T Bird News

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc. Local Chapter of VTCI Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

April 25, 2015

President’s Message from John Congleton Wow, we finished a great time at the Vintage Grill in Weatherford on Saturday, and now it’s on to the May Regional Convention. Beginning last Saturday the next few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity! First up we have the Cedar Creek Crawfish Boil and Car Show on May 2, the largest car show in East Texas! I am really pleased that we will, again this year, have quite a “Bird” presence at this fun show. Next, just a couple of short weeks later we have our NTVT South Central Convention “Boots and Birds”; this will be too much fun! Your steering committee has been working hard for the last 9 months to insure that everyone has a great time. Remember, just because you are not registered for the convention you can still come to the Sheraton in Arlington for some great fellowship! Friday night we have a big event at the Back Forty in the Stockyards, so join us there around 6 PM and enjoy the good food and fellowship; we have PLENTY of dinners reserved. If you are interested in attending this dinner on Friday, call Brad Kershaw, 817-253-3161 for cost and availability. In June we will be @ Dan Hubert’s beautiful estate in scenic Kemp, Texas, close to beautiful Cedar Creek Lake, the “Red Neck Rivera”! Then the big event of the year on July 18th & 19th the Yellow Rose all Ford car show the details are here; http://yrcs.ntmc.org/Home/registration Check in will be on July 17th from 1PM to 8 PM, let me know if you need a ride home after set-up and we will provide the shuttle; what a deal! This year the organizers are really fired up to display and highlight our Thunderbirds for the 60th anniversary of Ford’s storied nameplate. Please, if you have the time, consider showing at this great two-day event. After ALL of this we have a great August with the Hutto’s and a fantastic September with Cruisin for the Cure, one of our favorites, and FREE LUNCH for our meeting @ Triple F Automotive. Whew, I can barely keep all this straight; hope one and all will join in the fun! As always, remember to have fun, show your Bird, and I will see you next month.

Inside this issue: President’s Message

1

SC Regional VTCI Convention

2

New Members

3

April Mtg

3

April Pics

4

NTVT Calendar

5

Car Show & Cruise Information

5-6

Member Highlight

7

2015 Hutto Show Info 8 Sponsors

9

April Mtg Minutes

10-11

Member News

12

Birds and Bits For Sale

12

Contact #’s

12

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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So Central VTCI Regional Convention The South Central Regional Convention of our parent organization, the Vintage Thunderbird Club, International, is getting closer by the day. The registration deadline was April 17th, and most of the difficult planning work is done. Now all that is left is the fine-tuning to make sure that this regional convention will be the best one ever hosted by our local club. Excitement is definitely building! The Steering Committee has worked extremely hard to put it all together, and now we can begin to relax and enjoy the festivities! Many of our members are new to NTVT, and some may not even belong to VTCI yet. They may be wondering what all the ‘hullabaloo” is about. First, the regional conventions are ways for us to get acquainted with members from other clubs in our region. The South Central Region is one of the most active in the nation (there are 6 regions in the US and three international regions). Each region has 6-10 local chapters, clubs like our own No TX Vintage Thunderbirds. Here in the So Central Region, in addition to our club, we have 5 others: The Acadian Thunderbirds from Louisiana, The Capitol City Thunderbirds, from Austin, The Sooner Thunderbird Club, of OK, The South TX Thunderbird Club, and The Vintage Thunderbirds of Houston. It’s fun to see the people and see their cars. Second, the regional conventions offer members a way to learn more about the judging processes and how their cars will be evaluated. The national organization provides the judging standards that we use at all VTCI sponsored events. Our parent organization also offers assistance in planning the event, and provides insurance for the event. The regional conventions also generate enthusiasm for the national conventions which are usually held in a different region each year. The goal is to have international conventions in many locations over a period of time, giving local club members the opportunity to attend a national meet close to home. If you have not registered for this convention, we hope you will put the next one on your calendar as soon as possible. You might even consider attending a regional convention in another region. Once you start going to conventions, you may find yourself “hooked” and want to attend several even in one calendar year! You will meet some great people and learn more about your Thunderbird. It doesn’t get much better than that! You can learn more about our parent organization, The Vintage Thunderbird Club International and their conventions by visiting their website: http://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/club_info.htm.

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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Welcome, New Members! We welcome three new members to NTVT this month. Bob and Jeannie Trent, from Paradise, TX, visited with us at the April meeting. Bob and Jeannie have lived in the Fort Worth area for a total of 50 years. Bob retired in 2006 after working for Bell Helicopter for 40 years. Four of those years they spent in Italy, where Bob worked as a Quality Liaison between Bell and Agusta Aircraft; he helped develop the Commercial Tilt Rotor aircraft. Bob and Jeannie have been interested in cars for many years. They purchased their first Mustang in 1965, and have enjoyed many other Mustangs since then. They purchased their 2004 Retro in 2014 and have enjoyed it very much. They are in the process of replacing worn parts, etc., to bring it back to a like-new condition. Bob and Jeannie tell us they are looking forward to meeting more club members and having adventures with NTVT; and we are certain that the pleasure will be all ours to get acquainted with them, too! Dave Egan, who hails from Garland, also joined NTVT after attending his first meeting this month. Dave, we look forward to seeing much more of you in the future. And don’t think you have escaped just because I didn’t have anything to write about you! Your turn is coming!

April in Weatherford The weatherman wasn’t optimistic, but the day turned out to be beautiful for our drive to the Vintage Grill and Car Museum for the April meeting of the NTVT. 29 members and 3 guests (who soon became members!) invaded the quaint little town of Weatherford. The Vintage Grill and Car Museum worked with the Weatherford Police to block off a city street adjacent to the restaurant so we could park within sight of our tables which were set up in the separate banquet room in front of the Museum. Before the meal, members enjoyed browsing the collection of interesting automobiles assembled by owner, Tom Moncrief, who was on hand and chatted with several of the members. Although the collection is not large, it does have some interesting vehicles such as a Durangoneer (a Wagoneer on a Durango frame), and a Jeep 6 X 6 (customized Jeep with 6 wheels) among others. We’d like to thank Terry Mann, curator, for helping to set up our visit. We enjoyed our meals and the chance to catch up with several members who haven’t been able to attend in awhile: it was good to see both Juan Carlos Sanchez and Deborah Phillips there after several months in hiding. We hope to see them both again soon. After lunch, most of the members headed for home as the clouds were beginning to roll in. Even though Chandor Gardens had cancelled our docent-led tour of the historic home and gardens, the Kershaws and the Robarges enjoyed strolling through the gardens on their own. It is definitely worth a repeat visit someday! The storms eventually swept through the area Saturday evening, but not until all the Thunderbirds were safe at home!

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

April Pics

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Page 5

Calendar of NTVT Events and Meetings for 2015 May 14th-16th: VTCI South Central Convention, Arlington Sheraton June 20th: Dan Hubert’s house in Kemp Texas (Cedar Creek Lake) July 18th: Yellow Rose All Ford Show; lunch meeting TBA; Register your car early—featuring T-Birds 60th Anniversary. August 15th: Hutto Show in Cisco September 12: 11:30 a.m. Regular Monthly Meeting at Triple F Automotive, 2760 Golden Triangle Blvd, Ft Worth, 76177 September 19th: Cruisin’ for a Cure, Fort Worth October 17th: The Congleton’s house (Gun Barrel City, Cedar Creek Lake) October 24: TAMC Homecoming Parade. Watch for more details from Ben King. November: No regular meeting December 6th: Christmas Party, Humperdinck’s, Arlington Regular Monthly NTVT Meetings/Events

Upcoming Car Shows Get your Thunderbird out and show it off! Google any of the events below for more info. May 1

9am-?

Tour to the Tombstones Rally

May 2

All Day

Cedar Creek Lake Car Show

May 2 May 2

970 E I-30

Rockwall Mabank

11am-3:30pm Jericho Car & Bike Show

Haltom City

1-4pm

Cars to Cure Cancer

Townsend & Yellow Jacket Ln Rockwall

May 2

1-5pm

Thunder & Lightning Special Olympics Benefit

2671 Little Elm Parkway

May 2

10am-3pm

Little Elm

2nd Annual Ratteree Benefit Car Show

Irving

May 14-17

3 days

So Central Regional VTCI Convention hosted by NTVT Arlington Sheraton Hotel

Arlington

May 14-17

4 days

South Central Tbird Convention

Arlington

May 15-17

3 days

Good Guys

Nashville, TN

May 15-17

3 days

Lone Star Classic Chevy Convention

San Antonio

All Ford Picnic from the V8 Club

Convention Center

May 17

10:30 a.m.

1800 Sandy Lake Rd

Carrolton

May 16

2-8pm

Tailwind Balloon Fest & Road Rebels Car Show

May 16

All Day

Super Chevy Show

May 16

10am-2pm

Hot Dogs & Hot Rods

1551 Frontier Parkway

Prosper

May 16

10am-2pm

Lions Club Benefit Car Show

2650 I-20 Frontage Rd

Grand Prairie

May 17

11am-5pm

Cars for CASA

Shoreline & Summer Lee

Rockwall

Canton Ennis

May 29-30

2 days

Ribs 'n Rods

May 30

2-6pm

Little Elm Hooked on Classics

704 W Eldorado Pkwy

Temple Little Elm

May 31

2-6pm

Mesquite Hot Rods, Classics & More

18995 LBJ Fwy

Mesquite

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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Recurring Cruise-Ins every Saturday

8am-4pm

Cars in the Park

TX Museum @ Fairpark (Gate 5) Dallas

every Saturday

2pm-close

Keller's Classic Cruise-in

NW Hwy

Dallas

every Saturday

8am-10am

LeMadeline Cruise-in 4 Coffee

US75 & Eldorado Pkwy

McKinney

Twin Peaks Cruise-in

LBJ

Mesquite

Main Street

Corisicana

Last Sunday

1-5pm

1st Saturday

7-9pm

1st Saturday

5pm

1st Saturday

Streetside Classics

Ft Worth

8am-5pm

Harry's Hot Rods

Grand Prairie

1st Saturday

mornings

Cars & Coffee

6800 Dallas Pkwy

Plano

1st Saturday 2nd Saturday 2nd Saturday 2nd Saturday 3rd Saturday last Saturday last Saturday 2nd Sunday last Sunday

5pm-close 1pm-4pm mornings 4-8pm 4pm-8pm 3pm-? 8am-? 2-6pm 2-6pm

Chuz to Cruz Classics on the Square Cowtown Cars & Coffee Turning Back Time

Belairs & Burgers Dublin Square Montgomery Plaza 104 Murphy Rd @ FM544 Uptown Village Home Depot Lot Downtown Square

every Tuesday

7pm

1st Tuesday

18995 LBJ Fwy

Sonic Hang Out

Sonic Drive In

Forney

5:00pm - 8:00pm Meteor Hamburgers Cruise Night Meteor Hamburgers

2nd Tuesday

5:30pm-8pm

3rd Tuesday

5pm-8pm

3rd Tuesday

PBG Classic Wheels Cruise-in MSP

Princeton North Ft Worth Ft. Worth Murphy Cedar Hill Wylie McKinney Grapevine Mesquite

Texas Best Smokehouse

All Star Ford

Canton

I-20 & 271

Tyler

5:00pm - 8:00pm Meteor Hamburgers Cruise Night Meteor Hamburgers

every Wednesday

5:30pm-9pm

every Wednesday every Thursday every Thursday 1st Thursday 4th Thursday

5:30pm-9pm 5pm 6pm-9pm 5pm 6pm-9pm

Whataburger

Wylie

Wylie

Dairy Queen

Seven Points

Fire Wheel Parkway Sammy's BBQ Beef O'Brady's Pat's Diner Ivan Smith Furniture Lot

Wylie Rowlett North Richland Hills Longview Athens

A Postcard from NTVT With the warmer weather, there are always lots of car shows, cruise nights, and other opportunities to show off your Thunderbird. There are so many, it’s often hard to choose just which ones you want to attend. That is why I’ve included the long lists on pages 5 and 6 listing the shows for each month and the shows that recur on a regular basis. (And thanks again to Larry Goodpasture for compiling that list.) I’ll try to highlight special ones or ones that club members tell me about. One big show coming up June 27th as part of the Wylie Jubilee is the Bluegrass on Ballard Show, sponsored by the Dallas Mopar Club. Just be sure that wherever you go, you take some NTVT Club Postcards with you to advertise the club. The website is http://www.dallasmoparclub.com/ and the event coordinator who is handling registrations is Bill Bonney at [email protected]. Wherever you go, be sure to take plenty of the club postcards with you to let everyone know just how awesome NTVT is! Ask Brad Kershaw if you need more postcards as we just ordered a new supply.

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

My Love Affair

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

Page 7

by Glenn Herbst

My fascination with the Ford Thunderbird began in the summer of 1956 following my graduation from high school in Chicago. One of my summer jobs was driving my blind aunt around on weekends. On one particular Sunday, my aunt asked me to drive her to my cousin’s house for a visit. When we arrived at my cousin’s house, there was a shiny new 1957 “pink” Ford Thunderbird sitting in the driveway. My cousin’s husband, Orville, came out to meet us and I asked him how he liked the Thunderbird. Orville said he enjoyed driving the car and asked me if I would like to take a ride with him. Given the contrast between my dated 1948 maroon Studebaker and the Thunderbird, I eagerly accepted the invitation. The Thunderbird had a spotless, white interior which I thought was pretty classy not to mention the bright turned aluminum trim on the dashboard and the doors. As we drove around, I was impressed by the power of the V8 engine and the mellow tones of the dual mufflers. Needless to say, the car made what came to be a lasting impression on me. Throughout the years following the experience in the Thunderbird, I would think about acquiring one someday. Fast forwarding to my approaching retirement and the passing of family members and close friends, my wife Marian and I decided that life is too short not to acquire my lifelong desire for a Ford Thunderbird. With Marian’s urging we began to look for a T-Bird. The online pictures of cars for sale were much better looking than the cars looked in person. As it turned out , Marian’s boss, had a friend who owned a TBird. We contacted the boss’s friend who gave us the contact information for a T-Bird restorer who had restored over 300 cars. We contacted the restorer who was in the process of restoring a 1956 in the Peacock Blue color which was one of the colors we preferred. Since the 1956 restoration was the same year I took my first ride in one as the same year I graduated from high school, we decided to buy the 56. I now tell people that our car was my graduation present slightly delayed until May 2007 when we took delivery. Subsequent to the acquisition, we have joined several Thunderbird clubs and participated in numerous shows, met some really wonderful people we count as our friends. The car has had multiple awards including a Gold award in the Concours II, primary non-original class. We have also participated in driving trips and organizing various club events. We know that we made the right decision in acquiring the T-Bird. To sum it all up, we can only say that T-Birding is “Great”! Marian and I share the love affair with our T-Bird.

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Thank You, Sponsors!

NTVT would like to thank the sponsors shown above. These companies and individuals have been loyal supporters of NTVT and we encourage T-Birders and classic car enthusiasts to support these companies.

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North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

Page 10

Meeting Minutes, April 18, 2015 John Congleton opened the meeting by welcoming all to the Vintage Car Museum & Grill in Weatherford. There were 32 people present. John asked for a motion to accept the minutes from the March meeting. A motion was made, seconded and the motion was approved. We had new members: Jean & Bob Trent (from Bridgeport), Debra Phillips (re-joined), and a visitor Dave Egan (from Garland) who became a member. Betsy McMahon provided an update on the current conference registration. As of this meeting we have 34 cars and 76 people. There are only 2 rooms available for all three nights; Thursday, Friday, & Saturday. Brad Kershaw gave the rundown on the convention arrangements. Steering committee has had it’s last meeting before the convention, so now just have a good time. John Congleton reminded us we are still short on silent auction items. Also we are short, monetarily, on the Backyard BBQ in the stockyards. If you have friends or guest that want to come, by all means join in our BBQ meal Friday night. John Garfield gave another plea for someone to fill the secretary position, since CeCe may not be available to attend all meetings. John Garfield gave update on upcoming meetings: • •



May 14-16- Regional Convention, June 20- Dan Hubert’s home in Kemp, July 17 set up /show 18 & 19- Yellow Rose All Ford show in Arlington, August 15- Hutto show in Cisco (one day only), September 12- Triple F Automotive, 2760 Golden Triangle Blvd., N of 287 off 35, sponsored by Tom & Michelle Grothouse with free lunch, October 17- Congleton home in Gun Barrel City, November- NO MEETING, December 6- Christmas Party @ Humperdinks in Arlington. John C gave update on Yellow Rose All Ford show in Arlington Fri, Sat, Sun July 17, 18, 19. John agreed to help “shuttle” for anyone not able to stay and needs transport. Big celebration planned for the Tbirds’ 60th!

• September 19- Cruisin for the Cure Ft. Worth, Marion Herbst (817-858-6508) presented two upcoming overnight trips: July 11, Big City Music Revue in Granbury and October 17, Audie Murphy Museum in Greenville. Reminder: Cedar Creek Crawfish Boil & Car Show on May 2, Mabank Newsletter items deadline is Wednesday, April 22. Bonnie needs articles & pictures! Bill Strother won 50/50, George Boley & Earl Hancock won doorprises Prepared by CeCe Congleton Interim NTVT Secretary

NTVT Secretary Position Open The NTVT Officers thank CeCe Congleton for filling in as Interim Secretary while we seek a volunteer willing to serve as secretary for this year. The job is not hard—just take minutes at each meeting and send them to the newsletter editor. If you can’t be at every meeting, someone will fill in for you! Please consider volunteering for this important position! Call John Congleton or reply to the email delivering this newsletter if you are interested.

North Texas Vintage Thunderbirds, Inc.

Officers 2015-2016 President: John Congleton 214-728-3616 [email protected] 1st Vice President: John Garfield 817-653-3219 [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Brad Kershaw 817-447-8243 [email protected] Secretary: CeCe Congleton 214-729-3274 [email protected] Treasurer: Tom Ossorio 817-705-9106 [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Bonnie Kershaw 817-447-8243 [email protected]

Volume 12 Issue 4: April, 2015

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We Have Another Winner! Congratulations to Betsy M. on her 2nd place trophy in the Convertible Class at the Eighth Annual Heights Car Show in Richardson TX on April 11th. That’s pretty darned good when over 320 cars were entered in this show. Betsy says she missed First Place by a “smudge”—a judge told her that she had just one smudge of dirt on her passenger door. She reports that she has already cleaned off the offensive smudge and is ready for the convention in May!

Bits and Birds—For Sale For Sale—1955, 1956 lightly used white vinyl soft top with metal frame. This top was made by Prestige to replace the built-in top. Looks like original top. Call Glenn Herbst at 817-705-5924. For Sale—1966

Town Coupe Thunderbird Gary Sestitio,

NTVT member, is selling this Texas car which runs and has no rust. It Visit These Websites: was sold in Dallas at NTVT Horn-Williams Ford. The interior is good shape. It www.ntvtbird.org has factory air, AM FM Or check us out on Facebook: radio with 8 track, NTVT Thunderbirds power seat, and power windows. 63C M 27 VTCI, our Parent Club 22T 61 01 8 vin number @ www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net 6Y81Z108674. Original with 156142 miles. Call Gary at 214 770 0947. The Thunderbird Registry http://www.tbirdregistry.com/