My 1968 T-bird

[pantera77]

I was browsing my photobucket and found some pics of it when I first bought it. It hasn't moved in over a year now, but I do go out and start it periodically. Honestly, it was probably a bad investment, as it has a lot of problems, and needs some rust repair. Electrical gremlins everywhere, passenger side rear inner fender is just some pop-riveted sheet metal, frame has 2 ventilation holes, front suspension needs to be fully rebuilt, and that's just the start of the problems. I wanted a nice old car that was not a super common thing ie: any mustang, but was still easy to work on. Something I could drive and fix up as I go along. Unfortunately, I bit off way more than I can chew.

It was a 1 or 2 owner car (I think the old guy I bought it from bought it as a trade in) with 70k on it. It's had an amateur paint job and some body work done at some point in it's life. Was rustproofed when new, but 40 years in Buffalo will kill even the best of cars. The 429 will vaporize the right rear at will, even though it probably hasn't had a tune up in 10 years.

I don't want to hack job this car. No "no-parking sign" floor pans, and no cheap ass parts. It's not really in the way, so I pretty much have decided it's going to be a very long term project. Before I really start doing a lot to this car, I'd rather finish working on my box, or buy a better off one to start with than mine is. Once that is done, I'll hopefully have a nice reliable DD, and can put all my efforts into this thing. Ya, I know it will only lead to tears. I'm sure one of you guys know more about it than me, and any info is appreciated. Well anyways, here are some pics for you to enjoy.


Can see my poor ol' 92 in this pic


The front end makes me jizz my pants


All the gauges work except the clock


All original





The heart



Owners manual and misc.







Ass is equally jizzarific

[87gtVIC]

It looks damn good just sitting in the pictures. To be honest after reading your description BEFORE scrolling down to see pics I was expecting a total POS but the pictures make it out to look like a great car.

[GoodSamaritan]

That's a good looking car!

I've always wanted a 64 ot 65 t-bird myself. Nearly traded my wrecker for one some years ago, but decided it was too much of a hack job once I got a closer look at it. (bondo, etc) Anyway, I hope this is one project that doesn't lead to tears.

GS

[Lincolnmania]

wow that's nice!

[johnunit]

If you have the welder for it (and the skills) fix those fram "ventilation holes" as soon as you can. It's about the only issue that can really write off a car just sitting there. I've seen a few bigger cars that were in long-term storage have their frames crack, which bends the shit out of pretty much everything from chrome to door frames to roofs, you get the idea.

That said, that's a really nice car. I actually prefer those to the earlier 60s ones. They just look so menacing yet clean.

[91grandmarquis]

Hey my car has pop riveted sheet metal on it, nothing wrong with that. That t bird looks pretty nice in the pics though.

[thunderbirdlver]

oh man i love it!

[andymac0035]

That does look nice, not at all what I was expecting either (after reading your description).
I always liked the large T-birds.

[pantera77]

Hey my car has pop riveted sheet metal on it, nothing wrong with that.

Well so does my panthers floor, but random pieces of metal with bondo slapped on it is not my idea of good bodywork.

The car isn't really as bad as I make it sound, but looks can be deceiving. If I keep telling myself it's in worse shape than it is, I don't feel bad about not working on it.

The car isn't optioned very well but has a few things. Power windows (that don't work), push button AM radio with 3 speakers (don't work), rear defroster (has it's own little blower motor that works great) and that's about it. Straight bench, no a/c (good thing in my mind), manual locks etc.

Like I said, it's not as bad as it may sound, but the pictures make it look better than it does. Here's some more anywho







Found this beauty behind the rear seat

[moneypit]

Hey my car has pop riveted sheet metal on it, nothing wrong with that. That t bird looks pretty nice in the pics though.

Give it a few years. You'll see.

[Brandon]

That don't look like a bad car man.

[91grandmarquis]

Give it a few years. You'll see.

Well I shall deal with that when it comes along, I dont know how to weld, but my dad used to do body work for a living, and this usually worked out well for him. Of course this isnt half assed either, I get what you guys mean and all. You cant tell there is anything there, and the bondo is not caked on, but anyway I digress, I shall see for myself I guess.

[gabegt90]

that's a nice looking t bird zach

[moneypit]

Well I shall deal with that when it comes along, I dont know how to weld, but my dad used to do body work for a living, and this usually worked out well for him. Of course this isnt half assed either, I get what you guys mean and all. You cant tell there is anything there, and the bondo is not caked on, but anyway I digress, I shall see for myself I guess.

I don't mean to rip on you, it just that when i've seen riveted body repairs, the rivets eventually start to work loose, the bondo cracks, water gets in, then the edge that's holding the whole thing on rusts off leaving you a hole twice as big as you started with. I hope your method holds up, but I'm skeptical.

[grandpaslincoln]

Nice car