Past, Present & Future...

Topic: Past, Present & Future... (Read 2487 times) previous topic - next topic

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #15 – January 29, 2007, 11:14:20 PM

I fully agree, Zach. I loved the T-Birds and Cougars ever since I drove the '84 I had considered buying but couldn't afford way back in 1992. I am not a Ford guy by any stretch of the imagination - I've owned Volvos, Jeeps, Dodges, Chevys, Hyundais, Nissans, Toyotas, a Saturn and even a Daewoo. I have never liked any of 'em as much as the BirdCats.

Back when I had my first one, that ol' base '85 V6 shiznitbox, I loved the hell out of it. I had big plans in my mind, none of which ever included making the car look stupid. Unfortunately my dreams vastly exceeded available funds, and the condition of the car mandated getting rid of it. I ended up installing chrome Cragar rims and a stereo, the car remained stock otherwise. Had known then that it was an extremely rare colour combo (light sage green with grey interior) I'd have kept it. In fact, I've had big plans for every T-Bird and Cougar I'd ever owned. I had even thought up a wagonized '85 with removable roof (you've all seen the drawings, it was a stupid idea, but still, one day...). I had never had the means, place, or funds to do anything to any of 'em. Until now.

Now I have a garage, the tools, and even a little bit of money to spend on the car, and yet I cannot bring myself to molest the body. I'd always wanted ground effects, but now that I could get them if I wanted, I don't want to. Ricers ruined them for me. When I see late 80's four door Camrys sporting 18" wheels and body kits it just makes me more determined to keep my car stock appearing, and believe me, the body of my car will remain stock appearing. I say "appearing" because I'm putting a TC clip on it as my current project. It will look stock, but like a TC instead of the 5.0 car it is. No 5-lug and Cobra R's for me - I will be installing stock, restored TC rims. No rear spoiler. No cowl hood.

I just like the looks of the stock 1987/88 TC so much that I feel it can't be improved upon. About the only exterior modifications to this car will be the LED tail lights, and probably LED front lights as well. Other than that, it'll be all Ford body parts. I want it to look like an 80's T-Bird, dammit.

Of course, saving the body has another benefit: It frees up money to be spent on performance. The suspension transformation is complete in the front and is only awaiting the installation of the rest of the front body parts so I can begin the rear. Next year the engine/drivetrain will get some attention. I had hoped to do that this coming year, but renovating the house is putting things behind schedule. That doesn't matter, because the car isn't going anywhere. I've let four other Foxes fade away, that won't happen with this one.

Another reason I'm not in a hurry to do the engine: I've fallen off the fence with my 351 vs 5.0 debate again. I had thought I'd decided on the 351, but once again have swung the other way. I've lately been thinking about trading the 351 and C6 for a T-5 and swap parts. A modded 5.0, a T-5 and the 3.45 TC rear end would make this car way more fun than a 351 alone ever would. If I did the 351 swap I'd have to stick with the automatic until I could afford a manual tranny that could handle the torque. The fact that I'd been leaning toward a carb setup on the 351 has turned me off the engine as well. I've got a perfectly good, 65k mile 5.0 in the car now that would love some attention. It is already ahead of the 351 in several departments: the 351 has 300k miles and would require a ground-up rebuild, the 302 is already in the car, and I could replace the heads and induction on the 302 for what rebuilding the 351's bottom end alone would cost. The 302 is also lighter, of course.

All that being said, I'd still never tattoo the emblem on my body...

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #16 – January 30, 2007, 06:18:15 AM

From somebody like me who decided to put the 87 up for the future and went for an econobox cougar, Its the fact that the body kits lights ect. are cheap and something that can be done on most minimum wage jobs. People care more about appearance than what the car can do now. Its fashion over functionality and most with the econoboxes fall victim to the Ricer mentality. I actually miss driving my fox when i go to start her up every Friday i just sit in the drivers seat and its the little things that count like how comfortable the seat is in the 87 as compared to the 99. Yes i am looking into some Xenon's for the 99 and some replacement front fenders considering when i bought it the front fenders were dinged and the drivers side smashed in (This really pissed me off). I digress the replacement fenders that i will purchase sooner or later will be a set of Z3 fenders because i like how they look, but i will NEVER put a kit on it. Infact i was considering putting an OEM spoiler on it but i don't see many 99's running around without that wing and personally i think it looks better with out that wing now that i think about it.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #17 – January 30, 2007, 06:33:06 AM

NEVER tatoo's for Me, any words, any names, The things changes, Me too...

In My teen I was a BIG fan of snowmobiles,if I was tattoed with that I'll regret today, same for 20's with My Mercury cyclone, and 30's another thing, Today I'm a BIG fan of tbirds, and in future I don't know, for that, I print My own T-Shirts, I never regret it...

I'm not a wall with a graffiti's.

That's all,

Regards,

Dom.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #18 – January 30, 2007, 07:43:40 AM

Wow, at first when i initially replied i did not click the link, that is one , uh retarded caviler owner. Yeah if he wants a tat of his car cool, just don't put it on your forearm.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #19 – January 30, 2007, 08:16:32 AM

This is great. I didn't expect this much of a response.
After reading the other posts, I guess I've boiled it down to one main idea:
As automotive aftermarket trends emerge, the majority of our kind tend to jump on the bandwagon (bandCivic?) and take those trends to the limit. It must be about fitting into an exclusive group of car people... which loses its exclusivity as soon as the 100th person puts an APC decal on their car. Follow the leader, right?
So I'm entering my 9th year of being a Fox body fanatic and my interest has never waned. Ever since I started doing it, I've never noticed anybody else doing it. In fact, it was usually the trashy rednecks who bought Thunderbirds and beat the hell out of them. I've watched other trends rise at an alarming pace, hold steady for a year or two, then fizzle out. Large aluminum wings are the perfect example. I haven't seen one in weeks, but I used to see them on a daily basis about two years ago. However, I often see the plastic plugs people have in their decklids where the wing was once mounted. Hilarious. :D
The main point is this: Our cars tend to stand above the consistent flow of aftermarket lunacy. We use creative and innovative solutions to make our cars unique, yet tasteful. I'm loving every minute of it, too. Don't take it for granted, though! The junkyards will soon be purged of our cars forever, so do everything while you can. Stay as ambitious as possible, because this particular point in time of the Fox community has an expiration date. Enjoy it.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #20 – January 30, 2007, 09:08:19 AM

When everyone is driving the same cars, they want to try and find someway to "stand out". Unfortunately, the cheapo mods are about all most of the owners have the money or the skills (and even that is questionable) to do. I can't believe the amount of garbage that is available...and even more I can't believe how many people actually waste the money on them. You find the occasional gem amidst all the . Something that, while "mainstream" someone has taken the time to build "right" and not just throw whatever aftermarket they could at it.

We stand out and are different due to the fact of what we choose to drive. The added bonus is that these cars are not well covered by the aftermarket, and thus we each have to find our own route to do what we want. Not everything can be bought "off the shelf" and thus it requires us to modify and create.

The most common remark I get about the car is "You don't see those any more. Especially in nice shape". Folks almost fall over when they hear it's an '83. I love that.
I'm going to enjoy driving the '80 XR-7 when it's roadworthy, just because it will be different.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #21 – January 30, 2007, 10:35:32 AM

I periodically get the "wow aint seen one of them in years, ayup".

But the best was the owner of a newer Nissan Maxima that was all shiny with leather and the works for a luxury car. He asked me what I drove while I was changing the battery in his car (autozone days), when I pointed to my 88 cougar sitting about 10 parking spaces away he was giddy. He told me about his 88 Thunderbird and how much he missed it, he asked me if he could go and look at my car. I was glowing.

Honestly I think we are a select few, double takes and stares from across the parking lot confirm this every time I go for a drive. The only people that promote any grief are mustang guys to whom I point out that I could use there car for parts. :D

I seem to get a few more people asking about my 83 than my 88.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #22 – January 30, 2007, 11:15:37 AM

Yeah, I hate the current trend of people throwing a ler & altezzas on some econobox and thinking it's real hot shiznit. But I guess it's no better than the air shocks and glasspacks of a few years ago.

And yes, I agree with Chuck- I too can't believe some of the that they have out on the market right now. Lighted exhaust tips, LED windshield washer sprayers, Tireflys, fake stick-on hood scoops (which I hate with a passion), spinner hubcaps, etc...

I think that's the problem with automotive trends...the majority of people out there don't have the skills to do most of the "cool stuff" they see, so they're limited to what they CAN do (or can afford) which isn't much. So they think that if they put a ler, altezzas, and spinner hubcaps on their Neon, they're pretty cool...meanwhile the real car guys are pointing and laughing.

Anyway...my car gets a few comments here and there, though not really that many. I'll get a guy at the parts store here and there that likes it, or somebody at a gas station, but more or less it seems to go mostly unnoticed (course, it isn't looking its best these days...needs paint somethin' fierce)

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #23 – January 30, 2007, 11:32:02 AM

Last spring when I go out of My basp00get garage for the first time, paint faded a lot, buffed witout a real good results,ect, but clean, at 15h30 My car was front of My home and the kids pass over the car, and one of these kids said "I like this car, It's beautyful", that's was made My summer...

Cauz when I was a kid like this, I liked some faded cars, but a beautyful models, at this time it was a Charger's, GTX, Camaro's, and stangs...

Same for the people maybe, the interior is better than the exterior!!!...

Okay Mr poet, or whatever, shut Your mouth, and go to read, heheheheh!:hick:

Best regards,

Dom.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #24 – January 30, 2007, 12:07:00 PM

if you dont mind me askin what the F)@#$ are Tireflys.

Oh ok did a google search.

Past, Present & Future...

Reply #25 – January 30, 2007, 02:35:30 PM

I relize i sounded narrow minded before, im a ford guy, but have a special spot in my heart for the mustang i own. Theres sentimental value behind the car, which is what compels me towards the tat (which i might not end up doing), but don't get me wrong, i woudln't mind owning a 70 454 ss chevelle, or 66 gto. Its to each his own. But what ever i get, its has got to be black, fast, and unexpected. I love sleepers.