Sharing. It's basic to civilized society, so we start learning how to do it early. Two local car clubs know all about sharing because they share an interest in a name gracing some very large and small Ford cars: Thunderbird. But while the clubs may "share" the T-Bird, each has a different focus. For Thunderbird Midwest, it's all T-Birds, though most members are partial to the large T-Birds (1959-97). The Mini Birds of Minnesota, on the other hand, stick to the 1955-57 models that, ironically, did so well that Chevy - the competition - decided to keep the Corvette.

The 40-year-old Mini Birds club, a chapter of Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI), is one of the oldest in the country. Thunderbird Midwest (TMW), affiliated with Vintage Thunderbird Club International (VTCI), has been around since 1979.

The 40 or so Mini Birds' members are into scenic drives in their classic T-Birds. "The cars are really fun with the top down when it's nice," notes member Jay White. The club sponsors two shows. One is the annual All-Ford Picnic at the St. Paul Ford plant, co-hosted by the Early Ford V-8 Club. The other show, "Birds in the Dells," is an annual early T-Bird affair sponsored by Midwest CTCI chapters on a rotating basis. Despite its name, the show isn't always at Wisconsin Dells. The Mini Birds hosted last year's event in Minnesota and take another turn in 2010.

Most Mini Bird members own an early T-Bird. White says that he, like many who grew up in the 1950s, followed through on his desire "to have one some day." He got his '57 hardtop with a V-8 and portholes a dozen years ago. "It's absolutely wonderful," he says. "It's smooth and really goes." Current club president Gary Isaacson touts the early T-Birds' looks and how well they drive. His rare dusk-rose-and-white '57 with a 312-cubic inch V-8 has taken some firsts at shows.

As a member of both clubs, White is part of the link to the 80-member Thunderbird Midwest club, where he's currently vice president. Members like driving their (mostly) larger T-Birds to shows like North St. Paul's Friday "History Daze" or shows in Willmar, Lindstrom, Morristown and Osceola, Wis. The club also sponsors spring, summer and fall cruises and co-hosts New Brighton's Stockyard Days' show. The occasional sponsor of annual Midwest regional VTCI shows, it will host again in 2009.

TMW president Cliff Lieske has a '62 hardtop because he had his "some day I'm gonna own one" moment growing up. Many "Ford families," he explains, dreamed of having the brand's comfortable elite model. Lieske closes the circle between the two groups, so to speak, as the owner of a 2004 two-seat retro bird from the model's 2002-05 revival.

For more on Thunderbird Midwest, call 763-781-8139, e-mail cwlieske@comcast.net or you can visit www.thunderbirdmidwest.org. Call 651-430-9009 for Mini Birds information, or e-mail gary@northstarterminals.com.