HIGH FLYIN' BIRD BOB MCKEE 1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD
MOTOR SPORT MASTER
K C O T S R E P U S IA G L A T S O N WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN!
No. 347 March 2020
1939 FORD V8
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1970 CADILLAC
2020 EVENTS BEAUTY 'PALA
V & A CARS EXHIBITION
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Ben Klemenzson
Viewpoint
YOU SAW IT HERE FIRST! Photography: Morgan Segal
S
ome of the biggest events on the US car calendar at this time of year are the large auctions that take place in Phoenix/Scottsdale in January. For many American car fans it’s an opportunity to keep their interest in the old car hobby while most cars are sequestered away over the snowy, cold winter months on the east coast and mid-west, and for wealthier fans to sun themselves in the warmth of the Arizona sun. Every year, there’s a ‘Wow!’ moment and this year it was provided by the auction of one of the original Bullitt Mustangs used in the eponymous film. We ran the story (along with several other publications/websites/news outlets etc.) in our December 2018 issue and when the car turned up at Goodwood and in TV V commercials I almost felt like it was embarking on a publicity tour… but for what? The cynic in me would argue that giving the car all that exposure was a great way of cranking up the price in preparation for the auction, but $3.8 million… really?!
There’s no denying that this particular ’68 Mustang fasttback GT has some incredible pro ovenance (and the paperwork to o back it up) but were it not for that Hollywood connection,, would anyone seriously consider paying almost $4 million for what quite frankly is a pretty scruffy-looking thing. However, as many now recognise, a decent Mustang with a V8 and in fastback or convertible format is like money in the bank… and how many classic cars can you say that about?!
Ben Klemenzson, editor bklemenzson@mortons.co.uk
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Brian Forsdike spent several years searching for the perfect 1957 Ford Thunderbird to purchase, we’d say it was time well spent‌ Words: Mike Renaut Photography: Jonathan Fleetwood
rsdike.
Owner Brian Fo
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1957 Ford Thunderbird
F
inding your ideal car is worth some extra effort, after all it’s usually a big investment and one you’ll have to live with. Brian Forsdike was certainly prepared to put several years into his search for a really good Thunderbird. “I found this 1957 in the UK after a long search that included looking at cars in collections as far away as Holland,” admits Brian. “I wanted a small ’Bird, one of the 1955 to ‘57 two-seater cars. I’d always liked American cars even when I was a child, there weren’t many on the roads but I saw them at the motor show when I went with my father and featured in books and comics. The styling was flamboyant compared to our English Fords and Austins. I had Dinky Toys and
Matchbox cars, one of which was a Thunderbird so they became a bit of a passion.” Brian’s first American car was a Plymouth Barracuda, “a 1967 or maybe ‘68, it was a convertible because I’ve always had convertibles. I liked the Pony cars; I had a Firebird 400 then later a Mustang Cobra Jet, although then I got into English sports cars. I was in Chicago in 2005 and admiring the commemorative Thunderbirds launched to mark 50 years of the model. While searching for a two-seater ‘Bird in 2012 I found a 2005 Anniversary Thunderbird in Belgium, I still own that car. It made me more determined to have the first and last Thunderbirds.
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1939 Ford V8 Fordor
l and, once a in ig r o d e uch nd largely unto a is excellent a 8 V n a r o e d b r o to F t d u For ed o ge’s 1939 ts, has turn r a p n r o w Ian Gutterid ry ed some ve cal car... very practi he’d replac Colley y John otography: Renaut Ph e ik M s: rd Wo
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