Standing Beside Myself !

[merlot4]

Re: Standing Beside Myself !

Bill, I would keep the car and enjoy it as much as you can.
Here is why. I just came back from a 3000 km/2000 mile trip to and through the UK. I own my Black '02 for 6 years now, it has 100k on the meter and it still gives the same thrill as it did when I first got it. The best part of the fun on this trip is driving the car.

I even left with a COP issue, which really is not a big thing if you know how to deal with it. Changed a COP twice on the road and had fun all the way after that.
I cannot count the numbers of thumbs up, pointing fingers and admiring looks I had along the way, but it sure makes this car fun to drive.

You can keep it in your garage, but in the end parts will still be hard to find when you need them. Even if you do not use it, after so many years you are going to need some parts to get it on the road and running properly. In a few years that will be the same for all of us. But at least the ones that drive it can say they had the fun that was ment to be.

What can I say more..bring that Yellow beauty to TBN Ten Thunder and find out how much fun that is.

Very well said, Frits!

[captcrunch]

Re: Standing Beside Myself !

Bill, I haven't owned my 2002 IY Tbird a month yet (bought it as my retirement hot rod), but am absolutely hooked on it. The fellow I bought it from had same "lack of use" issues you do, and that worked out great for me. He did tell me that he had to replace a fuel pump, and that the FoMoCo dealer told him that the pump went bad from dried seals due to lack of use. Lack of use is not going to be a problem with me, but as great a condition as it's in, I sure do hate to "get it dirty". You could eat off the engine. But, in any case, good luck with whatever decision you reach.
Mike

[lakeman]

Re: Standing Beside Myself !

Well it was the perfect summer evening - the top went down and we enjoyed a cruise for a killer ice cream. Put your hand on the Blue Oval, I am saved again - Until it struggled to start after the ice cream and the steely eye look from my bride of 41+ appeared. Never fear, I little twist here, I little sweat there and we were back in business. - New Battery is on the too do list.

On the trip we did see a red 02 a black 04 or 05 which was neat -

A point on parts -- when I was restoring a 56 TBird the National TBird Club was successful in getting FOMOCO to have the Budd Company pull the dies for the Early Birds and make a run of body parts - Fenders and panels, espensive but available.

There may come a time when groups such as this consider such a direction for our Birds in a effort to avoid having to use knock offs that are ill fitting and not safe.

Lou you may be getting a call next week --

Lakeman

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Standing Beside Myself !

And as far as the big COPS scare nickel dime problem think back when you were told
you needed rings or a valve job those were problems.

..........do I ever agree!

The time, effort and fear of COPs failures is GROSSLY over-blown on this site.

Yeah, they are less than perfect but so INCREDIBLY easy to fix that the only real issue of concern is knowing if you have a parts supplier who stocks a replacement coil or set of eight without you having to wait.

Keepin a set of eight on a self or in a drawer is almost a requirement of '02 T Bird ownership and soon will be if not already for everyone else who owns an 03-05.

It's annoying but hardly the end of the world and it in no way interferes with my faith in the cars as drivable and reliable.