64 Restoration

[JPierson]

rt.146 - Front end springs were reused, but I don't think that compensated for the lost weight - It sits pretty level right now, but once it's off the dollies, the old fronts/new rears and 100 or so pounds lost might find it level, but a little taller.

Finally got the build sheet today - It's a 395.3, which bums me out they couldn't find another .6, so I could tell everyone my tbird has a 396 in it...

[JPierson]

Hoping to access some wisdom of the club here - This car has been in the family from new, so I am sure the door panels were never white, but this is what I got back from the shop today. Gave me a serious moment of doubt about where this will be finished, given that the project manager on the car when we started it two years ago has moved on, and the new one had this to say:

The VIN for the Thunderbird indicates that this car was a beige interior with white door panels. During our disassembly we discovered that the panels were in fact white and had been re-upholstered in a similar beige material. We are able to source the correct white door panels but unable to acquire material to match the seat kits that are available. We asked our source for these kits if getting material by the yard was possible, and they said no.

I have worked on car restoration in varying capacities for nearly 40 years - I don't think it's possible Ford would have shipped a rose beige metallic interior with white door cards, but maybe I don't know what I'm talking about here....

Any thoughts?

[Alan H. Tast]

It well could be that the door was swapped out at one point in time from another car and the original data plate not replaced. Your photos show a Rose Beige interior for the interior panels early on, so knowing what's on the data plate and if the VINs match between the door and body is crucial. And, quite frankly, I wouldn't worry about posting those numbers - I can already tell you it will start with 4Y83Z1 and and have 5 more numeric digits indicating where it falls in the production sequence.

Post photos of the data plate and the interior, including the door panels, so we can see what you have. Provide the VIN that's stamped behind the headlights and in the cowl shelf, too, to compare against the VIN on the data plate.

From the data plate I can tell when the car was originally scheduled for production, and what the interior trim code is; if there are any other stampings in the data plate outside of the two lines for the VIN and codes for body/color/trim/date/DSO/Axle/Trans which could indicate a special order, especially if the trim # and/or DSO # is more than 2 characters long, these may be a clue. If you have found the car's build/ROT sheet, post a photo of it, too, for comparison against the data plate. If you've obtained the original gate release, this will also have information that can indicate if there was a deviation in the trim used on the car.

[JPierson]

Thanks, Alan - I'll post it up asap. This car has been in the family basically from new (my grandmother bought it from her boss when the 67 body style came out), so I'm certain the car was built with and always had the Rose Beige Metallic interior, but you make a great point about the data plate - I know that fender had to be changed, but maybe the door was too...

[JPierson]

Data plate is original - the shop acknowledged they misread the tag, thankfully, and agreed they misread the two tone code for the outside. Here are the data plate details:

Body: 63A
Color: W
Trim: 50
Date: 27M
DSO: 72
Axle: 1
Trans: 4

[JPierson]

Some updates as we get to the home stretch:

- We found a parts car that let us adapt OE AC trim to an aftermarket AC setup. Retrofit AC setup is in!
- Color matching the new panels and seat surfaces with the rest of the interior.
- Still trying out some ideas for how to replace the bonded vinyl to keep the texture with the restored interior panels.
- Windshield and cowl are back in.
- The shop did a nice job getting the center glove box door looking like new again.

[JPierson]

Progress on the textured interior panels:

[Terry64HT]

Those panels look great. Can you share with us the technique?
Thanks
Terry
64HT

[JPierson]

Hey Terry - As I understood it, they embossed a pattern in to wet epoxy and painted over it once it was ready. I was not there for the exact procedure, but based on advice offered here on the forum and their experience, they got the smooth pieces to take some texture. I should mention the rear shelf and sides were not taken down to smooth metal, so those still have their original texture. I sent them this link, but I did not confirm if they used this or a piece of textured vinyl to press in to the wet epoxy: https://semproducts.com/product/interio ... pads/70022

[JamesR]

JPierson, congratulations on the progress of your restoration! Looking good. If you should happen to need a grille for your '64, I have one in my basement. I haven't seen it in a while, but I think it's in ok shape. Let me know and I can send you some pictures. I think I paid 40 bucks, which is what I'd want + shipping. Regardless, continued best wishes on your progress.

[JPierson]

Thanks JamesR! I think the grille we had was usable and is already back on the car, just not photographed yet. We've been back and forth about the radio - The original AM konked out, and I found an OE AM/FM on eBay, only to have that one fail a bench test. I can't tell if that's an issue with how they tested, or if those radios had known issues. I didn't want to put any kind of digital display into it, so we might lump it with a bad radio for now. Doesn't look like an easy swap. The turnaround for the shop they found who would fix it was 16 weeks, which based on how they ran that and other choices by me, tells me the car should be home before spring!

[jtschug]

On my car, I took an original AM/FM in good cosmetic shape and had a company install an Aurora unit inside the original radio. So all the original dials and buttons work like original, but the radio is electronic inside with bigger amplifiers and 4-channel output. I even opted for bluetooth, so when I get in the car and turn on the radio it syncs with my phone and I can just stream spotify without anything looking even a little bit out of place.

[Alan H. Tast]

On my car, I took an original AM/FM in good cosmetic shape and had a company install an Aurora unit inside the original radio. So all the original dials and buttons work like original, but the radio is electronic inside with bigger amplifiers and 4-channel output. I even opted for bluetooth, so when I get in the car and turn on the radio it syncs with my phone and I can just stream spotify without anything looking even a little bit out of place.

x2. Actually, there is a VTCI member (at least I believe he still is) with a '64 hardtop in Florida who specializes in these conversions, Gary Tayman/Tayman Audio. He redid the 'guts' of an AM-FM I had for a '63 with a USB input and Bluetooth in 2017. I've been very happy with the conversion to this day.

[JPierson]

Thanks JT & Alan - That's a great suggestion. That might be just the thing.

[JPierson]

A few more progress updates - Seats will get a little more massaging to get the stitching lined up. A few before and after shots of various bits. Visors are fit for purpose after having 30-ish years of nicotine and mildew removed. All systems being restored to working, including the rear vents.