May 2020
Thunderbird Owners of New York
Thunderbird Owners of New York
Web-page
http://clubs.hemmings.com/tony/index.html
Member Classic Thunderbird Club International – Chap. 49
OFFICERS:
President
Stan Matusewicz – 631-231-3156
[email protected]
Vice President
Dennis Benfante– 631-447-3847
[email protected]
Secretary
John Cattonar - 631-269-4705
[email protected]
Treasurer
Pete Cochrane - 631-363-6662
[email protected]
CTCI Advisory Council Rep.
Bob Ceraso - 631-757-9476
[email protected]
Tech Advisor: 1955’s
Bob Ceraso - 631-757-9476
[email protected]
Tech Advisor: 1956’s
Stan Matusewicz -631-231-3156
[email protected]
Tech Advisor: 1957’s
Lou Realmuto - 631-226-1733
[email protected]
Computer Advisor & Newsletter Editor Sal Perrotta -
631-991-0306
[email protected]
Next Club Meeting
Thunderbird Owners of New York
A Date and location for the May meeting is pending and a
notification will be coming soon by E mail
Newsletter Message
Newsletter Message from
Sal Perrotta
May 2020
I am pretty sure we can all say this is a spring season we will
all remember.
Like many of you we have all seen good and bad events in our
lifetime. As a veteran who served in South East Asia during the
Viet Nam war, I do think about some of the good days and there were
quite a few however I seldom talk about some of the more horrific
things I have seen. This virus which has so impacted our lives has
made me think about some of my life events I struggle to
forget.
Recent events are an experience that we can all agree has put
our family and friends at risk and it has turned our homes into
prisons. I know that we are all doing what we can to secure against
the potential to expose ourselves and those close to us from this
illness but it is difficult and a very scary.
Lives have been significantly altered, and the global
stress-coping-adjustment process seems to be unending. I can only
hope that things get back to normal soon.
I ask that you not forget to remember those people who work
around the clock to ensure our safety.
I have read reports about the brave people who are our first
line of defense falling victim to COVID-19, including medical
staff, firefighters and police.
We need to be thankful to the people who bring us food and those
who are working so hard to keep the power and other essentials
working at such a high level. I am so grateful for their personal
sacrifice; these people work to maintain a higher quality of life
for all of us while we are in the safety of our homes.
One way to show our appreciation is to do all we can to be part
of the solution, and pay attention to the CDC guidelines to make
sure we are not progressing the problem.
I am hopeful that I can return to New York in mid-May. My
neighbors here in Florida seem to be taking things very seriously
so we do feel fairly safe here. From what I read in the newspaper
it seems the situation in New York is still not where we would hope
it could be.
Sit back and read the newsletter this month, enjoy the articles
and the information we have put together for you.
I especially suggest you review the information John Cattonar
provided this month which is excellent.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Sal
SECRETARIES REPORT
Meeting Recap April 2020
JOHN CATTONAR, Thunderbird Owners of New York Secretary
If we ever get back to normal, I pray, that we have a Cruizin'
season left to get our T-Birds out of the garage and back on
the road once again.
Now would be a good time consider what is needed to ensure a
good and safe driving season.
Now hit the road and get your engine nice and hot and make
all the bad stuff happening disappear, at least for awhile.
How to prep your car for driving season this spring
The winter weather is receding for most of the country, which
means the fun-to-drive cars are starting to wake from
their winter hibernation and return to the road. Follow these
tips to make sure your first drive is an enjoyable cruise that
doesn’t end prematurely with a call for roadside assistance.
Check your tire pressure
Temperature swings during winter storage, plus tires that have
been stationary for extended period of time, can result in lost
pressure. A quality tire pressure gauge will ensure proper
pressures are maintained. When checking tire pressure, take a
moment to visually inspect the tires for general condition, which
should show no cracking or separation of the tread or sidewall.
Confirm oil level or change your oil
Many classic cars have small leaks in the engine compartment,
and it is worth taking a moment to check the oil level and be sure
that a significant amount hasn’t leaked into that drip pan you put
beneath the car. Also visually inspect the oil for containments.
Take a look at the information Sal put into the April Newsletter
regarding Zink Based Oil
Pump your brakes
Brake-system seals and gaskets can dry up from non-use. The
hard-peddle test is a good, quick check to be sure that your brakes
will not lose pressure during that first drive. With the car turned
off and parked, press on the brake pedal as if you were coming to a
gentle stop, hold the pedal, then press harder on the pedal as if
you were performing a panic stop. The pedal should remain firm and
not slowly continue moving towards the floor.
If the pedal continues to move, or there is evidence of brake
fluid anywhere under the car, it is time to make some repairs
before attempting to drive.
Inspect fuel condition
Modern gas blends can sour in just a few weeks due to the
ethanol content. A quick sniff of the open gas cap can tell you a
lot about the condition of what’s in the tank. If it smells at all
like paint thinner or varnish, that’s good indication that the fuel
has separated or degraded significantly. The car might still run,
but degraded fuel can cause expensive damage to your fuel system
and engine. When in doubt, drain and replace.
After you’ve completed these checks and made any necessary
adjustments, it’s time to go for a cruise. Enjoy the ride!
News from the Club
Some very sad news to report this month. Our dear friend Eileen
Shaffer has passed. We send our heartfelt condolences to Don and
the Shaffer family.
From: Dennis Benfante: "All Ford Show"
From: Sal Perrotta on a beautiful Day in Flushing Queens Al
Continelli, Sal Perrotta and Frank Signoriello had the opportunity
to take some wonderful pictures of Franks 1964 GTO.
With the help of Franks daughter our pictures were published and
in fact made the cover of the GTO Association of Americas Legend
Magazine's April 2020 Issue
The April 2020 issue of The Legend features Frank
Signoriello’s Original-Owner 1964 “World’s Fair GTO,” a unique
example of the first of the classic Great Ones. Frank ordered it
new in February 1964 from Breitfeller’s Pontiac in Queens, N.Y.—a
black Sports Coupe with a black interior, tri-power, four-speed
transmission and 3:90 rear end. But before he could take delivery
in April, there was a special request from General Motors: The GTO
that GM was to display at its pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in
Queens was damaged in transit. Could GM please use Frank’s new ride
as a substitute? After Pontiac sweetened the deal with use of a
fully optioned 1964 Grand Prix, full VIP treatment and all the
World’s Fair tickets Frank wanted, he agreed. After two weeks as a
centerpiece in the GM Pavilion, Frank took his GTO home, and over
the next few years, used it as a family car (daughter Paula
was born in the car on the way to the hospital), daily
driver—and weekend racer. In 2007, he and son Andrew undertook a
frame-off restoration that was completed by Frank’s
80th birthday
From: Sal Perrotta: More Pictures from Tony Cardone's builder.
The car is certainly taking shape and the build is moving
forward
From: Al Continelli: Part of a series to be published in the
newsletter Engine Tune-Up and General Maintenance Tip’s Part 7
From Sal Perrotta:
1955 Ford Thunderbird
“Ford brings to America an exciting new kind of automobile—the
Thunderbird… a personal car of distinction.” 1955 Thunderbird sales
brochure
· The first Thunderbird was introduced on February 20,1954 at
the Detroit Auto Show.
· Delivery of the first Thunderbirds began on October 22,
1954.
· 1955 Thunderbirds, but production for the year model
eventually exceeded 16,000.
CAR SPECIFICATIONS
Performance Model1955 Ford ThunderbirdOriginal Base
Price$2,944
Total Production16,155Engine Used312ci/225hp
Zero to Sixty9.8 secQuarter Mile16.6 sec @ 77 mph
Top Speed120 mphWheelbase102 in
Length175.3 inWidth70.3 in
Height50.2 inCurb Weight2,980 lbs
Wheel Size15 x 6.7 inTire Size6.7 x 15 in four-ply
The Thunderbird was designed by Ford to be answer to the rising
want of many American car buyers for a smaller, two-seater sports
car similar to cars that were on European roads at the time, like
the MGs and Jaguars. Chevrolet had beaten Ford to the punch in the
market by two years with the Corvette, but the Thunderbird was
designed to distinguish itself form that model.
From the beginning, the car was built as a “personal luxury” car
rather than a sports car. Rather than using a fiberglass body,
which was popular at the time, the car was made of steel, though a
removable fiberglass roof was offered (along with a fabric-top
convertible). The name Thunderbird was chosen from over 5,000
suggestions, and the name “Whizzer” also was in strong contention
for the name.
Speaking with Motor Trend when the car debuted, chief passenger
car engineer at Ford, W.R. Burnett, explained the thought behind
the styling, and was perhaps attempting to distance the car even
more from the Corvette.
“Although the Thunderbird has the performance and attributes of
most sports cars, management also felt that it should have a few
more comforts to make it more appealing to a wider segment of the
public.”
The final 1955 Thunderbird, which began production on September
9, 1954, was slightly different from the concept version unveiled
at the aforementioned Detroit Auto Show. Only one engine was
available for the Thunderbird in 1955, a 4-barrel 292 Y-block V8
that was rated at 193 horsepower. Buyers could choose a three-speed
manual transmission or a three-speed automatic transmission. The
latter transmission bumped the horsepower rating up to 198.
1955 Thunderbird Features
Only one model of the Thunderbird was available in 1955, and
with only one engine available, so options were mainly limited to
interior upgrades. Standard features included an “Astra-Dial”
control panel that featured a tachometer, a clock and a speedometer
with a maximum speed of 150 MPH. Other standard features included
an illuminated ignition switch, a courtesy light with automatic
door switches, dual horns and a glove box. Available options were
four-way power seats, power brakes, cigarette lighter, white
sidewall tires, a radio, heater, overdrive and the Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission.
Total production was 16,155, and the base price for the car was
$2,695. With options, however, this price could easily top $3,800.
The unexpected demand for the car stretched production of the model
into September 1955, a point when the 1956 models of many other
Ford cars already were in showrooms.
Competition
The Corvette was the main, if not only, competition to the
Thunderbird when it was initially released, but Ford was sure to
distinguish their car from Chevy’s sports car. In addition to the
“personal luxury car” marketing and the steel body, the Thunderbird
also trumped the Corvette in standard power, as the base model
Corvettes relied on a 235 CID inline six-cylinder motor.
The attempts to distance the new Thunderbird from the Corvette
worked in 1955, and there were more than five times more
Thunderbirds built than Corvettes that year. The base price for the
Corvette was slightly higher than the Thunderbird at $2,774, and it
is important to remember that this only included the inline six
engines, which only produced 155 horsepower, putting the base
Corvettes at a significant disadvantage to the Thunderbird.
Engine Specifications
Type
Size
Carb
Horse Power
Tourqe
Ford-O-Matic
292ci
1x4bbl
198 hp @ 4400 rpm
286 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Synchromesh
292ci
1x4bbl
193 hp @ 4400 rpm
280 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm
Performance Statistics
0 to 60 mph
Quarter Mile
Engine
Source
8.8 sec
16.9 sec
292ci/198hp
STD CAT of Thunderbird
9.5 sec
17.1 sec
292ci/198hp
STD CAT of Thunderbird
10.8 sec
17.8 sec @ 83 mph
292ci/198hp
STD CAT of Thunderbird
11.9 sec
18.0 sec
292ci
Estimate
Instant Classic
Occasionally, American car manufactures get it right. The 1955
Thunderbird is one of those cases. It is a beautiful design that
looks as good today as it did six decades ago. The car was never
intended to be a sports car like the Corvette and its low
performance numbers prove that. This was a personal luxury car plan
and simple. It’s the kind of car that you expect to see a
sophisticated lady adorned in matching gloves and head scarf
driving to the country club. That said how many red-blooded
American men would pass up the chance to lay their hands on one of
these?
From: Dennis Benfante: KoC Car Show September 2020
From: Joe Marchione: Joe this is an excellent write up on the
VW. I had one and it brought back some wonderful memories. Thank
you, Joe!
How the Volkswagen Bus Became a Symbol of Counterculture
Seventy years ago, the German car manufacturer started producing
the Microbus—the first van and a striking vehicle for protest
By David Kindy, SMITHSONIANMAG.COM, MARCH 6, 2020
12.1K39357
When Jerry Garcia passed away in
1995, Volkswagen remembered the Grateful
Dead front man by running an ad featuring a VW Microbus
with a tear streaming from one headlight. It was an epochal
moment when two counterculture symbols came together in tender
recognition of their influence on mainstream society.
In the 1960s, both Garcia and the Microbus came to
represent a growing angst in America about the country’s role as a
nuclear superpower and its reliance on commercialism to feed a
voracious appetite for more, more, more. A certain segment of
society decided to “turn on, tune in and drop out,” as Harvard
psychologist Timothy Leary put it, by focusing on the psychedelic
rock music performed by bands like the Grateful Dead and traveling
around in Microbuses covered with depictions of peace signs and
flowers.
“For many people, the VW Microbus became the symbol of protest
with Detroit’s overpowered cars and society in general,”
says Roger White, curator of road transportation history with
the Division of Work and Industry at the
Smithsonian’s
Concert-goers sit on the roof of a Volkswagen bus at the
Woodstock Music and Arts Fair at Bethel, N.Y., in mid-August
1969. (AP)
That’s quite a transition for the vehicle, considering its
roots. Known as Type 2, the Microbus was an offshoot of the VW
Beetle, called Type 1, which dates to 1933 when Adolf Hitler,
the leader of Nazi Germany, proposed a “people’s car”—or
Volkswagen—for the masses. Postwar, the company was looking to
expand its product line by offering a vehicle that would shake up
the automotive industry.
“This was the first van,” White says. “Before this, people used
large cars, trucks and buses to haul people and cargo around.”
Regardless of its origins, the VW Microbus marks its 70th
anniversary as both an icon and mode of transportation. The first
vehicle went into production March 8, 1950, at a Volkswagen plant
in West Germany, and changed the way the world looked at cars.
The Microbus design was created by Ben Pon, a Dutch importer of
VW Beetles. He was inspired to sketch the first van in 1947 after
seeing a flatbed parts-hauler made from a Type I chassis while
visiting the Volkswagen plant. The German car manufacturer began
tinkering with the idea and finally went into production in 1950.
Two versions were initially offered: The Kombi, with side windows
and removable middle and rear seats, and the Commercial,
essentially the first panel van.
Volkswagen’s marketing approach for the new product line was an
extension of its advertising for the Beetle: promote its simple
styling and usefulness as a vehicle for home, work and play. People
loved the fact that the VW Microbus could transport goods of all
kinds—human and otherwise. With a roomy interior, rear-wheel drive
and air-cooled engine, it was easy to operate and maintain. In the
United States, it was seen as a cost-effective alternative to the
family station wagon.
The first VW Westfalia campers were exported to the United
States in 1956.
And it was fun to customize. Almost as soon as it rolled off the
assembly line, owners began adapting the Microbus to their own
needs. Soon, it was being used as a camper by outdoor enthusiasts
who outfitted it with beds, sinks and more. Volkswagen took note of
this trend and contracted with Westfalia, a German company
known for building carts and wagons, to begin making camper
conversion kits. The first VW Westfalia campers were
exported to the United States in 1956.
As the Microbus became more accepted in America, it began to
take on a cult status with fringe groups. Its boxy appearance—so
unlike anything the major auto manufacturers in Detroit were
producing—became a symbol for counterculture types, who wanted to
stand out from the rest of crowd. Some owners painted peace signs
on the Microbus, earning it the nickname “hippie bus.”
“It became popular with people who were rejecting mainstream
American culture,” White says. “It was their way of saying, ‘We
don’t need your big V8 cars.’”
The VW Microbus was also a favorite of marginalized members of
society, who could use the versatile vehicle to transport people to
rallies, polling stations, protests and more during the political
and cultural upheaval that laced the 1960s.
"Love is Progress, Hate is Expensive" was the motto that Esau
Jenkins painted on his VW bus. The rear hatch is on display at the
National Museum of African American History and
Culture. (William Pretzer)
One Microbus in particular stands out today as an emblem of the
racial strife that plagued much of America during the decade. It
was driven around the Sea Islands near Charleston, South Carolina,
by Esau and Janie Jenkins, civil rights activists who wanted to
make a difference in their community. They used this 1966 VW
Transporter to take African-American children to school and
adults to work in the segregated South.
“Esau would drive the Microbus while Janie would teach
passengers about the South Carolina constitution,” says William
Pretzer, senior curator at the National Museum of African
American History and Culture. “They wanted people to know their
rights so they could stand up for themselves. They did this for
years.”
Two pieces of that now rusted and faded green
Microbus are on display at the museum, which opened in 2016 on
the National Mall in Washington, D.C.: a side panel and rear hatch.
Still visible on the latter are the words painted by the Jenkins,
“LOVE IS PROGRESS. HATE IS EXPENSIVE.”
“These pieces enlarge the narrative of what was happening at
that time,” Pretzer says. “They help us all to understand the
rejection of rights and citizenship that existed then. It’s not
black history; it’s American history.”
The newest version of the Microbus, will deliver 369 horsepower
from electric motors on each axle.
The VW Microbus persevered through a tumultuous time in America.
Millions were made, but eventually the social revolution subsided
and so did interest in the vehicle. Production ceased in 2014.
However, all is not lost! This counterculture symbol is about to
make a comeback in 2022—as an electric vehicle.
Currently known as the I.D. Buzz, the newest version of the
Microbus will deliver 369 horsepower from electric motors on each
axle. The original Type 2 sold in the United States in 1950 had all
of 30 horsepower.
Still, it’s a far cry from those disorderly days as a hippie van
hauling long-haired young people to rock concerts. Just ask William
Pretzer. He recalls such a scenario from 1971, when he and his
friends tried to make it to Oakland Coliseum to see the Rolling
Stones play.
From: Sal Perrotta:
Newsletter Car QUIZ
Trivia Quiz - Car Advertising Slogans
1. When better cars are built, __________ will build them.
A. Ford B. BuickC. PontiacD.
Chrysler
2. Ask the man who owns one.
A. StudebakerB. OldsmobileC. KaiserD.
Packard
3. ______ has a better idea.
A. FordB. Chevrolet C. Plymouth D.
Volkswagen
4. Putting you first keeps us first.
A. MercuryB. American MotorsC. ChevroletD.
Cadillac
5. Join the __________ rebellion.
A. Dodge B. VolkswagenC. Chevrolet D.
Pontiac
6. If you had to compete with the three biggest automakers in
Detroit, what would you do?
A. Mercedes BenzB. VolkswagenC. American
MotorsD. BMW
7. The closer you look, the better we look.
A. Chevrolet B. FordC. PlymouthD.
Cadillac
8. We are driven.
A. Toyota B. HondaC. SubaruD. Datsun
(Nissan)
9. Always a step ahead.
A. OldsmobileB. ChryslerC. DodgeD.
Buick
10. Wouldn't you really rather have a _________?
A. PontiacB. CadillacC. BuickD.
Chevrolet
May Quiz Answers
1 –B
4 – C
7 – B
2 – D
5 –A
8 –D
3 – A
6 – C
9 –A
10 -C
From: CTCI: ARE YOU A MEMBER "NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO
JOIN"
Note: Have you seen the updated CTCI Web Site. The new site is
amazing and you should check it out. https://www.ctci.org/
Classic Thunderbird Club International
Toll Free 800.488.2709 • PO Box 7393, North Kansas City, MO
64116 USA • Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.ctci.org
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT:
Name____________________________________________________Spouse’s
Name______________________________________
Mailing
Address_______________________________________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________________
State/Province______________ Zip/Mail Code___________________
Telephone (______)_____________________________ Email
Address__________________________________________________
CTCI Chapter Affiliation (if any)
_________________________________________________________________
• New members please fill out application and send payment (in
U.S. funds ONLY*) to the address below.
• Make checks payable to CTCI, or pay by credit card by email,
fax or phone.
• Mail to: CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB INT., PO Box 7393, North
Kansas City, MO 64116
Please select one of the following prorated amounts:
· Month Joining One Time Initiation Fee + Dues = Total
· January thru March $15.00 + $37.50 = $52.50
· April thru June $15.00 + $29.00 = $44.00
· July thru September $15.00 + $19.00 = $34.00
· October thru December $15.00 + $10.00 = $25.00
· NOTE: Add $18.00 to select Premium Packet with CTCI Grill
Emblem.
Annual dues renewal will be $37.50, payable January 1 of each
year.
Signature _______________________________Date ______ Check here
if you wish to be listed in the CTCI roster, as of April 1st.
I give permission for my phone number and/or email address to be
listed in the CTCI roster.
(NOTE: Phone numbers & email are for office use only, or for
the roster if you choose to have it published. Roster addresses may
be sold only to T-Bird vendors to be used only for catalog
purposes.
Are you a former member of CTCI? Yes No If Yes, what is your
former CTCI membership number? ________________
Sponsored or Referred by
_______________________________________________ CTCI # (if known)
________________
The Birthday list I have been using is a little dated so please
be sure to let me know if I miss any club members birthday or have
an incorrect date so I can add/correct my list.
Carl Juliano
5/2
Michael Tinnirello
5/4
George Edwards
5/15
Margaret Zengel
5/16
Mindy Matusewicz
5/16
Sandy Lauper
5/17
Regina Murnane
5/21
Dennis Terrell
5/26
Colleen Wolcott
5/27
Arlene Swenson
5/28
Pat Scomello
5/31
31
