T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

[Dallasblackbird]

I have a personal story that I hope you will find worth reading. The story will cover my adult life so I'll try to stay focused and on subject. That subject is that I have been a life long fan of Ford performance cars. It started at about age 12 because my older brother and his buddies campaigned a 1960 Impala 348 3x2 carb car in A/S class at the drags. You know how it is with brothers, I wanted to be different so I rooted for the 61 Starliners with 401 hp engines. We lived in Amarillo, Texas and I tagged along with my brother to the dragstrip every month. I got there early so I can stand right on the starting line hanging on to the chain link fence and rooting for every Ford.
In the early 60s a 57 black Thunderbird started showing up and it was heavily modified to the point that I don't think it was even Ford powered. It is only modified early bird that I ever saw drag racing, it had “Ace of Spades” painted on the side. To my great satisfaction it tore up the Corvettes every race. I believe it even held the NHRA record for a while.
But, all good things come to an end so at one race something happened near the finish line and I saw the T-bird leaving the races on a trailer with the front fender all torn up. I never saw it again.
I grew up, moved to Dallas, quit following drag racing, raised a family, and never thought about that car again. Then this weekend I was back in Amarillo to visit family and my sister said lets go to the convention center and see the “Make a Wish” car show. I love pretty cars so I was ready.
About half way through the show we come upon this black 57 Thunderbird with white accents on the seats. It was powered by a 2x4 barrel 312. A near mint condition car.
Photos taken with Iphone.

As we started to walk away to the next car I saw an easel with some photos of this T-bird's past life. I felt like a lightening bolt struck me.

There it was, a picture of the “Ace of Spades” taking on a Corvette at the Amarillo Dragway.
Holy cow, I said “Is this car that car?” The owner said “Yep, one in the same.” I still can't believe it. I took a real close look at the photos because I thought I might be one of the spectators in the background hanging on to that chain link fence.
The new owner had bought the car and restored it back to stock. What a job. What a bunch of memories that car brought back. Then I started thinking that even though I haven't thought about that car for 30 to 40 years it must have imprinted my brain.
Would you believe today I drive a 2003 black Thunderbird with white seat accents.

[ChromeDome]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

Great story, Rick.

[THX1138]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

Rick, There is a magazine called Hot Rod Deluxe that is available on news stands only. The March issue may still be on display at least until March 23. On page 92 of that issue is a story about a '57 Thunderbird that you would love. Also, Hot Rod Deluxe is looking for stories like your's. Your story should show up in the scrapbook section along with several great stories of cars from the past being rediscovered. Their email address is HOTRODDELUXE@hotrod.com I would love to see this story in that mag for all us old hot rodders. Ed

[Dallasblackbird]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

Rick, There is a magazine called Hot Rod Deluxe that is available on news stands only. The March issue may still be on display at least until March 23. On page 92 of that issue is a story about a '57 Thunderbird that you would love. Also, Hot Rod Deluxe is looking for stories like your's. Your story should show up in the scrapbook section along with several great stories of cars from the past being rediscovered. Their email address is HOTRODDELUXE@hotrod.com I would love to see this story in that mag for all us old hot rodders. Ed

Funny you mentioned the magazine. I bought it just before my trip back home. I just haven't had time to read it yet. I kind of relate to the magazine story on page 92. Seeing that car in the show was like seeing an old friend. I'm still amazed at how much work it would take to return a race car to stock. If I had been there without my sister I would have spent a lot of time talking to the owner.

I did something this past year that was very rewarding. I bought all 12 issues of Hot Rod magazine 1960 on e-bay. One issue had the first NHRA race held at Amarillo. They mentioned and pictured several of the local dragsters from the panhandle and it was great fun to think back of that time see those cars again.

[steelblue5505]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

What a great story. Read once, read it again. Called my wife and read it out loud to her. She too enjoyed your fantastic experience.

thanks for sharing.

[FUN X 3]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

Cool story, thanks for sharing.

[justjon]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

That is a good story! To bad there isn't a Facebook for old cars, what fun it would be to learn the fate of some of the great cars we all had at one time or another.

[yelobird2002]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

Dallasblackbird, I've made a few trips down the strip at Amarillo Dragway off the Claude Highway myself. Lived in Amarillo for 23 years and I too go back to visit family every so often. Never raced a Thunderbird on Amarillo Dragway, but did in a G/G 48 Anglia. I did buy my 2002 Inspiration Yellow T-Bird in Amarillo. From the dealer on the corner of Ross-Osage & I-40. Was John Chandler Ford then.

[CVCashmere]

Re: T-birds may affect your brain, it did mine.

If there was a "Post of the Month" award... this one would win it.
Scary how things stay with you subconsciously. I always liked the turquoise blue birds.... last month I found a toy thunderbird hidden away... in that exact color. It was a 1959 model that was made around 1981. I bought it... as an adult... and just kept it somewhere till I found last month.

Love a good story!
CV