top is off and the black and burgundy are a practically perfect compliment, and elements of both are in the "wood". The black steering wheel helps (even the best "wood" Landau steering wheel is a minus, if you ask me).

Putting that bit of trim back to camera case would be worth it certainly. But finding the best possible restoration process for the wood trim would be a TKO, in my opinion.

Paul

rrbnut · Post by **rrbnut** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 6:09 pm

welcome and love the color! these cars are what dreams are made of

Commok · Post by **Commok** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:20 pm

Paul, I was thinking the same thing - black may be better. Can anyone suggest what material would I use to recover the console in black and where can I source it? Is this something a handyman can do or do I need to look for a another console? I would also need to recover the swing away and the dash panels. Either way, the finish is pretty dull, and I need to either replace it with wood grain, or with a black "camera case material" as you mentioned...

John R. Thomas · Post by **John R. Thomas** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:56 pm

What radio is installed? Does the a.c. work?

Ozzy351 · Post by **Ozzy351** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:04 am

Very nice car and welcome to the forum. I also like the woodgrain look, it suits the car.

Ozzy

Commok · Post by **Commok** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:01 am

Radio is an old CAS that has ssen much better days, but the original am/fm came with the car. I bought a 66 Tbird AM radio to use as a donor to send to Gary Tayman to convert. The a/c works - blows cold, but the original compressor sounds like a bucket of ball bearings in washing machine, so I am debating either a Sanden conversion or buying a rebuilt compressor.

paulr · Post by **paulr** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:49 am

Commok
the original am/fm came with the car. I bought a 66 Tbird AM radio to use as a donor to send to Gary Tayman to convert. The a/c works - blows cold, but the original compressor sounds like a bucket of ball bearings in washing machine, so I am debating either a Sanden conversion or buying a rebuilt compressor.

What are your plans for the original am/fm? As far as the AC, if you're really apt to keep the bay stock, you'll have to stay with the reciprocating cast iron or older aluminum compressor. If not, the Sanden is a lot lighter, quieter and less parasitic drag on engine efficiency--so I'm told, as I am now overhauling my entire A/C system (currently mired in restoring numerous peripheral parts).

Just something from earlier, I think the wood has way more potential jazz given the convertible factor, the burgundy/black, etc. I also think restoration-wise, you could have better luck getting the wood grain to look professional again than you are getting that camera case back to original. CC is a one-of-a-kind texture and finish, so you're probably looking for a high quality surviving donor. Think wood grain, sunglasses, skinny tie, Sinatra, you're all set. Just my 2 cents,

Paul

Vintage Thunderbird Club International

New member and proud owner of a 66 Tbird

New member and proud owner of a 66 Tbird

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