Current Issue
The EarlyBird Magazine
March-April 2026 Issue
Volume 64, Number 1
| 3 | President’s Column Bob Bly |
| 4 | HQ Highlights |
| 5 | Highlights of CTCI Video Board Meeting |
| 8 | CTCI Financials Statements |
| 10 | CTCI Collectors Corner |
| 11 | Retros on the Wixom Assembly Line By: John Paganini |
| 12 | Car-es-pondence Clinic |
| 13 | CTCI/VTCI Combined Convention |
| 20 | Planning for Thunderbird Appreciation Day |
| 21 | Modern Classic-Retro Tech Tips |
| 22 | 1955 Thunderbird – A 56-Year Journey By: Jay Pollard |
| 31 | Around the Aviary: CTCI Chapters |
| 43 | Free Scale Model Ford In Every Box By: Skip Panowitz |
| 46 | Welcome New CTCI Members CTCI Office |
| 47 | Marketplace |
| 56 | Calendar of Events |
19-Time Winner of the Golden Quill Award
For many years, Krause Publications’ Old Cars Weekly has brought recognition to numerous publications in the old car hobby. Clubs enter their magazines and newsletters for consideration and are honored by the selection with a certificate and recognition in Old Cars Weekly. The annual Golden Quill Award continues to be a source of pride for their Editors. Members are pleased they belong to a “winning” club.
The EarlyBird magazine of the Classic Thunderbird Club International has been awarded this honor 15 times for the years 1996, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017. 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
Click on image
It is not easy to win this recognition each year as the publication must show continuous improvement. Story selection and content is another factor that needs attention, since competition between club publications seems to become stiffer each year. According to Gerald Perschbacher, Golden Quill Judge, a winning publication must fulfill the following:
- Meets the needs of club members
- Is consistently high quality in design and content
- Offers a balance in content (news, features, technical, etc.)
- Presents fresh and creative material that advances the hobby
- Is a good-will ambassador for the club
- Is visually attractive and interesting
If your chapter would like to submit your publication for consideration of this award, please see the instructions and tips at the Old Cars Weekly web site.
Subscribe by Joining CTCI Today!
Find Technical Articles in past issues of the EarlyBird in the Technical Article Index
EarlyBird Magazine Staff
Technical Editors
Two-passenger Ford Thunderbird Automobile – Roger Fuller
Two-passenger Ford Thunderbird Automobile – Ron Trella
Authenticity – Gil Baumgartner