What's a Thunderbird?

Topic: What's a Thunderbird? (Read 2177 times) previous topic - next topic

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #15 – August 16, 2006, 11:12:29 AM

Every once in a while when I pull into a parking lot somwhere, sombody asks me. " What year is that?" I say...an 88. Their like " clean" and i say thank-you. they then ask, " whats in it?" I say..absolutly nothing lol..V6, they jsut smile and tell me somthign about what kinda of car they used to have. And on a daily basis i get the heads turn w/ the flash of the wheels and the rumble of the exhaust. The ladies seem to like it too =:0)

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #16 – August 16, 2006, 11:44:19 AM

This doesn't have to much to do with this topic, but yesterday I was up at 7-11 and a 87' T-bird pulled in about the same time as I did (I was in my new camaro) I couldn't stop staring at the T-bird, it was in awesome condition, and sounded pretty nice.

When I got in the store I figured I had to say something because he just watched me stare at his car. I asked him if he was on the forums, he said no but his ?cousin? might be. He bought it off of his cousin who used to drag it, he said he uses it as a daily driver, and its in really good condition.

That was pretty much all we said, and I told him to look us up. foxtbirdcougarforums.com. I dont think he'll show up. But as I left, he pulled out and left squealling the tires.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #17 – August 16, 2006, 02:56:01 PM

It's too bad the majority of Thunderbirds that were sold seem to be base model V6's as that's all I ever seem to see. People's beaters. I don't see very many Cougars around here though.

I don't know if I can necessarily see Thunderbirds and Cougars obtaining Mustang status, but I suppose it could happen? I never thought any of those big ugly 1950's barges could be desirable but they are. I guess after a car gets so old, it starts to become a novelty of sorts, and eventually it'll happen with most cars from the 80s (that weren't FWD boxes like most of them were)

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #18 – August 16, 2006, 07:08:14 PM

I think another reason people don't know what the hell they're looking at is the fact that these cars don't even have the word "Ford" anywhere on 'em, and you have to be looking at the trunk to see the word "Thunderbird". JSure, we've got bird emblems all over the things, but how many people even know what that emblem is?

I've always wondered why these cars aren't "Fords" (or at least don't advertise that fact). I know Ford wasn't ashamed of the cars because they were selling well and were well received by the press. Could it be that Ford was so proud of the car they didn't want people to relate them to other Fords? Remember, these thinks were made back in the days of Escorts, EXP's, Tempazes, etc...

Rex LX: Most were indeed six-cyl grocery getters, but remember, most Mustangs were 4/6 cyl, most Camaros and Firebirds were 6 cyl, most Altimas, Camrys and Accords are 4-cyl, most 300's are 6-cyl, etc. Most car lines that have "base" and "performance" models are made up mostly of base models...

...Of course, it didn't help that in these particular cars, the V8 option wasn't much more powerful (on paper) than the V6, and the turbo cars were much more expensive.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #19 – August 16, 2006, 09:26:10 PM

After finally getting some good time in behind the wheel of my Tbird over the past few days, I'm just noticing how nice the car is the more I drive it. I actually look forward to driving it; it's the highlight of my travels. And I know that I'll like it even more once we get it into HO status. Over the past few months, I have actually seen quite a few compared to before; probably 2 or 3 a month. Some in nice shape, too.

And my dad originally bought the car because of this exact topic; it's going to go up in value. My parents had some nice cars for cheap in their day, like a blue 68 Mustang Fastback that they bought for $50, put a radiator in it, and drove home. And now they're mad that they ever got rid of it (along with many many other cars). So when we got rid of mom's 4.6L 94 Lincoln Mark VIII, they wanted another RWD V8 car. Seems that they are few and far between these days, cause it took them forever to come across the Tbird. Well anyways, (even though he didnt have to), dad told me to take good care of the car cause it will be worth something some day. Who knows what kind of status it will reach, but I do believe that they will rise up at some point. They marked the beginning of the return of truly American cars, and did a good job of it. Once people realize, that, prices will rise.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #20 – August 16, 2006, 09:44:58 PM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

I think another reason people don't know what the hell they're looking at is the fact that these cars don't even have the word "Ford" anywhere on 'em, and you have to be looking at the trunk to see the word "Thunderbird". JSure, we've got bird emblems all over the things, but how many people even know what that emblem is?

I think there's some truth in that. I never even knew these cars existed until I bought darkthunder. I knew the MN-12 Birds were around and the big 70s Birds (and the original) but the Fox Birds... no clue.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #21 – August 16, 2006, 11:32:05 PM

It amazes me that while no one knows exactly what an 80's Cat/Bird looks like they immediatly know that they are related.

I've had many looks in my car, just today I had a 16ish kid about break his neck doing a double take just to figure it out... I watched him in my mirror about fall off his bike.

Once while changing a battery back in the autozone days in a guys newer Maxima he asked me what car I drove.. I pointed to the Cougar and he was like "Oh really? I had a T-Bird the same year along time ago.." He walked over to my car and probably spent 5 minutes crawling around it. He kept telling me how he missed his tbird...

I get looked at alot while pumping gas. Sometimes they talk sometimes they just admire....

In this area I see a handful of foxes driving everyday... There about as common as seeing a Berreta.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #22 – August 17, 2006, 12:18:02 AM

I get that all the time!

"Man I used to have a T-Bird/Cougar"

and every single time without fail they add

"that was a good car"

and most of the time followed by "I miss that thing" or something of that sort.

I know the looks you speak of on the road. People trying to think it out. Trying to remember back the the glory days of our cars. I love it!

That glory day is returning, and our little T-Bird/Cougar Community is building all over the internet. Interest is coming back to these cars very quick! Just wait a few more years, and that may have an effect on value.

but....

Just own your ride, enjoy it, and maintain/mod the out of it!

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #23 – August 17, 2006, 12:19:46 AM

Quote

I think another reason people don't know what the hell they're looking at is the fact that these cars don't even have the word "Ford" anywhere on 'em, and you have to be looking at the trunk to see the word "Thunderbird". JSure, we've got bird emblems all over the things, but how many people even know what that emblem is?

Actually besides the 1955 T-bird which had a Ford crest on each fender the MN-12 T-birds were the first to have a Ford badge on them. From 1956 to 1988 all Thunderbirds just had the word Thunderbird on them and a few Birds as emblems.

I don't know how much these cars will be worth but if other T-birds are an indication they won't be worth that much. The T-birds that command the most money are the 1955-66 models which people consider the "classic" Thunderbirds. The 429 cars of the late 60's and early 70's and the mid to late 70's luxo barges don't command that much. A nice '68 429 car for example can be had for about $8,000 vs. about $30,000 for a 62 "bullet" Bird in the same condition. Hell ford made about a million T-birds between 1977 and 1979 and the T-birds biggest sales year was 1977 with over 350,000 cars sold. These cars aren't worth that much either and a nice '77 can be had for about $5,000. I do however love my T-bird. I didn't buy it as an investment I bought it because I like it. I love the way the car rides and handels. For some reason out of all the cars I've driven I like it the best. There is just something about the car. I could be wrong about my value statement though. I know I get a lot of looks in the car. Every time I take it to a show people look at it and comment about how they used to own one and they wished they never got rid of it. So maybe people will want these cars in a few years or amybe not. Only time will tell. Don't bet on being able to live off the money from selling your T-bird though

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #24 – August 17, 2006, 01:46:12 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

...wait for it...

Chevettes. Yup, you heard me, the lowly Chevette.

Dont forget about the early civics aswell, not nearly as many sold but just as few left and fit in the same bracket. One thing I know is that if you find a nice, clean, low mile reliant or k-car convertible stash it away and wait 10 years, you wont regret it.

I love driving my turbo sprint, but in the same way I love romping through the bush with a dirt bike or quad, its manuverable, quick, small and a ton of fun But the t-bird is something else entirely, I started a thread in may/june about the looks you get in a thunderbird/couger, i've never gotten them in any other car... dammit I wana go cruising in the t-bird now.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #25 – August 17, 2006, 07:17:40 AM

For me I dont even care about monetary value. I think its way cool when someone will walk right past a new C6 vette to check out my 86 Bird. That's priceless!

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #26 – August 17, 2006, 11:04:21 PM

Most people really are oblivious to these cars, but occasionally you see someone that truly knows. About 6 months ago, I was headed home in the 88 TC and saw a 4 eye TC heading the opposite direction coming my way. As we approached, I saw the male driver gesturing and pointing at my car and talking rapidly to the female passenger. She looked at my car with a "big deal" look on her face. As we passed each other, I almost burst out laughing thinking that if our positions were reversed, my wife would have had the same look on her face with me jabbering and pointing out the other car. ha ha LOL!:giggle:

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #27 – August 17, 2006, 11:45:56 PM

I was at Advanced today and as I was getting in my car to leave, a guy came over and asked me if I owned the car (no, I was stealing it). I figured he was gonna ask me some questions or say something about it, but instead he starts telling me how he has an '87 and broke the mirror on it and wanted to know where was a good place to get a mirror? I told him to check ebay and he gave me that "Gee I never thought of that" look....

Then he asked how many miles were on it, how much I liked it, etc...told me he'd had his since '87, and all that. Kind of an odd conversation really.

What's a Thunderbird?

Reply #28 – August 18, 2006, 12:40:35 AM

Quote from: Pressure cooked chicken

Most people really are oblivious to these cars, but occasionally you see someone that truly knows. About 6 months ago, I was headed home in the 88 TC and saw a 4 eye TC heading the opposite direction coming my way. As we approached, I saw the male driver gesturing and pointing at my car and talking rapidly to the female passenger. She looked at my car with a "big deal" look on her face. As we passed each other, I almost burst out laughing thinking that if our positions were reversed, my wife would have had the same look on her face with me jabbering and pointing out the other car. ha ha LOL!:giggle:

In my first 88 t-bird(stock v6) I got that atleast 3 times... Except it was usually a thumbs up from the guy as we drove past each other... not so much in the t-coupe tho... People seemed to be more impressed with the noise my engine made... but there really isnt anything i can say here that everyone else hasnt said 1000 times over...