Meet David Durrill
David Durrill is a long-time Tbird club member and has generously donated his time to the board and the club for many years.
In 2002, he joined Chapter 24, Classic Thunderbirds of San Diego, just two years after he bought his yellow 1956 Thunderbird.
He says he got a lot more than he expected from a car club!
David served as President twice from 2009 to 2012 and 2017 to 2022. At other times, he also served as Vice President and Treasurer. In 2023, he volunteer to keep us all organized and on track as Secretary.
He also graciously makes himself available to help the club with any executive actions and assist in event planning. For many years, he has lead the Toys for Tots Tbird car show and toy drive in San Diego. He has also appeared on KUSI to promote the charitable event.
During the pandemic, David had the unique challenge of keeping the club together while keeping members safe. The club shifted from inside meetings to outdoor picnic-style meetings, and worked toward more diversity in our outdoor events. He encouraged all the members to bring ideas for monthly outings and meetings, and kept us apprised of parades and car shows worthy of attending.
What we appreciate the most? He always readily shows his gratitude for people attending and participating in our group. He’s a really kind-hearted guy.
Dave is a San Diego native and grew up in Mission Hills. Ever since he was five years old, he always wanted a classic Thunderbird. He believes in preserving them while also driving them as much as possible. His Thunderbird got a fresh paint job in 2022, and he never seems to miss a meeting or bring his Tbird (and his dog Marly when appropriate) along!
David loves to share stories, the strong sense of community the club provides, and has made many friends over the last 20 years. He gets approached all the time by people who tell him what fond memories they have of seeing a classic Thunderbird on the road. He really likes driving a car that can spark those big smiles.
When he’s not driving his Thunderbird or going to car shows, he loves to go sailing, learn about other vintage cars and airplanes, and hang out with his Labrador and friends. He’s also a full-time optician.
