Retro Thunderbird Buyers Guide

[Brad]

This excellent video was just released today

[JerriLampon]

Well done, concise reviews. Instructions on resetting the hardtop locking characteristics is probably still
available on the 'Nest in a deep search, but so far, I've not been able to find the method (excluding lubricants).

[02-T-Bird]

A very thorough, honest and well presented evaluation. Thanks for passing it along.

[merlot4]

A timely video, thanks for sharing it with us!

[EllisonCal]

Thank you Bob, it reminds me of why I like my Thunderbird so much, I can't part with her. She still gets regular exercise and of course annual Thunderbird events.

[5bird7]

You beat me to it, Brad. Thanks for posting the link.

It's a great review for the retro. I've also looked at one of the many he has done for the Corvette so if anyone is interested in those, they are worth watching too.

[TXBlueBird]

This seems a very fair and helpful review. Of course, I substantially agree with it so I may not be fully objective.

He makes one telling point: He recommends *against* taking retro birds to Ford dealerships for service. I don't disagree with this, especially not at the age of our cars. Ford dealers probably have no better access to parts and probably no more experience with these cars than a competent independent.

Still, it feels a little strange to me. Of course, dealerships and car manufacturers are not what they once were. When I was a kid, my family bought several cars from the Ford dealer at the county seat. The owner was someone the family knew. He regarded it as a point of honor that, if it was a Ford, Mercury, or Lincoln product of any vintage, his mechanics could diagnose and service it. It was a simpler time.

Living in larger urban areas, it's been my experience that one dealer in the area always enjoys a better reputation for honesty and service. When otherwise stymied (e.g. My local independent isn't able to reflash the PCM), I have taken the car to that dealer with reasonable success. When I was rear-ended in my first Tbird, I also took it to that dealership's body shop, partly on the theory that they would have better sources for parts. In retrospect, that may not have been realistic but they were a very good shop and they did a great job on the repair.

I guess my point is that sometimes it makes sense to try a dealership but it also pays to scope out the dealership's likely competence and willingness to go the distance it takes to service a car that's probably outside their comfort zone and maximum profit margin.

Duane

[Brad]

I deal with many FORD dealerships nationwide selling them Retro parts. In my opinion about 1/3 work on Retro Tbirds routinely and welcome them for service. 1/3 begrudgingly work on them and often provide inflated estimates to discouraged customers from using them and another 1/3 flat out won't touch them.