Thanks for stepping us through some of the details, looking forward to part two! With that chassis and Coyote engine, this thing is going to be incredible. And, Mr Clarke, excellent voice over intro. 🍻
I would modify one also.The 292/312 Y block V-8s had peculiarities that were not found in later Ford engines, some of them detrimental to the engines longevity and power output........mostly because Ford rushed the original 239cI Y block into production for the 1954 model year, mostly in order to beat Chevrolet to an overhead valve V-8 What I would do with this..NO coyote for starters, I would use a built 351W V-8, definitely carbureted backed up with a hydraulically controlled Ford AOD with 4R70 wide ratio updates I would consider a Cleveland with Australian cylinder heads for visual effect. The 1957 Thunderbird is the first year for the 9 inch rear end, and a traction lock unit with 3.25 gears would be selected
Far from it Ken, have a look at the Resto mod prices at auctions. The well-done cars are fetching far more than stockers. Now if this were an all-original supercharged version, we wouldn't have altered it. But in this case, it's exactly what the owner wants, and she's got no plans to sell it. And... it drives better than any original Thunderbird of the era could ever hope to.
@@V8TV I have restored many cars and I think it's a shame to pull out that old Y block and change the whole character of that classic Thunderbird. I have built many hot rods, resto rods, and custom rods out of old worn out vintage iron but this one is just a shame in my opinion. There is something special about the personality of the original builds. Well I am just a old retired body shop owner and it's just a opinion.
It still is a beautiful bird, nothing in its appearance changed except the wheels. Only now, it performs like the original vision for the Thunderbird... powerful, swift, balanced, and in complete control. This one far outperforms the last generation Thunderbirds, and looks a lot better doing it.
I've never quite understood putting in a Coyote on something like this. If it were me I'd just install fuel injection and maybe some suspension upgrades. And breaks ofcourse.
Taking apart a good vintage car that was probably hardly driven, then spending many, many tens of thousands to modernize it so that it can go back to being hardly driven, then when the owner dies in 10 to 20 years is sold off for whatever can be gotten then go to someone else who will hardly drive it.
Man, you have such a great outlook on life. Hopefully you are a motivational speaker with all that sunshine. This car was a mess to drive, as mentioned in the video. Now it drives wonderfully. The owner drives it very often, using it as her daily driver much of the year. She's looking forward to springtime weather to get it out again. We hope you can shake some of that negativity in your life... it's just not worth it, man.
@@V8TV You know it is true, mostly driven to car shows. I live in an area where there are plenty of these cars garaged but rarely seeing them except on Sundays going to and from car shows. I lived across the street from a corvette restoration shop yet never see any corvettes on the road even though I live in a wealthy region. There are always exceptions to the rule.
@@alsehl3609 We know that this one is driven as much as possible. We encourage people to get out and drive the cars, which is one of the reasons why we put so much time and effort into making them reliable and fun to drive. True, some don't get driven enough... and we hope the day never comes where we are not allowed to drive cars like this anymore. So our message is to get out and enjoy the car! Thanks for bringing up the topic.
The gauges look cheap compared to the orginals. I don't know why people swap out the original instruments like that. Only thing worse is putting in the dumb digital gauges and a billet steering wheel.🤦🤦♀️
The main reason for the gauge swap is that these are a plug-and-play system that read data streams straight from the engine ECM. Modern engines don't always have extra sensor ports for gauges, as they all use a single sensor for each function, then the ECM runs each gauge and display digitally via a CAN network. We also love the look of the originals, but this is the best way to read all the data from the ECM.
While we're happy for you that your F code is reliable, there's no need to be rude about it. We say it over and over... it doesn't bother us if you don't like the car, but in the end, all of us car enthusiasts need to stick together, even if something you see isn't your cup of tea. Divided we fall against the powers that wish all classic cars be removed from the planet. Having said that, the reliability is only 1/10 of the benefit of this conversion... we'd invite you to take a drive if you are in town. It's quite a bit of a different experience than your F code.
@@collateralliquidators3534 IN our state, the VIN follows the body, and is located in multiple places on the body. VINS can be found on the chassis (unless they rusted away) but are most commonly referenced on the body. Here's the UAW reference: uaw.org/standing-committees/union-label/how-to-read-your-vin/
@@V8TV Hi, I own an Auto Auction and in California the vehicle would have to go to the DMV be inspected and a new vin# issued, it would now be a Special Construction with a 2022 year model, that plate on the firewall is a warranty plate not a Vin plate, however Nice Car
@@collateralliquidators3534 There is a duplicate VIN stamped on the firewall in addition to the warranty plate / trim tag. This is one the "hidden VINs" that exist on cars to deter people altering the dash VIN. We've had success with cars like this passing the state inspection as-is, because the car is still mostly the same car. It didn't change hands. The same way you can replace a bent frame on a new Suburban without re-titling or re-VINning the car. (Salvage title is a different story.) But we're not providing legal advice, check with your local authorities.
Got a cool project in mind? We can help! Reach us at www.v8speedshop.com!
Hope the chassis got saved or went to a good home to save another 57 in need. It looked very clean
Yes, the original chassis lives on in a stock restoration somewhere. We wouldn't let that go to waste. Thanks for the feedback!
@@V8TV very cool
I m Owner of a 56 Thunderbird. The 55, 56 and 57 are the most beautiful ones. I love my Grandpa ✌️👍 Greetings from Germany✌️👋
All the right decisions. I am a home remodeling guy. I can truly appreciate what goes into this. Great work!
I think that it’s a logical decision to upgrade!
Thanks for stepping us through some of the details, looking forward to part two! With that chassis and Coyote engine, this thing is going to be incredible. And, Mr Clarke, excellent voice over intro. 🍻
Thanks Charles, and yes, Mr. Q is on point!
I am so, “I hate to see this done to a CLASSIC car!” to...”I can’t wait to see this done with this CLASSIC car!”
Right?
I would modify one also.The 292/312 Y block V-8s had peculiarities that were not found in later Ford engines, some of them detrimental to the engines longevity and power output........mostly because Ford rushed the original 239cI Y block into production for the 1954 model year, mostly in order to beat Chevrolet to an overhead valve V-8
What I would do with this..NO coyote for starters, I would use a built 351W V-8, definitely carbureted backed up with a hydraulically controlled Ford AOD with 4R70 wide ratio updates I would consider a Cleveland with Australian cylinder heads for visual effect.
The 1957 Thunderbird is the first year for the 9 inch rear end, and a traction lock unit with 3.25 gears would be selected
The reason they had so much bump steer with that funky steering dampener on the drag link
Those few seconds of the bare chassis is more interesting than that of the new Tundra which is everywhere on yt right now .
This is going to be fun. Addressing the …uh…. Undesirable Steering is sooo important.
The new suspension made this car 100% more fun to drive!
Farm truck steering.
I could be wrong,but the 55,and 56 seem to be shorter than the 57 behind the rear wheels?
shiiiii thats a clean car
3100 pounds from the factory . Baby birds are awesome.
Omg i want.
i hope ya put out part 2 out soon, don't want this channel to be just another advertising channel
You can expect pt. 2 in mid November, a couple weeks away. Thanks!
@@V8TV cool, thank you!
You're welcome!
As cool as the classic cars with modern drivetrains are I prefer the original cars as they were..
I'm subscribed. Where's part 2?
Thanks for the subscription! You can expect pt. 2 in mid November, a couple weeks away. Thanks!
The fenders do not come off???
They are welded to the tub, it's all one big piece.
That is a shame taking a classic thunderbird a putting a modern coyote engine and drive train ruins the price on them as a collector car
Far from it Ken, have a look at the Resto mod prices at auctions. The well-done cars are fetching far more than stockers. Now if this were an all-original supercharged version, we wouldn't have altered it. But in this case, it's exactly what the owner wants, and she's got no plans to sell it. And... it drives better than any original Thunderbird of the era could ever hope to.
Actually it raises it as a restomod.
@@V8TV I have restored many cars and I think it's a shame to pull out that old Y block and change the whole character of that classic Thunderbird. I have built many hot rods, resto rods, and custom rods out of old worn out vintage iron but this one is just a shame in my opinion. There is something special about the personality of the original builds. Well I am just a old retired body shop owner and it's just a opinion.
I know of a late 1970's replica 57 tbird using Granada and mustang II suspension. Cool
Wow, what a shame that was a beautiful bird should have been left alone. Oh by the way lady, there are modern t-birds.
It still is a beautiful bird, nothing in its appearance changed except the wheels. Only now, it performs like the original vision for the Thunderbird... powerful, swift, balanced, and in complete control. This one far outperforms the last generation Thunderbirds, and looks a lot better doing it.
I've never quite understood putting in a Coyote on something like this. If it were me I'd just install fuel injection and maybe some suspension upgrades. And breaks ofcourse.
She will have fun, fun, fun till the police take her T-bird away... Hummm, That sounds like it has a song in it...
Taking apart a good vintage car that was probably hardly driven, then spending many, many tens of thousands to modernize it so that it can go back to being hardly driven, then when the owner dies in 10 to 20 years is sold off for whatever can be gotten then go to someone else who will hardly drive it.
Man, you have such a great outlook on life. Hopefully you are a motivational speaker with all that sunshine. This car was a mess to drive, as mentioned in the video. Now it drives wonderfully. The owner drives it very often, using it as her daily driver much of the year. She's looking forward to springtime weather to get it out again. We hope you can shake some of that negativity in your life... it's just not worth it, man.
@@V8TV You know it is true, mostly driven to car shows. I live in an area where there are plenty of these cars garaged but rarely seeing them except on Sundays going to and from car shows. I lived across the street from a corvette restoration shop yet never see any corvettes on the road even though I live in a wealthy region. There are always exceptions to the rule.
@@alsehl3609 We know that this one is driven as much as possible. We encourage people to get out and drive the cars, which is one of the reasons why we put so much time and effort into making them reliable and fun to drive. True, some don't get driven enough... and we hope the day never comes where we are not allowed to drive cars like this anymore. So our message is to get out and enjoy the car! Thanks for bringing up the topic.
The gauges look cheap compared to the orginals. I don't know why people swap out the original instruments like that. Only thing worse is putting in the dumb digital gauges and a billet steering wheel.🤦🤦♀️
The main reason for the gauge swap is that these are a plug-and-play system that read data streams straight from the engine ECM. Modern engines don't always have extra sensor ports for gauges, as they all use a single sensor for each function, then the ECM runs each gauge and display digitally via a CAN network. We also love the look of the originals, but this is the best way to read all the data from the ECM.
@@V8TV you should look up "Classic Instruments".
why you take the soul out this car?
Just have to fuck up a classic... money and no brains.. strange my F code is very reliable
While we're happy for you that your F code is reliable, there's no need to be rude about it. We say it over and over... it doesn't bother us if you don't like the car, but in the end, all of us car enthusiasts need to stick together, even if something you see isn't your cup of tea. Divided we fall against the powers that wish all classic cars be removed from the planet. Having said that, the reliability is only 1/10 of the benefit of this conversion... we'd invite you to take a drive if you are in town. It's quite a bit of a different experience than your F code.
@@V8TV Hi, how do you get around the Vin number on the frame? the title follows the frame not the body.
@@collateralliquidators3534 IN our state, the VIN follows the body, and is located in multiple places on the body. VINS can be found on the chassis (unless they rusted away) but are most commonly referenced on the body. Here's the UAW reference: uaw.org/standing-committees/union-label/how-to-read-your-vin/
@@V8TV Hi, I own an Auto Auction and in California the vehicle would have to go to the DMV be inspected and a new vin# issued, it would now be a Special Construction with a 2022 year model, that plate on the firewall is a warranty plate not a Vin plate, however Nice Car
@@collateralliquidators3534 There is a duplicate VIN stamped on the firewall in addition to the warranty plate / trim tag. This is one the "hidden VINs" that exist on cars to deter people altering the dash VIN. We've had success with cars like this passing the state inspection as-is, because the car is still mostly the same car. It didn't change hands. The same way you can replace a bent frame on a new Suburban without re-titling or re-VINning the car. (Salvage title is a different story.) But we're not providing legal advice, check with your local authorities.
You should put in electric motor with speakers to sound like a v8. That would be cool not.
😆