55-57 T-Bird

[PITTSBURGH 64]

I've been looking at this car on E-Bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-THUNDERBIRD-HOT-ROD_W0QQitemZ320074526133QQihZ011QQcategoryZ6057QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Its a fiberglass 55 T-Bird. I'd love to install a nice 455-462 Super hydro or Turbo 400 transmission in one of these.
Has anybody ever seen a early T-Bird with Pontiac power?

Thanks

[Ken K]

I have the Hot Rod magazine and the engine swapping book that has a Pontiac engine in a T Bird swap.

[Jeff Walker]

That don't look too bad for a 'glass bird. :cool:

Poncho power would surely make it fly. BTW I wonder what kind of chassis it has under it?

[Jack Gifford]

I have the Hot Rod magazine...Is that the one from the early sixties that used the Hydrostick? Or was there one in later years in the magazine?

[Ken K]

I found it, it's from the Febuary 1963 Hot Rod. It's the one with the B&M Hydro-Stick. I can take pictures but you won't be able to read it, I changed something on my camera program and don't know how to change it back.

[PITTSBURGH 64]

Is it the "Bird With a Salty Tail" article?

Jeff, its suppose to have a full square frame with a Mustang II front end.

There use to be a White 57 around here 15-20 years ago with a GTO 400 / Turbo 400.
When we were at the Quaker Stake en Lube there suspended in the ceiling was a 57 Bird next to a 59 Vette. The Bird seemed to better made.

A 462/Hydro would a fantastic in one of these!

[RAIV55]

I've been looking at this car on E-Bay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-THUNDERBIRD-HOT-ROD_W0QQitemZ320074526133QQihZ011QQcategoryZ6057QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Its a fiberglass 55 T-Bird. I'd love to install a nice 455-462 Super hydro or Turbo 400 transmission in one of these.
Has anybody ever seen a early T-Bird with Pontiac power?

Thanks

Did you look at the car? Notice you both are in Penn.

Kinda caught my eye, sure looks straight for glass and being black besides. The rear wheel openings look goofy, was thinking originally they had a flat top instead of radiused.

Looks like plenty of room to install a Poncho.

[RAIV55]

If it dosen't sell I'm going to take a ride up, he's only a few hundred miles away.
I just want to see it.

Looks like the auction ended with 0 bids.

[Jack Gifford]

... The rear wheel openings look goofy ...The wheel openings are correct. Back in the day, we didn't very often see the 'Birds without the factory fender skirts.

[PITTSBURGH 64]

They have a lot of snow up there so I'm going to take a ride up after is clears.

[sdbob]

Yes it can be done.A guy I met from the Mt Pleasant,Pa. area has a car,57 Tbird that his dad built.He inherited the car.He drives a red 66 tripower GTO,has been on the cover of HPP,and races it at Norwalk.I saw the car at Idlewild Park for their yearly car show.The Ford guys were nuts when they saw the Pontiac.It was I think a 428 with 400 turbo.Using stock mounts the engine I think was off set to clear and the cast manifolds were notched to clear.The car was pink with the 'opera window'top.I don't remember the oil pan being modified. Bob