LIVING THE DREAM
There is a passion that exists within every classic car enthusiast that is universally understood among the car community. Whether you are restoring a million dollar Ferrari, a vehicle worth a few thousand dollars or any classic in between, we all respect each others passion when it comes to our classic cars. We may have a passion for originality, a custom or a retro-rod, but regardless we feel the same accomplishment when we see our finished product. But to us it’s not a car or a product, it’s a work of fine art. The only difference between the car enthusiast is that the metal, fiberglass, chrome or interior is our canvas.
One couple who shares this passion is Stephen and Shilo Tanner of Nova Scotia Canada.
They own this beautiful 1968 Thunderbird, which was originally sold out of Halifax Nova Scotia. This Thunderbird was named the March Myklassic of The Month. Also in their collection is a 1960 Falcon, 1988 Lincoln Mark VII and a 1976 Ford F250 that they pull their Thunderbird with over the Canadian countryside from show to show.
This well restored T-Bird boasts a 429-4bb, 400 HP. It spent its first years with the original owner and later was given to his son who stored it for close to 30 years. After buying the car Steve spent close to 3 weeks cleaning over 30 years of tar undercoating from in and around the engine bay area and fenders and then had the valve covers chromed along with a couple of other items to spruce it up. Since then the car has been stripped down to bare metal and painted a Tangerine Orange with metal flake and some Candy to give it an incredible depth and an equally incredible shine was performed by Pierre LeBlanc out of Shediac New Brunswick. She is still sporting the original Gater Vinyl roof, engine and interior. The Wheel/Tire package consists of 17×8 American Racing Rims in front and 17×10 at the rear and is dressed with Pozenza tires, 245.45.17 front and 275.40.17’s on the rear.
When a car’s restoration is completed in the correct manner, it shows, and the pictures herein document that this Thunderbird was stripped properly, blocked properly, etched properly and prepped & painted with quality, producing a beautiful work of art.
It is said that headers cannot be put on 67, 68 and 69 T-Birds because of clearance however they found a way despite a tight fit. Along with headers, there was an X pipe and 2 1/2″ system installed by Adam Fleet who was one of the best in his field and whom recently has sadly passed away.
The N code is a very rare and important option and offered for only half of the model year in 1968.
Shilo, Stephen’s wife, is a “Car Gal” in and of herself. She was trained in Heavy Duty Equipment, truck and transport repair in 2013 and does not mind getting her hands dirty. You may find her modeling one day and working on an engine the next. She never lets the Bird go on display with dirt on the rims. She and Stephen love to travel the beautiful Canadian countryside to car shows throughout their area. This Thunderbird catches the eyes of everyone when showed. Pictures speak a thousand words. Chip Foose, the beautiful Courtney Hansen and many other classic car personalities are drawn to it. Stephen and Shilo’s T-Bird will also be highlighted on an upcoming episode of My Classic Car with Dennis Gage. We very much appreciate Stephen and Shilo for letting Myclassic NEWS tell their classic car story and display their Beautiful Thunderbird. Every vehicle, whether restored, original or custom has its own character and this Bird radiates with character.
We at MyclassicNEWS, respect when a car is completed with passion and the work performed is correct with no short cuts and that is just what Stephen and Shilo put into their Thunderbird. We wish them many more years of enjoyment in the classic car world. Our thanks to our friends north of the border!
Photo Credit: All photo’s herein is the property of Stephen & Shilo Tanner and was published by MyclassicNEWS with their permission and consent.
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