Just browsing Myspace and came across this in the videos section:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=722837052&n=2&Mytoken=C5666821-15AA-9052-3DF460C3095DB82011939505 (http://"http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=722837052&n=2&Mytoken=C5666821-15AA-9052-3DF460C3095DB82011939505")
What is wrong with it that they have to jump it like that? Why an XR-7? :mad: I'm looking for one of those and people like that are wasting them....I don't care about blown head gasket, rust rotted strut tower, bent subframe, paint gone ones, but.....just loook at it!!
I regret saying this....but it held up pretty well.....but for what? A couple laughs? Jump a Cavalier, a Civic, hell a Sundance :D....anything that can be spotted 7 times in every 10 cars....not that....
"Jump a Cavalier, a Civic, hell a Sundance"
maybe they didnt want to die :D
no really, i agree, use a car that nobody actually cares about. not a classic fox body.
People are stupid...
Sundances are pretty sturdy...well my 94 with no rust is....but that was totaled by a deer....meaning no one could use it....so we use it to haul stuff around the yard...or relieve stress....I've run it into stuff and jumped it...but this was AFTER we took all the useful stuff out of it.
face it guys....the only ones that dont think our fox body non mustangs are expendable peices of sh@ are us......such is life...
Classic? The only thing that will ever be classic about our cars is their age.
*runs outside and hugs his car* I love my bird
*looks down* Me too :evilgrin:
Shame302 and Tbird232ci are right, though, guys - to the rest of the world they
DID do that to a car nobody cares about...
That video bothers most as much as This photo (http://"http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/tbirdscott/cyborder.jpg") does.. the fact is that there is only a select few that are in to these paticular body styles, although it does look like someone really liked that cougar at some point.
Even I don't like the Cougars, I don't think I would save one if it needed any work done unless I thought I could make money off of it (not likely). But the TCs do have a special place in my heart, they're just the coolest thing to me, the whole idea of such a car is crazy and Ford did it. The Cougar deserves some respect, too, though. (Yeah, XR-7s are just like a TC underneath, but I just don't like the appearance)
In general though, it's stupid to trash any car that isn't already messed up, it's just pure vandalism and destruction.
I'm more of an "Aerobird" freak then a 2.3T nut, so that video pains me. I actually sold my Cougar to a guy who wanted one because it was too nice to mod. I'm still lokkin for a decent one, but most are too nice for what I have planned (the motor I want to use requires some hacking, and YES it's a Ford). I hate it when people ruin these cars. That said though, imagine being a Charger fan...
Here I was thinking you where a decent person.
Shawn and Carmen both have it right 100%. To most everyone else out there, our cars ARE the ones that no one cares about. Just the same way we might think of an old '84 Camaro Berlinetta with an iron duke 4-cyl. Some sick Camaro purist might find that particular car to be the pinnacle of 80's engineering, but to us, it's nothing more than another 80's junk-mobile (which it really, actually is.)
It's a tough lesson to learn, but it's what makes us all special I guess. We find beauty and awe in cars that are, at the NEWEST, 18 years old.
Which is one thing I really like about "our" cars: at first glance, they seem like every day junkers, but with some TLC, they can really stand out and be prime examples of the last true original American cars (before everything went "puppies" style; not including remakes like the new Mustang).
Even though I prefer the body styling of the Tbirds, Cougars make really nice cars (and do look quite good, dont get me wrong) and shouldnt be destroyed unless it's already gone.
I'm wierd when it comes to t-bird/cougar preference. From '83-'86 I like both Coug and T-bird, but I have a slight preference for the Birds. But from '87-'88 it's all Cougar, all the way (Eh, I'd drive an 87-77 TurboCoupe, fa sho!). The first 'one that got away' for me was an '88 XR-7, loaded except leather, I think, had a nice aftermarket system, no rust. It was only $1200... *sigh* I waited too long to call and the car was gone!
I'm all about TC's (and turbo XR7's). I'll ramp/trash any 3.8/SO fox. They suck IMO.
I probably would've ramped my old junk '84 Cougar if I hadn't burned it to oblivion while I was trying to see what it would be like with a targa roof...
I'm learning this lesson too quickly though...about how we only see the beauty in these cars. I'm about ready to give up on them. I don't want to...but there are no parts and it is about pointless to hunt down things such as door weatherstripping or interior pieces especially for my 84 with its unique dash setup. I'll never sell my Cougar, but I'm taking that as far away from stock as possible. Same with an 87-88 XR-7 if I ever find another one.....grr. I'd love to restore one...but there is no aftermarket or NOS depot yet and I doubt there will ever be one.
Do you know how hard it is to find a headerpanel from an 87-88 TC? This gets under my skin as well....people are putting them on Cougars, LX and sport birds...even four eyes.....most are getting junked....but I need one for....get this....a TURBOCOUPE! Yeah I know they look good and what not, but it just annoys me to no end that they are getting throw out by Mustang guys who need the rear or people won't ship them because they are "too big". News Flash- I got my body kit in the mail, in one BIG box. So I don't believe in that excuse. ;) I found a site that makes new header panels and bumper covers but they cost double what I'm willing to pay, and that is not including shipping.
I'll stop my rant now before I'm late for work.....
I was going through the same thing with everyone telling me to get a real car like a mustang. Then one of my friends finds a TC for $100. Has some body damage and needs an engine. Well long tstory short they fixed the car but in the proccess found out that the car had alot of part on it that they could use for their mustangs.
Well I started getting call from them asking for misc parts like control arms, spindles, rear ends. Guess what they wanted me to get a real car I do have a real car. And they didn't get the parts they wanted.
Yes I have my own personal stash of Thunderbird and Cougar parts that fill my entire garage. Including fenders, rust free doors, interior parts, you name it I have it.
I'm pretty much the same way: 83-86 I prefer the 'Bird over the Cat, but 87-88 the Cat runs away with the style. Considering I own an '88 Bird that shows how hard to find the 87-88 Cats are around here...
On one hand...there were so many of these cars made that our parts supply should still be fertile. On the other hand...there were many more original Mustangs made than our cars, and look at the new and reproduction parts available for it. Granted, we don't have the cult following of the Mustang but I would think that someone--anyone--with half a brain would realize they could be sitting on a virtual goldmine if they started reproducing parts for us. We have cash and are willing to spend.
We chose these cars. Rather...they chose us. We are sybionts in that respect. We continue to love them not because it's easy, but because it's difficult. We relish being the underdogs. And apparently we are suckers for a good challenge. :) But really, we only learn lessons in life through dealing with difficulty. These cars, like it or not, make us what we are. They are not 'casual'; they are ingrained into our personalities, our possibilities, but at the expense of being difficult. It is our love/hate relationship with these cars that fuels us...or drives us away. Ironic how, 20+ years hence, the designers of the cars have still managed to drive a wedge between us and the cars!
Some people are comfortable stepping up to the challenge. Some aren't. It's always going to be that way, and that is the stark reality of it all. It's how we deal with that challenge that will determine our long-term parts supply. I want to keep believing that we, as a community, can make a difference and get things done. In other words, that we can influence parts manufacturers. Will that happen? Well sheesh, I've been messing with these cars for 20 years and haven't seen one hint that it will. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up hope.
Stop telling people that!! :D:D:D It's MY goldmine dammit! That's actually why I started a business. I'm sick of people telling me to get a Mustang (which I hate) and not being able to order parts for these cars. Aerobird Motorsports has only been open 17 months and look at all the stuff I've managed to get/make already. I've had over 15 of these cars and ALL of them needed something, most of them needed alot! I'm making stuff as fast as the money allows and every once in awhile I'll get a "Thank you!!!" in the e-mail box and that gives me the warm and fuzzies. I want to keep as many of these on the road as possible, that's why I sold my Coug instead of cutting it up. Sure I'm gonna stab an AMC motor into a TC, but I won't be doing anything that can't be un-done and it sure beats letting that car sit in the field for another 2 years. All I have to say to the Mustang guys is:flip: :flip: :flip: I'll make new headlights myself jerkwads!!
Mike...that was in no way a slight towards you. You are working very hard--singlehandedly--to make life a little easier for us. I'm talking about places like 50resto.com for the Mustangs. We have nothing like that available. Although, if you keep going at this rate, that could be you... ;)
Actually that car they were jumping was not an XR7. It was an LS. It had chrome mirrors and chrome trim around the windows. Probably a 3.8.
That being said, I think we should all think of ourselves as aficionados of these cars. All of the cars on this site that are really nice are all completely different from one another. Look at Karl's After, Chuck's T-bird, Will's Cougar, The Hawk's T-bird, or Eric's convertible just to name a few. All great cars with a lot of work put into them, and all unique to their owners.
The lack of a huge aftermarket parts source drives us to be resourceful and creative. We can't just open a catalog and order some chrome Cobra Rs, a cowl induction hood, and some smoked headlights and call it a day.
And that's fine with me.
try liking these cars and the ford I6.. life for me will be exspensive and frustrating in the future... (as soon as I can afford and have a garage to store either a 4 eyed bird or a I6 carpi/stang/falcon/fairlain)
As has been said by others elsewhere once before... "The meek shall inherit the earth." :evilgrin:
If you don't own a Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, GTO, ect it's going to be hard to find parts as your car ages. Finding parts for a 1970 Plymouth Fury or a 1969 Oldmobile 88 can be hard as hell. Sure body and trim parts are hard as hell to find but thank god that a lot of 79-93 Mustang chassies and engine/tranny parts fit our cars. We're not as screwed as say, someone who owns a 1969 Thunderbird. When was the last time you saw repo weather stripping or body panels for one of those?
www.tbirdranch.com (http://"www.tbirdranch.com")
Buncha hard to find parts here.
As for finding header panels in PA, there's tree on www.car-part.com (http://"www.car-part.com")
You couldn't describe me better any other way. I've always been an underdog type of person. Even in NASCAR, I chose my favorite driver (Matt Kenseth) because I saw a poll in 2003 asking who people thought would win the cup and 7% voted for him (most voted for Earnhardt Jr...go figure). I was like, "Aw man, he's so gonna kick ass and everyone will be mad. I'm cheering for him!" A few months later, he had over 400 points over the 2nd place guy and locked up the Championship. Since then, I've been a huge fan.
Same goes for my Thunderbird. It's underestimated. Nobody will think it's fast or cool, and I'll be happy proving them wrong, just like people on this forum have.
And about body styles, my main gripe about the Cougars is the flat rear window; kinda breaks up the "flow" imo.
well for me it all started when the last day of school started to start getting closer and if you know high school guys we love our burnouts. so i see this t-bird that i knew was for sale before for $250 not knowing anything im like "thats gotta have a 8.8 and posi" (wrong i know) so i caled the guy i talked him down to $110 with no battery . anyways i end up geting the car . didnt get it to the school to burn the tires off. so i get on here and i fall in love with these cars.
mustangs suck anyways there to freckin small or im too big ... a t-bird with a tilt wheel and me fit like a glove (and it must be the fox body seats cuz if im pushing with my back (like when u get in or out to get ur legs to clear the bottom of the wheel ) i can make the seats jump and lean way back ...seat converson anbody ? ) so FU mustang my bird will kick ur pony ass
Z
you know what? the classic american v8 sportscar was BIG. a ~350 CI engine wont move it fast enough? they crammed a BIGGER engine in there! thats how it was done. the 80s i think was a transition period to smaller cars with still fairly big powerful engines, but still smaller cars to go faster.
with our cars, theyre big but rather weak. but we can make em powerful as many have done, and have something like the old american musclecar. a big car with a stupid-big engine so we can still beat the little things that scoot around (read: lotus elise, etc). i think its way more impressive to have a car that screams down the strip, but also has a decent sized trunk and interior and the body itself is just "large and in charge".
in short bigger = better for everything.