Letterer Johnny Watts, at age 81, still plies his trade the old-fashioned way: freehand, since age 13.

Using pictures Allen acquired, Watts lettered the car just as it would have been done back in the day—freehand. Watts has been lettering automobiles for 68 years, starting his craft at the age of 13. He’s one of only a handful who still applies the paint freehand with a trusted brush he’s had for many years. Over a two-day period, Watts gave the Bonner Thunderbolt character.

Watts uses a Coca-Cola crate as a stool and workbench. He adjusts the position of the crate from vertical to horizontal and flat as he starts high and works down low

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/see-how-this-historic-1964-ford-thunderbolt-is-transformed-from-a-neglected-barn-find-to-show-quality-drag-car/