Preserving Window Sticker

[Lindy]

Hey!

Anybody know a source for a window sticker holder or sheet protector, that a 2002 Window sticker would fit into? Secondly, does anyone in this fine group know if a new window sticker for a 2002-2005 Thunderbird may yet be regenerated through Ford? My local dealer said, no can do; should one give up and except this as the final word?

--Lindy

[Leroy]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

Lindy,
I don't think Ford can make you another original either. You're lucky to have the original. It's an added asset for your car. When I set out looking for my Bird the original window sticker was part of my prerequisites. Just take good car of it. I've been to car shows where you get additional points if you have the original window sticker. Leroy

[Ski]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

A print shop may be able to laminate it.

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I laminated mine. It was handed to me never put on the window so it was in great shape. I didn't think I would hurt the value of it by doing that. Wouldn't know who to ask if it would hurt the value. You can definately get it laminated at a print shop.

[texasbird]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I chose a poster frame for mine. We did have contacts here at TBN who could get reproductions made, but that option hasn't been available for about 2 years now. I've also scanned mine into my computer to have a digital image available. Bad thing about that is that it was too big and has to be digitally pieced back together to make one image. Some have taken other people's scans and digitally edited their car's info onto them.

I've also been told that Ford has changed the size of their sticker media since the Retrobird production ended, so even a repro from them would be different dimensions than the original.

Good luck on whatever process you choose.

James

[Nicky-The-Squid]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I chose a poster frame for mine. We did have contacts here at TBN who could get reproductions made, but that option hasn't been available for about 2 years now. I've also scanned mine into my computer to have a digital image available. Bad thing about that is that it was too big and has to be digitally pieced back together to make one image. Some have taken other people's scans and digitally edited their car's info onto them.

I've also been told that Ford has changed the size of their sticker media since the Retrobird production ended, so even a repro from them would be different dimensions than the original.

Good luck on whatever process you choose.

James

James, a print shop or anyone that does graphic work can scan it all in one peice for short money today. They would all have scanners that could handle up to 11 x 17. Even their color copiers can do a digital scan and save it as a file you can work with. If they charged you five bucks it would be fair for what takes under a minute today. Especially if you handed them your own CD or memory stick.

[Ray]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I had mine professionally mounted and framed. It now hangs with all my other T-Bird stuff.

[pjprokop]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

Any Ford dealer can order any window sticker that is still in the Ford system - I don't know how far back they go.

Mine (2005) was missing - my local Ford parts manager got me the window sticker, the VIN sticker and the tire pressure sticker (has VIN on it).

The trick is finding a Ford car guy who understands how important those documents are to us.

[Skip]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I discussed this with a friend who is a commercial artist. He suggested having the original professionally copied, similiar to what Nick has indicated, then laminate and/or mount and frame the copy. He is acquiring some archival quality material for me to store the original in for posterity. It might not make difference in the long run, but this should keep the original in excellent condition for the future, and still provide a good copy for display purposes.

Skip

[rerdmann17]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

Lindy, I had mine laminated at The Learning Shop in Brookfield. There is a sister store at 8665 N. Port Washington Road north of Milwaukee. Mine is a copy of MATbird's which was a twin of my 2002 Evening Black that I purchased in May of last year. He emailed it in two pages and I photoshoped it together and added all my Vin and family dealer info. It's for my use on the dash at car shows. It cost a couple of bucks to laminate. PM me for more info. Dick

[5bird7]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

As I recall, when having Quickdraw get duplicate window stickers for owners, the Ford system kept the data up until the car was 10 years old. In other words, a 2002 window sticker would not be available once Ford started printing window stickers for 2012 vehicles. Finding a dealer that knows how to order duplicates is the key to getting one. They are far and few between. If the dealer knows the system, it can be done. You might have to contact the fleet sales manager of a dealership.

However, in 2007 and on, the window stickers printed by Ford were larger than the ones printed for the 2002 to 2005 Tbirds, so if you have an original, take care of it.

[SixPac]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

At one time we had the original window stickers for our 2002 WW and our 2003 DSB. Since we got rid of those two Birds, we got rid of the window stickers. Some where around here in all this mess that we now have, we have the sticker for the '04 PCR.

[z06bigbird]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

I suspect it can be done, but here are two things that you can do in the meantime:

1. Ask a used car or general mgr at a Ford dealership to print an invoice for you. Similar to the sticker. Shows two cols, dealer cost and retail cost.

2. For about $25, dealers supposedly can produce a sticker like Car Max uses.

3. Go to a Lincoln dealership where the GM or the owner has a few gray hairs. He/she should know.

[Lindy]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

the Ford system kept the data up until the car was 10 years old. In other words, a 2002 window sticker would not be available once Ford started printing window stickers for 2012 vehicles. Finding a dealer that knows how to order duplicates is the key to getting one.

Thank you, all for your sage advice; Well, I've made an inquiry with a somewhat local Ford dealer in Wisconsin, and spoke with the sales manager who has been in the Ford business since 1971, and explained to him, how that some say if you know the Ford system, you can regenerate a window sticker for any given Ford model year, up to ten model years, albeit on somewhat bigger sticker-stock than the original 2002-2005 Thunderbirds. He has never heard of regenerating window stickers by a Ford dealer, but would love to know how to do it, because it would be helpful to show customers what a car costed, etc.; while he has heard that General Motors dealers can do this. He is going to e-mail his contact and enquire at the Ford distributor where he gets his cars from. Will let you all know if he tries hard enough to have any success!

-Lindy

[Virginia_PCR]

Re: Preserving Window Sticker

Lindy,

Please let us know how your dealer makes out. I've been trying to obtain a copy of my PCR's sticker as well.

In 2007, I wrote to Ford"s Customer Relationship Center, Research Unit, PO Box 6248, MD 3NE-8, Dearborn, MI 48126 to attempt to obtain a duplicate window sticker. Unfortunately, they don't do that for owners, but they did send me a letter outlining the original specifications of my TBird (by VIN code breakdown), production date, and options list, on Ford stationery.

I guess it's better than nothing.

Anyway, if anyone has any luck, please let us know.

Lee