New to Site and have ? about Bill Thomas cars

[TDW]

Mark...That is his name. Should have an "e" on the end. If it is the same car, 2 years ago today I asked here if anyone saw the car at BJ.It was my first post here. Nice car if it is the same one. There are pics of it at www.ponycarranch.com.

[69Chevelle L78Deluxe300]

I am impressed. Two days ago I didn't think I would find any information on the Bill Thomas Cars sticker, and now people on this site actually remember seeing this car from a couple of years ago! I did buy it from Steve two years ago when he was still living in Phoenix. The car was never licensed since the original owner, so the title had never been turned in to the state. All 3 previous owners names were on it with their signatures and the mileage notarized. This allowed me to register it in AZ with a "box A" title for original mileage. I got the original block with the car and it needed a complete rebuild. The body, interior, weather stripping, etc. are all close to new condition. The only parts of the car that were a mess were the engine compartment (someone had sprayed everything gloss black) and the underside (someone had sprayed black goop). I refinished the engine compartment while the engine was out, and I had the underside blasted with baking soda (yes, Arm and Hammer) to remove all the black goop. This soda blasting is a miracle for removing this stuff without damaging anything else! I fired it up and drove it for the first time last week. Even better than I remember from back in the day when I graduated from high school in 69!
I guess the Bill Thomas sticker must have been just an advertisement.

[Salvatore]

As long as you are having fun Jim, That is what is important! Enjoy your ride. Lets see some pictures. Sam

[TDW]

Jim...Sounds like it is a very nice car. How did you get all the gloss black paint off? I am going through some miserable work on mine right now. It was rustproofed when new, and someone sprayed black paint all through the engine compartment. I have the rustproofing off the brakes, steering, and suspension so far. It actually preserved most of the factory paint dabs. The spray paint is giving me fits. Thanks...Tony

[MotownMadman]

Never know when spies are out taking photos!
Motown

[Salvatore]

What a car, what a view! Thanks, Sam

[69Chevelle L78Deluxe300]

Tony
It sounds like there was another black paint villain at work!
When I bought my car I had no idea how much work it would be to get rid or the black paint mess in the engine compartment. I tried some Zip Strip and figured I would either go blind or spatter it on the body paint before I was through. I was saved from despair when through a stroke of luck I found the guy in AZ who is the most experienced baking soda blaster in the country. I had him look at the car and followed his advice. I took everything apart and had him soda blast it. The baking soda doesn't damage bearings, plastic, or rubber, so he did the wiper motor and linkage, heater motor, radiator support, suspension, and I even had him do the entire cowl. You can then clean it all up with a vacuum, an air hose, and a wet rag. I had him take it down to the clean metal, then I repainted everything. The baking soda works great at taking off the old undercoating but would probably take off the paint dabs too. The best part is that it doesn't disturb any of the metal texture like bead blasting. It won't even dull chrome or etch glass, but it also does absolutly nothing to remove rust.
Hope this helps! Email me if you need more details.
[email protected]

[Bill Pritchard]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes it is! How did you know?

[/ QUOTE ]

I know a little bit about nice 69 Chevelles and Arizona, so I just put 2+2 together That looks like Phoenix South Mountain park in the background of Motown's middle picture

That is a gorgeous car you have

[68TopStock]

Jim,

Welcome to this site, sounds like you have a nice car.
Bill Thomas should probably be referred to as "Mr. 427", as he is the man who began big block mods for Chevrolet in the early 60's. He helped out countless racers, and is quite well known for his work by the Chevrolet racing enthusiasts.

He is still alive, and lives in southern California, his son continues to run a high performance shop, and like his father, builds wild big blocks, and new small blocks with big inches.

Here is a shot of his shop from 1966.

[Belair62]

What a cool pic......