I realised something today

Topic: I realised something today (Read 3106 times) previous topic - next topic

I realised something today

Reply #15 – September 24, 2007, 04:03:17 PM

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you probably wish from time to time you could go back right?

Hell, I never left it.

You have no idea how cool it was back then. At the time, everything else--and I mean, EVERYTHING else, domestic and foreign--was a box on wheels. They all looked like Volvos. And then these cars came out and broke all the molds. In 1985 you were driving just about the only aerodynamically-designed car on the road, save for the Corvette and F-bodies, and even they were squared off in places. You could spot a Cougar or T-Bird a mile away. Everyone had one. Imaging driving down the road and passing by 3, 4, 5 or more brand new aero Birds and Cats in a 20-minute drive. And the redesign in 1987...wow, those cars popped up everywhere overnight. In fact, that's how I learned to spot these cars at night: by the unique side marker/headlight configurations. Very easy back then, because everything else looked like . GM didn't catch up to the aero look until 1988 with the Beretta/Corsica, Chrysler in 1987 with the LeBaron. Until then it was just us. Just think about that for a second...let it sink in...and now tell me you want to go back LOL.

All of this happened with very little advertising compared to today. The cars, and the cars' shapes, spoke for themselves. Hence no need for a Ford or Mercury logo anywhere. It was the last time that ever will happen.

What I do wish: that I'd gotten into one of these cars sooner, and also had the money to buy parts and keep them locked up somewhere. I was just about 5-7 years too late for that. But you can say that about anything...I'm just fortunate to be in the time and place that I was.

I realised something today

Reply #16 – September 24, 2007, 06:04:18 PM

Wow. Thats neat, I would LOVE to see these everywhere LOL although definitely even better would be to see em among all the Kleenex boxes!

You say how they sold like hotcakes, that really amazes me that you see very little of em around. Or maybe they just salt WAY too much here in the good ol Empire State and 20+ years of that has laid waste to most of em.

And you mention those Chrysler Lebarons....funny how they copied the style essentially.....but if you know your stuff you know that underneath that decent looking vehicle.....is a K CAR!!!!

YUCK

Another thought: In the old car hobby I hear lots of people say "oh all the new cars look like garbage they all look the same because of the wind tunnel" I guess these cars were the first ones of the "aero" era hence "Aerobirds" and all that nomenclature. I guess back then though they still let style prevail for the most part! I mean there are some good looking new cars but I see more cars that are just streamlined and as a result are just boring. Or weird! Case in point--Toyota Prius!!! One of the many reasons I hate that car, not necessarily that its a hybrid. Too aerodynamic. Kinda like that GM "Hy-Wire" thing a few years back that could coast seemingly forever because of the small air resistance. Nastiest looking thing I've ever seen.

Funny how the 1936 Chrysler Airflow is now a very sought after car but back then people didnt like em because they looked weird. I LOVE the looks of my '38 Buick and can say that as an antique car enthusiast I would NOT want ain airflow!!!! Same friggin thing! Too much focus on aerodynamics = bad styling!

But thats the times I guess...energy prices, desire to be green, so design for efficiency prevails. I guess its just me (and others Im sure) going against the grain. I say EVERYthing-be-ed in the name of a fast powerful fun shagy looking vehicle. The old muscle cars are probably horrible with air resistance, with those mostly flat front ends, same with the cars of the mid fifties, but those two eras are likely my favorites in terms of the looks department.

I realised something today

Reply #17 – September 25, 2007, 12:20:48 PM

I hate to say it but the reason the stylized M sucks is that it's so geriatric looking. Case and point, my grandfather had a Grand Marquis and grandmother had a Topaz. Mercury was an older generations brand. I really think that could be one reason why it didn't appear on our cars other than the special editions/max cars. We had the sportiest Mercs of the time and the car was youthful and above the standard logo.

For the younger crowd there was Ford. My Aunt, Uncle and parents all had Fords during this time. Mercury was left to the older retired people but the cats became the exception to the rule.

I realised something today

Reply #18 – September 25, 2007, 06:09:37 PM

Quote from: ZondaC12;178360

And you mention those Chrysler Lebarons....funny how they copied the style essentially.....but if you know your stuff you know that underneath that decent looking vehicle.....is a K CAR!!!! YUCK

And yet... underneath the decent looking styling of our cars.... is a FAIRMOUNT!!!!!

YUCK

:hick:

The 87-newer LeBarons actually had some styling cues I'd like to have seen on the 87-88 Birds, including the pr0nounced rocker panels and, of course, the fact that you could get one in a factory convertible. The LeBaron was actually a very nice 7/8th's T-Bird, and would actually make a pretty decent winter beater/daily driver if you want to keep the looks but don't want to ruin your 'Bird by driving it in the salt. Of course you could always stay Ford and drive a 4/5th's Bird in the form of a two-door Tempo...

I also like two-door Fairmounts, but the fact is they were nothing spectacular, and like them, our cars were nothing spectacular under the skin. The 87-88 TC's had some neat add-on technology like PRC and ABS, but the basic Fox platform is 1970's technology, which didn't differ greatly from 1960's technology.

I've always held the opinion that the 83-86 T-Birds and the 87-88 Cougars were the last really good looking cars. No offense to four-eye Cat owners and 87-88 Bird owners (I happen to be one), but that's my opinion. I just love the non-flush glass with big trim and four-eyed look of the 83-86 'Birds, but I don't care as much for the square-back look of 83-86 Cougars - it just doesn't jive with the whole aero thing (don't get me wrong, I still love 'em, just not as much). Conversely, in 87-88 the square-back look of the Cougar was rounded off just enough to make it a perfect compliment to the aero look - I cannot think of a more elegant look, but the 'Bird became too anonymous. It lost much of its muscular look and became closer to being just another flying potato (a look that was cemented in 1989).

I WILL own an 87-88 Cat again, and I WILL own a four-eye 'Bird again. I'd even trade my current car for either, and that's saying something, given that my current car is the first car I'd ever owned that I did the stuff I always wanted to do on...

I realised something today

Reply #19 – September 25, 2007, 08:17:01 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;178585

'Bird became too anonymous. It lost much of its muscular look and became closer to being just another flying potato (a look that was cemented in 1989).

Flying potato... ROFLMAO... Now, if my '95 would only fly...

With the Eibach springs, Tokico shocks and the 275/45/17s, it handles like it's on rails... Just a bit weak for my tastes...

I realised something today

Reply #20 – September 25, 2007, 10:05:16 PM

@ Thunder Chicken

good point about the lebarons. Also good point about the same platform as the 'mont and stuff. I just figured it was still better than the K-Cars. Ive just heard that they were little boxes. Maybe I've heard wrong. Maybe Im just poisoned against them for how they looked in the early 80s and how SMALL they are with SMALL engines where ours are big uns with available V8s of large displacement.

I dunno maybe thats a stereotype I fall for but shouldnt....big = strong and sturdy and good and stuff, small = weak poorly built etc....

I must just be insecure in my manhood LOL right OBVIOUSLY if I need to drive a big car I'm making up for something.

Now thats a stereotype I HATE with a passion. I lose it when people say that. Im like no I just feel like my car should be ballsy too and for me that means big, loud, and lots of hp and tq.

I realised something today

Reply #21 – September 25, 2007, 10:07:03 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;178310

They didn't have logos, but some said "Ford" on 'em. I remember one my brother had (think it was a '74 - white, white leather interior, 460 engine) that had F-O-O-D on the header panel. Somebody before him had a sense of humour...

Actually it should have T-H-U-N-D-E-R-B-I-R-D. That's what all the 73-76 models said in the US:D

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;178585

I've always held the opinion that the 83-86 T-Birds and the 87-88 Cougars were the last really good looking cars. No offense to four-eye Cat owners and 87-88 Bird owners (I happen to be one), but that's my opinion. I just love the non-flush glass with big trim and four-eyed look of the 83-86 'Birds, but I don't care as much for the square-back look of 83-86 Cougars - it just doesn't jive with the whole aero thing (don't get me wrong, I still love 'em, just not as much). Conversely, in 87-88 the square-back look of the Cougar was rounded off just enough to make it a perfect compliment to the aero look - I cannot think of a more elegant look, but the 'Bird became too anonymous. It lost much of its muscular look and became closer to being just another flying potato (a look that was cemented in 1989).

87-88 T-birds own all FTW :raspberry

I realised something today

Reply #22 – September 25, 2007, 10:10:19 PM

nah 83-86 turbo coupes own all

I realised something today

Reply #23 – September 26, 2007, 07:25:53 AM

Quote from: daboss351;178696

nah 83-86 turbo coupes own all

Dude, you're driving a Mark, so I wouldn't stir that pot.

I realised something today

Reply #24 – September 26, 2007, 09:14:35 AM

Aww man I love it....there are STILL enough differences even under this "unified" idea of two sister cars in a period of 6 years that we get mini-rivalries!!!

Fight! Fight! Fight! lol

I realised something today

Reply #25 – September 26, 2007, 09:27:45 AM

Quote from: ZondaC12;178754

Aww man I love it....there are STILL enough differences even under this "unified" idea of two sister cars in a period of 6 years that we get mini-rivalries!!!

Fight! Fight! Fight! lol

Try 8 years....If it ain't got 4 eyes....it's nothing! I'm even of the 4-eyes and flat dash segment :hick:

And Fila, you know, I might have hoped that you had realized that you were a worthless little CHUD and not something less obvious than that, like the lack of Ford emblems on the Aero cars.

I realised something today

Reply #26 – September 26, 2007, 09:49:42 AM

Quote from: thunderjet302;178694

Actually it should have T-H-U-N-D-E-R-B-I-R-D. That's what all the 73-76 models said in the US:D

This was Canada

though they probably were the same anyway. I thought they said T-H-U-N-D-E-R-B-I-R-D on the trunk lid and F-O-R-D on the header panel? It may not have been my brother's 'Bird that said F-O-O-D though - my parents had a '78 LTD-II that might have been the culprit. They bought it new, though, so if it was that car it was like that from factory. All I know is that I was like six years old and thought it hilarious that a car would say FOOD on it...

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87-88 T-birds own all FTW :raspberry

Hey, I'm feeling your pain. I own one. I still prefer the 83-86 ones more, though. Still, I've gotta be different from Chuck - I prefer the curved 85-88 dash.

I realised something today

Reply #27 – September 26, 2007, 10:50:38 AM

Quote from: Chuck W;178757

And Fila, you know, I might have hoped that you had realized that you were a worthless little CHUD and not something less obvious than that, like the lack of Ford emblems on the Aero cars.

CATS: All your base are belong to us.
CATS: You are on the way to destruction.
84 Fila: What you say !!
CATS: You have no chance to survive make your time.

I realised something today

Reply #28 – September 26, 2007, 11:11:31 AM

I realised something today

Reply #29 – September 26, 2007, 11:38:55 AM

Someone set us up the bomb!

Hahaha...