1958 Ford Thunderbird 5.0 Coyote Build Project

1958 Ford Thunderbird 5.0 Coyote Build Project
Back in the day, some had an issue distinguishing traditional '50s-'60s customs with what others had newly classified as custom rods, the latter typically being more modern performance-oriented. In other words, less kitschy custom, more muscle influence.
Back in the day has long come and gone, but the custom rod, well-if we're still going to call it that-has simply progressed. Top builders far and wide have put their signature touch to the once traditional custom material in radical and basic form, keeping the spirit of the style alive and well. Builders like Cam Miller, whose shop HS Customs in Logan, Utah, has been churning out modern performance vintage vehicles for the last 20 years.
During HS Customs' undertaking of his 1969 Camaro, Alex Short happened upon a second-owner 1958 Thunderbird that he purchased from a local farmer. He decided to hit Miller up about doing a paintjob on his old 'Bird as part of the rebuild he was doing (along with his father and uncle) for his wife. Miller did indeed take on the job-the entire exterior/interior transformation job.
The chassis-scratch that, unibody's suspension-was for the most part left as Ford had originally intended, with the following exceptions: airbag-modified control arms, adjustable shocks, 12-inch SSBC disc brakes with ABS electronic master cylinder, and rack-and-pinion steering. The stock 9-inch was replaced (and moved back an inch) with a Moser 3.73-geared rearend, also equipped with Firestone airbags and RideTech shocks. Budnik's Tungsten-series in 18- and 20-inch diameters (with brushed soft-lip outers and accent-colored centers) wear Z-rated Pirelli rubber, filling the wheelwells nicely when the 'Bird's aired up or down.
As for that new-for-1958 352ci FE engine that once powered the four-seater coupe, it's gone to the wayside in favor of Ford's latest modular crate offering: the 5.0L overhead cam Coyote, complete with an earlier 4R70W four-speed overdrive. Now, while the internals of the 32-valve haven't been messed with (something Alex says he now wishes were something they did in the beginning), the exterior of the Coyote is nothing like the day it came out of its crate. For starters, HS Customs fabricated an intricate inner fender/cowl ducting that incorporates the cold air intake tubes (which pull fresh air from a Spectre filter behind the engine, just forward of the firewall). The EFI intake cover, which also blends into cowling behind, is vented with a custom-made stainless screen, while smoothed Coyote coilpack covers have been custom painted using that same patterned design. And though the aforementioned ignition and induction are manufacturer-stock, the exhaust was built to suit using 3-inch stainless tube and Turbo mufflers from Stainless Works.
The body, Ford's first foray with the Thunderbird line into the four-passenger design (which earned it and the industry a brand-new classification in 1958: The Personal Luxury Car), is about as custom as they come from the factory. That said, it's never stopped anyone from further modifying the sleek design-HS Customs included. With Alex's car they shaved protruding exterior items, such as door handles, driprails, emblems, and side mirrors, as well as the quarter-panel trim and rear fin spears. The bumpers have been tucked in tighter to the body, sectioned, and rid of visible hardware, the front supporting an enlarged grille opening with a custom mesh insert-all painted satin black to complement the PPG Envirobase platinum and white paintjob with orange accent graphics by Cort Sessions.
The interior, also done in-house at HS Customs by Bob Riggs, features a nice modern flair that doesn't distract from the T-Bird's original late-'50s styling. Black and gray leather (the latter done in diamond-patterned inserts) with orange accenting covers the stock seating and custom-built door panels. The dash and center console have been updated with custom-made inserts and now house Classic Instruments gauges, iPod dock/controller, Restomod A/C panel, and AccuAir air ride controls. A Flaming River tilt-shift column was used in place of the original, and it mounts a Budnik steering wheel matched to the exterior rollers. Troy Bushman finished things up with a RetroSound head unit powered by Kicker amps that feed same-name speakers throughout the interior and trunk.
Built By:
HS CUSTOMS
2790 N Main St.
Logan, UT 84341
Phone: [phone]
www.hscustoms.com
[e-mail]
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This video purpose is to tell world about amazing car build project and to inspire ever growing car builder community around the world. So if you're inspired in building your own car and want to learn more about how to do it in best way, don't hesitate and read build source page so you can learn something new and if something is not clear you can always ask builder some questions about the build.

[@yveschasse5037]

fantastic project ,congratulation ,realy beautiful result

[@ryandubyah2345]

Well this is FAR from my favourite T-bird year but I’ve gotta say you guys knocked this build out of the park!! Super clean all around, tight gapping and that paint scheme was just perfect for the body lines! All the smaller details looked beautiful and seamless as well, overall fantastic job!!

[@sprezzatura8755]

Perfect background music. Excellent build.

[@DT__1]

No that is One of a Kind, speechless leaving machine. Christine with mean make up 😊

[@geneva760]

That 'flash in the pan' style will date really quick.

[@AmericanThunder]

I guess it did date, I never even heard of it. lol

[@stuart8663]

Its 2024. I have to commend you on the great backing music for the excellent video. Not like other YT channels

[@nickfortunato2938]

I'm not big in customs but I wasn't hating it it's my favorite Bird and it has a nice stance 👍

[@steveogee7458]

Beautiful.

[@russianbot1420]

Great vision, expertly realised, stunning.

[@puppygadget3189]

Worlds most beautiful well built 58 Thunderbird hands down.

[@jayxj7785]

That's the best custom engine bay I've ever seen.

[@wancesdjoh3592]

Absolutely Great 👍🏼😎

[@wildcolonialman]

Brilliant. Fabulous Thunderbird. The bees knees build. Blissful line and length.

[@gilortiz6254]

What a beautiful Thunderbird. Amazing job.

[@jdtankvideos2584]

now that is totally awesome video about 1958 ford thunderbird 5.0 coyote build project i love that car .. can't wait see more totally awesome videos keep it up my friend

[@ronmeyers3919]

Greatest idea 🎉 Coyote Bird

[@garybland9974]

That's one damn nice-looking Thunderbird I would love to own it

[@smithjones3548]

A superb Bird--proper stance, sanitary engine bay, and an overall look that demands attention wherever it pulls up. Nice job!

[@garyjohnston442]

Bet bad Chad wished he had the skills to build like this great job

[@acedaugdaug838]

Hello.. Watching from 🇵🇭

[@muzaffarshamim447]

Truly a master piece👌👍👋

[@shaunbrady5703]

Wouldn't change a thing on that build nice job that car is a work of art

[@marioro8423]

UFFF THE BAY THE COYOTE THE CAR AMAZING MACHINE BEAUTIFUL CAR FOR CORRECT PEOPLE NOT OF THIS WORLD TANKS THE BEST NEVER REST 🏁🏆🏁💯👍💪

[@emojiking8580]

Nice 😊 nice 👍 T bird 🐦

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

This is the second best looking Tbird, and the 1957 was the best ever Tbird. This 58 is a great build. I’m really thankful that you didn’t replace the engine with something called LS? I think you hit a great product by using the coyote engine. Thanks for posting this vlog and sharing with us.

[@valdeck553]

Awesome job guys!

[@DiegoOliveira-bc7fv]

Minhas fontes de inspiração. Obrigado por postar.

[@XrayxRich]

A masterpiece of craftsmanship.

[@lobsterjohnson8642]

Made that engine bay look like it came from the factory in a futuristic 1950's alternate universe. Fucking beautiful Tbird you made.

[@darelsmith7865]

I have a 1977 thunderbird this gave me some great ideas

[@mikeowen5400]

Speechless. Wow, very nice indeed, good work to the guys involved…. Brought it in from old style to modern style car (custom) absolute stunning. I love it 😍

[@ayagroeiro_groeiroart5226]

1958_2021=63 años.

[@alvarorodriguez5965]

What a beautiful car !

[@augustvansuchtelen1723]

Fantastic .. I want this BIRD in my driveway

[@gabrielvalentino6282]

I think I'll build my wife a 59' bird when I get one; wife that is!

[@AmericanThunder]

My brother put a Holman Moody built Lemans 427 side oiler from a wrecked cobra, into his 1960 t-bird, 4-speed and all. The 427 broke the windshield when he launched the car, as it twisted up. The square birds are a lot lighter than they look, I think they only weigh about 3800 lbs, full unibody.

[@sonyhk3824]

Like a dream 👍.well done guys

[@randalldrake4704]

All that, and never fired it up so we could hear it run. W out the thunderbird sound, it's just a pretty facsimile...

[@jamesatkins3992]

Beautiful car and a awesome job 👍

[@wizardofoz182]

Gorgeous..

[@chrisallen2005]

Don't let Bad Chad see this car. He may actually try to believe that the Thunderbird he is scabbing together is anywhere near the beauty and workmanship shown here.

[@mikehenson819]

Stunning.

[@criptococo3172]

me gustó mucho el lanchón ! felicidades CRACKS !!

[@c.r.h.912]

I would buy that T Bird NOW..

[@greatdaneacdc]

It’s nice ! I would have liked the tailites to match the front blacked out look !

[@19MarcoPolo71]

Michelangelo would be jealous of your abilities!

[@obamaassis8076]

Como fico top esse clássico das antigas.parabens a todos envolvidos no projeto.ass costela carreteiro BRASIL

[@captainover-tighten6729]

Top shelf!

[@martintokau7326]

Classic car 😍

[@ambroselake9156]

Wow just wow

[@AbhraneelDey-ql4bo]

Beautiful thumbnail

[@mjgholfza]

Very nice!

[@lightson7843]

Beautiful

[@sicosis]

Hello....watching from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😈👍

[@moisesquintanilla5230]

Bravo! Fantastic! Wao! 😍

[@jackcombs7045]

Love the 'square birds', wish they had tried to use the XJS single lamp headlights used in the 90's models. While I like the round tail lights, best look, period. They do have some interesting LED lights in round design that are pretty cool. Gets a 10 hands down!

[@borissansur5307]

Maravilloso , saludos desde Chile

[@paulspangler2088]

Just WOW!

[@David-kk4dr]

I wants it…precious..

[@fernandoromero3724]

UNA JOYA!!!

[@IempMosqueda]

Buen proyecto.

[@wildcolonialman]

Sure wish Ford would build a decent Thunderbird again, like the SRT 8 line Chrysler build.

[@jameshutchins3396]

Love it

[@alanhicks3361]

Good job bad chad (bondo buggies ) didn't get his hands on this one 😂😂😂

[@HaNg_ALL_ThE_tRaItOrS_hiGh]

Yes!

[@Cupra317hp]

That is what i call a Peace of Art. 10:30 the door on the lowest Point. Is that a blend Spot ? It Looks like 11:15 yes it is a Blend Spot. Looks like a repair without doing the whole door ( that was Not possible i think )

[@ljshoreslokal]

I hope you don't do that if you were to go to a car show. Complementing a mans car then pointing out it's flaws is a d'bag thing to do. My dad taught me that lesson when I was younger because I did that to our friends 37' Chevy he'd just bought and was very proud of. I'll never do it again.

[@YMB_7]

10/10

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

Wow

[@Hitech82]

Fantastic car. Looks very professionally done. I own a 1958 thunderbird. Regatta Blue. I still have the 352 interceptor engine, power glide trans and the 3.0 rear. Fully refurbished by Jaspers,then returned and installed. Same matching numbers. My question for you is. The 1958 Thunderbird was the first unibody car ford built. Did you add a frame, the the front to the back with a box frame brace?

[@BackSeatHump]

Only a very slight chop to the top would be better.

[@peterjohnson9077]

Bad Chad

[@sam_uget]

🤗

[@shoutingatclouds1050]

Just about any stock Rolls Royce weels would look better than those wheels that don't even cost 2K. The black mouth grill makes the car look like a SamBow.

[@joserobertolima8669]

Show

[@joeschlotthauer840]

7:23, where do you get something like that...

[@E_JIM3N3Z11b]

2021 and making slide show videos lol

[@everadsmith3957]

Damm

[@waynegouin939]

Yeah.

[@emreketencioglu1360]

Fiat tipo l 2.0 alt rengi kirmizi rengi kirmizi 2.0 ///// fiat motors

[@chuckpeterson3262]

That is barf worthy.

[@fredyates3061]

Bitchin' ride, to start!