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Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: Red Spar on March 29, 2007, 09:57:27 PM

Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Red Spar on March 29, 2007, 09:57:27 PM
I am glad I found this forum, because I got the family 'bird back after a crazy turn of events.

Here's how it all started:

Back when I was 18 yrs old (I'm 40 now) my dad and I built a 1984 Thunderbird street rod.

We did some mild work to the 302 - 4V carb, edelbrock intake, mild cam, headers, dual exhaust, etc.

We also did some suspension mods - installed eibach performance springs and shock/struts with new lower control arms and bushings.

For the drivetrain we put in a T-5 5 speed out of a Mustang GT with a new SVO clutch.  Out back a new (at the time) 8.8 Traction-lok 3.73 rearend.

We had the car for about 4 yrs and thoroughly loved it.  My dad had to move and at the time I had my own street rod, so my dad sold it to this guy who was really hot for it.

*fast forward to 2007*

Now being much older with a house, wife and 4 kids my hot rod days were pretty far behind me.  For the past few yrs or so I have had that itch pretty bad to get something to work on.

Well little did I know, my dad found the guy who bought his old T-bird.  He still had the T-bird and he virtually NEVER drove it for the some 18 odd years he owned it.  It just sat in his garage with a car cover over it.  He would change the oil twice a year and maybe take it for a quick spin around the block a few times a yr.

My dad being sneaky as he is, and knowing how much I wanted a project car, he went and bought it back and gave it to me for my 40th birthday!!  (Just turned 40 March 25th) I can't tell you how good it felt to see the old member of the family back!

This car has 55,000 original miles on it and it in great shape and is pretty  quick.  I have great things in store for it... probably a 400hp or so crate motor and what other mods I can cough up.

So enough of the story, here are pics of my long lost child:
(btw that is factory paint)
(http://www.redspar.com/pics/bird1.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/bird2.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/bird3.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/bird4.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/bird5.jpg)

You'll be hearing more from me from now on... ;)
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Ether947 on March 29, 2007, 10:08:19 PM
NICE!!!!! :D :D :D

Welcome!

What wheels are those? That is a very sweet looking car! Cool story behind it too.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: daboss351 on March 29, 2007, 10:10:03 PM
love the old school fm parts, and i LOVE THOSE WHEELS. That thing looks so bad ass man, take care of her!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Clayton on March 29, 2007, 10:19:10 PM
wowser.. that is one bad ass car

Keep us filled in man.. that car is flippin sahweet.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on March 29, 2007, 10:23:25 PM
i havent seen any of those wheels since 1990 

NEAT!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: 84 Fila on March 29, 2007, 10:34:13 PM
shiznit son, you are my new hero. MORE PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Red Spar on March 29, 2007, 11:30:11 PM
Quote from: Ether947;137175
What wheels are those?


 IIRC correctly they were either a prototype or a very limited run aluminum centerline wheel.  My father used to be Division 6 director for NHRA at the time and got them from a factory Centerline rep.

Thanks for all the kudos guys!  I'll put up more pics when I get some time.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Chuck W on March 29, 2007, 11:39:13 PM
Welcome.

Always glad to see another 4-eye join the forum.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: P71 on March 29, 2007, 11:59:47 PM
That car is GORGEOUS!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: jncocowboyx on March 30, 2007, 12:04:43 AM
-fap Fap Fap-
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: cougrrr302 on March 30, 2007, 01:03:31 AM
! That is one SLICK CAR! I must say those wheels do look very very nice. Keep those suckers as clean as possible, they have to be very rare.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: *MAYHEM* on March 30, 2007, 07:52:16 AM
Sweet ride. There are half a dozen cars from my past I'd like to have back in the condition I sold them. Always good to hear of someone actually doing it.
 
BTW: Did you bring chips and dip?
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: slamedcat on March 30, 2007, 08:21:04 AM
Have any speed bump problem sitting that low?

I love the way it sits.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: V8Demon on March 30, 2007, 09:02:19 AM
Quote
i havent seen any of those wheels since 1990


I don't think I've EVER seen them.....What are they?  They're F@&#ing cool!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: ipsd on March 30, 2007, 09:16:47 AM
That is on  nice look bird. I love the stance and everything. Aren't those wheels American racing ones?
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: ZondaC12 on March 30, 2007, 09:43:59 AM
ive never seen those wheels either. try to keep some of those parts from back when you and your dad hot-rodded it! thats really a time-capsule there, ill bet those kinds of parts aren't too easy to find 18 years on!
 
wow that thing is clean. unbelievable.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: 1BadBird on March 30, 2007, 11:22:16 AM
That's one very beautiful car ya got! Nice! Nice! Nice!  And welcome to the forum :D
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on March 30, 2007, 06:36:28 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;137276
I don't think I've EVER seen them.....What are they?  They're F@&#ing cool!
\

They were made by centerline. I cant remeber the series though:punchballs:
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: SSX on March 30, 2007, 07:34:37 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;137276
I don't think I've EVER seen them.....What are they? They're F@&#ing cool!

Quote from: Red Spar
IIRC correctly they were either a prototype or a very limited run aluminum centerline wheel. My father used to be Division 6 director for NHRA at the time and got them from a factory Centerline rep.

Gotta listen to the man guys ;)
 
Very nice Thunderbird.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: blueovalford on March 30, 2007, 07:46:39 PM
That's very hot. Congrats.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Red Spar on March 30, 2007, 08:00:38 PM
This forum and people in it are just too cool... :bowdown:

Here is a close up of the wheels and a few more pics:

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/wheels.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/shifter.jpg)

(http://www.redspar.com/pics/tach.jpg)

As for being low, so far speed bumps don't give me much of a problem as the suspension is pretty stiff.  I do get a bit of tire rub on the front fenders if I turn the wheel to full lock...But it's a good trade off for the swoopy look. :)
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: daboss351 on March 30, 2007, 08:34:47 PM
man I love how its just like a time machine, exactly what a modern hot rod would be back then!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: thundr306 on March 31, 2007, 07:20:31 AM
Great story. At least it was in the condition you sold it, not all rusty and smashed. Car looks very nice. Check out the old Kenwood and mini-tach!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Ifixyawata on March 31, 2007, 07:31:33 AM
Someone hit it dead on with the phrase time capsule.  That's probably exactly what I would've done with the car if I'd had it in 1984.  You're super lucky to have found the car in such a preserved state.

Fricking.  Beautiful.  Car.

As a matter of fact I think I'd like to paint my car that same way.  I'm pretty sure mine's the same color red and I think that gray on the bottom would compliment it nicely.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 01, 2007, 04:03:36 PM
Sweet car:D . Where are you at anyways? I swear I've seen a Bird like that a few years ago around Chicago.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: turbo83coupe on April 01, 2007, 10:41:10 PM
WELCOME! Very nicely done on the car, and congrats on getting it back!

Frank M.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: daboss351 on April 01, 2007, 10:46:37 PM
must suck getting a flat and realizing i have no allen wrenches!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: kingcars on April 01, 2007, 10:55:25 PM
Wow that is an awesome car, and definitely a throw back.  I love it!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: 5.8fastcat on April 01, 2007, 11:04:28 PM
Awsome car, Glad your father found it.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: 87badbird2613 on April 02, 2007, 12:14:35 AM
awesome story!!!  and even better looking car!!!  glad to have you on the boards and good luck  with it.  oh and give your dad a hug for me and tell him he awesome for buying it back for you!!!!!
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: DakotaEpic on April 02, 2007, 03:01:40 AM
Freaking gorgeous car.  Man I want a Fox bird again sooo bad.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: vinnietbird on April 02, 2007, 07:14:52 AM
Great car.It must have brought back a lot of memories for you.One problem,not enough red in the interior.LOL.I'll turn 40 in June.I wonder if my dad will find my old '76 Grand Prix with the 455 and get it back for me......probably not.LOL.
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Red Spar on April 02, 2007, 12:59:02 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;137741
.One problem,not enough red in the interior.LOL.


LOL...yeah the mid 80's were big on the monochrome, dip the whole car in one color look.  My 6 year old son asked me the other day, "Why is the car so red daddy?"

Quote from: thunderjet
Where are you at anyways? I swear I've seen a Bird like that a few years ago around Chicago.


Nope, I live in the Pacific Northwest, near Seattle...
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: 5.0willgo on April 02, 2007, 02:04:13 PM
Beautiful car and great story, welcome aboard!

I like your signature but where is Doc? :giggle:
Title: New here, new (old) bird and interesting story.
Post by: Dogcharmer on April 03, 2007, 12:00:34 AM
That's an awesome story and very nice ride. It's incredible that it sat so well preserved all those years. Even more amazing that your dad found it and was able to buy it back! That's just way cool!


40 must be a good B-day... I'm still paying for my 40th b-day present (the present was my wife actually letting me buy it, heheh...) Now if only I could talk her into an engine rebuild for my 87 before my 50th...
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