My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition May 25, 2008, 02:31:51 PM Hi everyone. I just wanted to check in. I just picked up a 1985 thunderbird 30th anniversary edition. I am planning on doing a restoration on it, although it is in very good shape alreadyIt needs very minor body work and a paint job.A little history about me with thunderbirds. My very first car was a 1984 thunderbird elan, then i got a 1988 thunderbird 3.8 liter, then i jumped to a 1995 thunderbird. I sold that one in 1999, and havent had a thunderbird since. It has been about 10 years, and i decided it was time to pick up a thunderbird like i had as a teenager. I really wanted anything from 1983-1988 since those two body styles were my favorites. I looked at quite a few of them until i found the 30th anniversary edition, which i bought on the spot.As far as restoring it, i just started minor stuff like cleaning up the interior, basically going over it to find out what it needs. Mechanically it seems really sound, i drove about 150 miles home from where i bought it with no issues at all.anyway, as the restoration progresses i will post up more pictures of itHere are the starting shots of it. this is the day after i bought it. Ignore the fact that it is filthy, i havent yet washed it.My tbird with my everyday carmore picshttp://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f124/youpey/Thunderbird/?start=all Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #1 – May 25, 2008, 02:54:43 PM very nice. i always liked the anniversary models.--irv Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #2 – May 25, 2008, 03:34:57 PM Very nice! The Anny TBird has to be favorite 83-86 by far. Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #3 – May 25, 2008, 03:38:58 PM Great looking T-bird it looks like a real keeper !!! nice Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #4 – May 25, 2008, 05:40:09 PM Sweet car.Finding parts can be a real adventure,but I seem to enjoy it.Good luck with it.You're in the right place.Get involved.we're here if you need us. Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #5 – May 25, 2008, 05:50:14 PM yeah, i am definitely having trouble finding some parts. like i need an air cleaner cover for a 5.0 in good shape. hopefully i will find maybe a good junk yard around here Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #6 – June 02, 2008, 06:52:14 PM awesome car! I love the elan/anniversary paint scheme. thats definatelly in my list of future buys. I actually have a whole bunch of 30th anniversary memorabilia...all I'm missing is the actual car! If you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for that car? Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #7 – June 02, 2008, 08:32:25 PM Very Nice, I want it... Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #8 – June 09, 2008, 07:06:39 PM Quote from: CaifanSC;221676awesome car! I love the elan/anniversary paint scheme. thats definatelly in my list of future buys. I actually have a whole bunch of 30th anniversary memorabilia...all I'm missing is the actual car! If you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for that car?i got it for 2000. sorry for the really late reply. this is the first time in a while i have had a chance to really read the forumi just had to replace the tire, and will change the others. hopefully on saturday, i will get it over to the classic restoration shop to get an estimate for fixing the small dings and a paint jobthe interior is good, and the engine is 90% good appearance wise. mechanically it is sound Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #9 – June 09, 2008, 07:26:11 PM Nice ride!!! Was that the one that was posed in the LEADS on stuff for sale? That would look good in my driveway!! Man I wish my wife would be open to getting a bird or cougar.... Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #10 – June 09, 2008, 07:39:25 PM yeah, it was the one in the leads section, only i hadnt found this site until after i bought it. here is the whole story on the car.my entire life i wanted to restore a classic car, but between getting married and other things, it never made sense. Well, i had a vacation in boston with my wife, and since everything in boston costs so much, i saved every penny i had for about 2 months. we ended up spending 1/3 of the money i had saved, leaving the classic restoration possible. while in boston one night, my wife fell asleep and i was bored, so i started looking on ebay for an 83-88 thunderbird. i couldnt find any i like (except one that was way out of my price range)the rule i had about finding one, it must be 83-88, and it must have a v8 and not red. (sorry red guys, i dont like red cars)so i kept looking but i couldnt find anything. one day, i just decided to look on ebay, completed auctions and i saw this one. i emailed the seller asking if it was still available. I also asked his price for the car. i knew i had no more then 2000 to spend, so if it was in the range i would go look at it. it was 3 hours away. thankfully the 2000 was the lowest he would go, so it was in my range.i had 2 to look at before this one, both ended up being pretty bad, but i was strait with the seller. telling him i had one to look at ( i looked at the first one before i emailed him)after looking at the second one, and saw it wasnt what i was looking for, i emailed the guy telling him, if he would accept my offer of 2000, i would come see the car, and i would bring cash. i didnt want to make too many trips, basically no more then 1 to look at it/buy it and one to drive it back. since i was paying cash, i got to drive it home that day with his plates. which was awesome because it was so far away.that is the story, i knew as soon as i saw it and drove it on the test drive that i was buying it. the seller was great, by far the best experience i have had with buying a used car. i do have to say, i hate when sellers lie, the first 2 cars i looked at could have saved me 2 trips. the first car, i emailed the seller asking if there was any rust, he said no. when i looked at it, every body panel not only had rust, but rot too. the second was painted black, but was originally red. since dont like red cars, and i was restoring it, i would have had to keep it as red, and i didnt want thati am very happy with my purchase. it made it back from the 3 hour drive with no problem, even through NY city in rush hour. i am still trying to find a 30th anniversary trunk uncut key. Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #11 – June 09, 2008, 07:46:18 PM I think 85's are the best anyway:evilgrin: Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #12 – June 09, 2008, 08:13:34 PM GREAT find!!!!! Have fun with it :D Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #13 – June 11, 2008, 01:15:59 PM Quote from: youpey;222782i am still trying to find a 30th anniversary trunk uncut key.They show up on eBay occasionally. Welcome to the 30th Anniv club, its a great place to be. :) Quote Selected
My new 85 Thunderbird 30th Anniversary Edition Reply #14 – June 25, 2008, 09:01:21 PM I finally took the car out on the highway, and i have to say i forgot how good the V-8 sounds with open throttle. i love it Quote Selected
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