Hi everyone, I'm new and I have a couple questions.

[Justanormalgirl]

Hi everyone, happy 4th of July! I've seen a couple members mention the TBN front grill emblem and I saw one on another member's photo page, they look great. How can I get one? Also, how can I find out how many Thunderbirds were made in my year and color and what production number mine is?

[Quickdraw]

Hi everyone, happy 4th of July! I've seen a couple members mention the TBN front grill emblem and I saw one on another member's photo page, they look great. How can I get one? Also, how can I find out how many Thunderbirds were made in my year and color and what production number mine is?JerryP is the one to answer the question about the grill badge.

To get the "production number" you first need to get the four digit rotation number from (usually) under the hood on the left front fender above the VIN and we also need the VIN itself.

If you have a 2002 or 2003 I can tell you how many Thunderbirds were made like yours if you describe it (premium or deluxe, hardtop, color body and interior). If you have a 2004 you have to wait for the final numbers due about the 19th of July. Unless you have a PCR in which case it's one of 992.

[Justanormalgirl]

I have the vin# and the 4 digit number...how can I tell from those? I may sound silly here, I hope not, but I'm not the original owner of my car so I don't have the window sticker to tell me if it's premium or deluxe (I'm new at this) but it's a 2002, Inspiration Yellow, hardtop with the full color accent interior.

[Quickdraw]

I have the vin# and the 4 digit number...how can I tell from those? I may sound silly here, I hope not, but I'm not the original owner of my car so I don't have the window sticker to tell me if it's premium or deluxe (I'm new at this) but it's a 2002, Inspiration Yellow, hardtop with the full color accent interior.
You have the traction control and chrome wheels, right? If so it sounds like a premium and is one of 1,930 if it has a yellow hardtop.

If Dot doesn't check in here before that I'll have to do little research but I think the rotation number repeats every 9800. If the last five digits of your VIN is less than 9800 then the rotation number is also the sequence number the car was built. If your VIN is higher then it is in the 2nd or 3rd series of 9,800, maybe even the start of the fourth as they made over 31,121 of the 2002s. What is your four digit rotation number and the last five digits of the VIN?

[5bird7]

Next, need to know the style of your wheel.
Is it chrome 7 spoke
or "painted" 21 spoke?
Visit this page and match
http://www.portholeauthority.com/thenewtbird/Wheels.html

rotation # starts over every 9960

[Justanormalgirl]

Yes, we have traction control and the 7 spoke chrome wheels, we also have the yellow hardtop. The 4 digit rotation number is 3162 and the last 5 digits of the vin# are 13229. Is 1,930 a large production run for this car?

[5bird7]

1930 is higher than some of the other colors such as the vintage mint green, desert sky blue, ice blue, and the special editions but not as common as the black, red, white, 02 thunderbird blue or merlot.

:omg:
Update: as pointed out by Quickdraw
rotation # should be 9960 +3162 = 13122

[5bird7]

Your color was produced throughout the entire 2002 model year, done in small batches as like orders were scheduled for production.

[Justanormalgirl]

Thank you! I know it's not important information but I just want to know as much about my car as I can. They sure are somthin' aren't they?!

[Quickdraw]

Thank you! I know it's not important information but I just want to know as much about my car as I can. They sure are somthin' aren't they?!Dot's memory is much better than mine about the rotation number but even she slipped a digit... by the way, her website has TONS of information about our cars and its condensed and probably easier to find than here. However her website says the rotation numbers got to 9960 before starting over again. http://www.portholeauthority.com/thenewtbird/facts/faqs.html So yours would be the 13,122 car built (9960 + 3162). At 1,930 units built like yours, it was the fourth most popular combination ordered for 2002.

Give me (or email) your complete 17 digit VIN and I can look up when it was originally ordered, built and sold. However you'll have to wait until I get back to work on the 19th for me to look it up.

[Justanormalgirl]

Thanks Quickdraw. I'll send you a PM around the 19th so the information will be fresh. I did visit Dot's website and bookmarked it this morning, it's full of great information.

[Quickdraw]

Thanks Quickdraw. I'll send you a PM around the 19th so the information will be fresh.
Make that an email - my PMs don't work.

[YLO BRD]

Welcome normalgirl from another of the 1930 premium Inspiration yellow owners. We've had our car since Feb 12, 2002 and have enjoyed every minute of it. Hope to meet you at one of the great TBN gatherings.

[K.P.]

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5443&highlight=grill+badge+poll

Try the above address for the newest badge order poll by JerryP. I also moved that thread to the top so you could find it more easily. We won't be ordering any more until the total nears 100 (they are cheaper that way) to keep the cost at what it previously was. I think it is nearly there now. Just post what you would like, but DO click on the appropriate poll selection for what you want, becuse that is where Jerry is keeping tabs of what a preorder number would be.

JerryP also has an '02 yellow. Which he totally took over, forcing me to buy one for myself!:biggrin:

[Justanormalgirl]

Hi Joanne and Karyl, thanks for the welcome. I went to the thread and made my choice, thank you for the link. Will there be a post about TBN gatherings? That sounds like fun. We're a one bird family and we both love it but it's just a 'cruisin to the DQ' car, we drive our truck for the everyday stuff.

[YLO BRD]

Normalgirl,
There are always a few local gatherings of TBN members going on, and then at least once a year the big event happens. If you check the thread upcoming events, you will see most get togethers. I'm sure I'll forget a few but, coming up soon is a tour of the Lima, Ohio engine plant (no date yet), the Big Easy in New Orleans (Sept), and lots of individuals will post car shows and cruises in their areas. The next main TBN gathering is "Thunder Fever" in Jonesborough, TN next year in May, and if its anything like the last one, is not to be missed, I believe there are over 60 cars already saying they will be there to celebrate the Thunderbirds 50th birthday. Do a search on Thunder Fever and read a bit about it.

Joanne

[K.P.]

Check out the "ThunderFever" links..it's coming up in May.

But, that's a long time away...you should check out the "FallingWaters" weekend that David James is setting up for August. It looks to be a great time, you'll enjoy the people that will be there a lot. We unfortunately can't make it due to "kid stuff", so YOU should go in my place! Look for the link to it under "forums -> upcoming events" , or pm DLJames.

[TBIRDY]

Love your handle.......
Welcome to TBN!

[Justanormalgirl]

Thank you for the information Joanne and Karyl, I'll see what I can find on upcoming gatherings. Where will Falling Waters be held? Not sure if we can make it but I'll check it out. Thunder Fever sounds fun too!

[Justanormalgirl]

Thanks for the welcome Patti.........yep, that's me.........justanormalgirl!

[DLJames]

Justanormalgirl:

Here is the link to the Fallingwater tour and drive in that we are doing in late August.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5689