Hi Guys,

I am just going to start a few topics here to get some discussion going.

I have to tell you that my really favorite thunderbird...... that I have owned... was my first one, my first car I owned.... a 1960 Convertible. I built a toneau cover for it out of plywood and covered with vinyl. The car was black and we made the tonneau black gloss vinyl with red metalflake headrests. the interior of the car was red also. It was referred to in town as the "Batmobile". It was one of the fastest cars around also. Not the fastest off the line so I would only race guys for a mile run. This was back in 1965-66 and I tended to beat most of them in the long run. Not too many cars around that did over 120, and the batmobile would bury the speedo past the 140 which it read.

Now the thunderbird that I consider the most fun to drive out of all of them is the 1988 Turbo Coupe with the 5 speed trans. That car has performance, handling, luxury, all the modern day conveniences etc.

What are your favorite t-birds

Right now my favorite is the '69 fordor that I own right now. I think it's because of the color. Jade Black with the 1.25" wite walls and mag wheel hubcaps. When I was growing up my first car was also a '69 fordor. However, being a teenager I drove it like a teenager. It to won it's fair share of races. Took her to the drag strip in Wisconsin once and turned a 15.9.
Mike B

I think the best looking bird is the 66 hardtop.
Mine is black which especially shows off the clean lines. On other web sites it is referred to as the pretty birds. I agree.
Hope you all can take a good natured jab and welcome any rebuttals. I love a good argument.
It doesn't have that ugly bulge hood scope thing, like the 64-65's do. And to stir things up even more, its not a landau. The landau tops (64-66) do not seem like they go with the body.

I love the clean lines and with a 5 spd they are a blast to drive.
I think any year of Tbird is a classy cat though.
With a Turbocoupe you can have your cake and eat it to. Great gas milage. Pleny of room nice shape and great performance. And there is at least some aftermarket support for them.
I belong to a Turbotbird club called " NATO" North American Turbocoupe Organization . Great bunch of guys and a lot of expertiese.
Wes

My favorite, if money were not a problem, would be a 65 convertable. But since money is a problem, I am overjoyed with my current Bird. It is an 88 Sport with 90,000 miles. Runs great and looks great. It's a daily driver, I've had it since 8-2-2K2, and I put about 400-500 miles a week on it. After 12 years of Escorts + Tempos, a V8 Bird is a thrill to drive. Some times I can't believe the passing power it has. I plan to drive it as long as it will have me.

Although I own a 64 Convertible, the 65 droptop is my favorite. Something about the scallops on both sides and the sequential tail-lights. My least favorite Tbird is the 66. They emasculated it by replacing the prominent front bumper along the "nose" with a thin little mini-bumper below that gawd-awful huge "grille bird". And don't forget the cheap looking tin pieces around the headlights that replaced the chrome headlight rings of the 64-65.

Even though I bragged about the clean lines of my 66, I agree about the bird stuck on the grill.
I would take it off except for the mounting holes behind it. Might someday replace the whole thing with a billet type grill. Cars are made to be customized!

Without question the 90SC/5spd. Great road car, handled very well, ran strong enough to give GT's a very hard time, great milage at 75 - 80 and enough room for the wife and two kids on a trip. The seats were the best production seats I have ever sat in! Second choise is any Bullit Bird rag! It's just way cool.

02 Taurus (Wifes)
99 Cobra
93 F-150
66 Ranchero 302EFI/5spd
65 Secial Landau
62 T-Bird HT
36 Chevy 351C/FMX
34 Ply Coupe 460/C6

HI Bill,

in your opinion, if I were to be looking for a Super Coupe, which year would you say is the best of the Super Coupes

John R. Draxler
Thunderbird Ranch
http://www.tbirdranch.com
715-884-6546 days

The 1980 25th Silver Anv. This is what I have now. This is the year when ford started down sizing the modle, from the BIG T Birds of the late seventys. It has a lot of modern accessories. I have made some major changes to the power plant. Hope no one gets offended.

80TB SA
347/Alm heads/88 EFI
97 Explorer
00 LS2 Saturn

My favorite has to be the one we had when I was just a pup, my dad's Burgandy 2 door 68 with the 429. It had the black landau top. I loved just to be in it and ride in it.

When I wanted to buy one, I wanted to get a 68 and restore it with my dad for nostalgia, but he said he preferred the 66, so that's what I got, and we've had a ton of fun putting it back together again (with a lot of Mr. Draxler's help!)

Scott Miller

John,
Not too sure one year was better than another after January of 90. They had a few problems with cranks on the 89's and early 90's. After those intial problems were taken care of it was a matter of taste. Mine was an April production date. The only failure I had was the AC compressor and the recall for front rotors. I was partial to the clean look and lack of "stick on" trim panels the later years had. I ran mine hard, put a lot of road miles on it running home to WI from Norfolk and it was a daily driver. Had 130K on it when I sold it to buy the Cobra. It's one of those that I wish I could have kept (along with the 85 TC, 70 Boss and 62 Vette)!
Bill

02 Taurus (Wifes)
99 Cobra
93 F-150
66 Ranchero 302EFI/5spd
65 Secial Landau
62 T-Bird HT
36 Chevy 351C/FMX
34 Ply Coupe 460/C6

Almost hate to confess, but my pretty black
66 Bird is gone. Sold to guy in New Jersey.
Came all the way to Ohio to get it.
What was I thinking! Got car fever and bought
69 Mark III. Still plan to check this site, so
don't be making any more remarks about how ugly the 66's are. It sure sold fast.
Really going to miss doing business with John
Draxler. He's the best.

Rodger,
Try not to feel so bad. At least you'll be driving in total luxury. A bigger heavier car = a lot smoother ride!!

Mike B

I do agree, I am not all impressed with any 61-66 Hard Top. The top just does not look right to me, too tall on t the car.


Tim

1964 - Conv Tbird
1994 - Caprice 9c1 (cop car)
1998 - Mitsubishi Eclipse conv

I had a 87 TC in 87. I loved the way that car rode and drove. I use to run from Arkansas to Ohio 3 or 4 times a year. Great ride and mileage. I am currently looking at a 64 conv. It has been stripped and now needs reassembled. Seller is wanting 8k, but I am not sure of the worth of the price. Any help with that one would be appreciated. I am also partial to my first Bird, an 82 sport conv look a like. White with White leather. Absolutly beautiful car. Ex-wife trashed it up before I could get it back many, many years later.

Bill R.
88 Sport
87 turbo Coupe
82 Sport
76 Continental 2 door
67 Continental Suicide

The 94-95 Super Coupes are, IMHO, the best of the SCs. Power has been increased through coating the rotors with teflon and increasing the flow through the heads-230HP and 330ft-lbs. I own a 95 and without any mods other than a K&N flatpanel and removing the silencer I can hammer the throttle and get the tires to spin going into second gear.

These cars demand a lot of respect, and a lot of mechanical knowledge-there are a lot of mechanics out there, Ford mechanics included, who will take one look at the car and tell you take it elsewhere when you need work on the motor.

If you own, or are contemplating owning a 1989-95 Super Coupe, make sure you visit www.sccoa.com There are a LOT of knowledgeable people on that site, and all of them are willing to help with questions or tech help.

I just drove my first bird today! I cant stop smilling the power and feel of it was anything but what i expected. I bought it on spot. Its a 1964 t-bird with a 390 all numbers match and with all the orig parts. only minor blemishes. a ding in drivers door and crinkle in the front right fender. I cant wait to clean the metal up and cruise her to the beach. Considering all the other cars in my flock ar vw's everyone is amazed that i got it.


1964 t-bird (un-named as of yet)
1967 type 2 vw bus (murtle the turtle)
1970 type 1 vw bug (herbie)

sadly herbie is dead now. was totaled by an uninsured driver from mexico who ran a red light.

Know anyone that has a Vee-Dub Transporter for sale-preferably one of the Westphalias(Camper Style)?

Been looking for one for a while now. My SC is fun-but need something for winter and occasional camping trips in the summer.

i would try one of these 2 websites, www.type2.com, or www.vintagebus.com htey have loads of info and classified sections. All of which is related to the kombi, westy, and standard.

I was wondering if someone knew where can i find an origional accel pedal, and a/c unit, and rear seat driverside armrest for my 64 (hard top) t-bird?