Gordy O'Hara's 1955 Ford

The Thunderbird as it appeared when Gord bought it from the local Ford dealer in 1957. At the time he was only 19 years old. The car had very low miles on it and that was one of the reasons he bought it. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

An early version of Gord's Thunderbird running Moon Discs. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

A photo of the Thunderbird developed in September of 1958. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

A photo of Gord in the Thunderbird. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

A photo of the car developed in April of 1959. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

An early construction photo of Gordy's Thunderbird. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Gord bought a new 1957 Lincoln 368 Y-block engine from the dealer and connected it to a Cragar adapter behind the stock 3-speed stick. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Jamie Hamilton buffing up the old paint after he bought the car from Gord's widow. The car had been in storage since 1966 when Jamie bought it. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Gord's old Thunderbird as it appeared in 2016. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Gord's display sign from 1961. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Gord radiused the rear wheel wells to match the front. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

1956 Mercury wagon taillights replaced the stock taillights. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

A photo of Jamie with the Thunderbird. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

The headlight doors were molded to the body for a cleaner appearance. Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

Photo courtesy of Jamie Hamilton.

1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Gordy O'Hara of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Gordy purchased the Thunderbird from a local Ford dealership in 1957. At the time Gord was only 19 years old. The car had very low miles on it and that was one of the reasons he bought it.

"Scorchy"

Gordy began restyling the Thunderbird after he had owned it for a year. He bought a new 1957 Lincoln 368 Y-block engine from the dealer and connected it to a Cragar adapter behind the stock 3-speed stick. Headlight doors were leaded to the body before the car was nosed and decked. The gas door was shaved, and Gordy removed trunk key, having power access only. The rear wheel wells were radiused to that match the front, and 1956 Mercury wagon taillights were installed along with a custom front bumper. Once the bodywork was done, Lonsdale Garage gave the car 15 coats of hand rubbed red lacquer. Inside, it was fitted with a pearlescent, rolled and pleated interior by T.M. Custom Auto Upholstering. A matching custom pearl flecked carpet was also installed.

First in its Class

Named "Scorchy," Gordy's Thunderbird was entered at the 1962 Toronto Autorama. At the show, it won first in its class. Due to marriage and kids the car was driven very little after 1962. Gordy passed away in 2009 and it took his widow three years before she could sell it.

Sold to Jamie Hamilton

In 2012 Gordy's widow Valerie decided to advertise the car for sale on Craigslist. Jamie Hamilton came across the ad and decided to buy it. In 2018 Jamie told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that as found, the car had 4700 original miles on it; "It and had been sitting in storage since 1966. The Thunderbird cruised the streets in 1961 with 305 hp and 415 foot-pounds of torque. A true sleeper in its time, and it has been a blast to drive. The car has only had a mechanical restoration and has been left untouched since completed in 1961. The gentleman who completed the interior is also still living and remembers doing the work. The car currently has 6900 original miles on it, with the only appearance changes being wheels and tires. The car is rolling on 15x5 & 15x6 chrome reverse wheels, with Radir cheater slicks in the back. Gord was given Dunlop 6:70x15 wide whitewall tires as an engagement gift from Valorie, and they were still on it when purchased. It had 1956 Meteor hubcaps on it when I purchased it. In early pictures, you can see it had full moon disks. The paint is in excellent condition given its age. There are a few blisters in the lead and cracks in the lacquer but very minor considering the age of it. The interior smells old but still looks new. This car is an amazing survivor with a lot of Toronto, Ontario history." Jamie still owned the old custom in 2018.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Canadian Hot Rods December 2016