I was quite intrigued when Barn Finds reader T.J. sent us information about this 1995 Thunderbird he spotted, which has been customized to look like a 1949 Ford from the front and back. My first thought was perhaps this was a one-of-a-kind creation, but an internet search revealed that this one’s wearing parts from a kit, though it’s doing so in a way that shows some decent workmanship was involved. These parts are still available for the DIY crowd, however, if you’d prefer buying a completed example, this one can be found here on Craigslist in Laguna Beach, California. The asking price has been set at $29,995, and our thanks are owed to T.J. for providing the tip here!
A Google search of the word Thunderbird, and “1949 Ford” (the last two words in quotation marks), reveals quite a few matches for similar transformations. There’s also a result for a company that supplies these fiberglass kits, called EasyRods, which they say are compatible with 1989-1997 Thunderbirds or Cougars. The donor car here was a low-mileage ’95 T-Bird, with the photos showing what looks like a good fit all the way around outside. Upon completion, the exterior was sprayed an attractive copper color, which seems like a high-quality paint job.
Much of the interior is standard Thunderbird, and most components still seem to be in well-preserved condition, especially considering the base car is now at the three-decade point. The driver’s seat has some wear and a small hole in the leather, but it’s good to see that it’s power-assisted, and also a plus that the A/C is said to be still blowing ice-cold air. A couple of aftermarket additions include an Alpine Stereo system with Bluetooth capability and a backup camera, the latter of which may come in handy since the rear-end is a bit bulkier with the ’49 design.
Another positive is that the Thunderbird chosen here has V8 power, instead of the base V6. With just 36k miles, the engine and automatic transmission probably have some good life remaining for the next owner, if they’ve been properly maintained over the years. I’m sure this 1995 Thunderbird gets lots of attention wherever it goes, and whoever made the transformation performed what looks like good-quality work. However, five dollars shy of thirty grand sounds a bit optimistic, at least in my humble opinion. What do you think?
IMO far better than stock 95 Birds. Just call me Retro RICK! 😅 🤣.
Hey Retro Rick !
EasyRods ’49-’51 “Ford” Kit – Only $3595!
Unique 💁♂️
Not really unique if you can buy a kit to do it.
Great work done!
Yuck!
Agreed.
Just the thing to compliment that Fiero Ferrari in your retirement community’s condo’s garage.
I have one and it is so so so much fun and unique you will get so much looks recommend to have fun
I to have a 95 V8, tagged 51″T”Bird, in N.Texas. Not for an introvert, as inquire’s daily.
So why pay 30K for a Pinto when, for about the same money, you can have whatever this is.
Oh my God. This is pretty cool. Wasn’t there a Cougar the same year that was done up in some crazy kit, also on Barn Find? I like this, not only the workmanship and color, but the guy or gal who designed the kit had some kind of imagination. I don’t look at the MN12 TBird and think 49 Ford.
It would be interesting to see how that kit looks with the more formal roofline of the cougar.
Belaro and C1-Bodied C5 Corvette sold separately
Whoever did this, did a nice job with all the bodywork. To get body lines from a Ford from ’49 and be able to meld it into a mid 90’s Tbird was probably no small feat. Love the color too.
All dressed up and no place to go.
Meh having the gas door on the wrong side kills the illusion for me lol.
I have seen a lot worse and I don’t find it offensive. Reminds me of a AI generated photo you see a lot of today.
I don’t want to bash what was probably somebody’s pride and joy. But i’ve never been a fan of these retro bodied modern cars. There were a ton of them built on the C5 Corvette platform in the late 1990s/early 2000s, and they looked out of proportion and completely ridiculous with the GM Fisher Price plastic interior of the time.
I’m not a fan of many cars from the 90s, and this model T-bird never convinced me of its lineage. But I like this kit. It turns what would have been a completely forgettable car into something at least interesting. Would I pay $30K for it? Not in a million years.
So, you’ve never driven one. You would think otherwise if you had. One of the best driving road cars period. Unbelievably quiet and smooth especially on the highway. V-6 was ok but the V-8’s and Super Coupes were great. Just cruising on the highway and look down at the speedo, Opps! 100mph! No floating at all.
I WANT ONE —— Can’t afford it BUT I WANT ONE.
This 1 will keep them guessing at the car shows.
ROGER RICK, very nice but too much.
Those seats and carpet need a deep cleaning before I pay that asking price.
Looks better than the orginal but those wheels dont go with this at all..and not a fan of that colour.Painted black with deep steelies and dog dish hubcaps and,IMHO, this would look a lot better.
I’ve seen this car, it’s one of the best of the EASY RODS conversions, paint is gorgeous and the ribbed bumpers are a perfect addition. Well done!
IF I had the cash to spare, I would consider this car. I doubt I would keep it long because someone where I live would offer me +$40k for it.
Jerry you must live in Naples, Florida where rich snow birds go to die.
God Bless America
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Better looking than a stock ’95 Thunderbird
I kinda like it.
Not the first one of these I have seen, but probably one of the better ones. Could I be happy with it? Probably not, but it makes me think, maybe with a few tweaks you could make it a little more palatable. The fit and finish needs a little work,the bumpers are OK but very crooked. On a 49/50 shoebox the hood and trunk ornaments are very distinctive, I would add them to this car. The tires and wheels don’t work. It needs a wheel that is more in sink with a 50’s car. Not easy to do though, dealing with bolt patterns and 95 suspension. However I think it could make a big difference. You will never fool anybody into thinking this is a 50’s car, but you could give it a much better vibe and fun factor. I would love to take a crack at it. But why what’s the upside, I really don’t know?
I like it. A modern version of a shoebox Ford.
They look like what they are, a hodge podge of modern and vintage.
This is a kit well done. The only part on these conversations that is bothersome to me is the side windows hang below the height of the fenders. Not in keeping with a stock 49-51 Ford. However the kit manufacturer did at one time have an add on kit that would raise the body line under the side windows allowing the height of the front and rear fenders to flow unimpeded.
@Vibhic
I think that add-on kit would make it look more like a shoe box. I would opt for that.
The other thing I’d do is try to find some original parking lights and put them on the car and get rid of those horrid things placed in the lower part of the grill. They certainly don’t belong there
Angel, I agree. 49 parking lights would have been a better choice.
This is proof that mushrooms are consumed by humans..Lol
I believe these kits are still available.
why????