My T-Bird Story

[RT66TBIRD]

I just joined this past weekend. So far I have found a lot of great information and friendly posts.

My first T-bird was a '60 convertible that was found parked in a barn in Bainbridge Ohio, where I grew up. I was 14 and my dad let me buy it. The price was $200. We had a pretty good garage setup with lot of tools and I guess I had a lot more spare time and energy than I do now because in one year I had restored the 'bird to about a #2 condition. It was ready about the time I turned 16 and got my license. I kept the car for the next 2 1/2 years and sold it for $1200 before I drove off to New Mexico in my mothers donated Pinto to go to college. I sure wish I had that car now. '60 convertibles command a pretty good price.

Three years ago I bought a '62 hardtop to tinker with. It isn't as cool as the '60 convertible with all its hydraulics and relays that folded the top into the trunk but it was a T-bird nevertheless.

When the new birds came out, I knew I had to have one. The price kept me away though, with the dealers gouging $5000 over sticker. Then, this past October a Ford dealer here in Albuquerque advertised their Birds at $6200 below sticker. There was one there that I had already been looking at so I immediately ran down to the dealer and bought it. I had a bit of buyer's remorse for splurging on myself but that wore off quickly as I cruised around with the top down in the warm New Mexico fall.

Well that's my T-bird story for now. Glad to be a part of the group!

Tom

[VA2k2Tbrd]

And we're glad to have you too. This is a great group here and there is a lot of good information and good fellowship. On the same token everyone contributes in one way or another.
Thanks for sharing your story and welcome aboard.

[BLUNBIRD]

RT66 - Welcome. I your name and where you live. We spent two weeks out there last fall and quite a bit of time on Route 66. It was the second time we have been there. We are hot air balloonists, so we have been to Fiesta. You should take lots and lots of pictures of your car against that gorgeous scenery.

The Albuquerque area is second only to the coast in my book!

Welcome

[2K2BIRD]

Hey Tom,

Welcome to the nest. I'm going to be in Albuquerque 2 or 3 times in the next 3 months for business. I'm trying to coordinate one of those trips with the Desert Thunder gathering in Las Vegas (I'll probably know tomorrow how that will turn out). You should read up on that and plan to attend the event to meet lots of new folks in person.

Anyway, maybe we get together sometime when I'm out there. If we get to go to Desert Thunder then maybe we could caravan over together from Albuquerque (looks like it is about 570 miles or so from there).

I was out there in October. I saw a red Thunderbird in the Target parking lot on Coors Rd when I went over that way to visit my cousin. Any chance it might have been yours?

[TBIRDY]

We hear the love for the Bird in your story. Welcome aboard!

[goredgo]

Welcome Tom, I think you will continue to enjoy owning your bird the more you drive it the better you like it. Hope you enjoying hanging out with this birdsy crowd.

Ray in Ohio

[JBest]

Welcome and have a good time here....

:bestwish:

[FUN X 3]

Tom, enjoyed your story, welcome to the flock. There are many similar stories here, search old threads to read them.

[03ShadowBird]

Welcome!!
I moved from there in 02. I loved NM and grew up in Los Alamos. But my job had me move to the Bay Area. I bought my 3 Explorer's and Crown Victoria at Rich Ford and was very happy with the service that I recieved. I wanted to by my Bird there but California has this sticky little law that wont let you bring in a New car with less than 7500 miles. So I had to buy a car in California.
Again Welcome to the list and enjoy that great new Bird!

[jerrym3]

(I posted this story long time ago, but since there are a number of new members, I thought I'd tell it again.)

In 1989, my in-laws asked me to stop over by their neighbor, a 93 year old lady, who was selling an old car, and wanted to know what she should ask for it.

In her one car garage, sitting on four flats for at least three years, was a 58 TBird hardtop with original 49,000 miles.

Well, since I couldn't drive or start the car, I suggested a price and left driving my 64 Galaxy convert. She asked my in-laws if I might be interested in buying it.

So, we rented an air compressor, pumped up the tires, pushed the car out, pulled the plugs, squirted some oil down the cylinders, hooked up a battery, poured a little gas down the carb, and started her up. Kicked right over.

Long story short, I bought it. The car now has 61,000 miles on it. I've changed the front seat upholstry, put on wide whites, and replaced the cracked dash, as well as replacing normal items, such as water pump, radiator, etc.

I still have her original sales paperwork from Hackensack Ford in NJ showing the price of the car and each of the options. Also shows the credit she and her husband received for trading in their 1950 Nash ($750).

She also told me that she and her husband really wanted the 2 dr, but they had stopped production. Otherwise, I would have gotten my hands on a 49,000 mile original 1957 Bird. (Expletive)

It's a driver, not a showcar, but from 15-20' away, car looks great.

But, since I bought the 03 Bird, the miles per year on the two old cars have dropped to less than 400 miles per year on each car.

Time to put one on the block this spring.

[5bird7]

Welcome! and keep on cruising. We've had ours 1.5 years now and 30K miles - all pleasure! Haven't put that many miles in that time frame on one car since the 70's.:thumbsup:

[Bill Brown]

RT 66; Welcome to the number one site for tbirds. I love your area of NM and vacation in Santa Fe ever chance we get.