Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => User Rides => Topic started by: COLD on April 20, 2014, 11:44:00 AM

Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on April 20, 2014, 11:44:00 AM
Semi sorta new here.. Joined in 2011 but never posted till now.

1988 Tbird 3.8 auto. It was purchased by the mother of the woman I got it from. The mother drove it until 08 and let her daughter have it who drove it until 2013 and it was parked outside. Was parked due to needing exhaust.... Anyway I stumbled on it by chance looking for parts for my 86 turbo coupe bird. They were going to haul it to the sper...  Purchased the car for a whopping $425. Put gas in it and drove it home Friday. Started the cleanup on the paint yesterday.

Before I did anything to it.
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/IMG_20140419_131042374_HDR_zpsc8935.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/IMG_20140419_131042374_HDR_zpsc8935.jpg.html)

After 3M and buffing. Before waxing.
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/IMG_20140419_181243859_HDR_zps26d78ab2.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/IMG_20140419_181243859_HDR_zps26d78ab2.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/IMG_20140419_181137724_HDR_zpsef21a1f9.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/IMG_20140419_181137724_HDR_zpsef21a1f9.jpg.html)


Can really see the difference

before
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/IMG_20140419_160127376_zps24f4d9c4.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/IMG_20140419_160127376_zps24f4d9c4.jpg.html)

after buffing
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/IMG_20140419_190913638_zps6d3a8c3e.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/IMG_20140419_190913638_zps6d3a8c3e.jpg.html)
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Haystack on April 20, 2014, 12:01:32 PM
Nice man.

if you need a cat back, i did mine by ordering parts from autozone for $80. Beats the $680 quote i got.from master ler.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: STANG8U on April 20, 2014, 02:25:14 PM
Sweet !!!
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on April 20, 2014, 02:31:50 PM
Thanks.  We will probably do it ourselves. Have a friend with everything needed.

Here's a couple pics after waxing/polishing.
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird7_zpsf2be30b1.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird7_zpsf2be30b1.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird8_zps532b8d42.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird8_zps532b8d42.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird5_zps54a86d57.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird5_zps54a86d57.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird2_zpse0529570.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird2_zpse0529570.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird4_zpsf2f97501.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird4_zpsf2f97501.jpg.html)

And now on too the interior...
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on April 20, 2014, 02:40:26 PM
Found these in the glove box.

How cool is this!? Original window sticker!
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdwindow_zps22f2bdf5.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdwindow_zps22f2bdf5.jpg.html)

Original purchase agreement
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdcontract_zps33fe9346.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdcontract_zps33fe9346.jpg.html)

Warranty card
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdwarranty_zps287e7c5d.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdwarranty_zps287e7c5d.jpg.html)

And all the books. Including the owners manual(forgot to take a pic of it)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdbooks_zps98575ef3.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdbooks_zps98575ef3.jpg.html)
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: V8Demon on April 20, 2014, 02:46:19 PM
$425?!  That's awesome!  I should never have let the one I saw a few years ago slip away.  Light blue 88 5.0.  Ran and drove.  Passed inspection  $600.  Went back 2 days later.  Gone.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Kafer79 on April 20, 2014, 03:06:45 PM
Wow.  Impressive car but equally impressed by the document collection.  Have you checked for the build sheet under the front passenger seat?
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on April 20, 2014, 08:18:35 PM
Quote from: Kafer79;432648
Wow.  Impressive car but equally impressed by the document collection.  Have you checked for the build sheet under the front passenger seat?

Thanks. Funny you should mention the build sheet. lol  I decided to pull the interior just to give it all a good cleaning and there it was,or what's left of it is more like it..

(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdbuild1_zpsef40b133.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdbuild1_zpsef40b133.jpg.html)

How on earth do you get this much stuff under a seat?? Driver side was the same way but I had already picked it all up... And yes,the grinder disc was under the seat.. lol
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdint2_zps66d716a2.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdint2_zps66d716a2.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88birdint1_zps39fd7713.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88birdint1_zps39fd7713.jpg.html)
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: mercury-man on April 20, 2014, 09:27:02 PM
Nice find Jeff and Thanks for posting your pics friend. :headbang:
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Drewstang on April 20, 2014, 09:36:20 PM
Nice save man. I saw the pics in my Facebook feed this afternoon and forgot to post there.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: thunderjet302 on April 20, 2014, 11:40:38 PM
Nice score!

Now where's my $425 rust free Thunderbird?
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Haystack on April 21, 2014, 12:04:56 AM
They are out there... not as common as they once were though.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: ZondaC12 on April 21, 2014, 09:28:21 AM
I cannot believe someone was going to s that. Awesome score.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Beau on April 21, 2014, 11:23:35 AM
I would not have blinked about paying 425 for that, good save dude.

I'd like to find a clean rust free shell like yours, but only to swap all my V8, T5 and TC rear into. Mine's a moonroof car and has been wrecked before I owned it...nothing in the front lines up at all, bolt holes, whatnot. Frustrating. I've decided to keep all my goods and put the shell of the car out to pasture on blocks.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on April 21, 2014, 05:07:49 PM
Thanks everyone!  I was really shocked when they said they were going to s if it didn't sell real quick. And when they said they would take s price for it I just couldn't let that happen! I haven't found any rust at all and only a very few minor dings. Motor sounds great and trans shifts out smooth. Only thing I have found it needs is exhaust and the A/C needs to be gassed up and that's it. It even has a new battery in it and tires are about 50%. 

I'll take pics of the floor pans when I get the carpet out to clean it.

Thanks again guys!
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: White85GS on April 21, 2014, 05:13:42 PM
Base model? I see corning lights and the illuminated entry-style lock clys. how about the interior, run of the mill options?
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: jandmmustangs on April 21, 2014, 06:35:09 PM
Nice score man. It's hard to find anything nice in my area anymore. Most of the cars are pounded hard and thrown away in my area. However,  I still manage to find a few good ones from time to time.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: T-BirdX3 on April 21, 2014, 08:20:12 PM
It is sickening to think about how many great cars have went to the s yard...
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: Haystack on April 21, 2014, 08:32:57 PM
I wish i could find a few die hard cougarbird guys out here. I've driven a few into the s yard. my last bird had brand new tires in it i would have given away/straight trade.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: MechanicMatt on April 21, 2014, 09:47:49 PM
Do you wanna make a couple $$$$ sending it down the road????  Clean shell like that, you are ONE LUCKY GUY!  I finally found some birds near me, and  :shakehead they're all rusted out.
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: T-BUCKET on April 22, 2014, 02:11:53 AM
cool, I bought my 87 for $500 but yours looks like its in much better shape. mine looked like somebody was hauling hay in it, no joke. :roxor:
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: 50tbrd88 on April 23, 2014, 03:36:00 PM
Wow nice save!  To most people cars just serve the purpose of basic transportation.  Its sad that people junk nice old cars like this over very minor mechanical issues...
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: sarjxxx on May 06, 2014, 12:51:20 PM
Nice save!!!
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: COLD on May 11, 2014, 06:51:35 PM
Thanks everyone! 

Update time... Finally got time to pull the carpet to check underneath and to give it a good cleaning. Apparently there was a leak on the drivers side somewhere or the door was left ajar. Carpet was damp underneath. Passenger side was dry. Still no major problems just a little surface rust to the exposed metal brace. Nothing some POR-15 won't take care of.

Now to get that nasty carpet all cleaned up....

(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird9_zps875e8363.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird9_zps875e8363.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird10_zps6d35ccce.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird10_zps6d35ccce.jpg.html)
(http://i1107.photobucket.com/albums/h382/COLD1345/birds/88bird11_zps5914a366.jpg) (http://s1107.photobucket.com/user/COLD1345/media/birds/88bird11_zps5914a366.jpg.html)
Title: Saved from the sper.. 88 Tbird
Post by: turbotrav on May 11, 2014, 07:04:19 PM
That carpet has seen better days...

Travis