Poll
Question: What's your favorite?
I want to hear what your favorite years/model is. I said XR7 for 1980-82, since the Cougar was a Granada twin.
Ive had a 81 XR7, 85 LS, and 88 LS.
I personally like the 88 body style best, but I like them all.
I have had:
1984 Cougar XR-7
1987 Cougar XR-7
1987 Thunderbird 3.8
1983 Cougar 3.8
1987 Anniversary Edition Cougar
1983 Cougar 5.0
1986 Cougar 5.0
1985 Cougar XR-7
1986 Cougar Convertible 3.8
1987 Anniversary Edition Cougar
1980 Thunderbird
I almost have had them all, hehe. Honestly, I liked them all too. If I had to choose, I think I prefer the 85/86 Cougar though. I love the "6-eye" look with the foglight bumper. I like how those years have the more modern dash too, and the slightly more modern engine electronics.
My personal favorite is the 85-86 Bird. I was always partial to the four eyed ones.
For me, it all depends on what side of the car you're looking at, front end is everything but the 87-88 T-Bird base, LX, Sport. Rear end it's the 85-86 T-Bird or Cougar and 87/88 t bird, side view it's the 83-86 t-bird and 87-88 cougar. Interior, I like the 83-84 dash, but hate the cluster, 85-88 love the clusters, dash is ok, I guess. Oh, and I detest the consolette!!
I've always loved the looks of the '83-86 "four-eyed" T-Birds and Cougars. That is one reason I bought my '85.
I also prefer the look of the '85-88 dash over the '83-84.
The 85-88 rocker-style light switch takes some getting used to, apparently people didn't like it, so they went back to a pull for 1989.
I absolutely love the looks of a 87-88 TC if it still looks shiny with clear headlights.
On the other hand, the 85-86 look better than the 83-84 IMO.
But since I have 3 of the 83-84 T-Birds, it gets my vote.
Heck, they all look great !
I shot this pic a few days ago. it's my motivation pic now.
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/croppedturbocoupeqct112014005_zpsf64c4c8f.jpg) (http://s148.photobucket.com/user/83-88T-BirdGuy/media/croppedturbocoupeqct112014005_zpsf64c4c8f.jpg.html)
83-84 TBird
Followed by the 80-82 XR-7 (The big box Cats) and the 83-84 Cougar.
I was never a fan of the 87-88 cars.
I've always thought that the first iterations of a restyle are generally the best, and while the 85-86 cars have the lines of their predecessors, they lost the character.