Thunderbird Club

[theFixer]

^^^^^^^^^
This
Hey @Mantis Tobaggan , pick up height is also a contributing factor like on most any bass. Rolling out some low end and pumping some high mids really does the trick.

Where you choose to pick/pluck makes a huge difference on the birds, as does pickup blending. I was just playin' around with my Epi & got a J-bass nuance by rolling the bridge pup all the way up, rollin' the neck pup back, & plucking directly over the bridge pup. No matter what you do... it's always gonna have the T-bird guts & snarl though.

 

[theFixer]

There's obviously exceptions to every rule but I find the pre 1968 Challanger to be clunky looking...

compared to the 1968 and newer challengers which kinda took on the look of a sleek but deadly shark as the body design progressed into the early 1970's. With the 1971 model year being my favorite.

They're cool because they are what they are... but something about that "fastback" design on those big lead sleds is just... off...

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

There's obviously exceptions to every rule but I find the pre 1968 Challanger to be clunky looking...

compared to the 1968 and newer challengers which kinda took on the look of a sleek but deadly shark as the body design progressed into the early 1970's. With the 1971 model year being my favorite.

*Charger

The 1970 Judge was an awesome car as were many of the GM offerings that year. But for shear muscle in a sexy package I still gotta go with the ultra rare 1970 Mustang 429 Boss Hemi. Less than 500 made that year, massive horsepower and NASCAR heritage. Unfortunately astronomical selling prices on these monsters.

Mustangs never raced Nascar, the Nascars were full sized cars only, so the Torino was the car in 70 Nascar which the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona were definite kings.

I retract that statement, they did race in 70. The latter part still is true though

 

[theFixer]

Also like the '69 better. Seems like you prefer the more risque design that came out ca 70.
How about the 70 judge? Always thought that was the epitome of the 70s muscle cars.


Man, I need money..

To me... the "epitome" is the Superbird... but the Judge gets a top 5 slot fer sher!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

To me... the "epitome" is the Superbird... but the Judge gets a top 5 slot fer sher!

It's funny because up until the late 90's people literally couldn't give superbirds away. Looking through some old car mags of my dad's, multiple issues had the same ad selling a Superbird for $10k back in the early 90's. When they first came out no one would buy them and they literally took the nose and wing off and would sell them as road runners, same goes with the daytona's

 

[JIO]

They're cool because they are what they are... but something about that "fastback" design on those big lead sleds is just... off...

True - but back then what was new and exciting about this design was the hidden headlamps and full length tail-lights. The fastback on such a big car was different but the Riviera of that time did 'fastback' better and the Mercury Cougar did hidden headlamps better - more sculpted than just 'stuck' on a basic sedan design. I forgot how quickly the Charger was ruined - '68 was the optimal design for that model. American cars in general started with a cool model and then made it bigger and (less attractive) as the years pasted. Keeping in theme with our thread, the "Thunderbird" really lost it's roots during that period!

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

True - but back then what was new and exciting about this design was the hidden headlamps and full length tail-lights. The fastback on such a big car was different but the Riviera of that time did 'fastback' and hidden headlamps better - more sculpted than just 'stuck' on a basic sedan design. I forgot how quickly the Charger was ruined - '68 was the optimal design for that model. American cars in general started with a cool model and then made it bigger and (less attractive) as the years pasted. Keeping in theme with our thread, the "Thunderbird" really lost it's roots during that period!

Gibson Thunderbird, Ford Thunderbird, they share the same name and logo

 

[theFixer]

It's funny because up until the late 90's people literally couldn't give superbirds away. Looking through some old car mags of my dad's, multiple issues had the same ad selling a Superbird for $10k back in the early 90's. When they first came out no one would buy them and they literally took the nose and wing off and would sell them as road runners, same goes with the daytona's

True - but back then what was new and exciting about this design was the hidden headlamps and full length tail-lights. The fastback on such a big car was different but the Riviera of that time did 'fastback' and hidden headlamps better - more sculpted than just 'stuck' on a basic sedan design. I forgot how quickly the Charger was ruined - '68 was the optimal design for that model. American cars in general started with a cool model and then made it bigger and (less attractive) as the years pasted. Keeping in theme with our thread, the "Thunderbird" really lost it's roots during that period!

Yeah... if I were shopping for a Ford T-bird... it would definitely be outa the 1950's

 

[JIO]

Yeah... if I were shopping for a Ford T-bird... it would definitely be outa the 1950's

OMG - a friend inherited a mid 70's T-bird and it had a hood like an aircraft carrier! That and sitting inside was cramped! Many cars from that era suffered from this same growth hormone. There was a Ford Ranchero (not sure the year) that is so bizarre it's actually cool - the small 2 seater cockpit is dead center of a really long hood and equally long tail!

found it -

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Nice rides! You've hit on my other passion (cars) I try to focus on basses because it's a cheaper hobby but I have a huge soft spot for anything on wheels. Let's see some more pics of that 440 Satellite, always loved that body style. And although I'm a Ford man when it comes to muscle cars I have to admit Mopar had the market cornered on awesome body styles from about 1970 to 1974.

As promised

Found a picture of our 68 Camaro that we sold last year too

I'll pm you more pics so the thread can get back to its "roots"

 

[theFixer]

True - but back then what was new and exciting about this design was the hidden headlamps and full length tail-lights. The fastback on such a big car was different but the Riviera of that time did 'fastback' better and the Mercury Cougar did hidden headlamps better - more sculpted than just 'stuck' on a basic sedan design. I forgot how quickly the Charger was ruined - '68 was the optimal design for that model. American cars in general started with a cool model and then made it bigger and (less attractive) as the years pasted. Keeping in theme with our thread, the "Thunderbird" really lost it's roots during that period!

I think that's what made the "ugly" muscle cool. The fact that the automotive designers were going into uncharted territory, looking for new and different ideas. They weren't all winners... but look what they became!

 

[theFixer]

As promised
View attachment 1186020

Found a picture of our 68 Camaro that we sold last year too
View attachment 1186024

I'll pm you more pics so the thread can get back to its "roots"

DUDE!!! Come pick me up! Let's go for a cruise! Maybe swing out & say hey to our west coast contingency!

 

[GBassNorth]

*Charger


Mustangs never raced Nascar, the Nascars were full sized cars only, so the Torino was the car in 70 Nascar which the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona were definite kings.

I retract that statement, they did race in 70. The latter part still is true though

Good catch on my "Challenger" typo, corrected it to Charger, thx.
And you're right on the Mopar NASCAR kings in 1970 but talk about butt ugly designs - I couldn't park one of those super birds in my driveway without being embarrassed. Just way way over the top body design on the front and back ends of that beast...

...vs this well proportioned muscular beast...

 

[Haji]

Are any of you car weirdos familiar with a custom gunsmith named Les Baer? His business is very high end custom rifle and pistol making, but his passion and retirement fund are cars. He said he had to quit racing his Shelby Cobra when it's value topped a million bucks and and he hashast had the only factory crocodile print vinyl top Cuda (IIRC) that he restored. R his vid is a few years old now, so his collection may have changed a good bit.

 

[JIO]

 

[JIO]

I'm not sure if this is urban myth material but I always 'heard' that it was done to allow it to race at Daytona (had to be a based on a production car) Someone owns an orange one locally - I see it on the road every now and then driven by a lady. It always makes me smile.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Good catch on my "Challenger" typo, corrected it to Charger, thx.
And you're right on the Mopar NASCAR kings in 1970 but talk about butt ugly designs - I couldn't park one of those super birds in my driveway without being embarrassed. Just way way over the top body design on the front and back ends of that beast...

...vs this well proportioned muscular beast...

They weren't made for looks, they were made for winning.

Are any of you car weirdos familiar with a custom gunsmith named Les Baer? His business is very high end custom rifle and pistol making, but his passion and retirement fund are cars. He said he had to quit racing his Shelby Cobra when it's value topped a million bucks and and he hashast had the only factory crocodile print vinyl top Cuda (IIRC) that he restored. R his vid is a few years old now, so his collection may have changed a good bit.

No but from that thumbnail I see what appears to be a 1969 1/2 Dodge Cornet 440-6 pak car so I'll definitely watch it.

I don't believe Croc tops as rare (I have seen them, maybe not on an actual Cuda though) or over the top as Mod Top barracuda's and darts

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

I'm not sure if this is urban myth material but I always 'heard' that it was done to allow it to race at Daytona (had to be a based on a production car) Someone owns an orange one locally - I see it on the road every now and then driven by a lady. It always makes me smile.

For a car to be Nascar legal they had to produce a minimum of 500 cars to the general public

 

[GBassNorth]

Are any of you car weirdos familiar with a custom gunsmith named Les Baer? His business is very high end custom rifle and pistol making, but his passion and retirement fund are cars. He said he had to quit racing his Shelby Cobra when it's value topped a million bucks and and he hashast had the only factory crocodile print vinyl top Cuda (IIRC) that he restored. R his vid is a few years old now, so his collection may have changed a good bit.

I have one of his 1911 .45ACP CC pistols. Best short barrel shooter I have. Haven't tried his long rifles yet and wasn't aware that he is a car nut. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JJR58]

View attachment 1186038

The scene where Kurt has got the girl trapped in the car just freaked me out.