Monthly Archives: October 2013

Squarebird – Ford Thunderbird Convertibe

Despite the success of the original 2 seat personal luxury Ford Thunderbird launched in 1955 for 1958 at the insistence of Robert McNamara the second generation 1958 Ford Thunderbird was restyled as a 4 seat 2 door vehicle with coupé or convertible body styles.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Larger and heavier second generation Thunderbirds with a 113 inch wheel base were switched to unitary body construction a technique which was still a novelty for the period.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Overall the ’58 Thunderbird with all of it’s baroque chrome and tailfins maintained a boxy appearance from which it’s “Squarebird” nick name was derived among enthusiasts.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The bomb sight motif seen on the front wings / fenders were echoed in the design of the rear view mirrors.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

A fold away hard top had originally been envisaged as seen on the Ford Skyliner but this was abandoned in favour of a convertible roof operated by a hydraulic system powered by a complicated system of electric motors, switches and solenoids which opened a rear hinged panel ahead of the boot / trunk lid.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The science fiction rocket pod styling of the tail lights appears to have been lifted by the Next Generation Start Trek design team for the Starship Enterprise NCC 1701-D.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Of the, up until then, record 37,892 Thunderbirds built in 1958 only 2,134 were convertibles. Today’s featured ’58 Thunderbird has put in regular appearances at Avenue Drivers Club meetings at Queen Square in Bristol.

Thanks for joining me on this “Squarebird” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Criptic Details – GALPOT Quiz Answers

Last Wednesday I set a Criptic Details Quiz here are the questions and answers.

Quiz

It’s a ’58, but which letter ?

Chrysler 300D, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer 1958 Chrysler 300D.

Quiz

Another slippery MOPAR, but which model ?

Dodge Viper, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Answer Dodge Viper.

Quiz

What was the code name that Product Planning Dept leader Erick A. Reikert lent to the base model of this RS Turbo ?

Ford Escort RS Turbo, Castle Combe

Answer Erick A. Reikert lent his name Erika to the base Ford Escort Mk III of which this is the top of the range RS Turbo model.

Quiz

Surnames names of two US presidents who might be associated with this door handle.

Lincoln Continental, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Answer Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy are the names that might be associated with this Lincoln Continental.

Quiz

What was the most popular block used in the Formula A / Formula 5000 open wheel series ?

Lola Chevrolet T142, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer The most popular block used in Formula A / Formula 5000 series for cars powered by production block motors was the Chevrolet small block as seen on this 1969 Lola Chevrolet T142 once run by Horst Kröll.

Quiz

Which Brazilian went on to become a three time world champion after running into the rear end of Martin Brundle’s Formula Three Ralt RT3 ?

Ralt RT3, Gold Cup, Oulton Park

Answer Brazilian Ayrton Senna went on to become three time world champion after running into the rear end of Martin Brundle’s Formula Three Ralt RT3 seen here at the recent Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting driven by Graham Fennymore.

Quiz

Enzo Ferrari described this as “The most beautiful car ever made” what is it ?

Jaguar E-Type, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Answer Enzo Ferrari described the E-Type Jaguar as “The most beautiful car ever made”.

I hope you enjoyed taking part.

Thanks for joining me on this “Criptic Details” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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When I Grow Up – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of months ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay. Amazingly so far I have sold four items on three continents and this week earned an e-bay green star. Thanks to everyone who has passed links on into the deeper recesses of the car loving world.

01 ALFA Romeo Montreal

This week from among the tearout advertisements taken from the French magazine Connaissance des arts is this one for an ALFA Romeo Montreal. The V8 powered Montreal was launched in 1970, with 3,197 manufactured up until 1977. Micheal Cane fans might recognise this as the type of car that Michael Caine drove in the film The Marseille Contract starring Anthony Quinn and James Mason.

Ford Zodiac, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Harley F Coop, who had a hand in the design of the Continental Mk II and Ford Falcon , was called into work on Project Panda in 1961. Project Panda was to develop the forth generation Ford Zodiac with a new V6 motor which was to replace the straight six powered third generation Zodiac.

To raise the Zodiacs public profile and appeal Ford resorted to engaging the likes of Eric Jackson to drive the car in a long distance record attempt at Monza, where he and four other drivers spent a seven days and nights averaging 100 mph including stops for fuel and maintenance. The strap line translates as “The New Ford Zodiac, to appreciate it you have to look at the detail”.

Jaguar XJ6, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

This 1973 advertisement features a late Series 1 Jaguar XJ6 4 door saloon. The Jaguar XJ6 was introduced in 1968 powered by derivatives of the XK 6 cylinder motors that had been used to power Jaguar Le Mans winning cars in 1951′ ’53, ’55, ’56 and ’57. Series 1 XJ6’s were built between 1968 and 1973. The strap line translates as “This image is dedicated á all children who said: “When I grow up, I (will) have a Jaguar.””

Mercedes Benz 280, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The advertisement above features a Mercedes Benz (W108) 280 S with smaller photo of 280 (W108) SE Saloon, Cabriolet and (W113) SL models. The W108 was manufactured in 280 S and SE forms from 1967 to 1972, W113 was manufactured in 280 SL form from 1967 to 1971. Strap line translates approximately as “Mercedes Benz 280 car of your dreams towering performance (in) safely unparalleled comfort”

Thanks for joining me on this “When I Grow Up” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for the answers to last weeks quiz. Don’t forget to come back now !

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