KEEPSAKE CAMARO
March 18, 2024
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
SLICK SLEEPER
Mustangs are usually not candidates for sleepers, because everyone knows Mustangs have plenty of power from the factory for their lightweight bodies. This example, owned by Mike Skiles, looks like an original ’69 Mustang, but as soon as the engine is fired, that logic is thrown out the window.
Easy Out
In this day and age, getting the most power out of your late-model truck or SUV is both difficult and easy. Now that we have covered ourselves technically, we will give you the reasoning behind this convoluted theory. New vehicles are hard to work on but easy to upgrade. See? That was easy.
The Triple Crown of Rodding 2023
In both the world of sports and the realm of automotive enthusiasts, there are events that stand out as symbols of excellence. Think of baseball’s All-Star game, golf’s prestigious Masters Tournament, and the excitement of wrestling’s Summer Slam. And now, there’s a new star on the rise in the world of automobiles – The Triple Crown of Rodding (TCOR). This extraordinary event made its debut on September 8-9, in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the Nashville Superspeedway.
Spotlighter
50-YEAR FAMILY JEWEL
A ’57 T-Bird Finds Its Wings After 50 Years
There are lots of cool story threads woven into the history of this ’57 Thunderbird, purchased new 50 years ago by W.T. Romine of Indianapolis. You see, Romine’s young son, Paul, was bitten by the hot-rodding bug and tried to convince his dad to hop up the T-bird. The elder Romine steadfastly rebuffed his son’s attempts to bolt on a McCulloch blower and other aftermarket parts for the respected Y-block Ford.
Author
Bill Holland
Story & Photography
From Top Fuel to the T-Bird: Paul Romine’s Journey in Speed
Paul Romine’s passion for speed started with sprint cars and drag racing, where he became the first driver to break the 5-second barrier in a front-motored Top Fuel car. His career brought him victories and even an IHRA Top Fuel championship. But when his sponsor shifted to NASCAR, Romine decided to pour his energy into personal projects, including his father’s 1957 T-bird.
Honoring a Legacy: The Story Behind the T-Bird Restoration
The car became Paul’s after his father passed away in 1986, and it sat in storage for nearly two decades. In 2005, Romine chose to restore the T-bird as a tribute to his father, W.T. Romine, with a goal of keeping the exterior close to stock while giving it modern performance enhancements.
A Frame-Off Restoration and Custom Chassis Upgrades
Romine entrusted the build to his longtime friend, Mike Spitzer, whose shop, once known for race car chassis, had expanded to full street machine builds. They carefully removed the body, adding a Fat Man front clip with coilovers and power rack-and-pinion steering. The rear was boxed and fitted with a Ford 9-inch rearend, Mark Williams axles, and a triangulated four-bar suspension. To ensure safe and responsive braking, Wilwood disc brakes were installed on all four corners.
A Powerful Heart: The Custom 4.6-Liter Ford Engine
Under the hood is a late-model 4.6-liter DOHC Ford engine—no ordinary motor, but a 350-hp beast built by modular motor expert Sean Hyland. With custom Hyland cams, an intake system upgrade, and a pulley kit, the engine makes 350 hp and 321 lb-ft of torque, over 100 hp more than the T-bird’s original engine. The exhaust was crafted by Spitzer using stainless steel and Flowmaster mufflers, exiting discreetly through the stock bumper outlets.
Transmission and Driveline Modifications for the Modern Road
Power is sent to the wheels through a Tremec six-speed transmission and 11-inch clutch from Ford Performance Parts. On the road, 225-60×15 BFGoodrich tires mounted on classic T-bird wire wheels give the car its vintage appearance while maintaining grip and stability.
Achieving a Balanced Weight Ratio for Improved Handling
Replacing the original, heavy Y-block engine with a lighter alloy modular motor allowed Romine to achieve an almost perfect 52/48 front-to-rear weight balance, making the T-bird agile and responsive on the road.
Innovative Touches and Subtle Exterior Modifications
Spitzer and Romine worked together to add some innovative touches to the T-bird, such as a concealed duct system that routes cool air to the engine through the original hood scoop. Another subtle modification included eliminating the license plate “dip” in the front bumper and closing any visible gaps, enhancing the car’s clean lines.
Flawless Paintwork in Classic Style
The body was stripped to bare metal, prepped, and painted in a vibrant DuPont Hot Hues red, virtually identical to the original factory color. Spitzer’s expert painter, Ed Peck, ensured a flawless finish—no Bondo, just pure craftsmanship.
A Stock-Looking Interior with Modern Flair
The interior has a classic look but features some custom upgrades, like a Hurst shifter for the six-speed transmission and a slightly smaller steering wheel for a modern feel. A small plaque on the dash, originally created by Paul’s mother, reads “Built Specially For W.T. Romine”—a touching reminder of this car’s sentimental journey.
A Rolling Tribute to W.T. Romine
Paul Romine’s T-bird represents more than a powerful street machine; it’s a tribute to his father’s legacy and a blend of past and present, crafted with precision and respect for the original. With its stunning aesthetics and improved handling, this T-bird has become a personal achievement and a fitting homage to the man who inspired it.
