Classic T- Bird a St. Patty’s Day star
Natalie Speckmaier had wanted a 1955 Ford Thunderbird ever since she and her girlfriend rode their bicycles to the local Ford dealership in Drumheller, Alta., where free hotdogs and soft drinks were being given away to herald the introduction of a brand new sporty two- seat car.
That was 60 years ago, and the Vancouver resident acquired her own T- Bird in 1982 after flying to Powell River, B. C., to look at her dream car. She enjoys the way people react to seeing her turquoise and-snow shoe- white Thunderbird almost as much as she has enjoyed driving it over the past 33 years. So she was enthusiastic about having Rock and Roll Hall of Fame disc jockey Red Robinson and comedian Rich Elwood ride in the car in Vancouver’s recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
To prepare for the day, she committed her treasured — but gently aging — T- Bird to a full restoration. The car was getting shabby, with the cracking of paint that had been applied nearly 40 years before in an amateur restoration. Speckmaier wanted her T- Bird to be perfect. But there would be many surprises under the skin.
When the restorers began removing the paint, they discovered the excellent rust- free California car had long ago been side- swiped hard on the passenger side. It needed major surgery, including metal transplants.
The metal- meisters grafted in a new rear section for the front fender, reskinned the door, replaced the rocker panels under the doors and straightened all the metal so the body would be better than new. They then adjusted all the seams so the hood, trunk and doors had a perfect fit. The under- hood area and engine were completely detailed and optional polished finned aluminum valve covers were added.
The removable fibreglass hardtop was completely restored, with new snowshoe- white paint and fabric headliner.
If this car was going to be a star in the parade, it had to look the part.
After eight months in the restoration shop, Speckmaier’s T- Bird was ready to go the night before Vancouver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Despite the forecast of drizzle, she said the show must go on and her car would be in the parade, rain or shine.
The doorman at the host hotel managed to find a spot under cover for the T- Bird. The hard- top had been removed and stored in her garage, so the car was topless.
Speckmaier and her husband Norm attended the official breakfast to break bread with Robinson and Elwood before the festivities.
The revolutionary Ford Thunderbird was introduced to the public in February 1954 at the Detroit auto show. The sporty two seater was an instant hit, with its powerful V- 8 engine, removable hard- top, luxury options and unique styling.
That was the same year a 16- yearold Red Robinson hit the airwaves on Vancouver’s CJOR radio, playing the music teenagers of the day loved. That launched his 60- year career as a broadcaster, which led to a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
For Robinson, it was fitting his annual appearance in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade be in a turquoise ( green) 1955 Thunderbird.
“It was really a pleasure to see all the folks and little ones lined up for that special day,” he said, putting on his sprightly Irish accent to celebrate his heritage.
And it was the luck of the Irish that the rain held off, with just an Old World mist during the 90- minute parade.
Speckmaier’s Thunderbird drew appreciative applause as it cruised slowly by the crowds lining both sides of the street. It was all going well until the final turn — where the most spectators had gathered.
That’s where the T- Bird’s engine stalled. The Vancouver Police Marching Band, in full stride, was bearing down on the T- Bird with drums beating and bagpipes roaring. They’d be up against the stalled T- Bird in seconds.
“Everybody out! We’re pushing!” came the cry.
So Elwood and Robinson, joined by kind and quick- thinking spectators, saved the day with foot power, not horsepower. The T- Bird was pushed the final block of the parade with the crowd cheering and clapping.
“This is great. They all think it’s part of the act,” Robinson said with a laugh.
Once pushed to the side of the road at the end of the parade, Speckmaier’s T- Bird unexpectedly started up and ran like a champ.
The stalling was no joke, but this 1955 Thunderbird has been on the road for 60 years and will go into the next decade as a stellar performer.