T.Bird road racer


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By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
A few years ago, Gary Croan in CA prepped & entered a 55 or 56 Bird in vintage road racing. It was written up in Y-Blk Magazine & was initially somewhat successful. Haven't heard anything about it in 2 years or so. Does anyone know what ever happened to that project?
By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
this one is a nice road racer - but not the one you wanted....
By 57FordPU - 15 Years Ago
Paul,

I had a chance to visit Gary in Costa Mesa a few years ago.  He gave me a tour of his facility including the road racer you speak of (great looking car).  He is very easy to talk with and easy to reach.  He advertises in Y-Block Magazine for a C-4 conversion kit and his phone number is listed with it.

He used to race it at Willow Springs (in the Mojave Desert) in a vintage class of SCCA.  He did quite well and told of leaving scrubs coming out of the corners.  But, I'm like you, I haven't heard much about him or the car except for the ads in Y-Block Magazine.

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
Thanks Charlie. Steve, any info on the one you pictured? Maybe I'll e mail Bruce Young at YBM and ask the question..
By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
When you blow that picture up (I have a copy with a lot more pixels) - the drver is Chuck Daigh - just passed away last year. Did some bigtime sporty car driving in the Shelby era.
By DANIEL TINDER - 15 Years Ago
Saw Gary's car up close a few years ago (cross country tour). First time I had ever seen crank-vent header plumbing.
By Carson - 15 Years Ago
would make a fun racer for the la Carerra Panamericana thru Mexico

although a full roll cage is requirered

I've won the "original class " the last two years  in a '54 Ford Vic

w/ a 292 Y block  and finished 21 overall ( 100 cars started )

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

giddy up 

By GREENBIRD56 - 15 Years Ago
When I started digging......it turns out the black #89 car was being raced at the Monterey Historics 2007. Owner Dr.John Miller / Driver Chuck Daigh. They were awarded the Ford Motor Company sponsored "Tom Senter Trophy" for the best Ford powered entry of that year.

Considering some of the other Ford powered entries in the photos of 2007(sixties Ford Gt's etc.) - they done good!!!! Must be pretty slick up close and run to boot.

Carson's right, definitely would be a cool ride for one of the Mexican rallies.

By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
Yes,Chuck Daigh was a fairly prominent driver in the 50s & 60s. I saw his name in print more than once in either Road & Track or Car & Driver. For instance he drove for Ford at the Daytona Beach Speedweeks in 57. If I recall right, he drove a T.Bird there that ran about 136 mph & took the trophy in class. Ford was I believe the points champ of those events.. I should mention that I think the late Richard Gaston supplied me with that information.
By Ted - 15 Years Ago
Latest issue of YBM (#92) page 15 shows Gary Croan’s T-Bird in the ad so I’d say he still has it.  All his contact info is there so it would be easy enough for someone to just call him and verify that he does indeed still have it.