Archive for the ‘Vintage Stuff’ Category

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The Von Dwingelo Custom Tbird

January 17th, 2012 by Tracy

Came across this article on the great online archive Modern Mechanix: “A Portfolio of Cars You’d Like to Own” - hell yeah! Some are downright whacky: the ‘Jigger’ resembling a moonbuggy crossed with BurgerKing signage, and the 3-wheeler made from junked parts.

But this ’56 Thunderbird, customised by Don Von Dwingelo & Tony Bruskivage of New Jersey, displays inventive uses of inter-species splicing (Chevy / Olds / Ford)… and would have been impressive in full-colour with its 16 coats of red lacquer. It was insured, back in ’62, for $15,000.

Images from Modern Mechanix

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Posted by Tracy Posted in Vintage Stuff | 1 Comment »


Deville’s Pad: Hot Rods from Hell

March 20th, 2011 by Tracy

A short deviation from Thunderbirds, to bring you some of the fantastic happenings at Deville’s Pad’s hootin’ tootin’ gasoline-fuelled event today.

More leopard-print than a Johnny Weissmuller film, more smoke than a Marlboro convention, more sun and throbbing engines than Daytona Beach!

Where else can you see Hot Rods, tattoos, barbers, babes, BBQ meat, vintage gear, magicians, tiki cocktails, & fab bands… all in one place? Josh & Babs – you stage events like nobody else! See the pics from this fab afternoon here.

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Posted by Tracy Posted in Events, Hot Rods, Vintage Stuff | 1 Comment »


2011 Big Al’s Poker Run

February 13th, 2011 by Tracy

Another Big Year for Big Al’s

beautiful red tbird
Ian’s gorgeous flamin’ red ’57 Thunderbird. With back-up truck.
Studibaker with cowboy kid
Now kid, don’t let anyone touch the paintjob!

Each year, the larger-than-life Al organises the car event that is sure to turn out the masses. Raising funds for charity, it’s also a proven incentive for the back-shed tinkering to be finalised, ready for ‘ignition-on’ by February. Apparently, sales of Carnauba wax reach peak around now!

As regular readers know, last year’s talking point was the Cranksters-manned checkpoint at Bridgestone Tyres (for those who came in late, read about it here). But due to certain er, differences of opinion, that was the curtain call for themed checkpoints. And Paul had his heart set on squeezing into Errol Flynn’s tights and puffy shirt this year!!

So, here are some pics from the show-and-shine departure point at the Burswood shore – see the full gallery in our Events page here.

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Posted by Tracy Posted in Cruises, Events, Hot Rods, News, Vintage Stuff | 5 Comments »


2011 Victorian Hot Rod Show

January 24th, 2011 by Tracy

Melbourne Hot Rod Show people

Power Rangers, sooks with teddies (this one under 5), painted ladies and petrol-sniffing blokes from all walks of life, laid a trail of rubber to the Annual Victorian Hot Rod Show, at the Royal Exhibition Building in beautiful Melbourne.

Loads of car pics in the gallery here.

A couple of Tbirds were shown, 1 inside and 1 outdoors. Luckily the Melbourne weather was perfect. By the afternoon, the hot sun was glaring off all the metal-flake and bald skulls.

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Posted by Tracy Posted in Events, Hot Rods, News, Vintage Stuff | 2 Comments »


Drag/Show Cars

November 9th, 2010 by Paul

55 Tbird gasser

When too much is er… too much.

Compared to the 55 gasser (top), this Vegas (SEMA) 57 Tbird is waaay over the top. The only thing that outscores it on the vulgar scale is the carpet. You know, Hot Wheels has a lot to answer for.

The 55 is a true ‘gasser’ style car of the 60s, where form and function co-exist. Although you may not want to cruise the freeway at 120 kph with a straight axle.

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Posted by Paul Posted in Hot Rods, Vintage Stuff | 2 Comments »


The “Battlebird”

August 8th, 2010 by Paul

1957 Ford Tbird Battlebird

Coming up at RM Auctions on Thursday 12th August is the last remaining ‘Battlebird’.

The Battlebirds were experimental, highly-modified, 1957 Thunderbirds, which made extensive use of weight-saving aluminium to replace many steel body panels. They were specially constructed to race the famed ‘flying mile’ speed runs at Daytona Beach in 1957.
2 Battlebirds were constructed for these show races, after which they were sold off by the Ford Motor Company.

This car, No. 98, originally ran a fuel-injected, McCullough supercharged 312 engine, and ran second to a Ferrari. It was restored painstakingly by Gil Baumgartner in the early 2000s. Check out Gil’s restoration here.

No. 99, powered by a 368 Lincoln engine, was later destroyed.

So if you want to lay some rubber down your street, here’s your chance to place a bid.

NEWS JUST IN: The Battlebird sold for US$280,000. (No, my wife didn’t buy it for my birthday.)

Picture from RM Auctions site.

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Posted in Mechanical Stuff, News, Vintage Stuff | No Comments »


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