Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

[RETROBIRD]

After you read this you will be asking the same question. I just got back from Houston Tx. where I picked up my new black top. This trip was 2,600 Miles round trip and was done in two and a half days at speeds in excess of seventy five miles an hour both ways. The reason behind the question is, that I did not see or pass ANY T-BIRDS with the exception of a 1993 bird. I fear the answer to my question is this. They have ALL gone the way of the do,do bird. They are either all in a museum or in a garage under wraps or locked away for future generations to ENJOY. These cars like ALL other cars are meant to drive. So what say everybody go to their safety deposit box and take out the key and stick it in the ignition. The thoughts behind, it will be worth more in the future is a POOR excuse not to drive what I feel is one of the best road machines out there. My love affair with these cars started back in the sixties when i first saw one of the small birds and then later when my grandmother had a black one with the red and silver interior. I remember thinking it looked like a rocket with those two huge rear lights that looked like jet exaust. I would go to the dealerships every year around September to see what the new model looked like. I must tell you that the late seventies and early eighties were not kind to our beloved cars. Things however did look up in the nineties, for a while any way. Then out of the clear blue sky FORD did it again. No more T-BIRDS for a while if not ever. Then came the day everybody waited for, the new birds. I'll admit I was not overly thrilled, Price wise and styling. I always felt as I'm sure most of you do that, they could have done better. By that I mean, maybe some fins, a gps, directional mirrors, a compass, more powerful engine, five speed on the floor and a few other features that some of you have mentioned. I am a firm believer that head of Ford back in the fifties should have been shot or worse. He should never have been allowed to change this car into anything other than what it was, a two seat rocket that should have been allowed to give corvette a run for it's money. Instead they chose Mustang (poor choice AGAIN). Like I said, I just got back from Texas and this car was meant to fly. There are wing emblums on it for a reason. The weather was great both ways, mid to upper sixties and low seventies. Perfect top down weather. You know, the weather every t-birder says they are waiting for. Well like I said NO BIRDS. Hey don't worry about it, your grandkids or somebody you don't know will enjoy it when your gone. Like I said earlier I fell in love with T-BIRDS in the sixties. I would see one or two on the roards and then later on at car shows. I would have loved to seen more of the smaller birds back then, but they where already locked away from the world. Don't let this happen again. If you want to leave your kids something, leave them a Hundia. Some have complained about the handling or response of these cars as not being up to par. While on I-10 going thru Houston at eighty I wondered behind a truck carrying debris. I was back about fifty ft. or so looking for an opertunity to get away from him. Well all of a sudden here comes a piece of sheetrock off the back of his truck. This car had NO problem with responding to both gas and wheel. I was lucky but have no idea about anybody behind me. Then with only about twenty miles to go on I-95 on the way home, a car load of people who were trying to pass me decided that half way past me was enough and proceed to run me off the road. I'm not sure if any of you have driven in the Carolina's, but there is usually a six ft. ditch just off the shoulder. These people ran me onto the shoulder at eighty and this car had no problem what so ever. I couldn't stop and couldn't go right but I did give them the full fury of my horn and finger. I did manage to pass them while on the shoulder. My point is just this, no matter what kind of T-BIRD you own new or collectable, go find the keys, then go to the garage or trailor and take it out and drive it. The more people that see these cars the more people that will want these cars, and who knows, maybe FORD will do something smart. Thanks for letting me share. Walter

[snowbird]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Hope you feel better after that bit of venting Walter. We spent eight hours + in our "007" edition this past weekend and truly enjoyed the ride. Did see one red '02' and one silver (not sure of year) going the other way. So, there are some out there.
MB.

[Gwfl]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

There's a large flock of them down here in SWFL.

Gary

[SixPac]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Walter,

Come to Battleship Thunder in Wilmington next Spring and you will see a flock of T-Birds in one spot.

[Ediron]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

There's another flock down in S.E.Fl. also.I think Fl. was the second biggest deliver area .I see a Bird almost everyday I'm driving.

[Ski]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Avian flu?

[berogersjr]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

I have to say I agree with with a few points you have. I bought Lola,my 02 bird, last year, after having admired TBirds for years. My family had older (60's decade) birds whenI was growing up, and I always wanted one of my own, but didn't get one till after I retired from the Air Force.

When I first got it, I'm a bit ashamed to say, I drove the heck out of it, meaning it was a daily driver for a good year, because I loved to drive it and show it off. Unfortunately, I also put a heckuvalot of miles on her.

Nowadays, we pretty much drive my wife's 2008 Explorer SportsTrac (also Torch Red, BTW), to work 4 days a week, then Lola on Fridays and weekends. So we've cut down on the mileage on the bird, but we don't show her off as much.

My feeling is that these cars were made to enjoy, not become garage queens or be admired in a big plastic bubble. So I'll likely drive mine as long as I can, and then will it to my 4-year old grandson (also a tbird fan, by the way), who hopefully will keep it clean, running, and beautiful, and be able to use to to impress the girls in his "classic" (by then) bird.

[Birdlover]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

I know how you feel, Walter. Bought my 03 all black Tbird on April 10, 2008 and put it in the garage, being that we still had a lot of snow here in NH. Left for Florida on April 11th in the Explorer. In 1400 miles between NH & FL only saw one Tbird (blue)and that was in NJ. While in FL for two weeks or so we saw one in Gainesville (black) and one (red) in a small town near us called Old Town. Then 1400 miles back to NH and not one Tbird to be seen. All told, we convered about 4000 miles in 3 weeks and only saw those 3 Tbirds. Thought for sure we would have seen more with it being spring, especially in the south. When I bought my Bird with only 7200 miles, I thought I would save it, but you know what...I agree with you that the car needs to be enjoyed. Granted I only take it out on nice days, but I have racked up about 3500 miles this summer. Won't be many more nice days here in NH, so the hardtop is on for the winter and it won't be long before it will be in the garage until April or May.

[wisdomhunter]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

I don't get out that much, but my wife and I went to a movie Friday evening, and the parking lot had 3 Birds in it...one silver, one merlot and one '05 limited edition...all without their hardtops.

[BIRD 42]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Walter,
I understand what you mean. We bought our 05 the end of June this year, with the intent of making it a daily driver. I have driven pickups, blazers, suburban’s etc most of my adult life and we decided we wanted something fun. My first car was a convertible, a 1951 Chevy , so going back to my childhood a little I guess.

We are lucky with the weather down here in the Dallas area, as I see two or three other birds a week at least. Last week there were THREE retros within the same block, all going to work I guess as it was about 8:00 in the morning.

As I mentioned it is a daily driver and then even more so on the weekend. Our intention is to drive it until it won't go anymore and then finding another one for a replacement. But I do not think that is going to happen as the car is built as well as any American car. Glad to hear it handled as well as it did on your trip.

Seems I get at least one or two comments from people a week about how good looking the car is – I agree, smile and go on.

I was coming back on the interstate from East Texas last week and was passed by a brand new Jaguar convertible - also with the top down, we looked at each other - gave each other the thumbs up and smiled from ear to ear. Fun Fun Fun

Our only regret is not having done it sooner!

[5bird7]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

I don't get out that much, but my wife and I went to a movie Friday evening, and the parking lot had 3 Birds in it...one silver, one merlot and one '05 limited edition...all without their hardtops.

Welcome to TBN, Jim. Looks like you may have met one of the above bird owners at the drive-in? and they filled you in on this site?

[bob andersen]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

I took a foliage tour last weekend in N.H. I saw three retro birds parked and left TBN cards on them. I also saw two for sale at local dealers. I always seem to see them in N.H. When I drove to Thunder fever a few years ago, I drove all the way to Tenn. before I saw a yellow one. They seem to be rare in many states. I can't see mine being a daily driver for quite a while yet. My car....my choice.

[Harry's Platinum 04]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Walter--I basically agree with you. We drove from Maryland to Washington state last July, over 7200 miles and saw one other TBird at Mt Rushmore in South Dakota. As you indicated, the Tbird is made to be driven and is an excellent highway cruiser.
Harry

[5bird7]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Harry, we were in Washington state in July - Seattle area - but in our 57 - drove it every day while there.

[Brad]

Re: Where have ALL the T-BIRDS gone?

Walter....just one word for you....shhhhhh...I drove my 2002 for 80,000 miles before I sold it, and then was able to buy a 2003 from a fellow TBN member with 4,000 miles on it and now I'm almost at 30,000 on this one. I appreciate everyone that lovingly cares for and keeps their Tbird at home so that one day I will be able to drive it!