Wendell and Celina Fennell
Abilene, Texas
I began planning for retirement in 2007, putting together a transition plan that revolved around the car hobby. I selected my favorite car, the Thunderbird, to restore or play with in some fashion. A local friend learned of my venture, and he invited me to join a local eclectic car club. A member, the late Dickey Randolph, was also a T-Bird enthusiast. He persuaded me to take my car and join him at the 2007 VCTI Houston International. I had purchased my 1966 convertible on Ebay just a few months prior to the Houston show. I was hesitant to enter it in a show. But Dickey prevailed - I trailered the TBird to Houston and entered it in the driver division. I only had enough time to do some detailing and interior renovation. I expected nothing, but my car placed second.
I ran into Gordo, who was judging at the Houston event. Gordo is perhaps the greatest motivator I have encountered in my life. He aroused my interest in the hobby to a dangerous level - spending that is. He let me know in certain terms what a disgrace it would be if I did not take my car to the Primary level. After my encounter with Gordo, I went back to Abilene, inspired to the point I would have gone bear hunting with a switch. So I began the learning process, buying books, and listening. I had some success but also many failures. However, I remembered Gordo’s words and continued notwithstanding the failures. One set-back involved the engine. In my restoration work, I discovered the engine had a cracked block. So I began the hunt for a new engine. I found a block (Verne Kendrick machining located in Oregon) with a date stamped into the block that preceded my ship date. Verne’s work was top quality, which we determined after blue printing the block and components. It had gone through the correct remanufacturing process. The internals of the engine are not your grandmother’s specs. Some mods included hardened valve seats, regrind of heads to accept cobra jet valves, etc.
After marshalling all the parts for a complete new engine and assembly, I began the tedious work of factory spec restoration. I was successful, somewhat. I showed in primary division, 2008 Colorado Springs, second place, then Oklahoma City, first place. I continued with my restoration work. In 2009 entered in Primary at the Coshocton International. I achieved first place and Senior Status. I just barely made it to first because of mod point deductions, i.e. classic air, and adjustable ride level.
Thanks, to Gordo, I now have a three inch ring binder full of invoices and substantially reduced liquid assets. However, I have had more fun in retirement that I did in my career. I have not yet finished my journey. Three more Tbirds to restore, before I get too old.