According to the owner, KHJ Boss Radio apparently commissioned Bill Cushenbery to take a 1956 T bird and customize it as a promotional give away car in Los Angeles in 1966. The car survives today in totally unrestored condition, only sporting a newer 312 engine to replace the original 292, an orange paint scheme that covers the original Cushenbery bright blue an a badly repaired left front fender. The original interior was missing when the owner acquired it.



Words by El Pratt
I don't get on the H.A.M.B. too often but when I do I'm amazed at what pops up. This post in particular. I had Bill paint a '47 Ford at the same time this T-Bird was being built at his Burbank shop and got to see it being built start to finish. He was on a tight schedule to get it done and hired a guy who worked at Barris's to help out. I think his name was Steve Tate and was from Dodge City, KS. and drove a candy red Riviera. He did the rear of the car, Bill did the front. As someone pointed out, it wasn't one of his best designs but I can tell you the workmanship on that front end was top notch and the paint work was great. On a side note, at the same time Bill drove a Model A sedan painted a similar shade of blue that the T-Bird was painted. It was 260 Ford powered and had one of his patented custom dash boards. I'd like to know what happened to that car if anyone knows.