What I Learned

[Quickdraw]

Re: What I Learned

Or Daryl and his brother Daryl...

[Brad]

Re: What I Learned

I like your thinking.

Make sure you get the tractor motor's ECM and have someone able to configure it to communicate with the Tbirds REM FEM, ECU, ETC.

[007Cruiser]

Re: What I Learned

Make sure you get the tractor motor's ECM and have someone able to configure it to communicate with the Tbirds REM FEM, ECU, ETC.

Just get rid of all of it.

[Brad]

Re: What I Learned

While we all may embrace today's technology it is really changing the car culture many of us grew up with. It is not only impracticable but nearly impossible to do what many of us grew up doing. This is the biggest reason we don't see the kind of enthusiasm we once did over cars. That plus the parts issues are making keeping cars like ours a real challenge.
Soon many will be like a picture on the wall.... just something to look at.

Although things always change, I don't see cars as that different. My kids turn wrenches, go to junk yards for parts, etc. Sure there is more technology, but cars from the 1950's aren't radically different then modern cars. When I was a kid, I never rebuilt a starter or alternator or any other complex electrical component, it went bad, I pulled it and replaced it with a rebuilt or junk yard component...I don't see how that's changed. The other day, my son's car developed a misfire, on the way home he stopped at autozone, hooked it up to the computer and it told him which cylinder, he picked up a new COP and plug, got home and was done in under an hour. 40 years ago when I was his age, I would have had to do a full tune-up, replace all the plugs, if that didn't fix it, maybe wires, points, condenser, etc, etc.

I think part of the problem is expectations. people take a 15 year old car to a dealership and are shocked that they don't have the part in stock.

[Brad]

Re: What I Learned

Just get rid of all of it.

Bring home a bunch of relays and miles of wire to get things like your windows to work.

[007Cruiser]

Re: What I Learned

Hand cranks.

[Guest]

Re: What I Learned

Do you know of any auto companies making replacement parts for their fifteen year old vehicles? Or do you think Ford has just singled out the Thunderbird?

No, of course Ford didn't 'single out' the Thunderbird. But it's easier to find replacement parts for say a 15-year-old Honda, than it is a Retro.

The replacement parts situation with the 2002-2005 Thunderbird is somewhat unique due in part to the fact that it was a pretty low-production vehicle. Replacement parts inventories are relative to the number of vehicles produced.

Fewer vehicles produced also means fewer damaged/wrecked vehicles in salvage yards and with dismantlers, so fewer used parts available also.

Another factor is the desirability and potential collectibility of the Retro. Owners of larger production cars or trucks that reach 15 years old may not have the same level of passion or attachment to them, and will opt to sell or trade once parts and/or repairs and maintenance become issues.

Now consider the 1955-57 Thunderbird. Here is a car over 60 years old, yet replacement parts are readily available from multiple sources. In fact you can almost build a 1957 Thunderbird from the ground up using reproduction parts. This is also the case with some other vehicles, including the 1965-67 Ford Mustang.

The Retro is in a challenging position; old enough that OEM replacement parts from Ford are hard to find, but not old enough to have attracted aftermarket manufacturers to produce replacement and reproduction parts.

I expect this will change when values and collectibility of the Retros increases, however I realize that many members here doubt that will ever happen. I think it's inevitable if you compare production numbers for the 1955-57 vs. the 2002-2005 ... roughly 17,000 per year, on average, for both.

For now, finding parts will be an increasing challenge for Retro owners who want to keep and drive their cars. Some will 'throw in the towel' and opt for a newer replacement. Others will hold on 'til the end' of either their lives or their cars' life.

For you personally Ron, that will likely never be a problem. With 10 Retros, all in excellent condition, you have a veritable 'treasure trove' of replacement parts at your disposal. But for others who own only one Retro, it's an entirely different reality.

[AZTB]

Re: What I Learned

When I was looking at the Merlot in Fort Myers, I spoke with Mark Grassnik on the phone about the Merlot, and I also asked him regarding parts issues with the Birds (due to findings from others on this site). He stated while this is not uncommon, the only group he was aware of that was well supported over the life the specific vehicles was the Corvette. The owners are a tightly knit group (as a whole) and there is a very specific subculture that supports these cars with all the parts required (hope I'm representing completely what Mark said). That being said, he noted that with the retro, besides the technology being harder and harder to locate (outside of salvage yards), there was also an issue with quarter panels being damaged beyond repair and then finding replacement panels.

[Jimr]

Re: What I Learned

Although things always change, I don't see cars as that different. My kids turn wrenches, go to junk yards for parts, etc. Sure there is more technology, but cars from the 1950's aren't radically different then modern cars. When I was a kid, I never rebuilt a starter or alternator or any other complex electrical component, it went bad, I pulled it and replaced it with a rebuilt or junk yard component...I don't see how that's changed. The other day, my son's car developed a misfire, on the way home he stopped at autozone, hooked it up to the computer and it told him which cylinder, he picked up a new COP and plug, got home and was done in under an hour. 40 years ago when I was his age, I would have had to do a full tune-up, replace all the plugs, if that didn't fix it, maybe wires, points, condenser, etc, etc.
I think part of the problem is expectations. people take a 15 year old car to a dealership and are shocked that they don't have the part in stock.

40 years ago there were diagnostic machines that told exactly what was wrong. One just needed to know how to read a scope, vacuum gauge, dwell meter and compression tester and know what needs repair. It just took a little bit more knowledge that plugging in an OBII and reading the computer.
I don't believe in the late 50's a person could go to any parts house and buy a starter for a 37 Plymouth. You had to shop around then too. Even now try finding parts for a 70's or 80's Tbird.

[Señor Gar]

Re: What I Learned

Fords decisions are not the only issues. The aftermarket has no profitability in a low production car. We are screwed both ways. I'll keep my eye out for a good tractor motor (just in case) --- Alan

Other than body parts if you can't find the Ford part you need try Lincoln LS or Jaguar S-Type which share most driveline and chassis parts. The Lincoln may have a few interior parts as well.

[phil]

Re: What I Learned

Just reading an article in Hagerty website about someone who owns ad Edsel with 355 k on it and he gets parts. Edsels can get parts but T Birds not, sad.

[Guest]

Re: What I Learned

Just reading an article in Hagerty website about someone who owns ad Edsel with 355 k on it and he gets parts. Edsels can get parts but T Birds not, sad.

Don't worry. There is a company that is working with Ford Restoration Licensing and other Ford vendor/suppliers to produce most if not all replacement parts for the Retro in the not too distant future.

[007Cruiser]

Re: What I Learned

Don't worry. There is a company that is working with Ford Restoration Licensing and other Ford vendor/suppliers to produce most if not all replacement parts for the Retro in the not too distant future.

From your lips to God's ears as they say.

[Rondor]

Re: What I Learned

Don't worry. There is a company that is working with Ford Restoration Licensing and other Ford vendor/suppliers to produce most if not all replacement parts for the Retro in the not too distant future.

Boy; that would be great. History has said this should happen but some ( including me ) had begun to wonder.

[StevenM]

Re: What I Learned

The company producing these much needed replacement parts will certainly have a great customer base. Much needed service and no doubt someone would step in to fill the vacuum. I have a growing list of things needed.