Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:47:40 PM
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:47:40 PM
I know I'm not the only one who feels like this, but even at 28 years, the fox body is still in my opinion one of the best body lines still around. Let me further my thought on this please. About 2 weeks ago, I bought a set of polished snowflakes off of "bike70ride". Greg was great to deal with and the result was a beautiful pair of rims. I got the rims mounted and had already decided that they would reside permanently on my 86. So with polished rims now on the car I couldn't resist some pics of the car with them proudly displayed. That turned in to an all day activity of detailing the car. It's been a while since I gave her that kind of attention but the results speak for themselves. After 28 years, I feel like she shines just as good as my 13 that sits next to her in the garage. I'm just as proud to drive her around as I am my mustang and have gotten several people to even ask about the car. Kind of makes me smile when that happens.
I'm giving her some much needed attention this year. Fixed a brake issue, installed new tires, new temp sending unit, new serpentine belt, attempting to restore the AC again, going to fix the oil leak on the intake, bought a GT 40 intake to put on her since I have to remove it anyway. Next weekend I get full dual catted exhaust put on it from manifolds to bumper. Nothing terribly obnoxious but she'll growl when I'm done. When that is done I have both 86 and 88 scheduled for some much needed window tint. I'll probably post some pics later on but in the mean time please enjoy my enthusiasm and excitement. First pics were taken in the morning and after the detailing I thought the sunset gave a unique backdrop.
Thanks for listening and Thanks for having such a wonderful place to share my thoughts on our beautiful cars.
I'm giving her some much needed attention this year. Fixed a brake issue, installed new tires, new temp sending unit, new serpentine belt, attempting to restore the AC again, going to fix the oil leak on the intake, bought a GT 40 intake to put on her since I have to remove it anyway. Next weekend I get full dual catted exhaust put on it from manifolds to bumper. Nothing terribly obnoxious but she'll growl when I'm done. When that is done I have both 86 and 88 scheduled for some much needed window tint. I'll probably post some pics later on but in the mean time please enjoy my enthusiasm and excitement. First pics were taken in the morning and after the detailing I thought the sunset gave a unique backdrop.
Thanks for listening and Thanks for having such a wonderful place to share my thoughts on our beautiful cars.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:53:18 PM
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:53:18 PM
Later in the Day
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: MY83T on August 16, 2014, 10:53:49 PM
Post by: MY83T on August 16, 2014, 10:53:49 PM
looks great, thanks for sharing. These cars have held up from a design point of view remarkably well even by modern standards today. Always way ahead of their time. I feel like every new car owes its basic DNA to the Aero Birds.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:56:58 PM
Post by: My10-80 on August 16, 2014, 10:56:58 PM
The center caps I polished with some good Mothers metal polish. They came out much better than I expected.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: ISTLCRUZ on August 17, 2014, 08:02:40 PM
Post by: ISTLCRUZ on August 17, 2014, 08:02:40 PM
Car looks GREAT !! .. I agree with MY83T, these cars were ahead of there times and all others had to catch up. Not to mention how the new body style shook up NASCAR in the 80s(but that's a story for another time...lol)
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: 83TB on August 17, 2014, 10:20:13 PM
Post by: 83TB on August 17, 2014, 10:20:13 PM
Nice ride!!!
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: Ramos617 on August 18, 2014, 01:32:10 AM
Post by: Ramos617 on August 18, 2014, 01:32:10 AM
That's one sharp looking bird
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: 50tbrd88 on August 18, 2014, 08:42:19 AM
Post by: 50tbrd88 on August 18, 2014, 08:42:19 AM
I think design wise these cars were at least 10 years ahead of their time. I have had several non-car people think my car is a late-90's or early-00's model. Of course it helps that mine is still in great shape.
What I think is sad is that there really are few of these fox t-bird/cougars still on the road (at least in my area). For as many as were made, it seems few have survived the test of time. I don't think this is due to the quality of the car at all. It's probably due the fact that they are RWD v8 mid-size coupes which are extremely popular with folks who tend to tear the out of everything....you know who I'm talking about.
(http://images2.makefive.com/images/entertainment/television/best-simpsons-character/cletus-the-slack-jawed-yokel-7.gif)
What I think is sad is that there really are few of these fox t-bird/cougars still on the road (at least in my area). For as many as were made, it seems few have survived the test of time. I don't think this is due to the quality of the car at all. It's probably due the fact that they are RWD v8 mid-size coupes which are extremely popular with folks who tend to tear the out of everything....you know who I'm talking about.
(http://images2.makefive.com/images/entertainment/television/best-simpsons-character/cletus-the-slack-jawed-yokel-7.gif)
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: mcb82gt on August 18, 2014, 05:32:07 PM
Post by: mcb82gt on August 18, 2014, 05:32:07 PM
Very seldom seen around here. I agree, I think the styling holds up better than the shiznit put out "lately"
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: 1BadBird on August 18, 2014, 07:17:07 PM
Post by: 1BadBird on August 18, 2014, 07:17:07 PM
Very nice indeed!! Looks great with those snowflakes!!
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 19, 2014, 12:46:13 AM
Post by: thunderjet302 on August 19, 2014, 12:46:13 AM
Looks great. Polishing the snowflakes really makes them pop.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: My10-80 on August 19, 2014, 08:24:46 AM
Post by: My10-80 on August 19, 2014, 08:24:46 AM
Quote from: thunderjet302;437196
Looks great. Polishing the snowflakes really makes them pop.
Thanks. I didn't do all of the work. I bought them already polished. I did go over them real good with some metal polish and wax though. I had to polish my center caps. I am real pleased at how they cleaned up. The love for this car has always been there but really rekindled now. I wouldn't trade her for a new one for no amount of money.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: turbotrav on August 20, 2014, 12:09:02 AM
Post by: turbotrav on August 20, 2014, 12:09:02 AM
nice set of rides.....you should make the 5.0 faster than......something....but such a pretty crowd....
travis
travis
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: V8Demon on August 20, 2014, 10:56:37 AM
Post by: V8Demon on August 20, 2014, 10:56:37 AM
Quote from: 50tbrd88;437164
What I think is sad is that there really are few of these fox t-bird/cougars still on the road (at least in my area). For as many as were made, it seems few have survived the test of time. I don't think this is due to the quality of the car at all. It's probably due the fact that they are RWD v8 mid-size coupes which are extremely popular with folks who tend to tear the out of everything....you know who I'm talking about.
(http://images2.makefive.com/images/entertainment/television/best-simpsons-character/cletus-the-slack-jawed-yokel-7.gif)
Don't forget these:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd120/hipsterrunoff/photographs/ecc824c0.jpg)
These ruined them in the northeast..... So many of them back in the day when I had my first one and early on with my current one. Many of those ruined by stop light commandos with spiked hair who don't know how to put the cell phone down. Others driven into the ground because they became just about THE cheapest V8 on the road for a bit up here, much like the Olds Cutlass was before them. Example: saw an 88 V8 sport for sale at a gas station a few years ago. Blue, clean in & out, 100K on it. $600...... When I went back in hopes of snagging it a few days later, it was gone. I'm quite certain it has met the crusher by this point.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: 50tbrd88 on August 20, 2014, 03:40:04 PM
Post by: 50tbrd88 on August 20, 2014, 03:40:04 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;437230
Don't forget these:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd120/hipsterrunoff/photographs/ecc824c0.jpg)
These ruined them in the northeast..... So many of them back in the day when I had my first one and early on with my current one. any of those ruined by stop light commandos with spiked hair who don't know how to put the cell phone down. Others driven into the ground because they became just about THE cheapest V8 on the road for a bit up here, much like the Olds Cutlass was before them. Example: saw an 88 V8 sport for sale at a gas station a few years ago. Blue, clean in & out, 100K on it. $600...... When I went back in hopes of snagging it a few days later, it was gone. I'm quite certain it has met the crusher by this point.
We don't have any of those type people here. Just a ton of rednecks/"white trash", lol.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: My10-80 on August 20, 2014, 06:26:04 PM
Post by: My10-80 on August 20, 2014, 06:26:04 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;437230
Don't forget these:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd120/hipsterrunoff/photographs/ecc824c0.jpg)
These ruined them in the northeast..... So many of them back in the day when I had my first one and early on with my current one. Many of those ruined by stop light commandos with spiked hair who don't know how to put the cell phone down. Others driven into the ground because they became just about THE cheapest V8 on the road for a bit up here, much like the Olds Cutlass was before them. Example: saw an 88 V8 sport for sale at a gas station a few years ago. Blue, clean in & out, 100K on it. $600...... When I went back in hopes of snagging it a few days later, it was gone. I'm quite certain it has met the crusher by this point.
I know your point. I used to own an 81 Tbird, beautiful car fully loaded no rust, before I bought this white 86. The guy I sold the 81 to was freshly married and I thought he might take care of it. I found it in the parking lot of a service station about a year later, he had, in a drunken state, crashed the car and totaled the thing. I was heart broken to see it in that condition.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: Stringplucker on August 20, 2014, 08:46:21 PM
Post by: Stringplucker on August 20, 2014, 08:46:21 PM
Quote from: My10-80;437251
I know your point. I used to own an 81 Tbird, beautiful car fully loaded no rust, before I bought this white 86. The guy I sold the 81 to was freshly married and I thought he might take care of it. I found it in the parking lot of a service station about a year later, he had, in a drunken state, crashed the car and totaled the thing. I was heart broken to see it in that condition.
I had the same thing happen to a very clean low mileage 1978 'Bird. 6 months after selling it to the guy, I saw the car...wrecked. the guy had been out drinking and wound up wrapping it around a telephone pole. It broke my heart.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: Drewstang on August 21, 2014, 06:48:47 AM
Post by: Drewstang on August 21, 2014, 06:48:47 AM
I hope this car will look as nice as yours one day. Very clean.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: DerikWayne on August 28, 2014, 12:39:00 AM
Post by: DerikWayne on August 28, 2014, 12:39:00 AM
These cars have a "futuristic" look to them, even after all these years! I love taking my Cougar out because someone usually always wants to ask about the car. There just aren't many left, which makes me sad.
Title: Still just as good as new car.
Post by: Cougars 2 go on August 28, 2014, 05:20:24 PM
Post by: Cougars 2 go on August 28, 2014, 05:20:24 PM
Quote from: My10-80;437130
Still just as good as new car
Better.
Been driving a lot of new cars lately for a variety of reasons and wow. Somehow I'm missing it. I don't get it and once again, I must be in an extreme minority. I mean, hell, I do own Cougars from the 80s so there is already something 'off' with me but wow. People with other priorities who don't have time to mess with cars are faced with these options and I guess these new cars aren't bad enough to everyone else to result in trend changes. Our FJ is her driver. Not mine. If she drives something else, it sits in the driveway as I still choose an older cat over that thing.
Quote from: DerikWayne;437494
...someone usually always wants to ask about the car.
Looking at the front with a big cat logo, looking at the side with a small cat logo, or looking at the rear with two cat logos in the lights and 'COUGAR' on the decklid, it's usually "What year Thunderbird is that?"
Believe it or not, I even had that question with one of my cars whose personlized plates has the year followed by 'XR7' ON THE TAGS!