Wolverines

So...most of you know that last summer I bought a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbocoupe.  I have always wanted one, and finally found one at a decent price and bought it.

Well, since then I've done some work on it, found rust...more rust a few holes in the floor pans etc etc.  (not uncommon for a 20 year old car from Western NY).  This is what I bought:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/tbird2.jpg)

Its a complete car, down to the stock interheater and 2 original Anti Lock Brake Master Cylinders.  (First US car to offer such a thing standard IIRC)  Also was Car and Drivers car of the year that year.

It Features a 2.3l I4 turbo charged engine that pushed 190 HP and 240 torque.  Not bad.  I always loved the look and had a 1986 cougar xr7 turbo so I know they can perform decently.

Anyway...I ran out of money for it, so for the passed year or so I havent really done anything to it.  So I started thinking I would sell it/part it out or whatever.

Well, now with the new job and a bit of extra cash flowing I thought I'd fix it up finally and turn it into something like this:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/BJS_88TC.jpg)

Which is the same thing, but much shinier.

Aint she purty?

So....enter my friend.

"you know...if you're gonna part it out, you should put the drivetrain in a pinto."

(wheels turn)

ZOMG!!!!   That would be AWESOME!!!

Not EXACTLY what I would do to it...but a photo for reference:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/lawnmower70/pintowheels16x811mm.jpg)

OK, had to make sure the pics were loading.

Now, I have always held the sanctity of keeping a car original.  (Not the pinto, but the TBird) and in some way, mostly because I belong to an online community of Turbobird enthusiasts, I will feel bad about destroying a complete Tbird.  Something I'll have to work out I guess.

Also, most people do this to them.

[yt=425,350]mTsOww5ie88[/yt]

Or this

[yt=425,350]zmVaIpsFldw[/yt]

But I'm all about the alternative power.  Well...gasoline....but....4 cylinder over a v8.

I also dont want to drag race, I want it to handle decently (about as good as a pinto can I guess).


Call me crazy.

So...there you have it, I'm nuts.  But I'm a tad crazy about this little car at the moment.

Couple more vids:

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/59fe80ca-a77a-4fe2-8ae4-986901667751.htm

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/jbcalhoun/?action=view&current=1980TurboPinto11.flv

2.3 engine sounds like a tractor on steroids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcNeorjXMrE&mode=related&search=

"A BBQ that seats 4
Have you burned up a ford lately

and my favorite... a bumper sticker from back in the day seen on a pinto
"hit me and we blow up together" "

You came in that thing?

You're braver than I thought...

My License plate will be KA800M

Get painting stu!  I wanna see the finished product.

Painting?  Not sure I follow ya.

*my Tbird still looks like the 1st pic, only with more dust/dirt on it.