Newbie confused about hardtop vs convertible vs both . . . .

[SixPac]

Hardtop actually weighs about 84 pounds (per FoMoCo).

[DaveTravels]

Thanx for all the helpful input! :)

Just a tad of info about my situation . . . .

I own a limo company (32 years), so, I have a small-ish fleet of cars. (12-15, depending on which ones you count)

They're mostly Lincoln MKTs, and 1 Edge, that I LOVE! 2 Ford Flexes, a few Chrysler 300s that I only bought because I got a good deal on them, and 1 GM van.

So, I'm a Ford guy! My mechanic for the last 29-ish years, recently retired, so, I've been using different local garages nearby, but, my former mechanic was AMAZING!

So, I'm not really afraid of normal mechanical issues, but . . . .

When I read stories posted here about parts that can't be bought anymore, or, modules that can't be programmed, etc, it spooks me a little.

I really don't need another car, but, I haven't had a car strictly for personal use in YEARS, and I just thought it would be nice to have one, and these seem

rather affordable and they're so COOL! I just don't want to get into a situation with one that'll have a million weird problems, likely due to the age.

Also, I can see where the hardtop situation would likely be difficult without a hoist.

[Birdlover]

Dave,
My two cents:
One member here has eleven of these wonderful birds, several of us have two or more. The "horror" stories you read here are of the minority. Anyone who has a problem wants to post it. I was scared by reading stories of not having a Ford ESP and bought one, but never had to use it. There are many stories here of how the ESP paid for itself. I, for one, am not worried about replacement parts yet. I do not require an "all Ford" vehicle, aftermarket parts are fine. There are companies out there that will repair, or reprogram the modules in our cars. I haven't faced a non repairable problem yet. We are heading out on a cross country trip in January 2018 and am not the least concerned about a breakdown. If we have problems, I'm confident we'll get it fixed.
Richard

[Jimr]

I do not know of any Thunderbirds sitting because they can not be repaired. There is always a solution. Some just take a little time and patients.

[RustyFrye]

There is always a solution. Some just take a little time and patients.

Of course you overcharge the patients to be able to pay for the repairs...

[ISSYRO]

Bill morning; Do you have a good link for the hardtop in Louisiana, I may be interested in it. I cannot locate it on eBay in my search.

[wcoates]

Bill morning; Do you have a good link for the hardtop in Louisiana, I may be interested in it. I cannot locate it on eBay in my search.

Morning ISSYRO,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderbird-...19.m1438.l2649

[ISSYRO]

Thanks Bill, Ouch on the Yellow, it would definitely be a cruel combination on a PCR. But at the right price and the right location for pickup it may be a good deal. Just keeping in mind that it would have to eventually be painted for me to hold on to it.

[2K2BIRD]

From the looks of it, I think it should be repainted sooner, rather than later no matter what color a person wants it to be.

[wcoates]

From the looks of it, I think it should be repainted sooner, rather than later no matter what color a person wants it to be.

Paul you may be correct. Through Ebay I advised the seller that there are going to be 55 cars in Nola soon and I'd post his contact info if he wished. Said thanks but no thanks as he felt the top would be sold soon. Think a few TBNers are looking at it. Some (think it may be Richard) asked about the carrier and the cover. Reply was they went with the car. Carrier and cover go with the car but not the top???? What's up with that?

Still sitting at $430 with two days to go. Hope a member gets a good deal. Dr. Z it would look good on your MSG.

[redfire1]

Dave,
My two cents:
One member here has eleven of these wonderful birds, several of us have two or more. The "horror" stories you read here are of the minority. Anyone who has a problem wants to post it. I was scared by reading stories of not having a Ford ESP and bought one, but never had to use it. There are many stories here of how the ESP paid for itself. I, for one, am not worried about replacement parts yet. I do not require an "all Ford" vehicle, aftermarket parts are fine. There are companies out there that will repair, or reprogram the modules in our cars. I haven't faced a non repairable problem yet. We are heading out on a cross country trip in January 2018 and am not the least concerned about a breakdown. If we have problems, I'm confident we'll get it fixed.
Richard

Dave, I agree with Richard. My wife and I recently completed a two months drive covering 8200 miles in our 2004 Merlot without a single problem. On the other hand our 2003 Desert Sky Blue was subjected to a lighting strike last year, it took 14 months to repair all the electrical damage, but it was repaired to "like new" condition. Get one and have fun driving.

[ISSYRO]

From the looks of it, I think it should be repainted sooner, rather than later no matter what color a person wants it to be.

I remember the first TBird I looked at while making my first purchase was a Inspiration Yellow. For some reason it had to have spent most of its life parked outside as one side wso faded it turned me away. This top looks the same faded and dirty, must have been in the sun a while too long. Price is going up on the bids though!

[wcoates]

Paul you may be correct. Through Ebay I advised the seller that there are going to be 55 cars in Nola soon and I'd post his contact info if he wished. Said thanks but no thanks as he felt the top would be sold soon. Think a few TBNers are looking at it. Some (think it may be Richard) asked about the carrier and the cover. Reply was they went with the car. Carrier and cover go with the car but not the top???? What's up with that?

Still sitting at $430 with two days to go. Hope a member gets a good deal. Dr. Z it would look good on your MSG.

$430 with nine hours to go. You TBNers going to NOLA don't beat each other up

[2K2BIRD]

So, Issy did you win the top for $430?