This is the mindless I can't stand.

Topic: This is the mindless I can't stand. (Read 3085 times) previous topic - next topic

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #15 – May 11, 2006, 02:06:08 AM

I'm all about TC's (and turbo XR7's). I'll ramp/trash any 3.8/SO fox. They suck IMO.

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #16 – May 11, 2006, 02:08:09 AM

I probably would've ramped my old junk '84 Cougar if I hadn't burned it to oblivion while I was trying to see what it would be like with a targa roof...

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #17 – May 11, 2006, 07:09:22 AM

I'm learning this lesson too quickly though...about how we only see the beauty in these cars. I'm about ready to give up on them. I don't want to...but there are no parts and it is about pointless to hunt down things such as door weatherstripping or interior pieces especially for my 84 with its unique dash setup. I'll never sell my Cougar, but I'm taking that as far away from stock as possible. Same with an 87-88 XR-7 if I ever find another one.....grr. I'd love to restore one...but there is no aftermarket or NOS depot yet and I doubt there will ever be one.

Do you know how hard it is to find a headerpanel from an 87-88 TC? This gets under my skin as well....people are putting them on Cougars, LX and sport birds...even four eyes.....most are getting junked....but I need one for....get this....a TURBOCOUPE! Yeah I know they look good and what not, but it just annoys me to no end that they are getting throw out by Mustang guys who need the rear or people won't ship them because they are "too big". News Flash- I got my body kit in the mail, in one BIG box. So I don't believe in that excuse.

I found a site that makes new header panels and bumper covers but they cost double what I'm willing to pay, and that is not including shipping.

I'll stop my rant now before I'm late for work.....

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #18 – May 11, 2006, 07:24:52 AM

I was going through the same thing with everyone telling me to get a real car like a mustang. Then one of my friends finds a TC for $100. Has some body damage and needs an engine. Well long tstory short they fixed the car but in the proccess found out that the car had alot of part on it that they could use for their mustangs.

Well I started getting call from them asking for misc parts like control arms, spindles, rear ends. Guess what they wanted me to get a real car I do have a real car. And they didn't get the parts they wanted.

Yes I have my own personal stash of Thunderbird and Cougar parts that fill my entire garage. Including fenders, rust free doors, interior parts, you name it I have it.

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #19 – May 11, 2006, 08:25:59 AM

Quote from: Ifixyawata

I'm wierd when it comes to t-bird/cougar preference. From '83-'86 I like both Coug and T-bird, but I have a slight preference for the Birds. But from '87-'88 it's all Cougar, all the way (Eh, I'd drive an 87-77 TurboCoupe, fa sho!). The first 'one that got away' for me was an '88 XR-7, loaded except leather, I think, had a nice aftermarket system, no rust. It was only $1200... *sigh* I waited too long to call and the car was gone!

I'm pretty much the same way: 83-86 I prefer the 'Bird over the Cat, but 87-88 the Cat runs away with the style. Considering I own an '88 Bird that shows how hard to find the 87-88 Cats are around here...

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #20 – May 11, 2006, 09:14:59 AM

On one hand...there were so many of these cars made that our parts supply should still be fertile. On the other hand...there were many more original Mustangs made than our cars, and look at the new and reproduction parts available for it. Granted, we don't have the cult following of the Mustang but I would think that someone--anyone--with half a brain would realize they could be sitting on a virtual goldmine if they started reproducing parts for us. We have cash and are willing to spend.

We chose these cars. Rather...they chose us. We are sybionts in that respect. We continue to love them not because it's easy, but because it's difficult. We relish being the underdogs. And apparently we are suckers for a good challenge. :) But really, we only learn lessons in life through dealing with difficulty. These cars, like it or not, make us what we are. They are not 'casual'; they are ingrained into our personalities, our possibilities, but at the expense of being difficult. It is our love/hate relationship with these cars that fuels us...or drives us away. Ironic how, 20+ years hence, the designers of the cars have still managed to drive a wedge between us and the cars!

Some people are comfortable stepping up to the challenge. Some aren't. It's always going to be that way, and that is the stark reality of it all. It's how we deal with that challenge that will determine our long-term parts supply. I want to keep believing that we, as a community, can make a difference and get things done. In other words, that we can influence parts manufacturers. Will that happen? Well sheesh, I've been messing with these cars for 20 years and haven't seen one hint that it will. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up hope.

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #21 – May 11, 2006, 09:58:30 AM

Quote from: EricCoolCats

Granted, we don't have the cult following of the Mustang but I would think that someone--anyone--with half a brain would realize they could be sitting on a virtual goldmine if they started reproducing parts for us. We have cash and are willing to spend.

Stop telling people that!! :D:D:D It's MY goldmine dammit! That's actually why I started a business. I'm sick of people telling me to get a Mustang (which I hate) and not being able to order parts for these cars. Aerobird Motorsports has only been open 17 months and look at all the stuff I've managed to get/make already. I've had over 15 of these cars and ALL of them needed something, most of them needed alot! I'm making stuff as fast as the money allows and every once in awhile I'll get a "Thank you!!!" in the e-mail box and that gives me the warm and fuzzies. I want to keep as many of these on the road as possible, that's why I sold my Coug instead of cutting it up. Sure I'm gonna stab an AMC motor into a TC, but I won't be doing anything that can't be un-done and it sure beats letting that car sit in the field for another 2 years. All I have to say to the Mustang guys is:flip: :flip: :flip: I'll make new headlights myself jerkwads!!

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #22 – May 11, 2006, 10:07:09 AM

Mike...that was in no way a slight towards you. You are working very hard--singlehandedly--to make life a little easier for us. I'm talking about places like 50resto.com for the Mustangs. We have nothing like that available. Although, if you keep going at this rate, that could be you...

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #23 – May 11, 2006, 11:01:30 AM

Actually that car they were jumping was not an XR7. It was an LS. It had chrome mirrors and chrome trim around the windows. Probably a 3.8.

That being said, I think we should all think of ourselves as aficionados of these cars. All of the cars on this site that are really nice are all completely different from one another. Look at Karl's After, Chuck's T-bird, Will's Cougar, The Hawk's T-bird, or Eric's convertible just to name a few. All great cars with a lot of work put into them, and all unique to their owners.

The lack of a huge aftermarket parts source drives us to be resourceful and creative. We can't just open a catalog and order some chrome Cobra Rs, a cowl induction hood, and some smoked headlights and call it a day.

And that's fine with me.

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #24 – May 11, 2006, 03:48:36 PM

try liking these cars and the ford I6.. life for me will be exspensive and frustrating in the future... (as soon as I can afford and have a garage to store either a 4 eyed bird or a I6 carpi/stang/falcon/fairlain)

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #25 – May 11, 2006, 03:52:20 PM

As has been said by others elsewhere once before... "The meek shall inherit the earth."

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #26 – May 11, 2006, 04:42:16 PM

If you don't own a Mustang, Camaro, Chevelle, GTO, ect it's going to be hard to find parts as your car ages. Finding parts for a 1970 Plymouth Fury or a 1969 Oldmobile 88 can be hard as hell. Sure body and trim parts are hard as hell to find but thank god that a lot of 79-93 Mustang chassies and engine/tranny parts fit our cars. We're not as screwed as say, someone who owns a 1969 Thunderbird. When was the last time you saw repo weather stripping or body panels for one of those?

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #27 – May 11, 2006, 05:35:48 PM

www.tbirdranch.com
Buncha hard to find parts here.

As for finding header panels in PA, there's tree on www.car-part.com

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #28 – May 11, 2006, 07:44:18 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats

We relish being the underdogs.

You couldn't describe me better any other way. I've always been an underdog type of person. Even in NASCAR, I chose my favorite driver (Matt Kenseth) because I saw a poll in 2003 asking who people thought would win the cup and 7% voted for him (most voted for Earnhardt Jr...go figure). I was like, "Aw man, he's so gonna kick ass and everyone will be mad. I'm cheering for him!" A few months later, he had over 400 points over the 2nd place guy and locked up the Championship. Since then, I've been a huge fan.

Same goes for my Thunderbird. It's underestimated. Nobody will think it's fast or cool, and I'll be happy proving them wrong, just like people on this forum have.

And about body styles, my main gripe about the Cougars is the flat rear window; kinda breaks up the "flow" imo.

This is the mindless I can't stand.

Reply #29 – May 12, 2006, 08:32:57 PM

well for me it all started when the last day of school started to start getting closer and if you know high school guys we love our burnouts. so i see this t-bird that i knew was for sale before for $250 not knowing anything im like "thats gotta have a 8.8 and posi" (wrong i know) so i caled the guy i talked him down to $110 with no battery . anyways i end up geting the car . didnt get it to the school to burn the tires off. so i get on here and i fall in love with these cars.

mustangs suck anyways there to freckin small or im too big ... a t-bird with a tilt wheel and me fit like a glove (and it must be the fox body seats cuz if im pushing with my back (like when u get in or out to get ur legs to clear the bottom of the wheel ) i can make the seats jump and lean way back ...seat converson anbody ? ) so FU mustang my bird will kick ur pony ass

Z