Current Issue
The EarlyBird Magazine
May-June 2023 Issue
Volume 60, Number 6


3 | President’s Column Brian Carron |
4 | Highlights Of CTCI Video Board Meeting |
6 | HQ Highlights |
8 | CTCI Financials for June 2023 |
10 | Letter from Board of Directors |
13 | 2023 CTCI Concours & Touring Convention |
21 | 2023 CTCI Newsletter Contest |
22 | Proposed Bylaw |
24 | CAR-es-pondence Clinic |
25 | Bylaw Election Results |
26 | On the T-Bird Trail |
28 | GG’s Grand Adventure By Donna Jessie |
32 | My Thunderbird Story By Gary Coe |
36 | A Look Back at the Forming of the First Thunderbird Club By Skip Riggs |
42 | Around The Aviary CTCI Chapters |
54 | Welcome New CTCI Members CTCI Office |
55 | Marketplace |
64 | Calendar of Events |
15-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 and 2017.
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.
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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