Thunderbird Story Board

Thunderbird Story Board

Owner: Bill Simms

Houston, Texas

Thunderbird: 1966 Towne Landau

Date Acquired: December, 1991

History:

I inherited this collector car from my Great Uncle.

The original owner was Ret. USCG. Lt. Commander Tito Laney. The vehicle was purchased new at Ed Schmid Ford in Ferndale, Michigan. The car spent several years in New York City where it was driven on and off for years before being stored in Detroit until the owners passing.

I inherited the car in 1991 as a graduation gift. With little money to begin repair, I moved it to the garage at my mother’s home, where it sat for a few more years. Later my father and I began the restoration process with small projects…new gas tank, tires, battery etc. We soon found that the original engine was very tired so we pulled and stored it. We replaced it with a 390 that allowed us to get it on the road for first time in years. This was a father/son project. Restoration now includes: paint and body, vinyl top, headliner, door panels, chrome, trunk (04), rebuilt original 428 and C6 transmission, seats, carpet, windshield (09),suspension, lines, and brakes (12).