Hey all,
I scored what I think is a pretty good find on Ebay last week. It's an '83 LS Cougar, V6, (AOD, I think), TRX package, digital gauge cluster, for $151. The body, from the pictures, must be totally rust-free. I think my '98 F150 has more rust, and it doesn't have any. I am supposed to pick it up this weekend. It's main problem is a busted rear axle housing (for which I seem to have a donor in my driveway right now), and a bonked-up header panel (which I also have in the shed at home). It has a clear title. I'm told it runs like a top even after sitting for 2 years. It has about 125k on it. The interior also looks exceptional. The exterior color is a dark charcoal metallic, and the interior is a plush red cloth.
So is this '83 a rare bird for any reason? Were there many LS cars with the TRX package? Or with the digital guages? What else about an '83 is unique? I believe it is still a "talking" car, isn't it? It may still have an 8-track but I can't tell from the pictures. It does have Premium Sound and a power antenna. Even though the TRX wheels look cool, I know they are very undesirable as far as tire replacement. But if the TRX wheels came on the car, didn't that get you a whole handling package? Also, on an '83 with digital gauges, is the speedo cable-driven or electronic? The reason I ask is, I will have to take the rear axle assembly from my '84 and put it under the '83, and the '84 has the base speedo. If for some reason the gearing is different between the 2 cars, I would like to compensate by taking the speedo gear from the donor car and putting it in the '83, if that's possible. If somebody could, please let me know how to correct that situation if it happens. I know I definitely want to keep the digital speedo.
Thanks for any feedback on my newest acquisition. Also, if anybody is interested in a fairly nice '84 LS that will be lacking a rear axle assembly, just let me know. It'd be a perfect opportunity for that TC 8.8 rear you've got sitting around. The body is average for rust, but the interior is still very nice. The exterior is a Caramel Tan metallic (I forget the proper name, but it is a "glamour" color option), and the interior is a beige plush cloth. It's loaded with all the normal LS stuff. Even has all the original paperwork and window sticker. Just thought I'd throw all that out. Thanks again for the comments.
Fordman3
any pics?
I think I remember seeing that car on eBay - the guy put it sideways into a curb or something like that, and busted the end of the axle housing clean off.
I think the '83-84 with digital dash still uses a cable, but I'm not certain. Regardless, you should still be able to use your current speedo gear as the electronic and cable gears are the same
I'd like to see some pics.
Its too bad the TRX stuff was such garbage AND and odd size to boot.
My 84 XR-7 had the TRX stuff on it and the tires were in pretty good shape...but they were just scary..esp in the wet. THey looked really nice on the car though. Alot nicer than the stuff used on the Mustangs/Capris IMO.
Hey guys,
Thanks for the comments. I'm gonna try to attach a few pictures, which I've never done before. If it flops, I'll try again. Here goes...
you wouldn't happen to need or want an extra set of them metric
wheels, would ya? :hick:
Freek,
Sorry man, but I plan on just putting those wheels/tires away for a rainy day (or maybe someday when it might be really important to restore the car to original). I have a set of 16" TC snowflakes on the '84 (donor car) that are going on the gray '83. They have 225/55R16 Cooper Cobra knockoffs (Z-rated) with maybe 2/3 tread (you never know when that 112 hp carbureted V6 might go rippin' past 150 mph). I think those wheels really fill out the fender wells nicely. Here's a question, though: how do you clean them, as in, 2 of them have this crusty, rust-colored gunk in some of the cutouts that look like mud but definitely don't rinse off. I guess it's probably long-ignored brake residue. If I could get that stuff out, it would definitely look better. It seems to have molded to the wheels. I actually have a full set of Cougar center caps that give them that finishing touch. I also have an '88 black TC steering wheel with a Cougar horn button that's replacing the original wheel. Since I know how to attach pictures now, I'll keep them coming as it progresses. If anyone would like pictures of the '84 I'll be selling minus a rear axle, just let me know. Thanks again.
Fordman3
Herpes?
That's pretty cool. I REALLY like the looks of the 83-84 cars.
Give that a good cleaning and perhaps some new carpet and seats and you're in business.
Hey, nice ride. I like the color very much. Have you planned any mods for this car or you are planning to restore it to original due the "metric package" (hey, will be nice to see an original car with that rare features since i did not see any other with that combinations).
Off of topic, but the Cougars Talk ?????
(http://usuarios.lycos.es/racingtrykes/almacen/Cougar.jpg)
Chuck,
Thanks for the plugs. Hey, you're not too terribly far from me. You need another '84 LS, don't you? You have to have an axle just begging for a car to go with it. It seems you especially like the '83/'84's, and my '84 is a nice one, it just needs more cosmetically than I can afford to do in the near future. I would make you a good deal on it. Think about it!
MexCougar,
As I understand it, in '83 only, instead of an annoying chime when the keys were left in the ignition or the door was left open, an even more annoying voice spoke to you and told you your door was ajar, etc. Eric or ThunderChicken could confirm this. From '84 on, the chime was re-installed.
If anybody has any ideas on cleaning my snowflake wheels, please let me hear them. Later!
Fordman3
I think the voice reminder was an option, not standard, yet it was still only available a certain year.
Well, another car is probably out of the question for me, but if you have pics of the 84, post 'em up.
Nice find, the exterior looks pretty decint and rust free.
Looks like a great find. It even has the electroluminescient coach lamps.
Keep your eye on those head gaskets.
Chuck (or any other prospective buyer),
Here are some pictures. Keep in mind, the snowflakes don't go with it; it came with the 14" locking wire wheel covers and whitewalls. Sorry. The tires are in good shape, though. And, it will be missing the rear axle assembly. I hopefully won't have to steal the passenger side rear control arm. I don't know if the gray car's control arm is still straight or not. On the inside shot, the console is slightly taken apart, because I was in the process of modding a passenger side power seat, which I'd also like to keep for the next car. All the parts are there, along with the original console switch panel for the windows, mirror, and driver seat. It has the electroluminescent lamps, Premium Sound, power antenna, dual lighted vanity mirrors, and directional lamps. Remember, all the original paperwork is still with it, window sticker included.
I would really like to sell this car in one piece if at all possible. It is too nice to part out and leave a shell that I'd have to s. Let me know if you're interested and then we can talk $$. Thanks for any interest.
Fordman3
How much for the kitty?
hey i want to do the kitty mod on my car how exactly did you do it?? :slap:
Hey guys,
I guess I knew the cat would get some comments. There's actually about to be a litter in a couple weeks, so I'll throw in the whole mess of them if you buy the car.
By the way, doesn't anybody remember the 1970's Cougar commercials, "the sign of the cat", with an actual cougar laying on the roof, or does that show how old I am?
Fordman3
how mutch for the trunk lid? mine is shot since bro drilled out the lock and also it has unreparabul rust. and also how mutch would it be to ship it to 14020? and could ou possibly incluse the door locks so i can have one key to unlock all doors. thanx
Hey guys (and any gals),
Well, it came home Saturday. I'm talking about my '83 LS for $151, running, with a clear title. This is the car with the busted rear axle. In some ways it is better than I would have imagined, but in others, it's worse. The upholstery is unreal. The carpet still looks new, the plush deep red seats look like they've barely ever been sat in, and as far as I can tell, the digital dash works, even though I'm unable to drive it right now. Even the old school AM/FM (no cassette) stereo with the 2 posts (anybody remember those) still kicks with working Premium Sound. Oh, it does talk. Does anybody know how many phrases the guy can actually say? Does he say the same things that the various dummy lights would tell you? I've heard, "your lights are on", "the door is open", and "the keys are in the ignition". The paint is not totally bad, but it is more oxidized than the pictures showed. And it's 99+% rust free, and that even goes for the undercarriage.
However: Apparently, in the same crash that broke the rear axle, the nose of the car took a pretty good lick. Check out the last 2 pictures and see if you can see what's wrong. It actually "tweaked" the whole front end upward, especially on the driver's side. When I finally got the header panel and bumper cover off yesterday, this is what I saw. The core support under the radiator is totally crushed, the driver's fender is pretty crooked, and the structure behind where the driver's side lights would have been is buckled. What a bummer! My buddy first suggested trying to straighten it manually after removing the condensor and radiator, which would be OK cosmetically if we did it right, but would still have no support under the radiator.
I sadly came up with a better solution. My original '84 LS in the earlier pictures is going to have to be an organ donor. It's going to contribute its rear axle assembly, its brand new exhaust (which still has tags hanging from it), a taillight (which the guy loading my 3-wheeled car broke since he was carrying the rear end of the car with a John Deere front-end loader, but he was trying to be careful), and the whole core support. My buddy says he thinks he can do that without too many problems. What would you guys do? I really wished I didn't have to kill the '84, but by the time I use what I need from it, there won't be enough left to put back together. It does have its share of rust outside and underneath (the floors probably didn't have long to go), and some bad body filler work. I'm going to gut it, and strip any removable part that doesn't get otherwise used. I'll probably even drop the AOD tranny and the tank/fuel pump system, which I think all work fine. The interior is in great shape. I could actually provide everything to convert to a beige LS interior except for maybe the carpet. I'll probably offer the skeleton to the guy whose trailer I'll have to load the car onto before yanking the rear axle. He can keep whatever he gets at the s yard. The motor runs very good, but it does have a coolant leak after it gets hot. The sad thing is, I paid $500 for this car last summer and had almost no drive time with it. I guess that's one of those expensive lessons.
Let me know if I'm doing the right thing. I honestly think the gray '83 is a better car, front end damage aside. What kind of job am I in for? I appreciate anybody's comments.
P.S. The gray '83 has power windows; the driver's side motor runs, but the window is off-track, and at first the passenger side window worked, but after rolling it down to get some air, it decided to quit working in the down position right before a good rain storm. What is more likely, that the motor quit working or the switch is bad? How can you tell the difference? There is no response at all when pushing on the switch. Thanks again.
Fordman3
that's gunna be ALOT of work. but if you think it is worth it. just be prepared for alot of time and piddly things. and it might be worth it to take it some where to see if the frame is staight.
Does look like alot of work on the front end there, but if you have access to a good core support and a welder you're all set.
I do like that color combo though.