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Author
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Topic: Bought a somewhat rare 1979
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fordnmerc
Gearhead Posts: 1001
From: Watkins Glen NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-22-2004 10:57 PM
   
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2483408256&category=6240It has the t-roof (a $747 option that year), 351 Windsor, cloth interior, and dual sport mirrors, but no a/c, power windows, or other power gadgets. Just power steering and power brakes. I like manual crank windows....no little motors to fail. And I am no big fan of a/c. The 351W is my favorite engine. The 1979 model year was the last of the body-on-frame Thunderbirds. This one was built in April, 1979. In the short time since getting the car, I have been tracking down some minor parts. I also ordered some new carpet. As far as fading, it's mainly just the top of the back seat. I've found some spray-on fabric dye that should work very nicely. Bought a new set of General XP 2000 GT white letter tires. I don't care for the wide whitewalls and they are quite old, anyway. The wire wheel covers are a bit scuffed and I don't care much for them, either. I am going with either chrome hubcaps and trim rings, or the turbine-center full wheel covers as were on T-Birds in 1973-74. The dash, thankfully, is still absolutely like-new. Clock still works! BTW: Although the photos show what looks like black, the vinyl roof, pinstripes, and lower bodyside paint are all actually dark blue.  David ------------------
2004 Crown Victoria LX
1979 Thunderbird T-Roof
1989 K-5 Blazer 4x4
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KULTULZ
Gearhead Posts: 834
From: Rockville, MD
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 07-22-2004 11:20 PM
Factory T-Tops...Nice touch...
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Gunny
Journeyman Posts: 6
From: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 07-23-2004 11:47 AM
Nice - Looks to be in excellent condition for a 79.Quick question - what tires are on it (make and model), I am looking for a set of white walls like those for my 65. Gotta love Ebay (I bought both my 65 Thunderbird and Suburban off there) ------------------
88 GMC Suburban - 6.2 Diesel 4x4
87 Jeep Cherokee - 6" lift, 32 bfg's, way too many mods to list.
65 Thunderbird - Stock
United States Marine Corps
SEPIUS EXERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATER INFINITAS
"Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"
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fordnmerc
Gearhead Posts: 1001
From: Watkins Glen NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-23-2004 10:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gunny:
Nice - Looks to be in excellent condition for a 79.Quick question - what tires are on it (make and model), I am looking for a set of white walls like those for my 65. Gotta love Ebay (I bought both my 65 Thunderbird and Suburban off there)
They are Goodyear 'Custom Polysteel Radial' in size 215/75/15.
I do plan to have them carefully removed, in case anyone wants them. As far as tread, they seem very new and unworn. That model of Goodyear tire is old, but being that these are p-metric and not HR78-15, for example, perhaps they are recent reproductions....
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Gunny
Journeyman Posts: 6
From: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 07-26-2004 11:58 AM
give me a yell when you have them removed - I would be very interested in buying them off you - it will give me a chance to figure the best way to get them from New York to Georgia.Have a Good One
Gunny
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fordnmerc
Gearhead Posts: 1001
From: Watkins Glen NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-26-2004 11:17 PM
Will do....it will probably be a couple of weeks or so, but I'll let you know.Thanks....glad to find someone who can use them. I was looking at them again today, and the tread really is like-new.
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Gunny
Journeyman Posts: 6
From: Warner Robins, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 07-28-2004 06:58 AM
that will work for me with the time frame I am looking at, figure I have a few weeks of work before I am ready to put it back on the road.
I just finished painting it day before yesterday and am working on finding some replacement chrome for those pieces that are pitted.Gunny
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fordnmerc
Gearhead Posts: 1001
From: Watkins Glen NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-26-2004 10:02 PM
Hey Gunny,I finally got my new wheels and tires mounted today. (My Dad has not been doing well, and taking care of him limits my time to pursue my interests.) Unfortunately, my old wide stripe whitewalls are age cracked. They are P-metric, not the older HR78-15, but they are age cracked anyway. I would not feel comfortable selling these to you. I would recommend Coker Tire to you....they sell all sorts of high quality repros of vintage tires. Sorry for the disappointment. Best of Luck,
David
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cobravenom71
Gearhead Posts: 1042
From: Poinciana, Fl USA
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-29-2004 09:29 PM
I once had a 79 Thunderbird with buckets, console, floor shifter and gauge package, along with the T-roof option.
It was loaded up, all power accesories,cloth seats, aluminum 'turbine' wheels.
I bought it with only 25,000 miles on it and it looked absolutely brand new inside and out, exceot for one thing...the motor was shot.
The original owner did not put his oil filter on tight enough and lost it while driving on the freeway at about 90, and he drove it until it seized.
Had it towed to his house where it sat in his garage for 12 years until I bought it...for $300.
I put a mildly warmed-up 460 in it, along with a 3.25 gear set, and that thing moved out quite nicely. Sure surprised a lot of other drivers, anyway.
I ended up selling it to a customer of mine for $3,800, but I wish I would have kept it.
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fordnmerc
Gearhead Posts: 1001
From: Watkins Glen NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 09-01-2004 09:39 PM
Wow! Why would he let that go for $300? He must have been extremely burned out at seeing it sit around or something....
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