Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago

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Before trusting my 1962 Thunderbird on the drive to Viva Las Vegas, it was time for a proper shakedown run.

Joined by my friend Eugene in his 1953 Oldsmobile, we headed into Los Angeles to put some miles on the car and see what problems might surface before the big trip. The plan was simple: cruise the city, visit the LA River, and enjoy a day behind the wheel of two classic cars.

Of course, things didn't go according to plan.

The LA River was full, our route changed, we stopped at the legendary Philippe's, and the day ended with an unexpected overheating issue near Griffith Observatory that had us pulling over and questioning whether the Thunderbird was really ready for the road ahead.

But that wasn't the end of the story.

After getting home, the real work began. With Viva Las Vegas fast approaching, I dove into bodywork, paint, upholstery, and countless custom details to transform the car for the trip. By the end of this episode, the Thunderbird will look nothing like it did when we started the day.

Will it be enough to get the car ready for Vegas?

This is Part 1 of the journey.

#1962Thunderbird #ClassicCars #VivaLasVegas #GriffithObservatory #LosAngeles #ShakedownRun #CustomCars

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