While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam July 25, 2006, 09:04:45 PM I was picking up a new ride!It's a 1988 base model T-Bird. The only options it has is the 5.0 and Premium Sound System. My sister bought it new in March of '88. I went into the Ford showroom where the car was on display and wanted it right away. I was going to trade my Bronco II for it but my dad wasn't happy with that idea. He figured that I should have a 4x4 for winter use since I'm in a wheelchair (for those who didn't know). I ended up getting a new Bronco II but not before convincing my sister to buy the T-Bird. I figured that if she had the car I could at least get to drive it once in a while. :) of the 200000 Km that's on it (it rolled over to 200 on the trip back) I'd guess I put about 150k on it myself.That car holds a lot of memories for me...most of them in the back seat For the first 13 or 14 years it was garaged stored every winter, except the second winter. The third winter I insisted it be stored again. I even threaten to steal the steering wheel.Then my mom got sick (cancer) and my dad didn't have anything to drive to take mom to and from the hospital so my sister gave the car to him to use. Obviously, I didn't protest too much when dad said he was going to be driving the car in the winter. Well, my dad turned 85 years old last month and decide to turn in his licence. My sister always said when dad was finished with the car I could have it. Now I just got to figure out if there is enough car there to save.The rest of the pictures are here. What do you think? Save or part out? I'm leaning toward storing it for a while until I decide what to do. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #1 – July 26, 2006, 08:10:02 AM Keep it! Looks like all it needs is a set of matching wheels. :D Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #2 – July 26, 2006, 09:02:17 AM Well here's my take on this... For "up your way" it doesn't look real bad. Since it holds a lot of sentemintal value, and Birds are kinda scarce up there I'd keep it. There are spray on rust stoppers that could be applied to the chassis to kill most of the rust... I think you have the right idea, store it awhile then decide if you really want it... Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #3 – July 26, 2006, 09:32:04 AM Like Tom said. The rust aint bad. I've seen a few around here that look much worse. The underside looks to be all surface and with a good media blast, prime and paint should be a good permanent fix. You've got a couple of bubble spots on the panels, but nothing major. Keep her. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #4 – July 26, 2006, 09:51:42 AM As mentioned, as long as the rust isn't compromising any key structural points, it doesn't appear to be that bad really. A little prep work and some Rust Encapsulator or POR-15 should stop the rust that's there.Since it hold a bit of "value" to you, I'd say keep it. It's not far enough gone to become a parts car. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #5 – July 26, 2006, 11:25:44 AM I say keep it and mod the hell out of it, and keep the TC stock :DThat car ain't in bad shape - hell, it's in much better shape than my old '87 Sport was. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #6 – July 26, 2006, 11:36:36 AM Thanks guys! I just can't afford to do two cars right not. Maybe I'll do what I can to stop the rust then store it for a few years.Quote from: Ether947Keep it! Looks like all it needs is a set of matching wheels. :D I have all four wheels, it's just that two are missing good tires. My father has snowtires on there now. Hey Thunder Chicken! Don't think the idea of a 460 between the fenders hasn't crossed my mind Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #7 – July 26, 2006, 12:06:55 PM Key areas to check for rust would be of course the controll arm mounting points... Behind the gas tank on the frame rails were the bumper shocks mount on... and the area of the quad shocks. Lower part of the strut towers on the front and the core support. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #8 – July 26, 2006, 12:54:34 PM Yeah, the car isn't in that bad of shape. I would just put it in storage till you know what you want to do with it.Like the garage too.Daniel Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #9 – July 26, 2006, 02:38:29 PM Quote from: CougarSELower part of the strut towers on the frontThat's what killed my parts TC. The body wasn't that bad (and the floor is MINT), but the frame rails under the strut towers, where the K-member attaches, is completely shot. So shot, in fact, that the spot welds that hold the frame rail together along its length broke, and if you jounce the front suspension you can see the frame rail opening up and closing. It's easy to see with no engine in there, and quite scary to think that the car was being driven like that :hick: Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #10 – July 26, 2006, 02:38:44 PM Yeah, keep it and don't let it get any worse. I'm not saying that because I'm partial to these cars. I'm saying this from a sentimental point of view.I had a Camaro that held a ton of value to me but it was just sold off last week to be a parts car. I couldn't afford to do anything with it so it sat for over 10 years and just rotted away. I didn't have any decent place to store it and couldn't afford to rent a garage so it just sat outside in a puddle of mud and wasted away. It broke my heart to get rid of it but if I'd been able to take preventative measures years ago I'd still have it. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #11 – July 26, 2006, 03:57:36 PM I say keep it. I've seen ones in much worse shape than that. You should be able to save it. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #12 – July 26, 2006, 04:56:44 PM Something else to think about: I have a 88 sport parts car sitting by the side of the garage. I'd like to upgrade to the sport suspension, if not do a full sport conversion with the console, dash, seats, etc. Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #13 – July 26, 2006, 07:05:37 PM There ya go then. I've got a blue console lying around if your Sport has a different color interior (I notice your "new" Bird has blue)*EDIT* Actually, come to think of it, didn't you once tell me that Sport had a red interior? If so and the seats are good we might be able to work out a swap - I just happen to have a complete set of good blue TC seats :D Quote Selected
While you guys were on your way to Cat Jam Reply #14 – July 26, 2006, 07:20:14 PM Yip! New bird is blue, TC is black, and the Sport is grey. What do you want for the blue console? Quote Selected
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