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My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #45
Steering wheel insert black now too..... used my old one from the flood car, rattle canned the insert and popped in in.  Looks way better i think.  I like the contrast between the black and the red.  I am thinking black floormats too, might break it up a bit.   

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1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #46
The black looks nice. One of the first things I did when I got my '85 Cougar was replace the woodgrain dash with brushed metallic pieces from a junkyard T-bird. I know some people prefer the woodgrain, and power to 'em. But the other finishes are more suited to these cars, in my opinion.

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #47
I'm one of those people, lol. I swapped the brushed aluminum for wood in my 86. Gives it a much "warmer" feel imo.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #48
I like the wood too, but that is lot of red im battling.  I think darker charcoal, black dark blue etc look nice with the plastic wood.��








1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #49
One nice thing about it, its easy to change to whichever configuration you prefer. (At least '85-'88. I have no idea what's involved in changing out dash trim on an '83-'84.) I'll admit that the brushed metallic surfaces do make the interior a bit dark, at least in my gray interior car. It's a shame FoMoCo didn't offer an "engine turned" dash like they did in the '77-'79 ThunderCats. It's cool looking and much brighter than the brushed finish.


My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #50
Quote from: cj750;450913
One nice thing about it, its easy to change to whichever configuration you prefer. (At least '85-'88. I have no idea what's involved in changing out dash trim on an '83-'84.) I'll admit that the brushed metallic surfaces do make the interior a bit dark, at least in my gray interior car. It's a shame FoMoCo didn't offer an "engine turned" dash like they did in the '77-'79 ThunderCats. It's cool looking and much brighter than the brushed finish.



Its a about 10 screws, and i switched the t bird logo out for a heritage emblem. Not even 10 minutes to swap. Non permanent and easy to switch back.








1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #51
Scored me a like new set of TRX tires for $300 shipped.  I am very excited to refinish my rims now and add them to the new car.








1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #52
Quote from: MY83T;451015
Scored me a like new set of TRX tires for $300 shipped.  I am very excited to refinish my rims now and add them to the new car.

How old are the tires?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #53
Quote from: thunderjet302;451022
How old are the tires?


They are 5-6 years old and were stored in a climate controlled garage.  I saw numerous pics, 90% tread and zero dry rot.  These will be local around town tires and fair weather only.  I really like the way these wheels look.








1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #54
Quote from: MY83T;451025
They are 5-6 years old and were stored in a climate controlled garage.  I saw numerous pics, 90% tread and zero dry rot.  These will be local around town tires and fair weather only.  I really like the way these wheels look.

Ah good. I would be worried about dry rot with old tires. I agree the TRX wheels look great on the 83-84 cars.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #55
Scored me another almost new set of TRX tires on a like new set of Thunderbird TRX wheels for $200 bucks.  Picking them up this week.  Thats $500 total for 2 sets of tires with a set of factory take offs.  In other news, i degreased my engine bay, and de-porned my ultra red interior with some tasteful black accents. (Floor mats, dash, steering wheel cover and center etc....) Looks sportier i think.

Before







After















1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #56
LMAO, "de-porned".........

I like the black accent changes.  It does tone things down a bit.

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #57
Said goodbye to my flood car yesterday, got towed away by a fellow Ford guy who will try and give it a 2nd life as a platform for a new drivetrain with new dash, wiring etc.  Im relieved to have it gone at this point, and looking forward to making my new 83 as nice as i can. 














1983 FORD THUNDERBIRD HERITAGE 5.0
2008 SAAB 9-7X AERO 6.0 (LS2) 1 0f 554 Made
2011 FORD FLEX SEL Family Hauler

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #58
Probably shoulda saved those TRX wheels.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

My new 1983 Thunderbird Heritage (Updated 8/12/15) New Pics Added

Reply #59
Quote from: jandmmustangs;451401
Probably shoulda saved those TRX wheels.

For what?  To recycle???
Mike