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Thanks Elijahbird7! Handy bit of info there. In my current retro T-Bird I carry a few COPs, a tool kit and a bottle jack (I hate the standard jack that came with the car). Also some stop leak and anti-freeze.
I carry a cell phone, AAA card and a Platinum card.
Top bolt on a Ford starter.........WOW !!! Ed, when I used to have to fix these I found out that after about 30 minutes of #$%@##^&%* walk away and when you came back, it almost took care of itself. Then an old timer told me to put wheel bearing grease on the bolt to help hold it...worked most of the time. Jason, sorry to hijack the thread
If you ever drove a car from the fifties as compared to one made in 2003, you might be disappointed in the huge difference in technology, especially if your intended use is a daily driver. Check it out before make a decision.
Thanks Elijahbird7! Handy bit of info there. In my current retro T-Bird I carry a few COPs, a tool kit and a bottle jack (I hate the standard jack that came with the car). Also some stop leak and anti-freeze.
I shouldn't read things early in the morning, as I TOTALLY read it as "a bottle OF jack"....me thinks that might work better for me anyway!
CatBrd2 is the new license tag! Meowgal was moved to the Prius.
Jason, also keep in mind the little birds are virtual death traps compared to the modern version. They're fun for a spin around the block or a car show, but if you actually get hit in one, well good luck. Also, as a daily driver in TX, you may want to install an aftermarket AC system that nestles under the dash.
ScottyNeutron
Previous 'Birds: 2005 Inca Gold
1994 Super Coupe (Black) , 1957 D Model(Flame Red) , 1989 Super Coupe in Twilight Blue , 1965 Hardtop
igf you are looking at an older restoration be prepared to work on it.....allot. Now i don't mind and i can machine allot of my own parts but be prepared you will spend every weekend under the car or hood. I have had older cars for the better part of twenty years and have five restorations under my belt. None are good for daily drivers and all of them cost more to maintain. Owning a baby bird is a labor of love. It is not something you want to do to get to work every day. save up and or get a loan for the 55-57 birds. You will enjoy the older model a whole lot more when you don't have to rebuild the carb because you backfired the night before the big meeting and you are up until 3 in the morning trying to get it to work.
2005 Inca Gold 1 of 82
1957 in Resale Red originally Willow Green porthole deleat.
If you're serious, this is a plan you want to think about long and hard.
I've been driving 50's Fords for about 18 years and am heavily involved in related Car Clubs for all that time. My son bought a '58 Ranch Wagon with intent to use it as a Daily. It just doesn't work out. There are just too many parts to fail with constant use. Most owners carry a lot of extra parts in the trunk.
I'll be glad to put you in touch with friends, and I'm sure Dot would, too.
Our Baby Birds are a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't want to rely on them for daily transportation.
I dunno.......seems to me there is plenty of room under the hood for a modern engine and transmission.
Great thing about old cars is the complete FREEDOM from emissions non-sense.
Sorry if this offends any of the purists in the forum but the VERY FIRST THING that would be gone in a 2 seater from the 50s, for me anyway, is that BOAT ANCHOR Ford was passing off as a V8 engine back then.
A beautiful car deserves a reliable and powerful engine. Seems to me a donor car with a modern Ford V8, wiring harnesses and related computer parts and over drive transmission would be well worth the effort to swap parts out of. It'd take some time, money and sweat equity but just imagine the car when you're done.........if it's really your dream ........
There are plenty of non-matching numbered T-Birds out there today you could turn into a wonderful daily driver without feeling like you're just ruining a piece of automotive history.
Last edited by MerlotBlue; Jun 15, 2009, 06:09 PM.
Hi guys! Thanks for all of the feedback. I was out of town over the weekend and just now caught up with all everyone has said. I will consider the suggestions, and I may rethink this. As it is, I don't want to spend every night under the hood. ;)
I do understand that older cars are death traps when viewed by today's standards. I have driven and ridden in many old cars from the 50's and 60's. On the other hand, if you get into a fender bender in an older car, you can just rework the metal instead of having to buy a whole new front end because it crumpled under the pressure. ;) Heh.
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