My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

A '57 followed me home from Las Vegas on the trailer yesterday. Having been in the car hobby for 52 years I well understand the first impulse to ride off in all directions madly when you get a new project. Couple questions for the experts.

Which of the "clubs" is the logical choice for the early birds? Strengths? Weaknesses?

I live in a remote area of Nevada that does not have the talent (especially and including me) to do a body and paint restoration. Does anyone know a worthy shop in Northern Nevada that can do a correct restoration. Too many T-Birds with wavy quarter panels and you look underneath and the evidence of sloppy bondo work is spread like cake icing. Looking for a shop that can achieve about 98% metal work and 2% frosting on the cake (aren't we all). Know I must pay the price. That's OK.

Me and my bride of 42 years took our honeymoon in a '56 in 1975. The '57 I bought is a California car with good metal throughout and what tipped me over is the paint code is Coral Sand body with Raven Black porthole top.

I'll be actively looking for a soft top for this also.

Thanks for any ideas!

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

Welcome. Sounds like a pretty nice ride and a good color. Maybe some pictures when you get a minute.

I've had good luck with Concours Parts out of Carson City. As things go they're not that far from you. I've also been happy with Larrys Thunderbird but I haven't done much with them in several years.

I've owned both original soft tops and the replacement from Prestige Thunderbird. It's a fine "come home" top, but not a reproduction. The originals are expensive, typically need a going thru and new fabric or vinyl. So it depends on what you want and how much you want to pay.

CTCI is a great technical site for the early birds, with an archive of how to and what's original info. I don't know about the other clubs, it you won't go wrong with CTCI.

Sorry I can't help with a shop in your area, but I'm sure someone will know.

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

Check around your town (at auto parts stores, ?) for local car clubs and ask those folks which shops to take, or not take, your new project to.

Here's a search page of links that might(?) help you out...
https://www.google.com/search?q=Tono...utf-8&oe=utf-8

This CTCI chapter in Reno is apparently the one closest to you. Call and talk to them anyway.
It looks like they meet at a restoration shop???
https://www.ctci.org/chapters/chapter79.php

This page has a listing for a car club in Tonopah, but not sure how current the contact info is..
http://www.collectorcarswapmeet.com/carclub/?cat_id=202

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

Thanks for the answers. I'll look into the CTCI Sierra group. Hope they're still active.

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

I agree with the recommendations for CTCI. They have a web site ( ctci.org ) and a nice bimonthly magazine. They are exclusively 55-57 Birds

Welcome back to classic Tbirding

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

As others have said CTCI is your best resource and FYI there is a softopfor sale here in Tulsa (not mine) nor do I know anything about it.
https://tulsa.craigslist.org/pts/5995277697.html
I will also add that I am a 55 bird owner of almost 50years same car. I am in the process of restoring the Softop on it now. It is a slow and tedious process but I am not in any great hurry. I also know its not going to be cheap either! All the parts will be ew which means almost every thing but the frame! So I will be getting close to 3-4000 when done? Must be a labor of love thing.

Re: My fifth T-Bird, but 1st in many many years
 

Ah, scope creep. Going to embark on a frame off resto. The body man says if you work to align everything and the body is actually sitting twisted on old rotten mounts you waste a ton of time and money. I believe it's a worthy car. So, off we go, into the wild expensive yonder . . .