Dash Kits

[Ediron]

Re: Dash Kits

Got to love you Dave .You have the right outlook.Were here to enjoy .

[V8 Cat]

Re: Dash Kits

Dave,
Gosh did not mean to offend you so badly. But since you expressed your views and kind of took a "shot" at me, I'll express mine. I'm definitely not a "crowd follower or pleaser", but I do think I have excellent taste in cars (I own a Tbird don't I?), houses, furniture, watches, etc. They may not always be the most expensive items, but some "things" I have had for years have turned out to be valuable collectibles (including several cars that are gone damnit) later. Now as to "dash kits", I would NEVER have a wood or plastic wood one in our TBird. The ONLY one I would ever have is the aluminum center stack trim that EXACTLY matches the pattern of the other trim in the car. The TBird should have had this from the factory. The "sand package" included it. The burled walnut dash looks great in my Jaguar, but IMHO it would look horrible in the TBird. I REALIZE IT's YOUR car,and you can do with it what you want - have at it. Destroy the NM if you want, but don't expect to put up a post about the projected mods unless you want an honest opinion. Some people don't mind a honest opinion even if it differs from theirs. And wouldn't tell people to "eat crow". Ford never put wood trim in the "baby birds" and it just ruins the original design cues of these cars. Yes you are destroying the resale value (have you seen how people pay extra for originality and deduct for alterations at the auctions?). AND NO, I DID NOT BUY THE TBIRD FOR IT"S RESALE VALUE. I'll be dead before it has much if it ever does. I guess dash kits of wood or plastic wood are like gold chains, diamond studs, diamond rings, diamond watches etc. to me. I just don't wear them. I never went for the "gold packages" on the cars in the late 80's & early 90s that so many people paid extra for. Remember the "Florida Editions" that included vinyl roofs and gold emblems on certain Cadillacs, Lincolns etc.? Don't construe this to mean I don't like any modifications to the retro birds. There are many I do like including but not limited to the Borla exhaust(I would keep the original sysyem stored), chrome hood scoop bezel, retro V8 emblems, some wheels, etc. NO I DO NOT RUN WITH THE CROWD, but I'm not going to mess with what I consider a good design and one of the BASIC REASONS I bought the car in the first place just to show my individuality. I don't need to leave "part of me" in the Bird for whoever gets it after I'm gone. I just want them to think the owner had good taste and took good care of it.


Here is a good looking wheel that would make the retro bird stand-out in my opinion. I don't think anybody on TBN has them.


Claude

[eboose7]

Re: Dash Kits

I do not want to be part of any unpleasantness or create an unwanted stir, but I do have to agree with Claude, V-8 Cat. I think aftermarket modifications cheapen the look of the Thunderbird. The only modification I have made to my car is the addition of the Ford chrome hood scoop. Two things justified this modification in my mind. First, the hood scoop is a Ford part. Second, the '55-'57 T-Birds had a chrome hood scoop, so there is heritage in the part. I don't like the wood dash kits I have seen in other Retro Birds. Wood accents look great in a car like the Jaguar XK-8, but not in the T-Bird. It is not that kind of car. But I realize this is my editorial opinion, for what it is worth.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Dash Kits

The great thing about our cars is that we can all do whatever we want to them and be happy about it, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Some people think I was insane to put racing stripes on my Bird, but I think it really looks hot with them. What do you all think? Don't they set off the white hardtop really great?

[bob andersen]

Re: Dash Kits

Phil, they look much better than the tire marks and numbers and stickers you had on it in Bristol, Tenn. I do what I like with my Thunderbird, like my new dash kit, and don't even try to please people who cringe at the sight of a front plate license bracket. They dwell in a dimension I will never understand.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Dash Kits

Hey Claude. Not really a shot at just YOU. Just a statement that has been long need saying. Just understand, that it's different strokes for different folk's. I was appalled when It was posted about my Merlot "as being the ugliest thing" one had ever seen. I hear that same thought line starting here about my NM. You were in my sight's. Trust me on this, I am very proud to be the new owner of #10 of the NM Fleet. I respect that which comes with it. BUT, there is so much more FORD should have done for them. And it merely being the first of many two/tone combinations they they ultimately offered us, I am pleased to extenuate onto MY Bird what I believe should have been done in the first place. You can't say the lack of a more personal trait for the NM was due to their desire to rush it to market. They sure fell flat on their face on that one. Every vehicle I have ever modded, has enhanced it. And I have a lot of trophy's and Best of Show Award's to support that. I know how to be descrete (about the cars anyway),just apparently not with my keyboard. Just because a kit comes with 15plus or more pieces, it does not mean they belong. You just keep staring at your dull flat black plastic interior if you so desire, but for me, there are suttle area's that could very easily make the interior pop, and a Silver stack is not the answer either.

Oh, one other thing, I think it is Bob Moss who has those wheels you pictured.

[SixPac]

Re: Dash Kits

My famous remark still lives.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Dash Kits

Dave,

Just for your information, my favorites are the NM and the Merlot with the "sand package". Close behind is the everning black with the "sand package". Also one of the most tastefully modified Birds and most beautiful in my opinion would be Prairie360's torch red.

Claude

[Gwfl]

Re: Dash Kits

I didn't realize I was opening up a can of worms on this subject. But it's been interesting to hear the two sides and I'd have to say that I fall somewhere inbetween. I had decided not to buy the dash kit but when offered at $100. if figured why not at least have it around. I did decide not to install it except for the armrest section where I have been looking to add some accent and even then I will to a temporary install to live with it for awhile to see if it really makes sense. My 50th anniversary model has the bronze metal dash trim that I really like over the silver ones and I would hate to mess that up with unremovable plasticized wood. Once I get the temorary install done I'll post some pics to see what reaction there is.

Gary

[2FAST4U]

Re: Dash Kits

Now as for my new-to-me NM. Yes I am going to "continue" to mod her. She is MINE, and I waited a long time to be able to afford to enjoy again another Bird. I got a double bonus. First, I got my first love back; Evening Black, and2nd, it just happened to be a NM Edition. Now don't go getting all wussy here, but it just celebrated her SEVENTH Birthday, Being born on 6/15/01. I am enjoying this Bird to the fullest, but you know what, It's JUST another Black T-Bird. E_GAD's, did he just say that. YEP, and a Seven year old one at that, Sooo, I am personalizing her, as I do ALL my cars. I make them MINE. She's already sporting some new chrome wear's, and more are on the way. Dis[ite the nicely accented two-tone interior, it still has FORD Plastic all over her interior. I intend on changing that too. And YES she will get a Dash Kit. But it will be special and not run of the mill, because I am not a crowd follower nor pleaser. When I find the right one, I willl know it, and she'll be adorned with it. OMG he's destroying a NM. Not at all. I'm making her so that I will KEEP her beyond MY DAYS. Then whomever inherits her will have a part of me besides just my car. Resale value will tank? WHO CARE'S!! I have many toy's that will head to the chopping block, should a financial burden find us again.
But I can tell you this. She will still be as classy as ever, and nothing willl deter from her appearance nor performance. Some purist's even snubbed my Merlot. Eat Crow, I just don't care, what anyone else thinks. I'm enjoying this ride till the day I die.
I have to take a break now though, but I had to respond to your post Claude. You need to lighten up a tad, enjoy your car the way you would ant it to be. I just don't sit back and bs about what could be, when I can do what I want to do, while I'm able to.
By the way, my Turbo charger is here for my GT, and my 64 is now ready for final paint. My lift has been installed, and the garage extention is near completion. I made a deposit with RegalBirds for a Kit 56, and hope to be able to take delivery when the extension is finally all wired, and I'll be ready to go. I'm only retired, not dead yet. And yes I still play with toys.

Dave, I agree with you 200% ! It's YOUR car, and you SHOULD mod it the way YOU want it to be, N-M or not. I don't care about what some "purists" (I don't like these guys... ) will think...in fact I they make me laugh. Some of them once told me the same remarks about putting some mods (fender skirts, dash kit, etc...) on my T-bird because they think it will become a classic one day and if I did something to it, it will affect the car's value in the future...Well to this I reply that when my T-Bird will become a classic, I won't be around anymore so I COULDN'T CARE LESS about collectibility or resale value. I never bought any car as "collectible" or an "investment", never. If I wanted to invest some money, it wouldn't be into cars but rather in the long term stock market. I as you, like to "play with my toys" and do a few tastefull, personal touches to my cars (all 4 of them) and when I'm gone, to whoever will become owners of my cars, it will be their problem if they don't like what I've done to it and also their problem if they want to return it back to original.
All this to say that I approve what you said and mostly, don't let those "purist guys" dissuade you from modding and playing withyour cars the way you want to...life's too short, period!
'See ,ya!
Claude

P.S: Oh yeah...I was forgetting the whole reason I was replying to you...I did put a dash kit on my '02 'Bird called "titanium burlwood" (the same as John "micamaven" has in his car) and it looks absolutely great because it is a kind of grey-ish wood that matches the '02's only dark grey interior pieces and I think it would extremely gorgeous with the two different tones of grey in the N-M !!...I can e-mail you a few pictures if you want, just let me know, it'll be my pleasure!

[FlaBird1]

Re: Dash Kits

Claude,
Relax a little. Hate is a pretty strong word. We're just talking about cars here.

[Ray]

Re: Dash Kits

I do what I like with my Thunderbird, like my new dash kit, and don't even try to please people who cringe at the sight of a front plate license bracket. They dwell in a dimension I will never understand.

Amen, Bob!

And, Dave, you da man! I'm happy to see you do what you want with your car. A car is to be enjoyed by its owner, and it's nobody else's business what you do with it. I don't have a problem with anyone who keeps his or her car stock and couldn't care less, but apparently there are some people who feel it's their duty to tell those of us who enjoy modding our cars what a huge mistake we are making. BS! Reminds me of the person wearing a leisure suit who tells a man in an Armani suit how poorly he's dressed.

I've gone back and reread Dave's post, and I can't find where he asked for anyone's approval or input, yet someone felt obligated to do it anyway. It almost makes me want to go buy a N-M Edition and put leopard spots on it, just to irk the people who can't seem to keep their noses out of other people's business.

I personally find the stock Bird a little boring, so I've done a bunch of mods to my car. I've never solicited anyone's approval, nor have I said anything derogatory about people who want to keep their car stock. I've got the Titanium Burl dash kit, Borlas, S/S rockers, N-M wheels, whitewalls, pinstripes, custom leather boot, wings and script on my engine cover, a self-dimming/homelink/map lights/compass/temp mirror, XM radio...just to name a few. I've even changed the hood scoop, which I'm sure makes me the Anti-Christ to many, and I have more mods scheduled for this winter. Never-the-less, I've won first place in all five of the shows I've entered, I've won 3 of 4 TOTM contests I've entered, and the other day I was offered a straight up trade for a very low mileage, special edition Bird for sale in my area. It had a $28,900 price tag on it, so I guess my mods haven't hurt the value of my car at all. I turned it down, as I almost have my car just the way I want it.

Seems to me if you don't like what someone has done to his or her car, and that person hasn't asked for your opinion, the classy thing to do would be to say nothing. With all there is to enjoy in life, why would you let something as trivial as what someone else does to his or her car even become an issue in your life? On my life's list of things to be concerned about, I guarantee you what someone else does to his or her car is nowhere to be found.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: Dash Kits

My famous remark still lives.

SixPac -- My Dad told me his philosophy on people and their taste in cars that applies here. I will share it with you when I see you next.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Dash Kits

Reminds me of the person wearing a leisure suit who tells a man in an Armani suit how poorly he's dressed.

Ray,
I think you've got it REVERSED about who is wearing the leisure suit and who is wearing the Armani here. Make sure you wear a gold chain with your leisure suit. It will be the perfect "mod" for your outfit.
Claude

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Dash Kits

"....I've even changed the hood scoop, which I'm sure makes me the Anti-Christ to many..." (Quote from Ray)

Hey Ray. Thanks for taking that title away from me. I held that for a long time, for putting that bustle on the rear of my Merlot! The mere mention of the "Dash-Kit" idea, seemed like I was going to regain that title again.

"I didn't realize I was opening up a can of worms on this subject. But it's been interesting..." (Quote from Gary)

I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier. I did want to thank you for a reason to finally use that picture for my avatar.