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

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

July 08, 2015, 11:11:12 PM

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.......

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

Reply #1 – July 08, 2015, 11:12:04 PM

one more

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

Reply #2 – July 09, 2015, 12:29:21 AM

Good for you Dave! That's awesome!

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

Reply #3 – July 09, 2015, 01:19:22 AM

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

Reply #4 – July 09, 2015, 02:03:44 AM

Very nice man ........ Clean

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

Reply #5 – July 09, 2015, 05:59:16 AM

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.

Ray.

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

Reply #6 – July 09, 2015, 08:45:06 AM

Nice!

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

Reply #7 – July 09, 2015, 09:10:33 AM

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.

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

Reply #8 – July 09, 2015, 09:29:53 AM

Sweet! Looks like a nice unmolested car. Welcome back to the 83 club. :D What have you decided to do with the flood car?

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

Reply #9 – July 09, 2015, 12:18:57 PM

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......

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

Reply #10 – July 09, 2015, 02:23:25 PM

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.

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

Reply #11 – July 09, 2015, 03:03:03 PM

On my 83 I had to move the frame-mounted fuel pump to make room for my duals. Just a heads-up.

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

Reply #12 – July 09, 2015, 09:57:35 PM

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...

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

Reply #13 – July 09, 2015, 10:26:07 PM

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.

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

Reply #14 – August 05, 2015, 05:52:03 AM

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 documentation. 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.......