Award Winning Custom 1960 Ford Thunderbird With Family Ties
By Brian Brennan – Photography By Wes Allison – Illustration By Eric Black of eBDCo
It has been stated time and time again: “It’s the backstory”—the story behind the story is often what is most interesting about any hot rod or custom build. Such is the case for Southern California’s own Peter Chifo Jr.’s custom 1960 Ford Thunderbird. This generation is often referred to as a “Square Bird,” which encompasses the ’58-60 Thunderbirds. A collaboration of the thoughts and efforts of Peter and Troy Ladd of Hollywood Hot Rods with a healthy bit of inspiration from Eric Black of e.Black Design and this custom 1960 Ford Thunderbird would come to life.
Initially, Peter thought of restoring a 1960 Ford Thunderbird for his ailing mother as it was the first car he remembered his father giving her. He accomplished his goal and presented Mom with the restored Thunderbird, but after her death he stored the restoration in a garage, and it just sat. In the mid ’00s, he saw a piece of artwork by Eric Black that depicted a Square Bird built with the same influence as the Hirohata ’51 Merc. Suddenly, the desire was there to do more with the 1960 T-bird. It’s now 2013 when Peter called Ladd at Hollywood Hot Rods telling him the build “was on.” In fact, within a matter of a few weeks, the desire went into full swing, with the restored 1960 Thunderbird now being disassembled with the intent to have a full-custom Square Bird. As with so many projects, there was a snag or two, and it was these hiccups that consumed ample amounts of time, but Peter persevered and come Christmas time of 2023, the custom ’Bird was complete.
Read More: Chopped and Channeled Hot Rod Lincoln Pickup
As is often the case with many customs, they retain their heritage beneath the sheet metal, which is the case for this 1960 T-bird custom. The factory frame was retained, but a pair of dropped spindles and disc brakes were brought into use along with a Borgeson power steering box. The stock rear end, positioned by a custom four-link by Hollywood Hot Rods, was now outfitted with ABS Power Brake disc brakes pressed into service via their master cylinder and electric power brake system supported by an electronic-operated e-brake. The Thunderbird is riding on airbags front and rear that are AccuAir Suspension controlled. The wheel and tire combination—oh so important for a custom to have the “right” look—is made up of 15-inch Ford rims with trim rings only in the back and modified rims in front to accept the Cadillac Sombrero hubcaps (made from 1948-1952, which were for the 15-inch wheels). All this is wrapped with Coker wide whitewall tires.
Moving this custom ’Bird down the road is a 1965 Ford FE, 390-inch, that Jim Van Gordon rebuilt with a mild cam and balanced internals that is attached to the 1960 Ford-O-Matic, the redesigned Cruise-O-Matic trans introduced in 1959. From here, the V8 engine is topped with a polished aluminum Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock single four-barrel and covered with a highly detailed early Caddy-style “bat wing” air cleaner. The erstwhile points ignition was changed out in favor of electronic ignition, a Mallory ignition coil, and ignited by an Optima battery, now trunk-mounted. The heads are roofed with Moon-polished finned valve covers, while the Hollywood Hot Rods exhaust is a full-custom 2-1/4-inch system. A modern version of the original radiator is used and is now cooled by twin-electric fans, foregoing the original block-driven hardware.
Sheet Metal mods are the cornerstone of any custom, from mild to wild. This 1960 T-bird is most assuredly “leaning” toward the wild custom end of the spectrum as it has significant tasteful alterations to the factory sheet metal. These mods and subsequent bodywork come by way of Hollywood Hot Rods, while the PPG custom color blend was achieved by Albert De Alba of De Alba Autoworks (well known for his intricate paint jobs) and Paul Stoll (longtime PPG painter and hot rodder). Although subtle, one needs to look closely to realize there is a fair amount of paint graphics, and Philip Rincon of Phillips Finelines masterfully handled this.
Read More: Pro Touring Masterpiece: A ’55 Chevy Bel Air with an Art Morrison Chassis
Immediately, one notices the 2-1/4-inch top chop and custom trim, such as around the window frames. This is followed by the expansive custom front bumper and grille work, bookended by the custom headlights, the radiused corners on the hood, and the factory scoop removed. Next up, look at the redesigned quarter-panels featuring the extended “bullet” bodyline and wheel-opening skirts that blend well with the reworked tailfins. The rear sheet metal also features extensive changes with the custom roll pan, bumpers bookending the frenched surface for the license plate and taillight assemblies. Underhood you can see a smoothed firewall and inner fenders, plus a number of other modifications throughout to enhance the final appearance.
Experience has shown us that extensive interior work follows extensive sheet metal work. Peter’s 1960 custom ‘Bird’ is no different. It shows off many well-thought-out custom touches through the stitchwork of Ultimate Auto Interiors in gold and crème leather. The work encompasses a pair of stock Ford front bucket seats riding on cut-down seat frames enhancing the headroom. Speaking of headroom, the headliner is dyed in gold cowhide to match the seating. Back onto seating, the rear bucket seats are custom-fabbed separated by the extended center console. The dash features custom-machined large bezels and embossed stainless steel panel home to the ignition and headlight switches and houses the New Vintage Woodward Series, original period style of gauges. The leather-wrapped dash is also the home for the Vintage Air AC registers, while the dropdown of the center console accommodates the AC controls and the factory steering column and wheel remain present. The prerequisite stereo system comes by way of the Art of Sound. The chore of wiring the entire ’Bird fell to Hollywood Hot Rods, as they handled all aspects.
Read More: Blown Hemi-Powered Plymouth Coupe Transformation
As for show recognition, this past year, the custom T-bird made its maiden outing at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show where it took home several premium awards. It was presented First in Radical Hardtop/Sedan Class and the George Barris Memorial Kustom D’Elegance. The job was well done and provided an excellent example of what a custom should be. MR
Click on this issue’s cover to see the enhanced digital version of “Square Bird” Built By Hollywood Hot Rods.
