Their dazzling cars are often seen on display at club events and elsewhere. Both are also members of the Smokey Mountain Classic Thunderbird Club.

Bill, a charter member of the vintage vehicles club, owns the 1957 model that was restored in 1990 by Ken Ruedger of Alma, Michagan. This beauty is powered by a 312 cubic inch V-8 of the “Y block” configuration. It was built in October of ’57 after the end of that year’s model run had been completed and was therefore painted in the ’58 color “Azure Blue” rather than the ’57 color “Starmist Blue”. Bill claims that this color and the 2-tone interior are his all time favorites for classic T-Birds.

Bill’s car features automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, a telescoping steering column, a “signal seek” radio, and a heater. Do you remember when a radio and heater were “options?” Recent updates include air-conditioning, electric wipers, an auxiliary fan and the generator upgraded to a more modern alternator.

This beauty is frequently seen at local car events and was first shown at the CTCI (Classic Thunderbird Club International) meet in 1991 receiving a Gold Award at this outing. At numerous gatherings since through 2011 it has received a gold award each time it was entered. .

Perry, a member of the vintage vehicles club since 2007, is the proud owner of the 1955 model that was restored in 2007 by Ken Dishong of Omaha, Nebraska. Perry’s car is powered by a 292 cubic inch V-8 and also features an automatic transmission.

Modestly referring to his car as a “Plain Jane” California car, Perry reported that he is the second owner. The car had been in storage for 28 years but is now a CTCI “senior car” which is a rating reserved for a few of the very best examples. The car has only been driven about 750 miles since the restoration and is absolutely rust-free.

When asked what he likes best about the car, Perry said that it is “very tight, solid, paid for and painted in a beautiful, iconic Thunderbird color.”

1955 and 1957 Thunderbirds.

Perry and Bill with Their Cars.