1963 THUNDERBIRD SPORTS ROADSTER
Complete Rotisserie Restoration
in progress now


June 14,
Moving ahead nut by nut and screw by screw, and are there ever a lot of
them to restore, not to mention the bolts and washers and all the pieces they
hold on the car! I disassembled all the window mechanisms and cleaned
all the hard old grease out and put nice slippery fresh grease in them.
I also cleaned and re greased the rollers, and put new velvet inside the channels
and guides inside the doors and quarters. All the windows are in and work smoothly
and there are no rattles when you shut the doors! I rebuilt the master cylinder
and power booster and finished making and installing all the new brake lines.
The system is ready to charge, but I won't get around to that for a bit yet.
Most of the parts are refinished and ready to install on the car any time.
I just have a bunch of hardware to finish yet. The new windshield should be arriving
next week. I put the old one in the car because I thought it was good,
then when I cleaned it up I found a couple small stone chips so I decided to get a new one.
The old one is for sale cheap if anyone needs one. Email me.
I made new splash rubbers for the front inner fenders and installed them with staples
like original. I used 3/16" thick rubber material that I got from
"The Rubberman" on ebay. It's identical to the original thickness.
The back bumper is all together and on the car. In the photo it looks like
the brake lights are on, but that's just a reflection from the camera flash.
I refinished the taillight buckets before installing them. The outside rim that
is exposed outside the bumper "Q" was pretty beat up. I suppose "pop rivet Pete"'s
garage was too short and he kept backing into the wall. Actually, just about
any 61-62 Bird you look at the taillight bucket rim is banged up. I think
it happens most in parking lots. Don't believe me? Look at yours!!!
They are pretty easy to refinish though
as they are aluminum so they can be filed, sanded and polished and clear coated.
V O I L A, just like new!
I put the front fenders on after I got the inner fenders in place and
rolled the car out for some fresh air. I sure like the way it looks!
Too bad we can't get a little sun around here.
It's been raining since the snow melted.
I'll be putting the front bumper, grill, headlights etc in next.
The engine and tranny will be right behind that and by then I should have
the top frame pins back from the plating shop (AIH) and I can get the
top together. I suppose I have 4-6 weeks until driving.

t_window_mechdirty.jpg
This old grease is
Not slippery anymore 		t_window_mechclean.jpg
Cleaned and ready
for Slippery grease! 		t_windows_in.jpg
All Windows installed 		t_inner_fend_seal.jpg
New Splash Rubber
t_inner_fend_done.jpg
Inner Fenders Ready to install 		t_tail_buckets.jpg
TailLight Buckets refinished 		t_taillights.jpg
New seals and trim rings 		t_back_bumper.jpg
Back Bumper getting assembled
t_nice_rear_end_ii.jpg
Nice Rear End!
I like rear ends 		t_steer_mc_boost.jpg
Steering Gear
& Master/Booster 		t_air_cleaner.jpg
Air Cleaner etc. 		t_valv_cvr.jpg
Valve Covers etc
t_in_trunk.jpg
Deck lid installed 		t_parts.jpg
Parts 		t_parts2.jpg
More Parts 		t_bat_tray.jpg
Battery Tray
t_fresh_air1.jpg
Fresh (wet) Air! 		t_fresh_airs.jpg
Looks a litle light
doesn't it...

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Email Tom Maruska



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