Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on August 06, 2015, 02:16:52 AM
Post by: MY83T on August 06, 2015, 02:16:52 AM
So i will be creating a proper car thread shortly with pics as soon as i have finished detailing the new Heritage. I am very confused by this car's options list. I am very familiar with this year and model and i don't think i have ever seen such a stripped down Heritage edition.
Here is the odd list of known options:
All the standard Heritage options:
Power Windows, locks, mirrors and drivers seat
Here is the options it has:
digital clock
Manual AC
premium sound
non power antenna
no vent windows
no 2nd power seat
non locking fuel door with no remote release, its a delete option, never seen before
2 surprise options
buttstuffogue speedo
engine block heater
car also has no buck tag, not even the screw hole of where it is usually bolted on.
car is very original with crazy paperwork which i will post as i have everything sorted out.
Here is the odd list of known options:
All the standard Heritage options:
Power Windows, locks, mirrors and drivers seat
Here is the options it has:
digital clock
Manual AC
premium sound
non power antenna
no vent windows
no 2nd power seat
non locking fuel door with no remote release, its a delete option, never seen before
2 surprise options
buttstuffogue speedo
engine block heater
car also has no buck tag, not even the screw hole of where it is usually bolted on.
car is very original with crazy paperwork which i will post as i have everything sorted out.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: Haystack on August 06, 2015, 03:36:58 AM
Post by: Haystack on August 06, 2015, 03:36:58 AM
There's an 84 in the yard a frequent with no cruise tilt and non intermittent wipers. The visor didn't even have mirrors.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: zane on August 08, 2015, 11:55:58 PM
Post by: zane on August 08, 2015, 11:55:58 PM
My 83 Cougar is similar!
No Vent Windows
Manual AC
No Power Seats
Non locking Fuel Door - No Remote Release
Digital Clock
buttstuffog Speedo
Column Shift ( Yes headers ARE possible with this option! - But that's another thread. )
It DOES have cruise and tilt though.
I think Ford may have just slapped things on these cars in a random sort of way, considering the state of the auto industry at the time. Weird!
I still prefer the simplicity of my Cat over my Navigator, or most any newer vehicle, for that matter!
No Vent Windows
Manual AC
No Power Seats
Non locking Fuel Door - No Remote Release
Digital Clock
buttstuffog Speedo
Column Shift ( Yes headers ARE possible with this option! - But that's another thread. )
It DOES have cruise and tilt though.
I think Ford may have just slapped things on these cars in a random sort of way, considering the state of the auto industry at the time. Weird!
I still prefer the simplicity of my Cat over my Navigator, or most any newer vehicle, for that matter!
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 12:01:43 AM
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 12:01:43 AM
Zane, what makes its so odd, is that my car is a Heritage model, which generally were very loaded and highly optioned cars. This is so stripped down, its just defies reason. Who orders a engine block heater in DSO 22 (Charlotte NC) where they get almost no freezing weather, but skips a power antenna or remote fuel door opener as they were fairly cheap options. The buttstuffogue cluster is another conversation all together. Its only the 2nd Heritage i have seen with one.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: White85GS on August 09, 2015, 12:13:10 AM
Post by: White85GS on August 09, 2015, 12:13:10 AM
I've seen a few 84 and 85-86 elans with the base cluster, they usually had the optional bulb out/low fluids/door ajar light package.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 05:23:50 AM
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 05:23:50 AM
i have never seen a Heritage or élan without the row of lights on the center dash. I know you could special order the buttstuffogue speedo, but it was considered a downgrade.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 09, 2015, 06:17:45 AM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 09, 2015, 06:17:45 AM
For the most part vehicles of the period were optioned by the dealer or a customer special order, no way did the factory say "well since we have all these base clusters on hand, use them by next Fri"... If the car was ordered from Western NC where elevation is over 6000ft, the customer may well though they needed a block heater...
I've seen a '70 LTD that was ordered delete almost everything possible... Had no power steering, A/C etc, and was three on tree... I talked with orig owner(one of my customers) and that's how he ordered it... Was garage kept and in late '80s had only 13K mi, was still like new... Approx five years ago it popped up in NJ, had been purchased at estate sale, mileage was something like 21K...
I've seen a '70 LTD that was ordered delete almost everything possible... Had no power steering, A/C etc, and was three on tree... I talked with orig owner(one of my customers) and that's how he ordered it... Was garage kept and in late '80s had only 13K mi, was still like new... Approx five years ago it popped up in NJ, had been purchased at estate sale, mileage was something like 21K...
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 07:07:12 AM
Post by: MY83T on August 09, 2015, 07:07:12 AM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;450472
For the most part vehicles of the period were optioned by the dealer or a customer special order, no way did the factory say "well since we have all these base clusters on hand, use them by next Fri"... If the car was ordered from Western NC where elevation is over 6000ft, the customer may well though they needed a block heater...
I've seen a '70 LTD that was ordered delete almost everything possible... Had no power steering, A/C etc, and was three on tree... I talked with orig owner(one of my customers) and that's how he ordered it... Was garage kept and in late '80s had only 13K mi, was still like new... Approx five years ago it popped up in NJ, had been purchased at estate sale, mileage was something like 21K...
This is from my other thread for the car:
Rod, its a Atlanta car, thanks for clearing that up. G. H. Blair Jr. (original owner) He and I had a long chat on Friday morning about the car and its history. So to recap, here was the discussion: The car was supposedly one of 38 Thunderbirds of all trim levels rush shipped to (The Miller Time 300
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Saturday, October 8, 1983
Race 33 of the 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series.
They were to be driven locally and near the track by Ford execs and there spouses that were in attendance to create a high profile. The car he purchased (my car) was run around the track and somehow they fried the alternator. The had a towing person come in and towed the car in gear all the way to the dealership, and roasted the transmission on a car with 45 miles on it. The car was repaired, and was sold to Mr. Blair as a "used" car, with 45 miles which is backed up by the original sales invoice which i have. He paid 12K in cash for the car and drove it away. I have a very strong feeling this car was pulled off the line, and hastily prepared for this event. The options are so weird on this Heritage.
So in short, this was never a customer ordered car, or the dealer for that matter. It was pulled from the line by Ford's marketing division.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 09, 2015, 10:57:32 PM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on August 09, 2015, 10:57:32 PM
Quote from: MY83T;450474
This is from my other thread for the car:
Rod, its a Atlanta car, thanks for clearing that up. G. H. Blair Jr. (original owner) He and I had a long chat on Friday morning about the car and its history. So to recap, here was the discussion: The car was supposedly one of 38 Thunderbirds of all trim levels rush shipped to (The Miller Time 300
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Saturday, October 8, 1983
Race 33 of the 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series.
They were to be driven locally and near the track by Ford execs and there spouses that were in attendance to create a high profile. The car he purchased (my car) was run around the track and somehow they fried the alternator. The had a towing person come in and towed the car in gear all the way to the dealership, and roasted the transmission on a car with 45 miles on it. The car was repaired, and was sold to Mr. Blair as a "used" car, with 45 miles which is backed up by the original sales invoice which i have. He paid 12K in cash for the car and drove it away. I have a very strong feeling this car was pulled off the line, and hastily prepared for this event. The options are so weird on this Heritage.
So in short, this was never a customer ordered car, or the dealer for that matter. It was pulled from the line by Ford's marketing division.
Ok so marketing filled out the order sheet, happens but is fairly rare...
On the transmission, other than in park it makes no difference what gear it's in, as nothing is operating(includes the oil pump)... Which is my point, without lubrication it should not have been towed with rear wheels on ground, should have been on dolly or towed from rear... The trans was doomed from the minute the tow Bozo hooked up...
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: rodsterh on August 10, 2015, 09:54:36 AM
Post by: rodsterh on August 10, 2015, 09:54:36 AM
Have you ordered the Marti report? If so, it will be interesting to see the order type.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: Haystack on August 10, 2015, 10:49:19 AM
Post by: Haystack on August 10, 2015, 10:49:19 AM
I just towed mine about 60 miles behind my dad's Ford van when the fuel pump went out. I was on the side of the interstate with no soft shoulder and immediately got a 3 hour tow notice. Not saying its recommended, but so far everything seems fine.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on January 31, 2017, 09:57:22 PM
Post by: MY83T on January 31, 2017, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: rodsterh;450505
Have you ordered the Marti report? If so, it will be interesting to see the order type.
Here it is finally Rod.....
Notice the build date info, it backs up the story of this car being rushed off the line for the Racing event i mentioned earlier in this thread. I have never seen a Marti with a car finished 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 31, 2017, 11:58:27 PM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 31, 2017, 11:58:27 PM
Quote from: MY83T;459043
Here it is finally Rod.....
Notice the build date info, it backs up the story of this car being rushed off the line for the Racing event i mentioned earlier in this thread. I have never seen a Marti with a car finished 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
EDIT
I know why it was at the race, it was a left over '83, by Oct the '84 were in the showrooms...
I can here it now "com'on down and get the deal of a lifetime on a new '83 Thunderbird"...
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on February 01, 2017, 09:47:22 PM
Post by: MY83T on February 01, 2017, 09:47:22 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;459046
I hate to be bustin' your chops but car was built April 22 and race was in Oct, I can't possibly believe it was scheduled to be at that event six months prior(Hell wasn't even a Sunday cup race, just the Sportsman class)... I'd say chances a saleable vehicle was to be held that long would be all but zero... Likely a request went out to dealers a couple weeks before race, so because it was yet unsold it got the nod... Basically if someone had purchased it, it'd never been at the race(unless maybe they were a race fan in attendance), would have been at their house...
EDIT
I know why it was at the race, it was a left over '83, by Oct the '84 were in the showrooms...
I can here it now "com'on down and get the deal of a lifetime on a new '83 Thunderbird"...
All fair points..... there are two different things at play in my confusion.
. The fact1 that a very simply (probably the most stripped version of a Heritage i have ever seen) was seemingly rushed off the line a full 2 weeks earlier than scheduled for. (Perhaps due to the lack of installed options production was expedited?)
2. There are some very strange things with this build also. The fully red steering wheel is black on every 83/84 Heritage/elan with red interior i have ever seen. Also, there is a full provision for a 2nd power seat with relays installed under the passenger seat above the carpet. The engine block heater was the one head scratcher for this one too.
As a completely separate point the original owner did purchase the car right after the race, and with 45 documented original miles, the new car slip was crossed out to indicate "Used" when purchased. Just a interesting back story with a cool history and owner. I need to verify what race he was talking about also in the timeline.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 02, 2017, 01:58:37 PM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 02, 2017, 01:58:37 PM
Sometimes one has to wonder about Marti's info, supposedly it was released 4/25 & sold 4/26??? If that's the case what was deal that it was for sale at the race track in Oct??? Mebbe your guy is mixed up on race dates??? There was also a race May 28 at Charlotte, but there is still that April sale date that doesn't jive...
Of course it's possible it was a customer order and for whatever reason they refused delivery, took another six months to actually get it sold..
Of course it's possible it was a customer order and for whatever reason they refused delivery, took another six months to actually get it sold..
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on February 03, 2017, 01:13:18 PM
Post by: MY83T on February 03, 2017, 01:13:18 PM
so here are the timeline parts i can easily verify:
Car was Built 4/22/83
Car was sold to the selling dealership 4/26/83
Car was acquired "used" with 45 miles per original paperwork on 6/28/83
I spoke with the original owner last night, the car was seen at the Mello Yello 300 on May 29 which changes the narrative of the story and now his story makes sense. I found a video of the actual race, featuring a 1983 Bird as the pace car.......not mine, lol.
I do not think this was a retail customer order. I have a feeling the dealership was a high volume seller and was badly in need of a demo car, which is why it was hastily rushed off the line. Its the barest boned optioned Heritage/Elan i have ever personally seen.
Car was Built 4/22/83
Car was sold to the selling dealership 4/26/83
Car was acquired "used" with 45 miles per original paperwork on 6/28/83
I spoke with the original owner last night, the car was seen at the Mello Yello 300 on May 29 which changes the narrative of the story and now his story makes sense. I found a video of the actual race, featuring a 1983 Bird as the pace car.......not mine, lol.
I do not think this was a retail customer order. I have a feeling the dealership was a high volume seller and was badly in need of a demo car, which is why it was hastily rushed off the line. Its the barest boned optioned Heritage/Elan i have ever personally seen.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 03, 2017, 01:55:14 PM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 03, 2017, 01:55:14 PM
Quote from: MY83T;459091
I do not think this was a retail customer order. I have a feeling the dealership was a high volume seller and was badly in need of a demo car, which is why it was hastily rushed off the line. Its the barest boned optioned Heritage/Elan i have ever personally seen.
Vehicles are rarely "rushed" off the line, just about takes a home office(Dearborn) directive...
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: MY83T on February 03, 2017, 10:43:43 PM
Post by: MY83T on February 03, 2017, 10:43:43 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;459092
Notice the order type is "FLEET", which is customers(companies, munilities etc) that purchase at least five vehicles per year... That would account for the odd options, especially the digital dash delete as it would have given some credit... Maybe enough to pay for block heater? BUT note the heater isn't on the Marti report, maybe added at sale?(customers tend to "forget" these things) Since the dealership apparently still owned it original order must have been refused/cancelled...
Vehicles are rarely "rushed" off the line, just about takes a home office(Dearborn) directive...
The block heater was added by the dealer for the original owner, so mystery solved there. I am going to theorize that per the old mans telling of the story, 30+ Birds were hastily pulled from the line to be ready for the May 28/29 racing weekend and sent to the dealer for sales and demo for the Ford Promotional weekend. The sell to dealer date does not necessarily confirm the actual date the dealership took possession of the car. The fleet order could have been Ford marketing sending a group of cars to be shown for the promo and to be sold from dealer stock right after the event as my car was. He claimed (and i believe) that Ford execs were all over Charlotte for that race weekend and the cars were driven all over locally by Ford VIPS and their wives to create "visibility" for the Thunderbird launch. I emailed a photographer with extensive archives of that era of racing and he is checking if he has any behind the scenes pics of the promo cars. It would be awesome if he had pics of the cars at the event.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 04, 2017, 10:20:36 AM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 04, 2017, 10:20:36 AM
Well we'll probably never know the full story...
My high option, but no power steering Cobra Jet was built in Oct '68, not sold till Dec '69 apparently set on dealers lot for over a year...
The '03 Marauder I had was bought back by Mercury as original owner claimed it used oil(that as far as I could tell from oasis reports was unfounded) ... Was resold at auction when less than a year old sans warranty... That buyer had it approx five years till a tree fell on it... Was repaired by a unknown and sold to kid in Chitown that installed the supercharger... I bought it with 42K mi at approx 2/3 value as it had a rebuilt title, but approx $5K in supercharger upgrades... The car was better than average as most all had paint issues on roof, mine had been repainted... Only things actually replaced was hood, windshield and header panel...
My high option, but no power steering Cobra Jet was built in Oct '68, not sold till Dec '69 apparently set on dealers lot for over a year...
The '03 Marauder I had was bought back by Mercury as original owner claimed it used oil(that as far as I could tell from oasis reports was unfounded) ... Was resold at auction when less than a year old sans warranty... That buyer had it approx five years till a tree fell on it... Was repaired by a unknown and sold to kid in Chitown that installed the supercharger... I bought it with 42K mi at approx 2/3 value as it had a rebuilt title, but approx $5K in supercharger upgrades... The car was better than average as most all had paint issues on roof, mine had been repainted... Only things actually replaced was hood, windshield and header panel...
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: thunderjet302 on February 04, 2017, 10:43:07 AM
Post by: thunderjet302 on February 04, 2017, 10:43:07 AM
Weird stuff happens all the time in car sales. According to the Marti Report on my Thunderbird it was sold by Drew Ford out of La Mesa Ca. in March of 1988. However my dad's cousin bought the car new at Magic Ford located in Santa Monica, CA in July of 1988, according to the stack of paperwork I have. My car must have been a dealer trade. I have every receipt related to my Thunderbird (repair work, etc) going back to July of 1988.
Title: Very oddly optioned 83 Heritage (mine)
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 04, 2017, 12:29:43 PM
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on February 04, 2017, 12:29:43 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;459107
Weird stuff happens all the time in car sales. According to the Marti Report on my Thunderbird it was sold by Drew Ford out of La Mesa Ca. in March of 1988. However my dad's cousin bought the car new at Magic Ford located in Santa Monica, CA in July of 1988, according to the stack of paperwork I have. My car must have been a dealer trade. I have every receipt related to my Thunderbird (repair work, etc) going back to July of 1988.