THE 1963 THUNDERBIRD ITALIEN
Chapter 10 - DON CHAMBERS
1941- September 7, 2006
Copyright © Thomas Maruska 2008
All Rights Reserved
As a young man, Don was a big fan of 1955-1957 Thunderbirds.
In the '70's he became aware of the growing interest in Mustangs
and in the early 80's he and his wife Ailene started Mustang
Country
in Paramount California specializing in new and used parts as well as
early Mustang cars.
Sales were brisk and enabled Don and Ailene to start a collection of
primarily Ford
Collectible cars like the Sonny and Cher Mustangs built by George Barris
and the endurance 1964 Comet which was driven for 100,000 miles
non-stop and
the Italien. In all They had ammassed a collection of around 140
cars.
Other notables included Pope John Pauls personal car, a 1975 Ford
Escort and
Many 1955-1957 Thunderbirds and minis of virtually every model
immaginable.
When I met Don and Ailene in October 2005 on my visit to view the
Italien
Don told me of his dream to have a car museum when he retired.
Unfortunately he became terminally ill and decided to sell off his
collection
and that's how I ran across the ad in Hemmings Motor News for the
Italien.
Don died on September 7, 2006, my birthday.
When I dedicated Chapter 4 of the restoration of the Italien in
Legendary Ford Magazine to Don
I received an email from Ailene in which she said
"Thank you for honoring Don by dedicating a part of the restoration of
the Italien story to him.
I owe you a big hug next time I see you which will likely be in
Scottsdale as I'm driving off in the Italien."
Don wanted to be the first person to be photographed in the completely
restored
Italien but since I didn't finish the restoration until nearly a year
after his passing
he wasn't able to make it.
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