words & images: Leanne Gichard
Maree Allan is a vibrant and energetic woman who has a passion for all things ‘fifties’ and one of those passions just happens to be a sleek, shiny 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible, or ‘T-Bird’ as they are affectionately known.
But this is not the only T-Bird in the family – they actually own three: a 1959 ‘Square Bird’ (belonging to son, Shaun), a 1964 ‘Flare Bird’ (which husband, Gordon, drives) and now the ‘Baby Bird. “Classic Cars are a passion. I grew up helping my Father restore vintage vehicles and it runs in the blood,” Maree explains.
Maree had been looking for a ‘Baby Bird’ when she spotted an advertisement on TradeMe in September 2016. Her son Shaun, a mechanic, was in Auckland at the time, so went to check that the Thunderbird actually existed. The deal took place and the Ford Thunderbird was shipped to Lyttelton.
It is equipped with a factory 292 Y block, V8 engine, with a 3-speed manual gearbox and boy, this baby purrs! Or, should I say, growls. And why not? With a name like ‘Ford Thunderbird’, you’d expect a bit of thunder! This is one very cool car. From the white walled tyres, to special gleaming chrome trim and horizontally pleated upholstery this car exudes style……
…read more in SpiritMagazine online, or pick up a copy.
