I went to a big antique (25+ yr old cars only) show this weekend and since Thunderbird was the featured car I figured I might as well enter mine to represent the Aerobirds.:D It was surprising how many people stopped to check it out. I didn't hang around the car (parts hunting and checking out other cars) but when I was there, someone always stopped by to chat. I've come to the conclusion there are lots of people that have fond memories of the cars and still like them today, they just forgot about them! You could see the looks in their faces when they saw it...followed by 'I remember these cars'. The older generation showing their 55/57 etc Birds couldn't understand how a 'new' car could have antique plates and the younger generation wondered why a 'new' car was at the show, so I guess the body style has aged well.
Sometimes we might feel we are the only one interested in these cars but I think there are a lot of folks out there that appreciate them. One reoccurring comment was regarding the quality and styling of the car.
So I guess my point is, clean up those cars and get them out to the shows...people enjoy seeing them, we just need to jog their memories! It could mean a renewed interest in these cars for the future.
My parts hunting was pretty successful too. NOS 87-88 taillight, 83-86 chrome outside mirror and set of NOS stainless ventshades!
I so wholeheartedly concur with all of your observations. In all my years of going to car shows, I have never--NEVER--heard anyone say, "Man, I had one of those and it was horrible." It's a universally approved vehicle, and as you said, there are lots of people with fond memories of them. The fact that the styling is aging so well definitely helps.
Whether we realize it or not, we become evangelists for our cars. It's up to us to best represent the vehicles. Sounds like you did us proud! (And nice score on the parts).
I get that a lot. Its sad that people are close minded about cars a lot of times. I just like cars period. As long as they are well built and well executed, I'm a fan.
I also have had a lot of people come up to me at the few shows I've been to and tell me "I bought one of these brand new" or "I had one of these for my 1st car", etc.
I've haven't entered my car in many shows so this was a new experience for me. The shows I have entered it in have been Ford shows and like 50tbrd88 said, I find many folks at those shows seems to be closed minded about anything other than their cars.
I'm a 'car' guy too and enjoy all makes and models and it seems more people like that attend the antique car shows.
I saw a guy taking an 'artistic' picture of the front of a 66 Bird and my car so when he left I wanted to see what he saw and took a picture like that too. :D I'll post it later.
From the events we have attended they seem to always ask "We don't see these hardly any more" , And how have you been able to keep this Car in that good of condition ? Other than the usual you have a very nice looking ride. :poke:
D & P ;)
Yeah, people do love these cars. I was at the store one time and a man came up and asked me
"Is that an 83"?
"Nah, this is an 84"
"I had one of the Turbo Coupes back in the day. I loved that car. I got wrecked right along this road, some kid smashed right into me while I was pulling out."
I thought it was pretty cool, most people my age see my car as old, noisy, and junk. The generation that grew up with these cars love them.
A couple years ago when I drove my "better" 84 Turbo Coupe (I just bought its twin as my daily driver) alot, I pulled into our local gas station and the guy driving the Coca-Cola delivery truck just about ran across the parking lot and talked to me about my Bird as I pumped gas. He said he had an 85 the same color (charcoal gray) but it was stollen years ago and never found. Now he wanted to buy mine, right then and there!! LOL
As stated by others, I think almost everyone really appreciates these cars from 83-88 and they really HAVE aged well....not a hard thing to do with such classic lines and style.
Glad to hear you had such a positive reaction to your car!!
Later, RAY
Well no one rushed up to buy my car but I was surprised at the interest. Oh and by the way....it's a whitewall, hubcap car! :D
(Old) school is in! ;)
Kind of cool looking. I don't often stand back and look for cool shots like this since it's so hard to do with people wondering around, lawn chairs, etc.
I normally get a lot of compliments as well. One of the nice things about taking a fox
T-Bird to a show is you're usually the only one there with one unlike the Mustangs, there's always a ton of them.
That is a great pic.!
I take mine to cruise nights and shows all the time. People always comment on how they never see 80's T-birds anymore and or how much they liked the ones they had. A lot of people don't think my car is almost 23 years old. It looks too new:D. These cars aged well, almost too well, especially the 87-88s.
AWEsome pic!!!
I like everything about it.
Great composition. Great subjects.
Old school totally rocks!
Your car is for sale???
Yea, I thought the picture was cool too. I would not have thought about taking it until I saw a guy with a DSLR kneel down and take a picture from that odd angle. Credit goes to him for the composition but I'll be looking for more of these types of shots now.:D
Hmmm, it would be hard for me to sell my car. It's tough when you are the original owner knowing that's something that can't be replaced.
Besides, it's really old school...in addition to the wire wheel covers and whitewalls, it's got ... vintage Thunderbird mudflaps! :hick:
Somehow that combo just seems to look okay together without being over the top, plus I have to credit the mudflaps for keeping the body nice for 130,000 miles. How can I take them off now? :D
It's nice having a clean example of our cars. I took my C-1500 to a cruise in and nobody noticed. The first time I bring the 'underbird and there's a grandpa showing his grandson all of the cars, and telling him about them. He runs across my 'underbird and the kid digs it.
"and here's a late model Thunderbird."
"paw paw, I like this one."
:headbang:
When I actually get the chance to drive mine I get compliments. Mostly at the gas station. I had a guy try to sell me steaks while I was pumping once, and after I flatly rejected his offer he starts to walk away, turns around, and goes "Btw, that's a beautiful Thunderbird you have there", and kept on walking.
Little moments like that are nice.
I still like when I pull into cruise nights for the first time and people come over to my car to see why it sounds like a Mustang;)