Just another used car ???? (-:

[wcoates]

Hey MikeB6
Amen, Amen. Seems like we all can paste a car name instead of your BMW and it would be our post.

Still enjoy it more than any convertible Corvette, Camaro or Cadillac Allantes I've ever owned. A PITA at times but wouldn't trade her for the world (unless a Merlot could be stolen). A good post Mike.

[vinnie]

I have asked God that if I don't qualify for Heaven to please drop me in Cuba where I can live life in the 1950s one more time!

[Sealy]

I have asked God that if I don't qualify for Heaven to please drop me in Cuba where I can live life in the 1950s one more time!

Is that Hollywood, MD or Follywood? You need to read up on life in Cuba and what the1950's were really like.

[jayred1]

Proof that today's cars all look the same ...

[vinnie]

Is that Hollywood, MD or Follywood? You need to read up on life in Cuba and what the1950's were really like.

Well, Sealy, let me clarify for you. I meant today's Cuba amongst all the 50's era cars that exist there now. But, I certainly appreciate your perspective, even if I don't understand it,

[TBird1stLuv]

MikeB6 I agree. I'm holding onto mine for as long as I can. Not a day goes by when I am out and about, that I do not get a compliment or a thumbs up. So what if the world is truck/SUV crazy... I'm sitting pretty in my TBird. "You are going to have to pry the steering wheel from my cold, dead hands." I really have no need for another type of car and zero interest in a SUV. This TBird has "me" written all over it and I couldn't be happier.

[Sealy]

Well, Sealy, let me clarify for you. I meant today's Cuba amongst all the 50's era cars that exist there now.

Those cars are an illusions. There are no dealerships, no parts stores, no ordering from Rock Auto. They're pieced together from left over parts and often motivated by Soviet-era diesel tractor engines. Just saying, be careful what you hope for.

[MikeB6]

MikeB6 I agree. I'm holding onto mine for as long as I can. Not a day goes by when I am out and about, that I do not get a compliment or a thumbs up. So what if the world is truck/SUV crazy... I'm sitting pretty in my TBird. "You are going to have to pry the steering wheel from my cold, dead hands." I really have no need for another type of car and zero interest in a SUV. This TBird has "me" written all over it and I couldn't be happier.

Lynne - I grew up in Texas, and every time I travel back to visit my brother and old friends, I am amazed at how many huge trucks and SUV's I'm surrounded by, as I drive to my home town from Intercontinental Airport in Houston. I my little city in northern California, the same situation is becoming the case. I suppose that the same desires to conform are in play, just like when I was a young man, and we all wanted either a 240Z, a Firebird, maybe an Olds 442, GTO, or whatever. My friends parents all drove large luxury cars, Cadillacs, Lincolns, Imperials, Buick Electra 225's, Olds 98's, etc. There was a smattering of Corvettes, a Sunbeam Tiger, and then the balance was mostly more affordable cars - sedans, wagons and hardtops. (My family's car for 11 years was a 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 4-door sedan that resembled a shrimp boat when both slanted rear antennas, installed by the local Ford dealer, by the way, were fully extended. I was always embarrassed by that car, although today if I could afford a nice example of that car in convertible form I'd love it.) My brother's first car was a 1957 MGA. I think I imprinted on that car, and from then on, only a convertible would do the trick for me. I'm still the same, would never want a lifted truck or an SUV. My TBird is me, at least the almost 66 year old me. I had looked at nice driver MGBs and thought about a return to an Alfa Romeo Spyder. Also considered a newer BMW Z3 or Z4. I looked at a new Mazda Miata RF, but wanted a car that was a bit larger, because my husband (yeah, I'm gay) insists on being able to recline the seatback on long trips, and except for really spendy large Mercedes SL's, they just don't make 2-seaters that have any storage space behind the seats anymore. So, I've sacrificed reliability and ease of service and parts for the TBird. Also saved $26,000.00 over the cost of the Mazda, so that will go a long way to maintaining the TBird. Lynne, I'm glad that your TBird pleases you, and agree completely with your reasoning. I get mine back from the body shop this afternoon, and feel like a kid on Christmas Eve!

[007Cruiser]

We can’t wait for you to post the final result of your body shop work. I’m sure that it will be beautiful.

[TBird1stLuv]

My hubby is hooked on the MGB... I keep teasing him that I'm getting him a 2002 thunderbird blue (because that is my next favorite color)! He rolls his eyes at my jest.
I'm glad you chose the Third because your right, what we saved in price, we can invest in how we want the car to look like. Please post pics of the results of the body work... I am excited for you!

[Brad]

Those cars are an illusions. There are no dealerships, no parts stores, no ordering from Rock Auto. They're pieced together from left over parts and often motivated by Soviet-era diesel tractor engines. Just saying, be careful what you hope for.

Sealy is correct, pure illusion, I've been to Cuba twice in the past year and was very disappointed in the cars I had waited years to see, they are not time capsules, they are mainly junk. Most every car doesn't have a single part on it that you could remove and bring back to the US to sell. On my second trip I opted for AC new cabs with closed windows. The pollution from the cars is so bad that it's literally hard to breathe driving around in a convertible. The resourcefulness is amazing, it's not uncommon to see a car on the side of the road with the transmission removed AND disassembled on the grass being repaired.

[Rondor]

The 2 biggest industries in Cuba have to be Bailing wire and Bondo,

[engine103]

Just a used car, that's what I say about mine in the context of my buddy with a 57 chevy, 65 nova, and I think a 71 SS Chevelle, he don't take them out if it's raining in iowa (im in il.).
I drive mine in rain storms, or at least I did until the trans went bad. Waiting til next yr to get a trans with a warranty, not gonna get rid of it, unless something major goes wrong after the rebuilt trans gets put in, then I had enough.

[Welker]

Just another used car. This morning I was parked at the super market and was just getting in the car when a van drove by and I heard a woman's voice call out, "Beautiful car!"
Ours is a second car with 123k miles on it. Just spent almost $3000 for a whole new cooling system from the radiator to the head....a ton of plastic that had become brittle from age and heat. I needed that "Beautiful car" comment.

[merlot4]

The question comes to mind of how many cars people will call beautiful, or admire in 15 or so years. It is another used car, but it's not just any used car.