Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Marketplace => LEADS on T-Bird/Cougar Stuff For Sale => Topic started by: kendoo130 on May 30, 2008, 09:09:47 AM

Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: kendoo130 on May 30, 2008, 09:09:47 AM
This car is super clean-but I'm not buying the milage. It's missing the light on the drivers door and the drivers seat looks like it has more seat time than the mileage claims. I still wish my car was this clean!!! what do you guys think? sorry if it's a repost.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Thunderbird-Super-Coupe-1988-Ford-T-bird-Turbo-Coupe-5-Speed-COLLECTOR-CAR_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6240QQihZ001QQitemZ110257664279QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: 5.0willgo on May 30, 2008, 09:31:55 AM
I'm going to say it's legit. That exhaust manifold looks new to me. Maybe he spent a lot of time just sitting behind the wheel and did something stupid to break the light on the door. :giggle:
I would love to get my hands on those seats to replace the worn ones in my Cougar...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 30, 2008, 09:51:09 AM
With a consec VIN of 246030, it's one of the last '88s built(my June '88 TCs are both 228xxx)... Guessing it was saved, hoping it would increase in value... Still odd about the door marker light...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: thunderjet302 on May 30, 2008, 10:00:42 AM
Maybe it was a dealer demo car that never sold and they just kept it locked away for all these years. That would explain the mileage as well as the missing door light.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: t3skidoo on May 30, 2008, 10:21:31 AM
Quote from: 5.0willgo;221265
I'm going to say it's legit. That exhaust manifold looks new to me. Maybe he spent a lot of time just sitting behind the wheel and did something stupid to break the light on the door. :giggle:
....


Remember that regardless of the miles, it's still 20 years old, lots of time to break something.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Romeo2k on May 30, 2008, 10:59:41 AM
Hey, its got my seats and belts! :hick:
That is a gem right there... I would be so paranoid of doing ANYTHING with that car if i owned it. >.<
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on May 30, 2008, 11:18:14 AM
Quote
I'm going to say it's legit. That exhaust manifold looks new to me


I swapped my exhaust manifolds on my Mustang for JBA headers at just over 500 miles on the car.  If anything, my stock manifolds looked worse.  Wish I'd kept them.  I have to get those and a set of stock lers for a "just in case" should I decide to sell one day.

That's an absolutely beautiful car!  Judging by the address in the ad, it might be @ Carlisle next week.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on May 30, 2008, 11:50:30 AM
Wow. That car is beautiful. So is the 3k mile Mark VIII he's selling. If only I had the money, both would be mine :hick:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on May 30, 2008, 11:57:50 AM
I can buy the milage. As mentioned before the manifold barely has any rust on it. Secondly the pedals show no wear. As for the seats, they are barely creased a few hours of seat time with a lot of in/out (like using it for Friday night cruises) would be enough to sufficiently stretch the leather like that. The car looks pristine. I'd say it's a bargain.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on May 30, 2008, 12:24:08 PM
It looks very legit to me; I wish I had the room in my garage & wallet for it.

I don't see the floor mats in the pictures, but since the rubber trunk mat is there, it would have been ordered with them.

Can anyone here tell me what single option it's lacking?

And no the Automatic transmission and engine block heater don't count. ;)

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Romeo2k on May 30, 2008, 01:47:56 PM
Tripminder?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: thunderjet302 on May 30, 2008, 02:18:12 PM
Trip minder, full size spare, power recline (not sure but I think that was a non articulated seat thing).
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: irv on May 30, 2008, 02:19:53 PM
so the correct coil cover top holddown has a center
pushpin in it? is that the only correct plastic retainer
that was used in 87 and 88?--irv
did the cougars all come w/trunk mats only if ordered
w/frt mats?
inthe order guide i could find nowhere to order rear mats
for 88.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: EricCoolCats on May 30, 2008, 02:34:57 PM
Quote from: BCA
Can anyone here tell me what single option it's lacking?


Guesses:
- Factory alarm system
- Auto dim rearview mirror
- Leather wrapped steering wheel

Not sure if those were available in '88 on the Turbo Coupe.

Full sized spare tires had pretty much gone by the wayside starting in 1987. It was a popular option before then. I *think* you could get one if you checked enough boxes on the order form though.

Power recline was not available on the articulated sport seats.

Looks to be a nice car. Love to hear the back story behind it...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: P71 on May 30, 2008, 02:45:40 PM
Quote from: BCA;221287
Can anyone here tell me what single option it's lacking?

Wheel locks! :hick:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on May 30, 2008, 03:03:16 PM
Quote
Auto dim rearview mirror


Hmmmm....
What about the visors?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 30, 2008, 03:09:53 PM
The Gray carpet and headliner is odd(note trim around the Moon Roof is blue)... All the blue interior TC's I've seen and owned had all blue...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on May 30, 2008, 03:25:46 PM
Quote from: irv;221298
so the correct coil cover top holddown has a center
pushpin in it? is that the only correct plastic retainer
that was used in 87 and 88?--irv


I know of at least three other low mile 1988's that have that style of push pin so I would say it is correct for '88. I can't say for sure if it was used in 1987 though as I don't know of an all original example.

Quote
did the cougars all come w/trunk mats only if ordered
w/frt mats?
inthe order guide i could find nowhere to order rear mats
for 88.


The rear trunk mat wasn't available separate, it was included with the front floor mat option, whether ordered separately or with the Premium Luxury Group option which in included floor mats.

I would think that it was available as a replacement part through the parts dept. though.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: 5.0 tbird on May 30, 2008, 03:46:09 PM
The seller said the door panel lens is out for bulb replacement.

I can see the mileage being legit.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on May 30, 2008, 04:02:17 PM
Tripminder, power recline, factory alarm & leather wrapped wheel were not available on the Turbo Coupe.
Eric is correct on the full size spare, it was still available in 1988, but not on the Turbo Coupe.

The wheel locks were standard equipment.

All good guesses but sorry, no one has gotten it yet.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 30, 2008, 04:20:20 PM
Quote from: BCA;221313

All good guesses but sorry, no one has gotten it yet.

Brent
:cougarsmily:


Spotlight... :hick:

Hell I don't know, already has too many options for me...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: thundr306 on May 30, 2008, 04:26:36 PM
Nice car...only 30mins from me. Any guesses on the reserve?

Jim
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: thunderjet302 on May 30, 2008, 04:59:52 PM
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;221309
The Gray carpet and headliner is odd(note trim around the Moon Roof is blue)... All the blue interior TC's I've seen and owned had all blue...


To me it looks like they are blue but just washed out by the flash/lighting in the picture.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: irv on May 30, 2008, 04:59:54 PM
i can only drool! or whatever i do when im excited[im
almost 60]. someone with money like you guys needs
to buy a time capsule like this . id love to see some
underneath pics for markings.:D
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: 5.0 tbird on May 30, 2008, 11:40:51 PM
The automatic was an extra cost option. :hick:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on May 31, 2008, 12:19:21 AM
Quote from: 5.0bird
The automatic was an extra cost option.


Quote from: BCA
And no the Automatic transmission and engine block heater don't count. 



No sticker for you!:hick:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: kingcars on May 31, 2008, 12:52:28 AM
I know what option it's missing!  The front license plate bracket delete option!

Oh oh, and one more option missing:  It's not mine!

:)
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on May 31, 2008, 01:15:44 AM
I cant tell from the pic, but it LOOKS to be there......The power antenna?  Or possibly a power fuel door.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Romeo2k on May 31, 2008, 07:53:08 AM
Rear Window Defroster?
*Actually thats listed... But why does it look like it doesn't have it?...

Otherwise... Dunno...
Maybe the Full Digi Dash? or... Fog Light Covers?... or Lighted Door Locks? *Shrugs*
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Crusher on May 31, 2008, 08:46:14 AM
I would like to say vents but they didn't offer it that year... Vents Rox too :D
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on May 31, 2008, 03:06:30 PM
While the standard tires were the P225/60VR-16 Goodyear Eagle VR “Gatorback's”, there was also an optional tire available.

You could order the car with P225/60VR-16 Goodyear Eagle GT+4 all-season performance tires; this was option code T23 and coston the cost the buyer an extra $73.00 at sticker price.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Quietleaf on May 31, 2008, 04:51:17 PM
*drool* *slurp* *drool*

want...

It's right near me, too. I've always wanted a blue one! Unfortunately I can't drive stick, and I have nowhere to put it except across the street. Someone with a garage needs to grab this beauty.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on May 31, 2008, 06:24:13 PM
Quote from: BCA;221453
While the standard tires were the P225/60VR-16 Goodyear Eagle VR “Gatorback's”, there was also an optional tire available.
 
You could order the car with P225/60VR-16 Goodyear Eagle GT+4 all-season performance tires; this was option code T23 and coston the cost the buyer an extra $73.00 at sticker price.
 
Brent
:cougarsmily:
But can you be absolutely sure those are the original tires?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: t3skidoo on May 31, 2008, 08:57:11 PM
Was the block heater available on the 87-88s?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on May 31, 2008, 09:48:39 PM
See post #10......
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on May 31, 2008, 09:51:19 PM
It wasn't the spotlight??? ...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Romeo2k on June 01, 2008, 05:36:56 AM
haha!
I knew it was gonna be something like tires.
I almost mentioned them just for the heck of it, lol.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on June 01, 2008, 10:27:47 AM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;221467
But can you be absolutely sure those are the original tires?


Are you are asking if there is a way to verify whether the tires that are on that car in the auction are the originals?

Actually there is a way.

On the tire there is a date stamp that will tell you the week of the year that tire was made and this will be shortly before the build date of the car.
So if the tires are not the originals, they will have a newer production date code than the car.

If the tires are original to the car, if their date codes will all be within a few weeks of each other and they should be no more than a few months older than the car.

As an example; I have a set wheels & tires (Gatorbacks :headbang: ) that were taken off of 1990 Mustang GT that a friend of mine purchased new. He immediately replaced the original wheels & tires with a set of aftermarkets and I purchased the originals from him. Three of the tires have a date code of “090” and the fourth tire has a code of “140”. These numbers translate to the 9th and the 14th week of 1990 or late February and March of 1990. The car was built in May of 1990, less than two months after the tires.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on June 02, 2008, 07:45:30 AM
So are the tires on that t-bird original?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on June 02, 2008, 10:47:01 AM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;221619
So are the tires on that t-bird original?



The tires that are on the car are the correct standard equipment tire.
In order to determine if they are indeed the original tires to the car when it rolled off the assembly line, someone would need to request a clear close-up picture of the date stamp on the tires and of the door jam sticker showing when the car was made.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on June 02, 2008, 04:00:08 PM
See, what I'm getting at here is that you are saying theat it didn't have the option tire but there is no way for you to know that for sure. It may have had them but they didn't like them and changed them.
 
Just bustin' yer balls, man. It's one of those simple pleasures I get out of life. ;)
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on June 02, 2008, 04:13:51 PM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;221654
See, what I'm getting at here is that you are saying theat it didn't have the option tire but there is no way for you to know that for sure. It may have had them but they didn't like them and changed them.
 
Just bustin' yer balls, man. It's one of those simple pleasures I get out of life. ;)


And here I thought you were seriously thinking of buying the car and wanted to know what was needed to verify that it was an original 360 mile car with the original tires.

You got me though. Yes I have know way of knowing for sure whether it came with those tires pictured on the car currently without going through the hoops needed to ask.
I am tempted to contact the buyer but since I'm not going to purchase it, I'm not going to bother him.

I'm pretty picky about the details though, so I guess I deserved it. :D

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on June 02, 2008, 04:54:09 PM
Quote
I'm pretty picky about the details though


Kevin Marti is picky as well.;)
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on June 02, 2008, 05:10:18 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;221660
Kevin Marti is picky as well.;)


The rumor is that he has secured the contract to do the 1980 and newer stuff. It's been a couple of years since that rumor started going around and I still haven't seen anything from him yet.

I hope it's true though.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on June 02, 2008, 08:12:14 PM
I hope somebody does it!

His website still shows to '79 only.....I check every now and again.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on June 02, 2008, 09:29:33 PM
'K I'm lost here. Who is this Kevin guy and why is he stuck in the 70's? And what's he got to do with us?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: V8Demon on June 02, 2008, 09:50:26 PM
http://www.martiauto.com/

Quote
Heard of us? Since 1982, we've been offering what we think are the finest Ford® restoration supplies on this planet. Not only do our products meet or exceed the original design specs, but they're affordable, too! From fan belts & radiator hoses to spark plug wires & battery cables, you get our unparalleled quality at "auto supply" prices. And now we're offering this same kind of service for your information needs, through exclusive access to Ford's 1967-1979 production records. Whether from one of our By the Numbers books or from a customized report, you're sure to find the answers you've been looking for.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on June 02, 2008, 10:28:27 PM
Much ass grassy ass. :D
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: turbo88 on June 03, 2008, 02:55:45 AM
I wonder if thats the original battery. Anyone know?
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: *MAYHEM* on June 03, 2008, 06:10:42 AM
Quote from: turbo88;221787
I wonder if thats the original battery. Anyone know?

Considering it's a Die Hard, I'd say no. Original would have been a Motorcraft. That I expect though. There's no way the original battery would have lasted 20 years.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 03, 2008, 08:09:19 AM
Quote from: *MAYHEM*;221793
Considering it's a Die Hard, I'd say no. Original would have been a Motorcraft. That I expect though. There's no way the original battery would have lasted 20 years.


No doubt it would have had a Motorcraft...

BUT a for few years(late '80 early '90s) our new Sears service vans came in with Die Hard batteries and Road Handler Radial Tires... Dunno if Sears was just trying to be cheap or figured it would be free advertising(who looks at tires on a service van??)
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: Quietleaf on June 05, 2008, 05:51:21 PM
Two hours left...over $16k and still hasn't hit the reserve. Lots of people bidding on it, too.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: BCA on June 05, 2008, 06:00:19 PM
I was curious so I ran the numbers and dealer invoice would have been $17,196.24 so I would make a guess that his reserve is somewhere North of that.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: dominator on June 05, 2008, 10:37:42 PM
Ended over 19000 with the reserve still not met(a joke if you ask me,19000 seems like alot for that car).
Dealers want insane prices for older low mile cars,i bet the reserve was north of 25000 if not 30000(like they'll ever see that).
Question i have is,it says it has no warranty but, if it was never registered to anyone but a dealer then doesn't the warranty still apply????????
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 06, 2008, 06:37:42 AM
Quote from: dominator;222329

Question i have is,it says it has no warranty but, if it was never registered to anyone but a dealer then doesn't the warranty still apply????????

I'd think you could probably push the issue, but Ford likely has a loop hole or two concerning such instances...
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: jpc647 on June 06, 2008, 03:26:10 PM
Alright, I called the Ford dealer. The asking price is $22,000. It was owned by a car collector until 91 or 92, then another gentleman bought it and has had it in an enclosed storage building since. Allegedly, the oil and coolant have been changed regularly.  The car does not have driver side airbags as mentioned in the ad.

Any one of our cars on this website, if we invested half of what this man thinks this car is worth would be pristine show cars. Think of how far $10,000 would go into your tbird or cougar. I think this Bill Mack is on glue! Now im not an expert at all, but I think if you tried to drive a car thats been sitting this long, your going to find bad things will happen. I bet the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets will leak.  Just my opinion, but I thought I would post the information that I got.


John
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: ZondaC12 on June 06, 2008, 05:05:02 PM
I think I remember someone on here living near a Buick dealership and they still have a GNX with NO mileage at all. It was never titled, and it's still sitting in the basp00get of the place or something, and in that case because it's never been titled, if sold, it would have a full factory warranty.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: vinnietbird on June 07, 2008, 06:40:43 AM
I don't think it would have a warranty.That's why they always say something like "50,000 miles or 5 years".That way,they're covered if you never drive your car and the 5 years goes by.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: daminc on June 07, 2008, 07:39:29 AM
when I bought my cougar, it had a 6/60 warranty. thats why the car was sold. it was out of warranty after 2 years. I've only put 40,000 on it since 89.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: The Hawk on June 08, 2008, 01:54:22 PM
As Vinnie alluded to....it would NOT have a factory warranty of any kind. The warranty would have been something like 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first) on the drivetrain. The fact it wasn't titled means nothing....the warranty begins on the date shown on the bill of sale.
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 12, 2008, 04:26:16 PM
Wow....54 bids and 19,600 didn't meet reserve. I am amazed someone bid over 19,000 ......
Title: 360 Mile TC?
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 12, 2008, 04:30:03 PM
Quote from: ZondaC12;222432
I think I remember someone on here living near a Buick dealership and they still have a GNX with NO mileage at all. It was never titled, and it's still sitting in the basp00get of the place or something, and in that case because it's never been titled, if sold, it would have a full factory warranty.


There is a red 90 Corvette ZR-1 on fleabay with 300 and some odd miles for 39,000.....I keep watching it.