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1958-1966 Thunderbirds ?

64 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2013 at 10:49 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Thunderbird, Classic Cars

Messages Page 4 of 7

#30 of 64 Re: Classic Dilemma ! [texases] by piCARso

Jan 02, 2009 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: texases (Jan 01, 2009 7:23 pm)
I like it, very sharp. I have registered at the Hemmings site, thanks for the suggestion. Ebay has provided me with many hours of entertainment with intoxicatingly detailed pictures and descriptions of the cars and their owners feedback rating. A low "Buy Me Now" feature is always tantalizing, knowing the touch of a button can make a dream come true or your worst nightmare.It is fascinating that so many people buy cars unseen and undriven, brave and probably foolish.
 It tickles me when I read about Southwest cars that have never been rained on, ever! Living in the Northeast I could almost say the opposite, my car has seldom seen a dry day. In Maine, going anywhere without a functioning top or working wipers would ensure a wet interior and impaired vision. As fantasy can blur with reality, one day I am James Bond driving an Aston Martin (dating myself from early Bond), the next I am Casper Milktoast in a Rambler. On the plus , non-Bond side, so many cars from the 50's and 60's have style that even the most modest, 50 years later, in good shape, still turns heads. I realize no one can know my personal tastes but it is very helpful knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the major auto makers during these years. I don't mind generalizations. You could tell me the transmission was weak on a particular model and that information might help me later. Thank you again for your input.

#31 of 64 Re: Classic Dilemma ! [piCARso] by explorerx4

Jan 02, 2009 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: piCARso (Jan 01, 2009 7:17 pm)
i'm sure mr shifty can tell you how to go about getting an inspection for any car you are interested, so you don't end up with something that was misrepresented.

#32 of 64 1958 - 60 FORD THUNDERBIRD & NASCAR by MrShiftleft

Jan 03, 2009 (12:18 am)

I find it interesting that FoMoCo considered entering what some may think as a BIRD that wouldn"t FLY. Let alone GMC considered a Doctor"s car as the shot in arm performer. Surely Car Manufactures play a major role for financial support,parts,recruiting the right people,and even swaying some from competive apponents.All these Cars of this time were somewhat sizable, I know, I"ve driven dozens of all makes & models. Not claiming to be an EXPERT , Some have a different personallity,temperment,character,It all depents on the History of the previous owner somewhat,was the car taken care of. Sometimes this doesn"t play in the factor. " AnyHow " To some it up, Don"t shoot down the BIRD (FORD THUNDERBIRD) and I won"t spear the SHARK (CHEVROLET CORVETTE), For One RULES the HEAVENS, And One RULES the SEAS,But they both share the EARTH (ELEMENTS). AS for NASCAR & OLD CARS , It"s a Miracle if you can handle the money,skill,and mainly the time (depending on your vision).YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE FEVER !

#33 of 64 Re: 1958 - 60 FORD THUNDERBIRD & NASCAR [MrShiftleft] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 03, 2009 (11:26 am)

Replying to: MrShiftleft (Jan 03, 2009 12:18 am)
No one is "shooting down" the T-Bird that I can see. What's being said (as far as I can gather) is that the old T-Birds and the old Corvettes are two entirely different animals built for two entirely different purposes.
 
There's little luxury in a 1960 Corvette and no sports car in a 1960 T-Bird. I think that statement is "fair enough".

#34 of 64 1955 to 1966 Ford Thunderbird by MrShiftleft

Jan 03, 2009 (1:10 pm)

FAIR is FAIR, All American Auto Makers have tested the waters in many areas , and management came up for air to decide were the market maybe strongest. American auto makers then and now have simply blended in their own views of what has been considered Our Sports car and or Personal car.

#35 of 64 Re: 1955 to 1966 Ford Thunderbird [MrShiftleft] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 03, 2009 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: MrShiftleft (Jan 03, 2009 1:10 pm)
Yes these days the term "sports car" has been totally rendered meaningless--by which I mean that if everything is a sports car, then nothing is a sports car, or if everyone is "special" than no one is special or if we are all beautiful then...etc. etc.
 
I would imagine every car is a "personal car".
 
Oh, marketing. it's so silly sometimes.
 
But a Corvette was America's only real sports car back then...now we have Viper, Cobra, etc.
 
The "Bird" went to "personal luxury" whatever that meant. You definitely did not see them on a race track, except for a few 55-57 Birds and the occasional whacky privateer.

#36 of 64 66 tbird 428 wont fly by wmondy

Mar 12, 2009 (9:26 pm)

"I have been having problems with my car's engine loosing
electrical power... It started last week when I was pulling
into a parking lot... I heard a pop and could smell
electric smoke... I cut off the switch and the lights and
tried to restart the engine and it started fine. I when
into the gym and worked out came out drove home (2miles),
every thing was fine. The next day I was driving to school
and after about 15 miles on the highway, when I exited the
engine lost power again, no smell, no pop... I just coasted
to a stop. The car started right up and drove fine for a
couple of days... until today . This time I got about two
miles from home and again it stalled like before. But this
time it wouldn't crank when I turned the switch. No noise
at all... just dead. lights worked, just no starting. After
a while it stated to crank but would not run. At last after
numerous tries it started, but as soon as I put my foot on
the brake the engine died. This happened over and over....
until I finally took of the brake light switch and It was
fine. I drove 5 mile down the highway to exit and turned
around for home. I made it home where I reasembled the
brake light switch etc.
 
I went out later to the gym and on the way back it happened
again.... I made it home by driving without braking... I
just barely made in to my drive way. Now it will crank
sometime and some time it will start and braking wont
affect it, but it will eventually die without braking,
start again and braking will kill it.
 
What is my car's problem?
 
"

#37 of 64 Re: 66 tbird 428 wont fly [wmondy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 13, 2009 (8:17 am)

Replying to: wmondy (Mar 12, 2009 9:26 pm)
I would remove and clean the battery cables first off, with one of those wire battery terminal cleaners.
 
As for the brake issue, you may have a vacuum leak, most likely, either in the brake booster or the line that goes to it, or in the intake manifold on the engine.
 
So I think you actually have at least two separate problems here.

#38 of 64 Re: 66 tbird 428 wont fly [Mr_Shiftright] by wmondy

Mar 13, 2009 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 13, 2009 8:17 am)
Ok, there is a vacuum leak I hear under the dash when the car it placed in gear, but the battery is fine. If I connect the battery terminal of the ignition regulator with the coil terminal of the regulator with the ignition switch in the on position the engine will crank but wont run... .

#39 of 64 Re: 66 tbird 428 wont fly [wmondy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 14, 2009 (10:02 am)

Replying to: wmondy (Mar 13, 2009 1:57 pm)
Oh, do you have one of those fender mounted starter relays? Maybe that's the problem.

Messages Page 4 of 7

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