Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Topic: Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car? (Read 2988 times) previous topic - next topic

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

August 22, 2013, 01:21:39 AM

Claim: 1984 Thunderbird élan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Thunderbird-Elan-1984-ford-thunderbird-elan-sedan-2-door-5-0-l-/181198886449?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a304b9631&vxp=mtr#vi-content
Whats missing:

Correct Grill (has a 85/86)

Chrome Mirrors

Chrome Accent Strip on the area between windows

Color Keyed Birds on Pillars

I suspect well equipped base bird with upgraded interior. That leather interior often makes people think they have a élan........i emailed the seller to find out more info, curious if he replies.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #1 – August 22, 2013, 02:04:47 AM

Quote from: nutjob seller

10 disc cd changer. Am/fm cassette and premium sound system
All stock from 1984

Irony. It exists.

LOL

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #2 – August 22, 2013, 06:03:09 AM

The most glaring problem I saw with it was the $12k price tag

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #3 – August 22, 2013, 06:09:29 AM

http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?35895-84-Thunderbird-12K

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #4 – August 22, 2013, 09:33:56 AM

Its gold under the hood. Idk if its the lighting or now

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #5 – August 22, 2013, 12:52:08 PM

Wow !
I'm confused on this one.
That engine compartment looks goldish in color. Was it a gold car that got re-painted after a front end accident ? Hence the 85-86 Grille ?
Less than 10k miles ?

2 major tip-offs in this ad:
1. 12K asking price ?
2. A feedback rating of zero.

I'd be very weary...

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #6 – August 22, 2013, 02:02:26 PM

Liar! That antenna is not stock.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #7 – August 22, 2013, 02:43:44 PM

definitely gold under the hood, you can see the distinct color change where the fender starts....

EDIT: If it were the lighting, the valve covers and letters on the breather would be gold as well

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #8 – August 22, 2013, 04:08:03 PM

Those charcoal leather seats are freaking gorgeous, nothing makes sense on that car. Still waiting for a reply from the seller, doubt i will hear back.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #9 – August 22, 2013, 04:42:57 PM

Were there any aftermarket CD changers by 1984 that could have been installed by the dealer? When did CD changers start showing up in the MarkVII? CDs existed by then but their use must have been extremely limited. I suppose it's possible for a dealer-installed option but a very very slim possibility.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #10 – August 22, 2013, 05:30:40 PM

I noticed that it has a woodgrain dash and if I'm not mistaken, that was an élan only feature. I have seen some factory mistakes before, but, I think David is correct in that this car most likely is a base 1984 model that is well equipped.

Based on what I am seeing, this is my hypothesis of what we have:

With the apparent low mileage and condition of the car, I’m guessing that it is a one owner car. Over the years, I’ve met many people, usually from my father’s generation, (he just turned 85 last week) that have “built” a car the way they wanted it to be and if the end result is essentially similar to a trim level, then in their mind it is same.
This car has many of the features of an élan and therefore it’s the same as an élan even though it really isn’t (their thinking not mine).
The grill is something that could have been easily changed during the cars 29 year life. I probably would have done that mod myself as I prefer the later model grill to the early one.
As far as the odd gold color underhood, it appears very much to me like it was sprayed with Cosmoline.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #11 – August 22, 2013, 05:45:59 PM

Quote from: BCA;420467

As far as the odd gold color underhood, it appears very much to me like it was sprayed with Cosmoline.

I do believe your right BCA. If you zoom in on the engine bay, you can see it better. Especially in the lower left corner of the pic and about middle of the top along the cowl area.

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #12 – August 22, 2013, 06:02:21 PM

Quote from: Cougars 2 go;420466

Were there any aftermarket CD changers by 1984 that could have been installed by the dealer? When did CD changers start showing up in the MarkVII? CDs existed by then but their use must have been extremely limited. I suppose it's possible for a dealer-installed option but a very very slim possibility.

The first factory installed single CD players from Ford weren't until model year 1989 or 1990. I remember when our first Lincoln (Continental) came in the showroom with one and we were all sitting in it cranking the tunes because it was such a novelty at the time. :hick:

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #13 – August 22, 2013, 07:17:37 PM

Quote from: BCA;420467

With the apparent low mileage and condition of the car, I’m guessing that it is a one owner car. Over the years, I’ve met many people, usually from my father’s generation, (he just turned 85 last week) that have “built” a car the way they wanted it to be and if the end result is essentially similar to a trim level, then in their mind it is same.
This car has many of the features of an élan and therefore it’s the same as an élan even though it really isn’t (their thinking not mine).
The grill is something that could have been easily changed during the cars 29 year life. I probably would have done that mod myself as I prefer the later model grill to the early one.

That's pretty much the case with my Chrysler 300. It is fully loaded, including heated leather, auto climate control, sunroof, 6-disc in-dash CD (with cassette!), premium Boston Acoustic sound (that actually does sound incredible, which is the only reason I've not yanked it and installed a system - I don't think I could make one sound as good), steering wheel controls, wood grain steering wheel, shifter handle and door handles, driver information center (kinda like the old Tripminder system but built into the cluster) - virtually every option available in 2005 except navigation. It's got even more options than what would be standard in a 300 Limited model, but it is not a Limited. It's not even a Touring - it is just a base 300, but with all the Limited fixin's except one telltale which was only available behind the 3.5 V6 in a Limited - the 5-speed NAG automatic tranny with Autostick. Mine's got the 4-speed auto with normal shifter. I work at a large used car lot and have seen a lot of Chrysler 300's come through of all trim levels (including a very nice SRT8 that made me very jealous), and have never seen one come through loaded up like mine is. Somebody had to have special ordered it, and probably ended up paying more than they would have if they'd just bought a Limited to begin with...

Anyone notice whats wrong with this otherwise gorgeous car?

Reply #14 – August 22, 2013, 11:07:17 PM

Quote from: BCA;420467

I noticed that it has a woodgrain dash and if I'm not mistaken, that was an élan only feature. I have seen some factory mistakes before, but, I think David is correct in that this car most likely is a base 1984 model that is well equipped.

Based on what I am seeing, this is my hypothesis of what we have:

With the apparent low mileage and condition of the car, I’m guessing that it is a one owner car. Over the years, I’ve met many people, usually from my father’s generation, (he just turned 85 last week) that have “built” a car the way they wanted it to be and if the end result is essentially similar to a trim level, then in their mind it is same.
This car has many of the features of an élan and therefore it’s the same as an élan even though it really isn’t (their thinking not mine).
The grill is something that could have been easily changed during the cars 29 year life. I probably would have done that mod myself as I prefer the later model grill to the early one.
As far as the odd gold color underhood, it appears very much to me like it was sprayed with Cosmoline.