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Tips for the "Baby Bird" Owner
Be sure to check out TBird Topics from past newsletters
One advantage to being a part of Trail Birds of Southwest Florida is the ability to share your experience if you have had any work done on your Thunderbird at a local garage. Let the rest know who’s good (besides Gary) at caring for our “birds”. It helps all of us in keeping these Birds on the road. Email your tip!
Jan 4 ’26 - My ’56 needed an alignment. Lemon Bay Automotive’s alignment machine is currently out of order, so they suggested any of the Firestones. I took a chance and went to Firestone in Venice. Dalton (service manager) and Colby (technician) took great care of me, and the car drives better than ever. Colby grew up in a classic car service garage, and he would be the one you want to work on your Bird. ~ Jeff Baker '56
Online Resources
Gil's Garage (from CTCI - a wealth of information...)
Rise of the Thunderbird ('57 Restoration)
Jay Leno drives John Travolta's '55
Reviving the TBird after sitting
'57 Cooling System
Decoding the Name Plate
Battery Replacement
Recently, it has become increasingly difficult to find a replacement battery for 1957 Thunderbirds using Group 29NF-VHD. This past weekend I found myself searching for a battery when my seven year old Power Punch battery let me down. After searching all of the local auto parts stores including Batteries + with no luck, I called Interstate Batteries Corporate Office. Interstate verified the battery was still available in limited quantities and they said it would be best to contact the Southwest Florida Distributor in Fort Myers, FL.
The distributor had 3 batteries in stock and they told me it would be unlikely to find one at a retail outlet. Here is the contact information if anyone is in need of a Group 29NF-VHD battery. Price is $174.95+tax. ~ Jeff Barlow
Update: as of September 2025, I purchased a 29NF battery for my '56 at O'Rielly's in Venice, FL for about $140. ~ Jeff Baker
1957 Data Plate
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