Featuring 1955, 1956 & 1957 Ford Thunderbirds
Our Mission
To operate and maintain an organization to encourage and promote the admiration and ownership, care and maintenance, with safe and courteous operation, of the "Classic Thunderbird", defined as a two passenger 1955, 1956, and 1957 Ford Thunderbird automobile.
To serve as a medium of exchange of ideas, information and parts for admirers and owners of the Classic Thunderbird to aid them in restoring and preserving these automobiles in their original likeness. To further the interests of owners and drivers of Classic Thunderbirds and to promote the safety and enjoyment of motoring in all phases. To engage in any other activity related to that described above from time to time authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.
As members of the Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI). We thoroughly enjoy driving our T-birds and want to do something to be sure our cars, and other classic cars, are preserved for future generations. Puget Sound Early Birds supports "48 in 08" driving tour of the lower 48 state capitals. This drive supports McPherson College which is the only four-year, accredited college with a major in Automotive Restoration in the United States.
While members of CTCI drive their 1955-57 Thunderbirds to each of the lower 48 State capitals in 2008, we want to raise awareness of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Department, our classic Thunderbird hobby, and CTCI.
The tour started on July 25, 2008, in Sacramento, CA, and is scheduled to end 60 days later on September 22 in Phoenix, AZ. Puget Sound Early Birds joined the tour at the CTCI International Convention in Portland, OR, July 31, 2008.
Happy 32nd Birthday
Puget Sound Early Birds
1976 - 2008
History of the Puget Sound Early Birds
By Judy Howard, Historian
The first meeting of the Puget Sound Early Birds was held on September 30, 1976. Seven couples were designated as charter members with 44 additional individuals documented as the original members. In 1978 PSEB was chartered Chapter #81 with the Classic Thunderbird Club International and incorporated in 1989. In 2003 two couples were made honorary members (Red & Marge Harris and Les & Loretta Parizek).
In 1976 and early 1977 members selected the club name, bylaws were adopted, and the logo was designed with a black background, turquoise bird and silver trim. Patches and jackets were ordered and the Motor Mouth became the monthly newsletter. Twenty-eight members have served as president including six women.
The first outing of the club was the Salisbury Park Dedication and Potluck held on October 30, 1976 with 20 area T-birds attending. Monthly events over the years have ranged from participating in festivals and parades, driving tours, overnight excursions, car displays, tune-up sessions, progressive dinners, salmon bakes, 50's parties, Great Chefs of the Northwest (men cooking for the women), Christmas parties with a gift exchange, regional meets, national conventions and much more too numerous to list.
There have been changes throughout the years and yet much remains the same. Today's membership like that in 1976 have the common love of their little birds and the joy of getting their cars out on the road with PSEB friends and other Thunderbird clubs in the area.
© 2008 Puget Sound Early Birds