Thunderbird earns first-time award at Draggins show

By Ian MacKay

A 1956 Ford Thunderbird owned by Dean Weldon captured the “first time shown” award at the Draggins Rod and Custom Club car show over the Easter weekend.

The two-seat Thunderbird joined Weldon’s collection last year, alongside a 1971 Dodge Challenger, a McLaren Mustang and a 2012 Mustang Boss 302, he said April 3 during the annual show.

Kerri Redekop (L) banters with seated Rosetown Antique Power members Kendall Bacon, Vernon Schille and her partner, Gord Letourneau (standing, R) in front of the 1917 Titan tractor the group exhibited at the Draggins car show on April 3. Antique Power, formerly the Rosetown Antique Tractor and Engine Club, acquired the Titan after the Milden Threshermen’s Club disbanded. Photo by Ian MacKay

Dean Weldon of the Dusty Wheels Auto Club opens the door of his 1956 Ford Thunderbird to display its interior during the Draggins Rod and Custom Cub’s annual car show on April 3-4 in Saskatoon. Weldon won a special prize, the first time shown award. Photo by Ian MacKay

It was the only award received by a Dusty Wheels entry, said Barry Churchman, a member of both the Dusty Wheels and Draggins clubs.

“We had a really good crowd both days,” Churchman said. “The colder weather meant the men couldn’t do yard work, so they got to come to the car show.”

Weldon purchased the Thunderbird last fall from an owner in Estevan. The vehicle required some work after sitting in a seacan for five to eight years, though it had already been restored and was believed to have originated from California.

“I bought it to drive,” Weldon said. “Some said, ‘Oh, you’re not going to drive it.’”

The Thunderbird, which was also displayed at the Dusty Wheels 2025 indoor show in Rosetown, features its original rebuilt 312-cubic-inch engine. Entering the car requires sitting on the doorstep and sliding in, Weldon noted.

“Once you’re in, it’s pretty good,” he said. “The top is removable and there’s a soft top behind the seat, but it’s not in very good shape.”

Repairs may be needed on the soft top, he added. He also had an area near the rear passenger-side wheel repainted after a loose hubcap came off and damaged the finish.

The car does not have power steering or brakes but “doesn’t seem to need them,” Weldon said. “It’s a pretty light and small car.”

While he was not especially fond of Thunderbirds in his youth, Weldon said his view has changed.

“They’re pretty nifty; they’re different — especially the ones they call Baby Birds, the two-passenger, smaller ones,” he said.

After searching for one, he found many sold quickly or were overpriced before coming across this particular vehicle. He believes the previous owner may have stopped driving it due to its size.

Weldon has previously shown his 1987 McLaren Mustang and 2012 Boss 302 Mustang at Draggins events. He noted that McLaren Mustangs are rare, with roughly 1,800 produced.

“It’s the only one I’ve ever seen,” he said.

This year, Weldon plans to rotate which vehicles he brings to shows.

“This year it will be my Challenger and my T’ Bird,” he said.

A resident of Bounty, Weldon joined the Dusty Wheels club a couple of years ago after previously entering vehicles in its shows.

“It’s fun; fun to go to shows and meet people,” he said.