New owner, new member

[goredgo]

Just wanted to say hello. When I was 10 years old the original T-Bird was my fantasy car. Now, I finally have my own. A Torch Red 03. It is officially 1 week old today. I love it and can't tell you the comments and looks I get while cruising.

[jjaz]

:wavey:
Welcome doc, glad that you're joining our flock!

[goredgo]

Thanks for the welcome. It is most appreciated. How long have you had your T-Bird?

[jjaz]

Picked it up in early January.

[LouBelleraVideo]

I know how you feel.I LOVE my yellow 2002 premium full accent car. Its so much fun to drive and it really looks fabulous! I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a great instant classic to own. :thumbsup:

[goredgo]

Hi Lou, glad to hear from you. Have you been to any of the thunderbird rallies? Or other special events?

[LouBelleraVideo]

Hi Ray. Great owning that Bird huh? I can't believe that the general public has not caught on to this car.It's the greatest 50's retro car on the market.I can't believe that a car like this will be discontinued.The Public's loss but Our gain.I don't go to shows even though I own a 2002 Corvette convertible and pristine 86 and 89 Corvette Convertibles in addition to the Bird. I love cars and own them for my own pleasure and use them as Sunday fair weather drivers.

[goredgo]

Hello Lou. I think the T-Bird is a great cruising car, it is definitely not a performance car though. I had a Mercedes SLK 320 prior to the bird and there is no comparison on roadability and performance. However, the T-Bird had built in class and a nostalgic appeal that is hard to get anywhere else.

How do you like the Corvette? I have also considered the vette but just never made it happen.

Keep driving that yellow bird.

Ray

[Gobird]

goredgo, Welcome , and stick around, it gets interesting here sometimes. You will find out everything you ever wented to know about the New Bird here and some things you could care less about, but we do have Fun, Fun Fun on this site. :pbj: :pbj:

[joelja]

Welcome, Dr. Ray....we are glad to have you here.

We are getting new members at a faster rate than ever. You will find more info, fun, car related events, friends, etc. here.



This is THE place to be.

[goredgo]

Hi Gobird, Thanks for the info. Do you know of any T-Bird event that is being held in Atlanta this September? I just saw a mention of it in another thread and am interested in possibly attending.

[tbird2003]

Welcome fellow Red Bird owner.

[Irish Thunder]

Dr. Ray,
Great folks and loads of inforamtion here regarding the care and feeding of your new bird. Welcome!

[southwest la t-bird]

ive had mine 14 months and it still thrills me to drive it. the most fun car ive ever owned and ive owned about 40 over the years including three corvettes. welcome doc.

[goredgo]

I know this question is going to be absurd but here goes. What is the difference between a deluxe and premium model 03 T-Bird. I have looked all over the sticker on my car and it doesn't mention it all, unless I am blind. Which is quite possible. Thanks,
Ray

[5bird7]

that's an easy one - style of the wheels.

[goredgo]

Can you elaborate, what about the wheels?

[DLJames]

Ray:

Welcome to the nest, you will find a wealth of information by using that flashing red search button. The Atlanta group has a special area that you can get to by clicking on FORUMS and then looking under the "T-Bird Groups" area and you will find several threads for Metro Atlanta Thunderbird Group.

I encourage you to attend any of the events that you can. I attended my first event in May "Thunderbirds in Thunder Valley" and also attended a small portion of the Centennial. Had a grat time and it's a great way to meet other owners and put faces with the names. There is talk about a fall event "Thunder on the Redneck Riveria", so check it out.

People on this site just look for an excuse to "get together" so check back often. With this being the prime crusing season, new things are popping up each day. Many of us check in at least once a day. The activity on this site has picked up dramatically recently and there are usually 150+ new posts per day.

Again, welcome!

David

[DLJames]

Ray:

The picture on our home page of the guy with the black T-bird and the dog (Lee Flandrich Jr., DMIR.T-Bird) is premium wheels.

This link below shows a T-Bird with a trailer and both the bird and the trailer have deluxe wheels:

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2287

The order code on the sticker tells you for sure whehter or not it is a premium or a deluxe. For example, my order code on my sticker is 130A which is a premium with hard top.

[DrtiBird]

Don't feel bad Ray, I have looked at my sticker too and it doesn't mention Deluxe or Premium. Mine says it's a 2002 Roadster, but it appears to have all the whistles and bells and the only option that cost extra was the Full Interior Accent Package. The Insp Yellow Remov Top and supplemental parking lights were listed, but at no charge.

:pbj:

[goredgo]

Thanks for all your help, I believe mine is a Premium, the wheels look like the ones on the home page picture. Thanks to all of you for your help.
Ray

[5bird7]

:nuts: sorry, Ray, didn't get back to answer your 2nd question.
the 7-spoke chrome wheels are premiums.
the 21 spoke painted wheels are deluxe models.

[goredgo]

Dot, thanks for the information it is most appreciated.
Ray

[Lady 007]

Welcome home to the nest!

[YLO BRD]

Goredgo,
Welcome from another yellow bird owner from Michigan. We just had a group of our Thunderbird family here to enjoy the Ford Centennial. The gatherings are fantastic, we just loved Thunder Valley, it gives you a chance to meet other bird lovers and to put faces with the names you've seen posted.

[LouBelleraVideo]

Regarding your question about the Vette Ray I love the 2002 Convertible, sporty with plenty of power. The 2002 T Bird is a driving experience all of itself.A solid ride it floats like a dream and I love the way I feel behind the wheel because I swear I'm back in the 1950's. A better retro modern day 50's car you'll never find. :smokin:

[K.P.]

Ray--
In response to your query re' a get together in Atlanta in Sept....Why wait until then! Join us at The Braves' game for Thunderbird Day on July 20th. Look on the Metro Atlanta Forum and you'll find all the informatoin you need. It would be a great time to meet people.
We live in NC, but you will find that the Atlanta group is very active and will be happy for you to come. Bring that 'Bird on down and break her in right!!:biggrin:

[goredgo]

Hello Karyl,

Thanks for the information and invitation, I may have some job related situations in July but I will look into the possibility. I have heard nothing from anyone in Ohio or whether or not Ohio has any active T-Bird Club enthusiasts. If you hear anything let me know.

Thanks,
Ray

[traveler]

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

I'm enthusiastic!!!!!
:wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

I'm up near Cleveland....I've been hoping somehow we could get a group together soon, this summer!!

deb

[Irish Thunder]

:wavey:
goredgo,
Check the member list and sort by state. Then you can PM or e-mail the other Ohioans. Good luck!
:cheers:
Irish Thunder
PS: I was born in New Philadelphia and graduated from Bowling Green.

[BLUNBIRD]

Goredgo -
That might be a harder task than you think - we just returned from a trip to Dayton,OH for the Centennial Celebration of flight and throughout the 7-hour trip up and back to Tennessee, we did not see one Thunderbird. We were depressed!:sad: :bawl: :sad:

[DavidA]

Don't feel bad, here in the south spotting another T-Bird is still a rare occurrance. I've travelled countless times to Atlanta and Macon and have not seen another bird on mostly all of those trips. Personally, I like the anonymity:smokin:

[goredgo]

Hello Everyone,

I am beginning to understand how rare our T-Birds seem to be. I just got back from a trip to Oklahoma. I flew out there but spent a few days and did not see one T-Bird the entire time there.

Would like to go to the next big event for T-Bird owners. I guess the one in Atlanta seems to be it. Where can I get more particulars about it?

Ray

[BLUNBIRD]

Goredgo -

Go to this link. It has all the info. Tim will need to include you in the headcount by tomorrow (Tuesday).

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2298

[DavidA]

Goredgo: Actually, the day at the ballpark is a small gathering, not anything I'd travel a long distance for. The next semi-big event is the Redneck Riviera, a weekend gathering in late October. Although it is not meant to be anything as programmed as Thunder Valley or Destin, it should be a nice quiet weekend get-together with a lot of T-Bird friends. The final info for this is still being worked out, but follow this thread for more information (http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/vb/showthread.php?postid=24543#post24543). Also, there's the VTCI event in Warner-Robbins, GA that will have a bunch of TBN'ers there as well. We all look forward to meeting you, hopefully at the Redneck Riviera. :smokin: :smokin:

[BLUNBIRD]

BUT - Goredgo,

If you want to come to Atlanta for the game, we would love to have you!:wavey: :wavey:


(Geez Dave, you made it sound like a very boring event!:nono:.

Nothing we do is boring!):puzzled:

[DavidA]

I didn't say anythin of the sort ... it's just a long way for him to come for a one-day 'event'. At least Redneck will be a whole weekend at the beach!:moreek:

There you go hurting my feeling again :bawl: :bawl: :bawl: :nuts:

[BLUNBIRD]

Ah, you shouldn't pout! I was saying that there was no drive too long for spending time with TBN members...................that even included you!:nuts: :nuts:

Just don't let it go to your head.:sad:

[Donna]

My T-Bird is a 2003 Premium, I think I read that they have the chrome wheels, and also traction control on all four wheels, the others don't have these things. Also doesn't the Deluxe come without the hardtop? I am new at this, my bird's one week birthday is tomorrow. Shall I have a party?

[DavidA]

Donna: welcome to the nest. Just to clarify, the hardtop is an option on both the premium and deluxe models. Actually, it's a separate model according to the order form from Ford, adding $2500 to the cost of a Premium without the hardtop and the same amount to a Deluxe. Enjoy your car. Hope to see you possibly at Redneck Riviera in October. :bestwish: :bestwish:

[5bird7]

:biggrin: Welcome Donna! :wavey: to further confuse you. For the 02s, the traction control was optional on the delux with hardtop and not available on the delux without hardtop - unless you bought a Canadian 'bird. The traction control was standard on all of the 2003s, deluxe and premiums. Now when the 04s come along, the difference between deluxe and premium will be whether it has a hardtop or not along with differences in wheel styles.

Have a Party!

[Donna]

The 2003 Premium has the chrome wheels, and lists the seats as Nudo Leather (Deluxe just has leather seats listed), anyone know what this is? Also, I believe the Deluxe does not have heated seats. I couldn't get a simple answer from the dealer, so this could be wrong.
Donna

[BLUNBIRD]

OK......who wants to tell Donna about Nudo Leather???:lol: :lol:

[Quickdraw]

Donna, The differences between domestic & wild Nudos are explained here in message #67:

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/vb/showthread.php?postid=22510#post22510

[5bird7]

Donna,
I only handle the straight answers.:rolleyes:

the wheel styles are Here:
http://www.geocities.com/thenewtbird/Wheels.html

NUDO is the brand name of the leather used in the 2002s and 2003s - all of them. Then there is the Nudo.....:rolleyes:

Differences between the 02s and 03s are on this long thread:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=789&highlight=differences
and on my compare page:
http://www.geocities.com/thenewtbird/2003/compare.html

You are correct on the heated seats - only available on the 03 premium models

[KD0QV]

goredgo, Welcome to the nest ! Hope you enjoy your bird as much as we do ours ! Jim & Kay in Iowa

[Red Bird Dave]

Welcome Ray, it's always nice to see another red bird. I suggest you spend some time looking over the different threads. I have been a member for about a month and have learned so much about my bird from this nest.

Red Bird Dave

[goredgo]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the welcome. I am truly enjoying my car and you are right about the things you can learn on this website.

Ray in Ohio