Vintage Thunderbird Club International

Peter Leddy here in Plano, 972 743-0291. Peter is a long time friend and knows the Thunderbirds nose to tail in every detail.

AndrewnTX, Love the look of your 56, I'm new to the site and would like to know what's involved to install Granada spindles on the small birds. I've put them on my 57 Ranchero and had to ream the holes for the ball joint and tie rod. Hey thanks so much!! Glad you like it! As to the Granada spindles...

I just bought a supercharger for my '56. Found it on Craigslist and too good a deal to pass up! Now since I have a 5.0L EFI similar to a Mustang set up, I went with a Kenne Bell unit made for the fox body Mustang. I don't know yet if it will all fit and mount but a trial fit will be done soon. I hav...

Wow you have been busy! looks fantastic, the clean accessory mounting set up is nice!

Looks great! Tell me more about the steering conversion to rack and pinion. I want to do something about mine, it's OE w/ the power ram and the steering is just not that great in regards to fun driving.

Just seen your post for the first time. Beautiful car! Got any shots of the engine compartment? I am currently wheel shopping and I have been looking at some custom wheels on Allied wheels web site. I would like some info on your air-ride system. Is it an off the shelf item, who makes it and did it...

Also wanted to mention a few things. My set up uses mostly OE Mustang 5.0 front brackets and pulleys. I do have power steering and is very tight on the driver's frame rail. Consider that as well. Second the exhaust. Mine has OE cast manifolds that are from a late 90's Explorer 5.0. These are upturne...

Moving along well. I was surprised to see that large crossmember sectioned out. On my 5.0L set up they used a double hump oil pan and left the OE crossmember intact. At any rate I assume you will have to double up and reinforce that area to regain the structure taken out. I also see the updated rack...

Wow!!!!! Nice motor!!

The wider the wheel the more critical it is to get the wheels specs just right. And lowered or custom cars even more so. Just take lots of measurements and do trial fits if you can before ordering custom wheels. I'm a fanatic about wheels and tires, been doing custom wheels for years on various cars...

Dave,. No modifications to fit the wheels and tires, those went on the car in 2010 and lots of happy road miles since then.. Check your backspace dimensions very carefully, your car may be different. You want the inside of the rear wheel to be pretty close to the leaf spring to fit the widest set up...

Thank you, Sir.

17x7, 225/50 Bfg KDW2
17x8, 245/45 Bfg KDW2


IMG_2159 by AndrewnTX, on Flickr


IMG_2175 by AndrewnTX, on Flickr

Thanks GregnAmy. I pondered over those empty holes...may just do that. No bumperettes front or rear at this time. I do have a set of front ones fresh from the rechromer.

And soon after that, I had a set of custom wheels made for the car. PS Engineering out in CA made a set of kidney beans for me. They have a vintage hot rod look, and are sized 17x7 and 17x8s that tuck under the fenders. http://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7149/6793242137_bef6eef0d4_z.jpg IMG_0500 by Andrew...

Hi all! Just joined the site, and here's my intro. I've always loved early birds, got a tip from a friend on a 56, and worked out a deal in 2010. Car was retrofitted with a 5.0L/AOD, but was a no start when I went to go get it up in Denver. Trailered it home and got to work. After getting the EFI an...