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

As some of you are aware, my 83 Heritage is a total loss from Hurricane Sandy.  I picked up a 87 Cougar XR-7 2 years ago to make me feel better and have something in the family to drive and wrench on.  I was unsuccessfully trying to sell it as i have a really clean 89 Lincoln LSC that fell in my lap this year.  A direct trade for a super clean 83 Heritage for my Cougar has been secured and i should be driving out to swap in 2-3 weeks.  The person i am trading is a pal and forum member and i can't begin to thank them for arranging the trade.  He swapped a spare TC he had with the 83's owner, and now is swapping with me to obtain the 83.  Its a 1983 Thunderbird Heritage 2 owner car with 60K miles.  Near perfect interior and almost no rust to speak of, as its a North Carolina car.  Here are a few pics for now.....

Feels really good to have a 83 in the stable once again.......

XXX








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 #1
one moreX








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 #2
Good for you Dave! That's awesome!

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

Reply #3
XXXXXX[








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 #4
Very nice man ........ Clean

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

Reply #5
Nice looking bird. Glad you were able to find it. I know you have gone back and forth on what to do with yours after the damage. What are your plans for it? All I see is a little trim repaint and you are good to go.:cool:  Ray.
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

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

Reply #6
Nice!
'88 'bird, 10.9:1 306 w/TFS top end, forged rods/pistons, T-5 swap & bunch of other stuff, 1-family owned, had it since ‘98, 5.0tbrd88 on Instagram and YouTube

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

Reply #7
I miss my 83 cougar. Of all the cars I had in my life, I got the most use out of it. The only car I ever owned that I had long enough to personally put over 100k miles on. Every time I see an 83 with the 5.0 it makes me miss that car. *sigh*.

Enjoy that car. It'll be good to ya.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

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

Reply #8
Sweet!  Looks like a nice unmolested car. Welcome back to the 83 club. :D  What have you decided to do with the flood car?
tbirdregistry.com
26480
27373

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

Reply #9
The flood car is going to a friend who might try and make something from the mess.  I would rather see the car live on in some fashion than the $200 in s.  I don't have time to part her, and if i did, no place to store everything.  I need to just let go and move on.  My plans for the new 83 are slap my TRX's on, lower her a bit and maybe a nice new exhaust.  Otherwise stock she stays......








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 #10
Quote from: MY83T;449598
The flood car is going to a friend who might try and make something from the mess.  I would rather see the car live on in some fashion than the $200 in s.  I don't have time to part her, and if i did, no place to store everything.  I need to just let go and move on.  My plans for the new 83 are slap my TRX's on, lower her a bit and maybe a nice new exhaust.  Otherwise stock she stays......

I was just going to say it needs TRX wheels :). For exhaust I'd do a set of 86-93 Mustang factory headers and 2.25" dual exhaust with turbo lers. Not too loud and easily reversible should you decide to go back to stock.

Looks like a great score. Nifty color combo too.
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 #11
On my 83 I had to move the frame-mounted fuel pump to make room for my duals. Just a heads-up.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

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

Reply #12
Quote from: MY83T;449598
The flood car is going to a friend who might try and make something from the mess.  I would rather see the car live on in some fashion than the $200 in s.  I don't have time to part her, and if i did, no place to store everything.  I need to just let go and move on.  My plans for the new 83 are slap my TRX's on, lower her a bit and maybe a nice new exhaust.  Otherwise stock she stays......

Sounds like a plan.  Keep us posted on your progress and the flood car...
tbirdregistry.com
26480
27373

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

Reply #13
I'm glad that you finally got back to what your heart desires.    That is a beautiful specimen of a car and I second your motion for keeping it stock.  Although a little bit of that classic car rumble is excellent to have.  Good luck with her and enjoy your nice "new" car.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

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

Reply #14
So i drove out to PA late last night to meet up with Justin (JandMMustangs).  We did a key for key swap for his White on Red 83 Thunderbird Heritage with 76,000 miles, and incredible dospoogeentation.  He took my 87 XR-7 Cougar in trade.  He is one of the coolest car guys i have ever met, and i owe him a huge thank you for doing this really kind trade.  I am going to shoot a thousand pics today and post a new thread in user rides so stay tuned. I love this forum, and the guys who frequent it.  I am really having difficulty expressing my feelings right now.......








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