(Photos by Dave Nutting and Tube Chassis Designz) – We all love sleepers. Whether it is the idea of smashing someone with a flashy ride in the mouth (figuratively speaking) with something that looks like a sled, the skill required to actually build one sneaky enough to fool everyone, or just the idea of walking softly and carrying a big stick, the Q-Ships rule our hearts. This one is epic.

What looks all the world like a 1955 Ford Thunderbird that would loaf on down the road with a 292 Y-Block engine is actually a Coyote powered monster with independent rear suspension, Mustang II front suspension and an overdrive automatic transmission. The car incinerates the white walls with ease when the loud pedal touches carpet or so we’ve been told.

We showed you photos of the chassis work being done at Tube Chassis Designz in Hanson, Massachusetts last December. After Jon and John got done with it, the car went back to the owner for the finishing work but that’s selling the guys short. They didn’t just bolt some parts on to it, there was major metal work done.

As you’ll see in the photos below and in the gallery, the guys used components from Heidt’s for the front end and the rear end components came from another supplier. The frame contours in the front were reworked to allow the components to fit under the Thunderbird and also because the factory coil springs sat inside the frame rails and that wasn’t going to work with the Heidt’s front end being used. Out back, an independent rear suspension system using a Ford 8.8 center section sends the power out to the rear wheels and is certainly superior than the factory beam axle in the cornering and handling department. There was also an extensive amount of tubing added to stiffen the chassis, provide mounting points for the IRS and TCI built 4L80E transmission (about the only non-Ford part in the car!), and tie everything together to make the car perform better.

The guys at Tube Chassis really had the job of building the foundation for the car with the frame modifications, suspension, engine fitment, and independent rear suspension fab work. The plumbing and wiring work were done by the owner and his crew. The shame and beauty is that the work was done so well, it looks stock!

The real magic is happening under the hood though. In the cramped confines of the T-Bird’s engine bay lurks a brand new 5.0L Coyote engine that cranks out 412hp and 390lb/ft of torque. That engine makes almost exactly 200hp more than the factory 292 would have made and a ton more toque. Plus the ol’ 292 was out of snot by 4500 RPM whereas the Coyote is only starting to smile at that point. We did not get to see the car in action as Jon was getting ready to stick it on the lift for some work. We did get to sit in it though and we can report with authority that first generation T-Birds were designed for people the size of Lego characters. Even at less than six feet tall, we were hemmed up in there pretty well. The absolutely massive steering wheel doesn’t do a whole lot to help the room situation either.

Consider this an introduction to the Coyote-Bird. Also consider it a warning. If you see this thing innocent looking thing roll up next to you, remember a couple things. One is that this car weighs about 3,000lbs wet. The other is that it has 412 angry horses under the hood, and finally remember that there is nothing more embarrassing than getting your ass kicked by a car wearing whitewalls.

HIT THE LINK BELOW FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS THAT HIGHLIGHT THIS COOL CAR AND ALL THE TOUCHES THAT MAKE IT SO NEAT!

SLEEPER GALLERY: