Here's the pics I've been blabbing about for months. This car is without a doubt the World's LEAST optioned TBird of our generation, period.
-3.8/auto
-manual windows
-manual locks
-manual mirrors
-dual manual bench seat
-no auto-dim
-no cornering lamps
-no light group
-fixed antenna
-standard radio NO cassette
-no EATC
-no AC
-no rear defrost
-no cruise
-3-speed wipers, no intermentant
-base gauges
-14" poly wheels
-no trunk release
It's an 87 Thunderbird (no LX, no nothing, just TBird), with 7,000 miles. We saw it for sale last year in Portland, OR for $12000!!! Definately a piece of history there. The only things this car has is the clock and power steering, and I don't think they could be deleted.
Notice the TC-style silver dash, no woodgrain!!
I wonder how much it weighs.
I thought autos all came with floor shift?
Also, that doesn't really look like a bench seat up front to me...
You're WRONG Mikey.
It has one option...
The front license plate bracket. :P
HAHAHA, Eric you funny! :P
bhazard- I'd say, LIGHT. I wanted that car soooooo bad.
Red_LX- Do some research! All 85-88 non-TC autos were on the column standard. You had to buy a Sport Bird or spec out full-length center console to get the floor shift. The "consolette" in that pic is attatched to the drivers seat, it's called a split bench.
Eric- The license plate bracket MUST have been "no charge" to make it onto this car! :P
Check out the buttonless steering wheel too!
Well the license plate bracket thing went like this...
If you lived in a state where there was a front license plate required, you got the bracket installed at the dealership free of charge. This included out-of-state purchases also. For example, in Ohio we have 2 plates required but in Pennsylvania, right next door, only 1 plate is required. That's why I try to get front bumper covers from PA junkyards. ;) But if this was 1987 and I went over the border to PA to order a car from a dealership, they would have still installed the bracket because I was from Ohio and Ohio requires a front plate. Therefore it didn't matter where you ordered the car, it mattered about the state in which you lived at the time, as to whether or not your car had a front plate bracket.
However...not only did OEM Ford license plate brackets have their own part numbers, but they also had their own order code in the dealer order books.
Therefore they are officially a Ford option.
Sorry Mikey. ;)
HAHAHA. Well I still call it as #1 until somebody shows pics of the same car without one. 1 option is still the record :hick:
Oh I'm not arguing with you, Mike, it's definitely lacking any major options. It's just that the license plate bracket is sometimes the deal-breaker.
A few years ago a schoolteacher e-mailed me about her 1988 XR7 that she said was fully optioned. We went through the list of options and it was indeed fully loaded--had the optional full digital cluster, and even the engine block heater, which was also dealer installed. I asked about the license plate bracket and she didn't have it. So...we were pretty close in finding a fully loaded '88 XR7, except for that ed bracket.
I think those wheel covers are the optional ones - the base ones are metal full discs. That is one nice 'Bird though - it is about as well optioned as my old '85 (mine had the base hubcaps but it did have metallic paint). Can't really tell from the pics, but is it metallic paint on that red one? If so, that's an option as well ;)
As for the TC-style dash - all of my Thunderbirds had that dash. The only Fox I'd ever owned with the woodgrain was the '88 Cougar. I've never even had one with the "carbon fibre" - my parts TC had the same brushed silver as my '88 base model.
Wow. It's so strange to see a center consolette panel with nothing on it - not even a mirror switch.
It looks like it may have rear defrost, though. You can just barely see the switch in the image with the center consolette.
Plain Red, no metallic.
The whole "options" thing on these cars frustrates me so much. Every time I ask somebody when one is for sale, it's always "loaded" because they don't know any better.
On "fully optioned", what if the option isn't desirable or wanted? For example Layla has:
1988 Turbo Coupe, Medium Red Clearcoat Metallic paint, red leather interior, power moonroof, dual power seats, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, auto-dim headlamps, cornering lights, lighted visors, power antenna, premium sound with EQ, rear defrost, EATC, cruise, intermentant wipers and that plate holder (trash can now). As far as I know it had ALL of the options except one, the automatic. The thing is auto TC's are worth about 1/3 on average of a 5-Speed car. So is Layla "good" fully loaded or without the auto is it a moot point?
Strangest optioned TC's I've had:
White 88 TC: auto, premium sound no EQ fixed antenna. So 2 options.
Primer 88TC: moonroof, 1 option
Gunmetal 88TC: dual power seats, leather, auto
The rear window was blank. The control unit looked bizarre with no A/C.
You almost have to wonder if when odering delete for credit "options" were chosen. ie power window delete etc
Isn't this the switch for the rear defrost?
It's blank. Left one did fan speed, bottom one selected which vent (floor, mix, vent, defrost were the only choices), top one selected "heat range" (the blue didn't say A/C), the right one was just "there", no markings, no light.
Wow. That's pretty cool, actually. Imagine how rare that unit is!
Does that mean that Ford didn't manufacture a delete panel for non-defrost cars (with that specific panel)? For example, any '85-'88 car with no rear defrost would still have that knife-style switch in the HVAC panel?
What a strange car...
ehh...I don't see how that can be considered a "split bench" if nobody can sit in the middle.
What came standard on TC's...pw, pdl, power mirrors, power driver's seat,...?
If that's the case mine is fairly "un-optioned", I have/had cruise, rear defrost, A/C, premium sound with EQ (tape player, no power antenna), and intermittent wipers. My car looks like it may have had the plate holder at some point, as there were about 6 holes in the front bumper, but it was long gone before I bought the thing if it was ever on there.
Standard on ALL 87-88 TC's (can NOT be deleted):
Power driver's seat
intermenant wipers
power windows
power locks
power mirrors
cruise
a/c
power steering
tilt
full length console with floor shift
casette player
ride control
premuim switch
rear defrost
foglights
Additional options:
metallic clearcoat paint
power passenger seat
automatic tranny
EATC
power antenna (available without Premium Sound as well)
Premium Sound with or without EQ
auto-dim headlamps
cornering lamps
lighted visors
power moonroof
leather
that is bare. A/C was an option? I thought that A/C was standard.
I think my 88 LX is only missing a few options. I have: cornering lamps, lighted door locks, keyless entry, full digital dash, auto dim/auto lamp, premium sound with graphic eq, power antenna, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, dual power seats, leather seats (kind of rare on a original consolette car), electronic climate control, rear defrost, and a 5.0:D. The only things I think I'm missing are a sunroof and the engine block heater.
What is EATC?
Hell, in that case, the only options my car has is metallic paint and premium sound w/EQ. Doesn't even have lighted visors if I recall correctly.
EATC= Electronic Climate Control buttons and an LCD instead of the s that go back and forth.
And I forgot about lighted locks and keyless entry, those are options as well (and yes, Layla has them)
Mikey, ive got you beat. I saw a car IDENTICAL to that one at the junkyard, same color and everything...with a passanger mirror delete.
I have that mirror delete panel in my stash.
Rear defrost is optional... my 87TC doesn't have it. It's pretty annoying. It has Auto-Dim though. :rolleyes:
My '85 had the right side mirror delete - the consolette panel was blank, just like in the subject car. It annoyed the hell out of me so I ended up installing a mirror. I now wish I had kept that delete panel, but back then I didn't think anything of it. A/C was optional in Canada and my car didn't have it. The only options that car had were metallic paint and full sized spare. It was the rare Light Sage Metallic, but even rarer, it had a grey interior (most sage cars had tan interior).
FWIW, if any of you have removed your A/C and want a HVAC panel that reflects this, you don't have to try to find a Canadian panel - mid 80's to early 90's Econoline vans used the same HVAC panels as these cars (even had T-Bird/Cougar stamped on 'em).
My '88 Cougar was an oddly optioned car: A/C (remember, optional in Canada), cruise, tilt, PW, PM, but manual locks and manual seats. The '88 Bird has windows/locks/mirrors and air, but manual seats.
Based on Mike's list the only options my parts TC had were metallic paint (silver), EATC and rear map lights (the ones in the C-pillar panels). It may have had premium sound too, but there was no stereo, speakers or amp in the car when I got it.
WOW. that is so close to my 'rents old 87. same color even. theirs was grey interior w/cruise, rear defrost, and a/c. thats it, nuthin else.
it did have 14" polycast wheels, but they were slightly different than those. had dimples in the spokes, and removable centercaps w/the t-bird logo on them
ended up in a syard in detroit someplace. probly crushed by now. i wish i had been in a position to buy it after it was totaled. would have made a good donor to delete all the extra stuff from my TC.....
I think Brians( Ifixyawata) cougar had the pass. mirror delete on it. I even think he still has the doors
He's right. The only options the car had to speak of were A/C, 5.0, rear defrost, tilt, and a sunroof.
It even had vinyl seats.
i saw a car similar yeas ago, it was that brownish color with brown cloth seats it was odd seeing the crank handles, v8 car tho, that was the option i guess, i wanted to buy but fro 1,200 it was outta my price range.... this was in 2001
I've always thought that my car was optioned wierdly. Elan (which I know nothing about) 5.0, power windows, power mirrors, AC, cornering lamps, full size spare.
No cruise, no defrost, no power locks, seats, trunk release, no premium sound/ cassette
it is nice to know that my 85 bird is not the only" naked" bird around but since i had it i have added a 5.0 instead of the 3.8 power windows, power doorlocks, changed the interior added ground effects and custom rims with bf goodrich 235/60/14
Mike,
There are a few errors in your standard equipment TC list.
The following:
- Power driver’s seat
- Cruise control
- Rear defrost
- Tilt Steering
- Cassette player
Were all part of the “Turbo Coupe Special Value Program” package code 157A.
A standard, no-optioned Turbo Coupe would not have these options on it.
Also included in the 157A package was the “power lock group” that got you the power decklid release as well as the power fuel door release which
was standard on the Turbo Coupe.
The dealer could also have deleted any of the items from the 157A package, but then would be invoiced for each option seperately at normal, non-discounted, prices.
A couple of additional options you didn't mention are:
- Engine block heater
- Eagle GT+4 tires instead of the Gatorbacks
Brent
According to my 1987 and 1988 Brochures, 157A was standard (not optional) on all TC's and could not be deleted.
But dealerships don't order their cars using consumer brochures that are primarily designed to sell the options and or option packages. ;)
The footnotes under those options; (4) in 1987 & (3) in 1988 say:
"Included at no charge in Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Special Value Program"
That is referring to package option code 157A, if the dealer didn't order the car with that option code, the car would not come with those items on it.
I know it may seem strange since the package discount for ordering it made these options to be essentially freebies, but it was possible to order one this way (without them).
Brent
Reminds me a bit of my '86.
Only options I have are the 5.0, TRX package, traction lock rear, and AC.
Those covers on the door locks look like they are set into the holes from the underside. Is that right? Mine are snapped on from the top.
Mine's rear defrosterless too. I'll have to look at the unit and see if there is an unmarked switch for it. Never really looked.
As far as I know, my '88 has every option except the block heater and argent wheels.
Sorry for dragging up an old topic. Atleast now I'm not feeling like mine is quite as much of a total base model.
My 1985 Thunderbird (Had when I got her)
- 232/C5/7.5" open
-Metallic Grey Paint
-Grey cloth interior
-Cruise Control
-Consolette with fuzzy storage thing
-AM/FM/Cass Radio
-Power Mirrors
-Hi/Low/Off wipers
-A/C
-10-D alloys
Has, but were these even options?
-Manual seats
-Manual windows
-Manual locks
-Trunk light
-Glovebox light
-buttstuffog clock
-Column shift
-Base cluster
-Brushed aluminum look dash
-Fixed Radio Ant.
-Power Steering
-Dome light
-Donut Spare
-Single Exhaust
-Rear swaybar (seems like somebody had a car without)
No hood light
No footwell lighting (front or rear)
No mirror lights
No visor lights
No C-pillar lights
No cornering lamps
No fog lights
No door lock lights
No auto-lights
No auto-dim
No Trip Minder
No System sentry
No keyless entry
No rear defrost
No power mirror
No trunk release
No block heater
No tilt wheel
No front plate bracket (glad not to have it!!!)
-
As to the question about NOT having rear defroster grid, the HVAC panel does NOT have the defrost switch
Nice! I like the sound of your car. Wanna sell it? :D:D
What about those of us with EATC who have removed our A/C? Any options?
Yeah, you can install the heater box from a non-ATC car, then get an Econoline controller :hick:
My 83 is optioned weird as well.
LS
5.0
TRX
power windows
power mirros
power locks
digi dash
premium sound
but manual seats :hick:
no rear defrost either.
or power gas door
but it does have a power trunk pop
I removed the A/C on Layla (which has EATC) and just left it alone. Been 3 years and no issues with the EATC.
Pfft, do any of us want to sell our cars? Besides, even if I were willing to sell, not sure you'd want her; she's a midwestern girl, roads are salted horribly. :mad: :mad: :yuck: Thanks for the compliment though!
Just remembered it has auto lamp and power parking brake release. But no interval wipers
Is this where we all list the strange things about our cars? If so I could make you a list. How about keyless entry and power everything but no rear window defrost? The car was bought new in IOWA? WTF where they thinking.
My car had a/c (standard on the 5.0) and the 5.0. There aint much more to ad to that. Oh yeah, cruise control.
I believe I've seen one TC without the 157A package... Been some time ago, but I remember it just had the AM/FM radio(no tape) and manual seats. The guys kid had wrecked it and he was selling parts, bought some stuff for my first TC(license plate holder was one of them)...
I've seen a Sport with manual windows, mirrors and seats.... Console plate was totally blank...
Only options on my white TC besides the 157A PKG are automatic, Premium Sound with EQ and lighted entry... I added the passenger power seat and the '98 Taurus keyless Entry(bet'ya couldn't guess that one :hick:)
The first white(mandatory color) TC I bought to 5.0-ize, was a '87 with only the 157A and automatic... My dealer buddy found the '88 for half what I had in the '87 so I sold that one...
The red TC has only the 157A PKG...
BTW AFIK AC was std in the States, it was a option in CA...
u have any pics of this? i dont think ive ever seen our cars with an anolog clock
My '85 base 'Bird had an buttstuffogue clock. Kept shiznitty time, too (I guess the car was so "base" that showing up on time was an option it didn't have, either). They are very common in 83-86 models.
When I go back to the salvage yard next saturday,I'm going to go ahead and get the passenger side power seat track,harness and console panel.One piece at a time.Is the harness to the passenger side a seperate piece from the driver side harness?
I gutted mine too condensor, compressor, lines, evaporator; everything......Just was looking for a nonA/C EATC contrller to give an authentic look for when I pop the hood and people see no A/C at the local cruise-ins.
Nope, the harness' are different for single vs dual power seats... You'll have to pull the driver seat and carpet to get it out... There would also be one for the Sports and TCs without power seats to operate just the lumbar...
Yeah, unfortunately. When I converted my passenger seat to power it was easier to just make my own separate harness for it and feed it under the rug (and it helped that my friend had proper wiring harness tape at the time).
Dunno if it was optional or not, but I just realized another thing my car has: Painted on pinstripes. Or, that is to say, it had 'em, 'til I just sanded the s off. I say I don't know if it was optional or not because my 87 Sport also had 'em, but my parts TC didn't. Nor did my '88 Cougar or '85 T-Bird.
If they are optional, there's one more option for the car that is the star of this thread - I'm pretty sure I see pinstripes on it :D
Their tacky dealer tape stripes though, not the nice factory painted ones :P
Yeah, SURE they are :flip:
LOL :hick: