This car was bought in Hawaii as transportation to bring my wife to her cancer treatments. It became a family car. In 2006 my son was diagnosed with leukemia and it became his transportation for his treatments. He loved this car and it was going to be our project car during his breaks from treatment. Well he passed away in NOV 2007. So I started working on it as his memorial and as the plate says ”KVNLGCY” (Kevin legacy)
Than in Aug 2008 my wife passed away from her 8 yr bout with cancer. My daughter and I wanted to make a nice car in honor of both of them.
This is what I have done to the car so far to date:
Converted from 4 lug to 5 lug
Changes rear end to an 8.8
Complete MSD ignition system
New under drive pulleys
New aluminum radiator 2 passes
CHE upper and lower rear control arms
Converted from column to floor shifter (B&M Hammer)
Converted from standard gauges to stock buttstuffog ones
Heater control conversion and moved up to were radio slot was
Installed center consul
Re upholstered the whole interior split the back seat and installed a rear consul
Added the rear spoiler and the turbo coupe hood
Smoked the lights front and rear
Maximum motorsport Caster/Camber plate
And many more small stuff
That is awesome, man. A great tribute. It's good to see that your family's tragedy has managed to motivate you. I can't say I would be able to do the same for certain.
How about some interior photos and one of that quarter window decal? :)
Beautiful car. Workmanship worthy of their legacy.
There are more to come. It still not 100% complete.
LOOKS GREAT!!!!
WE need more pics! ALOT more. I really like the color. Always been a fan of orange. The car looks amazing, but the fact that it has such a rich history and connection makes it even more amazing.
Wow that car is awesome. Great history too; nice to see you using such tragedy in a positive way. And yes, we need more pics! Some 3/4 view pics would be great.
Youve definately come to the right place... sorry for your loss.. i couldnt imagine how you felt,...REALLY nice bird!!!!
-awesome, awesome car.....job well done.
nice!:burnout: :cool: :sorry: :D
Great looking car !!!!
That's an awesome car, and a fine memorial. Kudos for a job well done, even though you say it's still ongoing. That's a unique color of paint, what is the name of it, if you don't mind?
Nice bird, how did you tint your tailights, did you use the "NightShade" product? Also where did you get the color option from? Just curious.
Nice car, But I need more pics.
Nice car, can't wait to see more pics. Well done!
Wow excellent car, and did you say, Hawaii? They got these birds running around in Hawaii? Wow. And sorry to hear about your family, that's tragic :(
nice work man.
Nice story and a beautiful car. I don't say this to many guys, but I'd really like to see your back seat... (God, I feel dirty just typing that)...
Looks great!
Wow, that is CLEAN!! Excellent job, a fitting tribute. As mentioned above, more pics required....
Oh and are the headlights just smoked covers?
some more pictures. Sorry about the quality but it is dark and so many people want more so I am to please
The cancer ribbon lights up blue. It is pretty cool. Both sides by the rear window is a ribbon, one has my sons name and the other has my wife's name. The painter did an outstanding job on the paint. It is a mix of House of color pearl.
I am very happy with the response I have recieved from you all. It makes me pround to be in the service(Navy) and part of this site. Thanks to all of you for the support
Mike
just smoked covers
That is awesome, really nice job!
So very sorry for your losses. Most would crumble under such hardship. But you have risen above, and have made a lasting tribute to them both. I'm sure they are both more than proud!
I like the ribbons! Interior looks great too. Have you thought about getting some TC/Sport/XR-7 seats for the front? They are alot more comfortable then the base seats. I wish the ones I have werent red or I would have swapped them.
Where did you find the covers?
Interesting color, As an ex. squid carry on.
very cool car... my cat spent her first 9 years in hawaii too, the weather must be good to them there :)
i really like the cupholders in the back seat, what did you use to frame it?
Beautiful car. Very Nice execution of a tribute, I'd be proud to have that car tributed to me.
Looks to be the same color as my girlfriend's step dads nova
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/Tcj429/countymountycruise-in07024.jpg)
Tangerine Dream is what we call that color.
Great Looking car.
Sorry to hear about your loss(s)
Were are you stationed now???
Sorry about the loss but at least you did something great to remeber them. :birdsmily:
#1 paint color custom and looks sick with the chrome Cobra Rs
#2 where in the world did you get the gauges under the CD player?
#3 the ghost ribbon is a great idea
#4 the grill looks killer
#5 I get all my cars one of a kind nice to see a tribute car that you can't miss in traffic or a car show. Every mile or block you drive it i bet would make them proud and its great you seem to still have happy memory of them and even with it not being easy took it is motivation to do something good out of it.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Beautiful car. That's a sweet way to remember her, very cool. Very impressive.
I added some new parts. does anyone know which are good disc brakes to put on the rear. I am on a budget.
...Awesome.
Absolutely fantastic, I am in awe.
Very nice!
Love that color on that car. The black wheels are a nice touch. Very cool.:america:
Wow, how the hell did I miss this thread??!?? sorry to hear about your losses man. Your Bird is AMAZING!!!
Your car is now my desktop background. Nice work as always.
Superb car and sorry for your loss. I'm in the Air Force myself, but I just wanted to thank you for your service. Now swab that deck! LOL
Youe driveway is perfect!!!!!!!!!!!! (the dodge could be a nice F-350 tho!!) J/K
I missed this thread too, awsome job with this project and lots of luck with your future progress :)
That car is secks...
I don't know what you have now, but 94-95 Cobra rear discs are a good upgrade.
very sorry for your losses,, but ---that is a beautful car. I like the inserts in the scoops, bumper and grill !! how did you make them if i may ask. Again,,,, Sorry for the losses
stunning car, love the stance and paint. sorry about your losses
This is an awesome tribute to the loved ones you've lost and im sure there looking down smiling at you. Knowing what you've went through since i lost my father in 2002 to cancer you made me start thinking about doing something along these lines for him with my bird. and im deeply sorry for your lose=[
Here are some updated pictures
This car has transported my wife to her cancer treatments in 2000 and my son‘s treatment in 2006/2007. She passed away from Breast cancer Aug 2008 and he passed away from Leukemia in Nov 2007.
Color:
For the color of the Leukemia Ribbon
House of Kolor Sunset/Sunrise Orange pearl paint
Ghosted in Cancer ribbons on rear pillar one for my wife one for my son
Engine:
331 Stroker w/ MSD electronics built by RPPM Racing
BBK SSI intake Mass Air Conversion Electric fan
Aluminum radiator GT-40 heads Ported & Polished w/ JBA Headers
Flow master 40’s lers w/ custom 3” exhaust
Suspension:
8.8 Differential with stock gears FRPP cover
CHE upper & lower control arms & axle brace
5 lug conversion Cobra brakes all around
FRPP springs lowering 1.5 in Energy Suspension bushings
Custom Interior:
Installed the center console B&M Hammer shifter
Split the rear seat installed a center console w/ cup holders
Cancer ribbon in the rear console Sound System by Raul of National
City Removed stock gauges and replaced with buttstuffog gauge
here are some more
Nice looking car. Lot's of time and effort there. Certainly something to be very proud of. Do you ever have the urge to show the tail lights to a few other cars?
How's the SSI intake working for you? Was it a challenge to install? I've heard mixed reviews on it. I had wanted one for a while, but after reading up on it, I went a different direction. It does look good.
Had a corvette one time play with me, Never found out what happen to him. I do think he was surpised though.
The Sport has surprised a few cars as well. Funny stuff.
I like the intake. It was easy to install sits perfectly under the hood. I read the reviews as well and they are people’s opinions mostly the mustang guys don’t like them. I wanted something different from the norm of doing GT-40/ Explorer (no Offense to anyone), or the other intakes that people do. Plus living here I have limits. California sucks for that. I wanted to do a super charger but that was going to be pain staking and not really worth it. So right now I'm pulling 345 horses to the rear wheels. Still have some more to go. thanks for the comments.
Did you have a problem installing that gas door?
i like when the Mustangs come rolling up? I usaully just press the throttle and see if they can keep up, most give up. Or the classic question I get at car shows from the young guys, Why not a mustang? I tell them why, they all look the same. Ever seen one of these before?
The fuel door on the Sport was easy to do. Mild clearancing of a little metal, and new fasteners. Done.
I had a GT-40 and a couple of Explorer intakes on the Sport's engine, then I installed a Trick Flow intake a few weeks ago. I also upgraded to a 70mm t-body and spacer to match the polishing I did to the upper intake. I may swap intakes again one day, but for now, I'm happy. Hopefully I'll get some dyno time in within the next couple of months. It's an ongoing, never ending project.
As always, that's one of the most beautiful Thunderbirds I have ever seen. That you've built it under the weight of not one, but two tragedies in your life is awe inspiring.
:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:
For your engine did you have to step up injector sizes and if so what did you do for tuning.
Great looking car.
Beautiful car, great story behind it. You have taken some chances with some of the things you have done with it, but its all turned out great.
X2
I would not be able to last one day in your shoes.
Just saw this thread and i am absolutely speechless on so many levels.......amazing car, beautiful legacy, awful tragedy, and inspiring recovery. Brought a tear to my eye, being a car guy and a family man too. Best of luck to you and your daughter for a future filled with laughter and smiles......
Is beautiful
WOW thanks for sharing!
just made the holder /arm rest out of that particle board they use for the speakers thanks for the compliments
they are made out of expanded metal then glued in
I am sorry for your loss! The car is beautiful!!
Great tribute, looks awesome. Where did the headlight covers come from? Really completes the restomod
I'm glad to have finally found this thread! Sorry for your losses, that's terrable! You did an awsome job on the car and it is quite a tribute to your family. I like everything you've done to it.
That is the most beautiful car I have ever seen and the meaning behind it makes it that much more special. What you have been through sir, you are a saint amongst men. Where mere mortals would crumble, you persevered. I look forward to more pictures!
Kind of echoing what most have said. I kind of breezed over this one as it's the nature of a forum but after looking in i was really touched. i couldn't imagine what you and yours went through or what it took to get you through. I can't conceive a scenario where I would have to deal with the loss you have. It's so amazing that you were able to project that positively. I'm way too selfish for that.
This is MY opinion, and strictly up to the owner/OP, but I for one would love to see this car in rotation on the banner...
I can't say what I'd feel if I had such a thing happen to me as you've experienced...but if it was to happen, I'd try to find inspiration to do as you've done.
No matter what...every inch you travel in that Thunderbird, you know they've got to be proud of your work. :bowdown: