Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird - The Sundowner
1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Tom Kosulandich of San Pedro, California. Known as the "Sundowner," the Thunderbird was built by Tom with the help of his brother, Mike and Greg Sharp. The car was transformed by renowned customizers Bill Hines and Eddie Martinez, and it became an awarded icon in the Southern California custom car scene of the early 1960s. The "Sundowner" gained significant recognition, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama in addition to landing a featured story in Rod & Custom May 1964.[1]
Contents
The Initial Build
Tom purchased the Thunderbird in 1961, paying $1,300 for the car. Bill Ortega of Bill's Body Shop did the first dechroming work on the car in 1962 before it underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Hines. Ortega nosed and decked the car, frenched the front grille opening, filled the turn indicator holes, and filled the seams on the front fender tapers. Old receipts from Ortega show that Tom paid $185.00 for the dechroming work. It featured a Candy Red paint job, meticulously applied by Hines, and a custom interior crafted by master upholsterer Eddie Martinez. "Martinez did the complete interior," Mike told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2024, adding that Tom was getting ready to show the car and Eddie was busy, "so Tom had Joe Perez make a snap on hood tarp and he upholstered the trunk. Joe did great work!" The collaboration between these craftsmen resulted in a striking vehicle that stood out in the competitive custom car scene. It was dressed up with Chrysler wire wheels.[1]
The 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama
In 1963, the "Sundowner" made its debut at the Tridents Rod Custom Autorama in Los Angeles. The car's exceptional design and craftsmanship earned it the Sports Car Sweepstakes, a prestigious award that came with a 7-foot trophy. The show also saw Tats Gotanda's "Buddha Buggy", another creation by Hines and Martinez, win the Custom Car Sweepstakes, highlighting the dominance of their work. According to Tom's quick estimates, the total build cost at the time, including the purchase of the car, was $3,110.00. Bill Hines charged 500 USD for the bodywork and 290 USD for the paint job.[1]
The Fadeaway Paint Job
In 1964, Bill Hines performed additional bodywork on the Thunderbird and painted it in a fadeaway color scheme for the show season. The modifications ensured that the "Sundowner" remained a standout vehicle in the custom car community.[1]
Sale and Transition to a 1965 Buick Riviera
Following the success of the Thunderbird, Tom decided to sell the car and purchase a new 1965 Buick Riviera. Tom enlisted Junior Conway to paint the Riviera in a Candy Purple, and the Kosulandich brothers built a patio for Conway in exchange for the paint job.[1]
Legacy
The 1955 Ford Thunderbird "Sundowner" is remembered as a quintessential example of Southern California's custom car culture during the first half of the 1960s. The collaborative efforts of Tom and Mike Kosulandich, along with the talents of Bill Ortega, Bill Hines, Eddie Martinez and Joe Perez, created a vehicle that left a lasting impression on car enthusiasts and the custom car scene.
Magazine Features and Appearances
References
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