After appearing in the World's Fair, records from Ford's Jacque Passino's files indicate the Italien was destined for a fate typical of most Ford concept cars - The crusher. The Italien also appeared in the 1964 New York Worlds Fair's "Cavalcade of Custom Cars" and was prominently featured in a special World's Fair publication. Also included are 3 CDs with hundreds of restoration photos. Copies of all known publications are included with the Italien as well as nearly two years of research data assembled by restorer Tom Maruska. The Italien was featured in 14+ magazines in 19 such as "Motor Trend", "Hot Rod", "Car Life", "Motorcade", "Speed and Custom" and others. The Italien was a featured in Ford's 1962-63 "Custom Car Caravan" and appeared in Autoramas throughout the United States such as Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and more. The Italien recently received a complete, original, rotisserie restoration by Duluthian Thunderbird restorer Tom Maruska and was just completed in August 2007. DST also built the 100 1964 Ford Thunderbolts as well as other Ford non-assembly line concept vehicles. Car designer/builder Vince Gardner constructed the Italien while working for Dearborn Steel Tubing Co., Ford's outsourcing contractor.
The Thunderbird Italien was a styling study from Ford's own Thunderbird styling department and was designed by Fords own Thunderbird Stylists who actually built the plywood buck over which they sculpted the clay model of the roof in their own studio and then gave the car to DST where Vince Gardner made the one piece plaster cast over the clay from which he made the fiberglass roof and deck lid. Departing from the traditional Thunderbird greenhouse, this special 1963 Thunderbird features a new roof line with aerodynamic styling and a customized leather interior with bucket seats front and rear. Truly unique in all the world - Presenting the 1963 Thunderbird Italien Concept Car. Shown as part of Ford's Custom Caravan and exhibited at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Summary: The "Italien" was a styling study by Ford and built by Ford's concept car builder, Dearborn Steel Tubing.
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