About CTCI

Our Purpose

CTCI’s purpose is:

To operate and maintain an organization to encourage and promote the admiration and ownership, care, and maintenance, with safe and courteous operation, of the “Classic Thunderbird”, defined as a two-passenger Ford Thunderbird automobile.

To serve as a medium of exchange of ideas, information, and parts for admirers and owners of the Classic Thunderbird to aid them in restoring and preserving these automobiles in their original likeness.

To unite in an international organization all admirers and owners of Classic Thunderbirds who are interested in restoring and maintaining their automobiles in a manner that will promote admiration and respect within the community.

To provide an international organization as a basis for local social clubs by the promotion of active Chapter organizations for club members to meet, socialize and maintain the spirit of good fellowship, and to participate in activities including the use of their Classic Thunderbirds.

To further the interests of owners and drivers of Classic Thunderbirds and to promote the safety and enjoyment of motoring in all phases. To engage in any other activity related to that described above from time to time authorized or approved by the Board of Directors or members of this corporation.

 

 

CTCI has approximately 5,000 members and 121 chartered chapters representing 20 countries of the world and all 50 states of the United States. CTCI is the International vision of founder Vic Take, more than 50 years ago. Our Early Bird publication began as a newsletter, graduated to magazine format in 1969, added color in 1975, and has grown to average 64 pages per issue. It is published 6 times per year and is still the single best printed source for restoration knowledge, maintenance tips, historical data, parts and cars, plus news from around the world about our members, past and upcoming T-Bird events.  It has won numerous Golden Quill awards.

CTCI entered the age of the internet in 1998 with the introduction of its first web site. This website continues to improve and evolve, providing members with a searchable technical article index, an online shopping cart for the club store, and Gil’s Garage – a collection of tech tips and articles.  Other resources available on this site are an archive of forms and documents, searchable member roster, and more.  The current website was launched in 2019.  The newest feature is an online membership application – for the first time, interested parties can join CTCI online.

CTCI has reprinted and made available to members over 34 different technical and shop manuals, decals, owners’ handbooks, and sales brochures that would otherwise be obsolete. CTCI has kept a close liaison with Ford Motor Company and other automotive parts manufacturers through the years, helping to keep parts and other consumables available for our little ‘Birds. The best news is that although CTCI has grown into a large organization offering many benefits and services, our annual membership dues (which include Early Bird subscription) are kept low due to the wise and efficient management of our CTCI Directors, Officers and Staff.  There are no fees assessed for Chapters.

CTCI holds an annual Board of Directors Meeting within the first twelve weeks of the year and monthly video conference meetings. The General Membership Meeting is held in even numbered years, in conjunction with that year’s CTCI International Event.

There are sanctioned CTCI conventions hosted by various chapters every year. As mentioned above, the CTCI International event is held in the even-numbered years in different locations across North America. There can be sanctioned Regional Conventions in each of the six regions in the odd-numbered years. The locations of these events will vary from year to year depending on the location chosen by the hosting chapter. In odd-numbered years, CTCI-Sanctioned Driving Tours may also be offered.  These driving events will not have Concours judging.