Creating a custom fit can take time
Arthur Hahl's dreams of T-Bird ownership began around his 13th birthday. He was living just a block away from a Ford dealership when the first ones arrived in 1955.
“I was over there looking at them any chance I could,” the Ingleside resident said. Hahl vowed to “someday get one” of his own.
In 1962 his goal was accomplished, but with a slight catch. While Hahl put up his hard-earned cash, someone else's name went down on the title.
Hahl spotted his Thunderbird while cruising with car buddies along Chicago's Western Avenue.
“There were used car lots galore,” Hahl said. “Lo and behold there was a red and white '57.”
The Ford was parked at Grossinger Pontiac and Hahl wanted it badly. “Still being too young, my mother allowed me to put the car in her name,” said Hahl.
Itching to get this old 'bird to really fly, the enthusiast set about modifying his new purchase. Hahl soon caught wind of a wrecked 1962 Galaxie packing a 406-cubic-inch V-8. The damaged car was purchased for $700. His friend, Gary Pierice, helped Hahl remove and shoehorn the engine and transmission into the T-Bird.
A '56 Thunderbird hood was then used to lengthen the stock air scoop, covering the 406's elongated Tri-Power air cleaner while retaining a factory appearance. A new exhaust was installed and Hahl was back on the road.
Hahl drove his souped-up coupe all through '63 and into 1964, when his “letter from Uncle Sam arrived.” While Hahl reported for Army duty overseas, his T-Bird was assigned long-term storage in the family garage.
Hahl returned in February 1967 and before the decade came to a close, new wheel wells, quarter and rocker panels and bumpers were installed on the aging vehicle. A new coat of 1967 Ford Highland Green paint was sprayed on and the interior was removed in preparation for a full overhaul.
Reassembly was proceeding but at a very slow pace. Marriage, a new house and raising kids became Hahl's main priorities during the early 1970s. Adding to his distractions was another 1957 Thunderbird, which landed in his hands over this period of time. Finally, admitting that “two 'birds was too many,” Hahl sold his second one in 1976.
His green machine “languished in the garage,” covered up until the mid 1990s. A house fire in '96 didn't destroy the vehicle but ruined its exterior. The smoke and heat transferred patterns from the heavy blankets draped over the car onto its finish. Hahl's painter couldn't quite match the lacquer and suggested he find a modern equivalent.
“I drove around to car dealers looking for the perfect green,” Hahl said. He found some shades appeared black from certain angles. He settled on a VW Dragonfly Green, which “looks green no matter how you look at it.”
Even with new paint the vehicle still wasn't in shape to be driven. In 2005, the engine was pulled and converted to run on unleaded gas. In 2009, new carpet, a headliner, door panels and heater box were installed. The car was deemed complete in the spring of 2010.
While it's been a long journey, Hahl has thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
“It's taken a while but it's exactly how I envisioned it to be.”
• Email comments, suggestions to auto@dailyherald.com.