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The fabulous ’58 T­Bird

My ’58 T-Bird has arrived and, in true DM tradition, it surely does NOT disappoint!!! My image has the usual flawless fit and finish we expect from the Boys from Norwalk… So tight, in fact, that there is now a DETAIL TOOL to help open the hood and reverse opening deck lid; shut lines are set to standards that would make a gnat’s eyelash look overweight! The panes in question move in a deliberate motion completely devoid of flip­flop…but this is just mechanical stuff…

The whole car is a cohesive reproduction of the car that captured the hearts of many a youthful motorist in the late 50’s. Tuesday Weld told a slightly revised story of "Cinderella" whereby the mice and coach turned into a "brand new 4 passenger T­Bird" and emphasized that excitement with her signature squeal of delight…

You’ll be squealing with delight when you feast your eyes on this fab confection from Norwalk!!! The Monarch Blue paintwork is meticulous and the perfect color choice for this image. The interior is a matching and contrasting blue and white "vinyl" with the obligatory articulated seatbacks. This design was very cool in 1958 and even holds its own in 2005. Everything glows: the chrome wheel covers, the graceful front bumper/grille ensemble, even the "rolled down" windows, and the jet­style rear bumper ignite the tasteful flash of this, the first of the Square Birds. Speaking of the rear bumper; it is removable and exchangeable for a like unit complete with a continental kit. You merely tug the stock bumper off and replace with the Connie variant. "Thunderbird" is emblazoned across the tire shell along with the "new for ’58" version of the THUNDERBIRD logo (there are three of these beautifully reproduced "birds" … One on each end as wheel as on the spare wheel cover)

The reverse opening deck lid is a symphony of correct hinges and struts as it gracefully and seamlessly rises out of the bodywork. Once open, you will find a perfect replication of the folded convertible top (a feature using the SKYLINER mechanism adapted to operate a fabric top… A system Ford would use on its Lincoln Continentals and T­Birds through 1967 with very little modification). Each and every strut, link, and cable is not only accurately reproduced but fully operational. As you would expect, this Bird also comes with a raise white convertible top fitted in the correct vinyl material (as opposed to the previous dust catching and most perplexing, white cloth) and the top fits snugly between the leading edge of the deck lid and the seatback. This image looks great top up or down.

Under the hood, you'll find the 352 CID V8 hunkered down between the fender wells, the traditional reverse opening hood is lifted with the aid of the aforementioned detail tool. The See Clear windshield washer fluid bag is present on the left fender inner along with the totally correct compliment of warning stickers and factory maintenance. The hood operates flawlessly and precisely and seals to a near invisible countenance. The front grille (as well as the tail light grilles) is incredible recreated with the "58 only" round hole/cross hatch design. This pattern would change to horizontal bars for ’59, and a fine egg crate design for 1960.

This Robert Mac Namera T-Bird would capture the hearts of Americans across the country as sale tripled over the 1957 2 seat versions and would go on to spawn a whole genre of personal luxury cars that would prevail all the way into the 21st Century…Riviera, Toronado, Grand Prix, and Eldorado owe their lives to the success of this one car.

You gotta have one of these flawless beauties or be drummed out of the hobby…it’s on a par with the fabulous DM ’48 Roadmaster Sedanette… 5 stars…to say the least!!!

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