Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird - The Sundowner

1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Tom Kosulandich of San Pedro, California. Known as the "Sundowner," the Thunderbird was built by Tom with the help of his brother, Mike and Greg Sharp. The car was transformed by renowned customizers Bill Hines and Eddie Martinez, and it became an awarded icon in the Southern California custom car scene of the early 1960s. The "Sundowner" gained significant recognition, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama in addition to landing a featured story in Rod & Custom May 1964. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Neptune green with green and white interior. This was how Tom's T bird appeared when he bought it before the custom craze set in.

In 1961, after purchasing the Thunderbird, Tom and Mike visited several renowned custom shops to explore restyling options for the car. One of their notable stops was at Barris Kustoms. Mike captured this iconic shot of the shop, showcasing a landmark in custom car history. Photo from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

An "Estimate of Repairs" from Bill's Body Shop dated 3-26-62. Bill Ortega did the first dechroming work on Tom's Thunderbird in 1962 before it underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Hines. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A bill for Woodside Wonder Wax from Jackson Paint Store. "Porkchop, a black fellow who did sanding and rub outs for Larry Watson, told me to use that wax," Mike told Kustomrama. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Fill holes in bumpers. A receipt from Bill Hines Kustom Auto Enterprises dated 1-3-63. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

"1 Used Triple With Carbs." A receipt from Bell Auto Parts dated 3/15/63. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

One license frame and two spotlights. A receipt from Dave's Home of Chrome dated 1-23-1963. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Two receipts from Saturn Plating Company dated January and February 1963. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom's Thunderbird fresh out of Bill Hines paint booth in 1963. "Candy Red of course," Mike told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in July of 2024. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

One of Bill Hines' business cards from the early 1960. Photo from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

The engine as it looked like when Tom started showing the car. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom with the Thunderbird at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama. "He won the 7-foot Sweepstakes for Best Sports Car at the Tridents L A Sports Arena Show, his first showing of the "Sundowner," Mike told Kustomrama. Tats Gotanda's Buddha Buggy, another Bill Hines and Eddie Martinez creation, won the Sweepstakes for Best Custom at the same show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

The custom interior in the Thunderbird was crafted by master upholsterer Eddie Martinez. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

The invoice from Martinez Custom Auto Interiors. Dated 1-4-63, Tom paid 395 USD for the custom upholstery work. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

One of Eddie Martinez's business cards from the early 1960.

As Tom was getting ready to show the car, Martinez was busy, so Tom had Joe Perez make a snap on hood tarp. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Perez also upholstered the trunk, and the collaboration between these craftsmen resulted in a striking vehicle that stood out in the competitive custom car scene. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Joe Perez's business card from The Mike Kosulandich Collection.

Before it hit the circuit, the Bird was dressed up with Chrysler wire wheels. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

The Thunderbird at a one day show in 1963. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Pat Brollier photographing the Bird at the Compton Drive In. The photos appeared in Rod & Custom May 1964. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

One of Brollier's photos that wound up in the Rod & Custom May 1964 featured story. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom's Ford as it appeared in the program for the 1964 Mickey Thompson Auto-Boat Speed Show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

In 1964, Bill Hines performed additional bodywork on the Thunderbird and painted it in a fadeaway color scheme for the show season. The modifications ensured that the "Sundowner" remained a standout vehicle in the custom car community. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

When Tom updated the car with the fadeaway paint job, he did a lot of work on the engine for the next show season. "Three chromed 2s with a Paxton/McCullough supercharger and a bunch more detailing," Mike recalled. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom getting the Thunderbird ready for a show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Despite the high anticipation, Tom received a regret letter from the organizers of the Winternationals Custom Auto Fair, informing him that all classes were filled and his entry could not be accepted for the 1964 show. The accompanying flyer highlights the significance of the event, held at the Great Western Exhibit Center in Los Angeles from February 6-9, 1964, marking it as one of the nation's largest and most popular custom auto shows of its time. Scan courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom's entry card from the 4th annual International Custom Car Show in the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

The program from the 1964 International Custom Car Show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

An exchange coupon from the 1964 International Custom Car Show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Tom's entry from the 1964 International Car & Boat Show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

An information letter from the 1964 International Car & Boat Show. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

A flyer from the Long Beach Rod & Custom Autorama. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

Following the success of the Thunderbird, Tom decided to sell the car and purchase a new 1965 Buick Riviera. Tom enlisted Junior Conway to paint the Riviera in a Candy Purple, and the Kosulandich brothers built a patio for Conway in exchange for the paint job. Photo courtesy of Mike Kosulandich.

1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Tom Kosulandich of San Pedro, California. Known as the "Sundowner," the Thunderbird was built by Tom with the help of his brother, Mike and Greg Sharp. The car was transformed by renowned customizers Bill Hines and Eddie Martinez, and it became an awarded icon in the Southern California custom car scene of the early 1960s. The "Sundowner" gained significant recognition, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama in addition to landing a featured story in Rod & Custom May 1964.

The Initial Build

Tom purchased the Thunderbird in 1961, paying $1,300 for the car. Bill Ortega of Bill's Body Shop did the first dechroming work on the car in 1962 before it underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Hines. Ortega nosed and decked the car, frenched the front grille opening, filled the turn indicator holes, and filled the seams on the front fender tapers. Old receipts from Ortega show that Tom paid $185.00 for the dechroming work. It featured a Candy Red paint job, meticulously applied by Hines, and a custom interior crafted by master upholsterer Eddie Martinez. "Martinez did the complete interior," Mike told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in 2024, adding that Tom was getting ready to show the car and Eddie was busy, "so Tom had Joe Perez make a snap on hood tarp and he upholstered the trunk. Joe did great work!" The collaboration between these craftsmen resulted in a striking vehicle that stood out in the competitive custom car scene. It was dressed up with Chrysler wire wheels.

The 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama

In 1963, the "Sundowner" made its debut at the Tridents Rod Custom Autorama in Los Angeles. The car's exceptional design and craftsmanship earned it the Sports Car Sweepstakes, a prestigious award that came with a 7-foot trophy. The show also saw Tats Gotanda's "Buddha Buggy", another creation by Hines and Martinez, win the Custom Car Sweepstakes, highlighting the dominance of their work. According to Tom's quick estimates, the total build cost at the time, including the purchase of the car, was $3,110.00. Bill Hines charged 500 USD for the bodywork and 290 USD for the paint job.

The Fadeaway Paint Job

In 1964, Bill Hines performed additional bodywork on the Thunderbird and painted it in a fadeaway color scheme for the show season. The modifications ensured that the "Sundowner" remained a standout vehicle in the custom car community.

Sale and Transition to a 1965 Buick Riviera

Following the success of the Thunderbird, Tom decided to sell the car and purchase a new 1965 Buick Riviera. Tom enlisted Junior Conway to paint the Riviera in a Candy Purple, and the Kosulandich brothers built a patio for Conway in exchange for the paint job.

Legacy

The 1955 Ford Thunderbird "Sundowner" is remembered as a quintessential example of Southern California's custom car culture during the first half of the 1960s. The collaborative efforts of Tom and Mike Kosulandich, along with the talents of Bill Ortega, Bill Hines, Eddie Martinez and Joe Perez, created a vehicle that left a lasting impression on car enthusiasts and the custom car scene.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Rod & Custom May 1964