T-Bird Torch Song

Amos Minter’s love affaIr with the “small birds” he fixes up, shows, and sells at Thunderbirds 55-57 is irresistible. He pops the top of a cream-colored ’57 with large, spreading tins, a beauty he had customized for one of his biggest collectors-CD player, remote control, glove-soft red leather interior, air conditioning, and power windows. Praising his treasures, he has us slide into the passenger seat, turn the key, and accelerate. Later, at his urging, I find myself crawling on hands and knees to peer at the spotlessly clean underside of a bright red ’55 T-bird.

Minter’s latest heartthrob is a cream-and-midnight blue behemoth best known for tearing up the track in Canton, Ohio. Prices at the shop range from $15,000 for a ’56 that’s been sunbathing in the desert since 1975 to $40,000-plus for one that has been outfitted especially for you. 17730 Davenport Road, 214-931-3357. By appointment only.