So after inspecting the paint, the interior, the top, the chrome and even the factory original hubcaps, I said "yes" I would be happy to take the car on for one of my detailing classes. I do love a challenge and barn finds with the original paint are my favorite. What was Ford thinking in 1969?īe that as it may. I mean this car is just plain flat-out ugly. I don't think there's anything even the famous Chip Foose could do to this car to make it look even a smidgen better looking. Now I like classic cars and I'm fond of some variations of the Ford Thunderbirds but in my opinion this 1969 Tbird with the dark green metallic paint and white vinyl top and interior was nothing short of ugly! Of course I asked him what kind of car and some history and a few minutes later I was on the road driving over the Grosso Garage to check it out.Īfter arriving to Paul's shop I met Paul and had my first look at the old Tbird. He also knows I have a passion for restoring antiques, classics and muscle cars with the original paint still intact. Paul is actually an alumni student of my 3-day detailing classes here at Autogeek in Stuart, Florida. The scratches and swirls are so bad it looks like someone washed it with a garden rake.Ī few weeks ago my phone rings, it's Paul and with some excitement in his voice he asks me if I'd be interested in a barn find car that needs cosmetic restoration for one of my detailing classes. Every square inch is filled with swirls, scratches and oxidation. PaintThe paint while intact shows zero sign of care or regular maintenance. Just like the interior, the original vinyl top was originally white but now it looks tan and even brown with years of dirt accumulation staining and lack of even minimal care. The interior looks like it had not been cleaned since the car was delivered to the dealership from FOMOCO. A 429 Ford Big Block Kitten that is! The transmission works fine but the entire brake system needed to be overhauled and after that was taken care the next step was to evaluate the appearance. Long story short, after changing all the fluids, belts and other normal wear parts the engine fired right up and purrs like a kitten. Paul inspected the car inside and out and said the first thing would be to check out the engine and drivetrain and see if she runs and if she runs well enough to put back on the road. The owner, not being a car guy, asked Paul to take a look at and to get his opinion as to what to do with it. The new owner contacted my personal friend and owner of Grasso Garage, a hot rod shop that specializes in both car restorations, hotrodding and customs builds with a focus on muscle cars and resto-rods. Original engine, original transmission, original interior, original vinyl top and even the original single stage metallic enamel paint. As of the year I'm writing this article it's 2016 and that means this car has been sitting in the garage untouched for 24 years! The old car in the garage is a 1969 Ford Thunderbird that was parked there in 1992. Just down the road from Autogeek a gentleman purchased a house and according to the deal he received not only the house but the old car in the garage. Seems like every time I turn around or turn on the TV and watch shows like Chasing Classic Cars with Wayne Carini, I hear someone in conversation talking about some classic car they discovered untouched sitting in a barn for years and even decades out of sight and out of mind. How to restore a Barn Find - 1969 Ford Thunderbird - #7 Rub Out + FLEX = 3D products
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