So I bought another Tbird

[BADRACR1]

I still have the '97 LX/LE Moonlight Blue, but couldn't pass this one up. 1997 4.6v8 with 150k. It has new paint and all the lamps were replaced when that was done. Limited slip rear axle with Traction control and 16"sport wheels also. The seats have been custom recovered and the dash surrounds and console were redone in a matte black finish. Not too shabby for $1200!!!7294

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[Aerovette]

I had a 95 and I loved that car. It was no racer for sure but it was a nice size, and every creature comfort imaginable. It was classy and sporty at the same time. I miss that car. My only complaint was the limited aftermarket wheels.

[MrPeabody]

I had a '93 I bought when it was a year old. Former rental. Funny thing is it had all the LX equipment but no badging. Some king of rental fleet thing I guess.

If you go by longevity it was the best/favorite car I ever owned. I had it nine years and put 137K on it.
The only things that I had to fix were a clutch fan at around 90K and a fuel pump at 125K. I used it to commute 150 miles round trip mostly on mountain roads when I was selling cars for awhile. Great car. I still can't understand how Ford could put IRS in the T Bird but not the Mustang for all those years.

[BADRACR1]

I have had about a dozen total. Once I had three at the same time. I put a lot of miles on them and then find another. One brother has my Light Evergreen Mist '97 LX/LE. Currently a little over 180k and still going.
I will likely swap out the seats and the interior trim pieces into my Moonlight Blue Bird and then this one will go to either my brother or my son's girlfriend. The blue one is a keeper. Currently 76k, and one of the last hundred or so made.7298

[BADRACR1]

I had a 95 and I loved that car. It was no racer for sure but it was a nice size, and every creature comfort imaginable. It was classy and sporty at the same time. I miss that car. My only complaint was the limited aftermarket wheels.

I have this set of 17x9's.7299

[Steve Austin]

Dont know why those cars are so cheap. I have seen a couple decent ones in the $1000 price range lately. Very tempted to build one for bracket racing/cruising. :cert:

[BADRACR1]

Great cruisers. Very comfortable and handle well (independent rear suspension). The v8 gets around 20/26 mpg city and hwy.

[Madmikeee]

I thought you were talking about a real t-bird...oh well

;)

[Aerovette]

Dont know why those cars are so cheap. I have seen a couple decent ones in the $1000 price range lately. Very tempted to build one for bracket racing/cruising. :cert:

I am aware of one problem...had gasket issues. Not sure if that is the reason or not.

[StaticCling]

Those Modular 4.6 V8's had intake manifold issues also. I had a 2003 Mustang GT that had the intake fail at the Thermostat Housing. Replaced it, and the same thing started to happen again before I dumped it. Ford reportedly fixed the issue after the 2002 model year(s), but I don't think they did.

Other than that, GREAT little motors and wouldn't hesitate to own another vehicle powered by one. I always liked that T-Bird body style as well.

:seasix:

[BADRACR1]

New intake on this one. I have had about a dozen and only had one that blew a head gasket and that was a v6 and bought it after the repair. Had it in the family almost six years without another issue.

[Rob]

My boss sent me a link to this one today

1978 Ford Thunderbird (http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5548969145.html)

[Steve Austin]

I am aware of one problem...had gasket issues. Not sure if that is the reason or not.

Thats not a problem for me. I left out the part where I'd put a SBC in it anyway. Didnt want to hurt any Ford guys feelings.:leaving:

[Black94lt1]

My boss sent me a link to this one today

1978 Ford Thunderbird (http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/5548969145.html)

Is that Corinthian leather :D

[UniqueDoug]

I used to enjoy flipping those back in FL.

[simpleman68]

I had a couple back in the day and really liked them. Still miss the '87 turbo coupe.

First one was an '84 auto with the 3.8.

Second was an '87 5 speed turbo coupe. Loooooved that car.
Scott

[RedLS1GTO]

I had a couple back in the day and really liked them. Still miss the '87 turbo coupe.

First one was an '84 auto with the 3.8.

Second was an '87 5 speed turbo coupe. Loooooved that car.
Scott

Man, I loved the T-coupes when I was a kid.

Also really liked the ones like the OP. Always thought Ford did something right with those T-birds.

Good looking car. :cool:

You could always tell my favorite cars by what was done in 1:24 scale on my desk.

http://www.oldmodelkits.com/jpegs/Monogram%202735%2087%20Tbird.JPG

[ApexOversteer]

I had a '72 for the summer of '88... I paid $100 and 4g of Mexican commercial dirtweed It was a metallic brown, with extensive custom pinstriping in a camel color. Had a previous owner's initials below each window. We called it the Turd. That car taught me a lot.

It taught me what an oil pan is for; Breaking big, half-buried rocks into smaller, half-buried rocks.

I taught me how weight distribution and handling can be affected by the amount of fuel in the tank, way out back there beyond the rear-axle, in the snow...

It taught me that the whole "you need motor-mounts" thing is a scam, and you don't.

It taught me that you can get 9 beer balls in the trunk of a '72 T-Bird, if you take them out of the box.

I drove it 6000 miles or so over that 8 or so months I had it, it never let me down, still the most comfortable car I've ever slept in, front seat, or backseat.

[Montehall]

my first car was a t-bird

although a bit older
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Ford_Thunderbird_140PS_1979_1.jpg

(not mine, but close enough)

[simpleman68]

Man, I loved the T-coupes when I was a kid.

Also really liked the ones like the OP. Always thought Ford did something right with those T-birds.

Good looking car. :cool:

You could always tell my favorite cars by what was done in 1:24 scale on my desk.

http://www.oldmodelkits.com/jpegs/Monogram%202735%2087%20Tbird.JPG

:cool:
Alright, you made me dig up the picture and scan it. :Jeff '79:

Just after a hit and run in my college parking lot. Couldn't afford collision and had it fixed in stages.

Scott

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/simpleman68/Me%20Stuff/87Tbird_zps8rkwxeg7.jpg

[ApexOversteer]

my first car was a t-bird

although a bit older
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/Ford_Thunderbird_140PS_1979_1.jpg

(not mine, but close enough)

Right on! When you have one of these cars you're not just a driver, you're a Mariner... or if you're on the make... a Whaler... :D

[Montehall]

Right on! When you have one of these cars you're not just a driver, you're a Mariner... or if you're on the make... a Whaler... :D
Tell you what though, for $150, it ran for a year with no problems.

[BADRACR1]

Turns out the guy that owned it before the guy I got it from is on a Tbird forum I am on. He listed it there back in January Here is his ad:

"For Sale or trade. Lots of new pieces. Custom upholstery on front seats. Black suede and embroidery. The seat inserts are microfiber "suede", the rear seats are in my upholstery shop. They are currently stock, but are pretty well kept. I hadn't yet decided to do them to match the fronts which needed doing. Kenwood Excellon CD, clean, pretty fast, "J code" sport suspension handles like its on rails. Strong 4.6 is super clean... Look at the under-hood pics! It was NOT detailed for the pic, it is kept this clean... no leaks, has upgraded intake, new battery. Custom corner lights, new headlights with SilverStar bulbs, red pearl paint.
The only real issue is a stumbling idle... vacuum leak or something the guys on the board are helping me resolve. Drives smoothly and cruises nicely, just a stumble at idle and a hesitation when you pop the throttle, maybe a bad cat. I had an intermittent bank 2 cat below efficiency code.
No CEL, since I replumbed the Evap canister and purge valve set up. Replaced the valve, the solenoid was good.
Cruise, tilt, PW, PDL, keyless, AC, everything works. Dash is great. Nice, fast, beautiful car. Asking 3500, negotiable, or an interesting trade. Looking for something like an ElCamino... something interesting for a project.
Make an offer."

Guy I got it from said he traded a truck for it. Sent a message to the guy on the forum to see about getting the rear seat done to match the front.
My son wants it already.

[BADRACR1]

Couple more pics.7321

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[DAB]

read it too fast, thought you wrote

So I bought another Turd....

never mind...

:leaving:

[Jeff '79]

The 1993 Daytona 500 just happened to be on this morning and it was great to see that era car run...
Dale Jarrett won in a Lumina, by the way.

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