1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up

1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9098

jon_a
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This one is RUFF! I was dismayed to find that the transom has been cut into and possibly replaced and they put the piece of circus hardware on the back for a motor rack. I think this was unfortunate tinkering and unecessary- my knowledge of thunderbirds is that the transoms are lifetime with rebar and solid fiberglass tubes on them = ?!!!

Anyhow, I was glad to find it, for free. It's a very strange boat with the molded seats in a cruiser boat- not often seen. And this thing looks like a chop top!!

For now it sits, but I saved it from the dump!!

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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9099

jon_a Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 105 Karma: 6 Thank you received: 1	view from the front Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9100

jon_a Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 105 Karma: 6 Thank you received: 1	you know it's not an unrestored classic unless it has faded "S.S. Minnow" painted down the side of it!! Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9102

Heather Offline Contributing Member Posts: 243 Karma: 10 Thank you received: 0	Yep that's a Flipper boat. But I do think it's gone. Maybe the cap is still good? If you want a Woody Woodson clasic Thunderbird, Bring a trailer down and come get this 1968. It runs. Needs a drive and floor. Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. Mrs Spookeay Bird

Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9104

jon_a
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well, i dunno if it's "gone"- wasn't the structure of these all non-wood? if so it needs a lot of work but i can tell you the floor is strangely solid in this thing.

i think they stringered them with pure fiberglass and even the floor were somehow supposed to be lifetime. that's what i remember my friend who knows thunderbirds saying but i haven't been able to get ahold of him to confirm.

what's in that 1968 for a motor?

i'm a little stocked up on boats right now but i might get back with you on it.

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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9105

Peter_Crowl Offline Contributing Member Posts: 489 Karma: 14 Thank you received: 0	jon_a wrote: you know it's not an unrestored classic unless it has faded "S.S. Minnow" painted down the side of it!! Or this - these people must have been really mad at the boat! Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9116

Andgott Offline Contributing Member Posts: 1243 Karma: 72 Thank you received: 0	Wow- You've got your work cut out for you on that one, though it looks like a neat boat. You've GOT to leave the 'minnow' on there, though Peter_Crowl wrote: Or this - these people must have been really mad at the boat! I'd be willing to bet a divorce was involved in that one... Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re: 1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9123

jim bart Offline Contributing Member Posts: 265 Karma: 9 Thank you received: 0	Circus hardware! Ha! Thats a better term than redneck engineering. Boat has cool lines! Good luck with it... Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re: 1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9143

HandyAndy Offline Moderator Posts: 1107 Karma: 102 Thank you received: 12	Needs a good powerwash and some elbow grease. Another one of these have been posted on the forum recently, try searching Thunderbird. Never been in one, but I really like the design of the 50's Thunderbird cruisers. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9152

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	i can only tell you that our 59 thunderbird chief,that was found full of water in the weeds is all fiberglass,there is no wood in it .its our next project Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9166

jon_a Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 105 Karma: 6 Thank you received: 1	john- thanks- that is good news. i can't understand why these jabronies would have fiddled with the transom on mine!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 months ago #9168

haynesfiberglass Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 129 Karma: 7 Thank you received: 0	Hey Guys I am getting ready to start on a 1959 Thunderbird Navajo now that I have the 1957 Sabre done I have a few things to finish on the Herters then I will get started on the Thunderbird. Haynesfiberglass. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 1 month ago #14143

mrc0043 Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 7 Thank you received: 0	My father Naval Architect Richard C. Cole, designed your Navajo Thunderbird boat. Let me know if you need further information on the boat. Mike R. Cole Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 1 month ago #14146

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	mr cole,did your father also have anything to do with the chief? Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 1 month ago #14149

mrc0043 Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 7 Thank you received: 0	Johm, Where is this Thunderbird located. My father, Naval Architect Richard C. Cole, was the original designer of these boats. Mike R. Cole Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 1 month ago #14152

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	mr cole ,great! i will start another thread ,i dont want to hijck another thread this week,lol Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 1 month ago #14159

69Fabuglas Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 208 Karma: 13 Thank you received: 0	This boat needs to be rebuilt in Camo-colors and a gun-turret installed...... Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 14 years 3 weeks ago #15069

mac1223
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Mr Cole
I have just purchased what I believe is a Woodson Dual Cathedral 14. I found a old brochure on this site which states you and your parents are actually in the photo. I hope you can help me the boat is in great shape and I have already had it in the water. Hope to find specs to size engine etc.
Thanks in advance
Joe McKeone

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Re:1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up 13 years 1 month ago #40948

mrc0043 Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 7 Thank you received: 0	I saw a photo of the Woodson boat. It is Woody Woodson driving the boat and not my father. Mike R. Cole Mrc0043@comcast. Net Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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TOPIC: 1959 Thunderbird Navajo just picked up