Bill's Body Shop

Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird of San Pedro, California. Built with the help of his brother Mike and Greg Sharp, the Thunderbird underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Ortega, Bill Hines, Eddie Martinez and Joe Perez. Featuring a Candy Red paint job by Hines and a custom interior by Martinez, the car debuted in its full glory at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes. This early iteration of Mike's Thunderbird became a standout icon in the Southern California custom car scene and was later featured in Rod & Custom magazine May 1964.

An "Estimate of Repairs" from Bill's Body Shop dated 3-26-62. Bill Ortega did the first dechroming work on Tom's Thunderbird in 1962 before it underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Hines. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Bill's Body Shop was a custom body shop located at 10118 Artesia Boulevard in Bellflower, California. The shop was run and operated by Bill Ortega.

Cars Restyled by Bill's Body Shop

Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird - The Sundowner