Shoebird? Thunderbox? ’49 Ford “Body Kit” on a 1992 Thunderbird SC
If you’re the type that likes the classic “shoebox” slabside looks of the 1949-51 Fords, but prefers a more modern ride – and can get your hands on a good used 1989 – 1987 Thunderbird or Cougar – than you’re in luck thanks to EasyRods. I know this sounds like an informercial, but EasyRods (with their slogan of “Build In Hours, Not Years!”) offered an interesting front and rear end bolt-on, screw-on, and glue-on fiberglass component kit that, as you see here, blurred the lines between a ’49 Ford and a ’92 Thunderbird SC (Super Coupe). Just out of storage, this example is currently residing in Chicopee, Massachusetts and is for sale here on craigslist for $2,200. Another shout out to our Barn Finds buddy, Rocco B., for sending this tip our way
The seller gives us scant information (and photos) about this 30-year-old T-Bird. After the conversion, whenever that was, it was painted red with silvery-looking flames, pinstriped up the wazoo, and had lake pipes added. The red paint and flames appear to have seen better days and the passenger side lake pipe is sagging. EasyRod offered various grills and bumper options at additional cost. The rear on this one doesn’t have a bumper and the front end grille, headlights, and bumper treatment are kinda cool, but without the ’49 Ford’s distinctive bullet grille, this is starting to resemble a Mini. The seller says the current wheels are new but we don’t know how old the tires are.
The only other descriptions offered from the seller are that the Thunderbird SC needs some rocker rust repair, a tuneup, and new carpet. There are no photos supplied of the interior or the engine which is always a head scratcher, but the seller describes the power plant as a super charged 3.8L V6 (that was rated at 210 hp @4000 rpm when new) with an automatic transmission. The odometer is listed as having 88,000 miles on the clock.
I did a little online “research and forum reading” and as you can imagine, this type of conversion can be polarizing to the car community. Some love the concept and results, while others thought it was a waste to sacrifice a Thunderbird SC. Some liked the blend of old school and new school and said there’s always turned heads, while others felt the Thunderbird’s rakish windshield and roofline didn’t mesh with the ’49 Ford’s slab styling. So what do you think? I’ll admit it’s an interesting way to visually convert a modern car into something more vintage looking.
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Comments
Well…………..at least it’s not priced very high.
I think I may have created something that looked similar to this but on a smaller scale, courtesy of AMT back when I was around 8 years old. Fortunately, when finished, I threw it into the trash and was only out around three dollars.
Me too, but not for $45 BUCKS!!!!
https://www.modelroundup.com/product-p/amt-r2-601.htm
Ruined a SC T-bird? Nah, I thought they were crappy cars anyway, this is really cool. Apparently, several companies offered shoebox Ford body kits. AutomoZeal offered this kit, and the builder chose a custom-like grill. It’s been deleted, but we can talk, unless some lucky person here got this,,,no? Okay, anyway, rather than go whole hog on a REAL shoebox, to make what this car is anyway, I like the “old with new”. If this was the selling price, a slap in the face. There’s $2 grand in paint. I’m sure the seller had fun with it, and someone got a neat ride for peanuts.
I remember these kits, they didn’t take off as well as the company thought. They did sell quite a few and honestly they don’t look that bad. Here we go, the SC was just another used car when the builder put the kit on, geez.
Just plain ugly
Please crush ASAP.
Ugh. A while back, like maybe fifteen or so years ago I think, there was a Ponzi-scheme guy in the news who got busted and sent to prison. His car collection was to be sold off, and it was full of cheesy stuff like this. There were at least two of these exact kits, or conversions, or whatever they are. It was like the guy had no understanding of what made for a desirable car, he just went around throwing money at whatever crossed his path.
It looks like a cross between a cockroach and a shoebox.
Another car you’d be proud to wheel into the next cruise in! Just make sure you’ve got your fake hair cap on, and the little stuffed kid leaning into the grill. Yowza!
Big C ……I hate those stuffed kids leaning on the grill !
Every time I see one I want to kick it like a field goal kicker
in football. hahaha
Stuffed kids= typical old guy thing.
We did a show years ago & had a “punt the stupid doll” game. 5 bucks a turn, & had a long line for most of the show. Good times
$2200 is “well bought” money for any running and legal car, just about.
If it’s rust-free underneath (Mass, sure, but how long since it’s been dailied year-round?) and good mechanically , it might even be worth finding a parts car and putting it back to stock.
I’ve always found these Franken-cars to be rather nightmarish, but this one is worse. Without the bullet grille, it looks like a mashup between a T-bird and one of those generic insurance ad cars from 1949.
You can see it’s a mashup of a t-bird and a ‘49. You can easily see it’s a “customized” car, not a custom car. These conversions are rarely successful and I think the seller’s price reflects that he knows that.
There was a girl in my hometown called Thunderbox.
This posting has been deleted by its author.
I have never one of these conversions that looked vert good to me. Although the concept was interesting. However, for the price of this car and its apparent condition I would be tempted to buy it and on the challenge to make it like a “cool’ 50’s Custom. The listing is gone, so maybe some one thought the same thing,
I came across a conversion like this at Country Classic Cars in Staunton, IL. This was in August 2014, before the big fire. (unknown if the car survived in the flames) “1950 Ford Resto-Mod”. Asking price was US$ 13,550
Here are my photos:
https://i.ibb.co/FJSjBdh/Ford-CCC-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/7Rt9nq3/Ford-CCC-4.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/jzCcmr8/Ford-CCC-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/x5m1Cd5/Ford-CCC-3.jpg
Perfect to put in the garage next to the Zimmer!
Zimmer….
Hopefully not a Fiero based Quicksilver.
“This posting has been deleted by its author.”
I’m not surprised. This had to be a phony ad.
Until your neighbour shows you his $2,200 “new” car: “found it on Craigslist, somewhere in Massachusetts…!!”
IIRC, the original concept for this came about when the designer discovered that a shoebox-era Ford hood would bolt up directly to the T-Bird’s stock hood hinges. I never thought the overall proportions were quite right. I much preferred the kit that converted a Chevy S10 to a Studebaker street rod.
hahaha….posting is deleted……looks like a scam or fraud to lure some schmuck sucker…….
Yeah, most people don’t bother to remove their advertisement after they sell a car ;-)
As I recall, back in the late 1990s at Hot August Nights, there were a few of these with either the T-bird or Cougar body. Probably didn’t come back the following year. Do you wonder why?
When I first saw the front I said ok then when I got to the side then back my thinking No Way. I love the old ford’s but if you if you are going to waste one this is what you get. UGH.