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General => Lounge => Topic started by: ProTouring442 on June 12, 2010, 05:27:21 PM

Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: ProTouring442 on June 12, 2010, 05:27:21 PM
So I saw a red (orange) 83-86 Thunderbird at a show in Lenoir City today. It had the FMS grill, wing, and skirts. Anyone here own it?

Pics will come later...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: ProTouring442 on June 14, 2010, 11:50:52 PM
Here's the pic...

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: Scott D on June 15, 2010, 09:08:15 PM
Sharp looking car. Anymore details?
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: t3skidoo on June 15, 2010, 09:48:02 PM
I like what they did with the light grey(?) below the rub strip.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: RunninWild on June 16, 2010, 08:57:23 AM
Not a huge fan of the "grille" or the headlight covers, but it's not a bad looking car otherwise.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: thunderjet302 on June 16, 2010, 02:06:30 PM
That things got an 80's vibe going on:roxor:
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: Live Fast on June 18, 2010, 05:57:06 AM
Quote from: t3skidoo;325602
I like what they did with the light grey(?) below the rub strip.


kinda reminds me of a saleen
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: ShowBoy on June 24, 2010, 12:15:04 AM
It looks well-done. 


Quote from: Live Fast;325881
kinda reminds me of a saleen


Agreed ... kinda sorta.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: oldraven on June 24, 2010, 04:40:55 PM
I kind of like those head-light covers. It's certainly not something you see often. As for the stripes, the less your eye is attracted to the black bumper strips, the better, in my opinion. Thought the 4-eye's strips are not nearly as bad as the 87-88's. Nice car.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: Scott D on June 24, 2010, 06:55:57 PM
Quote from: RunninWild;325630
Not a huge fan of the "grille" or the headlight covers, but it's not a bad looking car otherwise.


hate the game, not the player, dude :nono:
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: 86T-bird on June 25, 2010, 09:37:08 AM
Anyone know much about the grill?  As in: who made them, when were they available, what they're made of.  Anything factual would be helpful.  I've searched the net, but came up empty.

Thanks
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: thunderjet302 on June 25, 2010, 11:08:16 AM
Quote from: 86T-bird;326434
Anyone know much about the grill?  As in: who made them, when were they available, what they're made of.  Anything factual would be helpful.  I've searched the net, but came up empty.

Thanks


Ford Motor Sports made it in the late 80's. Please don't find one for your car as it looks good as is:D
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: 86T-bird on June 25, 2010, 03:09:13 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;326439
Ford Motor Sports made it in the late 80's. Please don't find one for your car as it looks good as is:D


LOL, thanks!

I have an 83/84 grill on it now and have been trying to locate a pristine 85/86 for some time with no luck (outside of this board, there may only be 100 people who can tell the difference...).

One of these surfaced recently and I thought it could be an option.

The advantages are: No plastic covered chrome to worry about (pitting, scratching & fading) and it attaches with the same mounting holes as a stock grill.  So if/when you get sick of the look, it's easy to swap on and off.

Unfortunately, this one's in pretty rough shape.  There are no markings on it to indicate the manufacturer or part number.  It's an unusual material, appears to an old style urethane (pretty flexible and doesn't sand well). 

I checked with a local body shop who has a restorer who does urethane bumpers.  I have the impression he didn't want to deal with it.  He quoted $800 to get it ready for paint. 

I'd like to find out more about them.  I have only seen a handful of pictures over the past couple decades, so there can't be many out there.  Information on how to repair and restore it would be helpful too!
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: Romeo2k on June 26, 2010, 12:17:37 AM
They are pretty rare, made by FMS in the 80's as Thunderjet said.
Otherwise, Not much is known about them (That i know of).

Did you buy the one that was for sale on here not too long ago? That one did look pretty rough.

Theres actually 2 versions that FMS made, The other is extremely rare~But its more of the regular grille dimensions with a weird meshed design.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: hypostang on June 26, 2010, 02:48:37 AM
here is the other one
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: the_intimidator03 on June 27, 2010, 02:39:39 AM
That is pretty slick but the opening doesnt flow with the grill.
Title: Thunderbird in a show in Lenoir City, TN
Post by: 86T-bird on June 27, 2010, 06:36:10 AM
Quote from: Romeo2k;326512

Did you buy the one that was for sale on here not too long ago? That one did look pretty rough.


Yup.  I assumed it was fiberglass.  Being urethane, it's not as simple to bring back to life...  Eventually it'll get the attention it needs.

Thanks for the info.