Author Topic: Is this car cool? (Read 15277 times)

popeshawnpaul · « **on:** March 04, 2009, 04:39:50 PM »

I got a chance at this car and wanted to see what some of you think. The paint is perfect and with some buffing the chrome is perfect. It is all stock. 390 engine with about 300 horsepower. If I replaced the stock manifolds and exhaust I can get it up to 350 hp real easy. A few other mods would make it 400 hp. I could do some interior work on it. Really, I think the wheels are ugly. I was thinking of some good rims and an air suspension kit.

The question is, am I barking up the wrong tree? I had not originally thought of this car but it became available to me for cheap. It's hard to find a '62 Thunderbird that is this straight and part of me doesn't want to ruin the stock value of it. However, I'm not sure I could drive it stock. I've seen this car hot rodded out and it looks pretty good with cool wheels and lowered. What would you guys do? Should I just cut my losses and not get it?

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:45:17 PM »

Get the one you really want.

jackelope · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:49:17 PM »

i think that could be a cool car. i would first be concerned with the structure of it...like the trunk..the floors...etc are they all solid?

the other thing that jumped out at me is i don't know about 50 horsepower by changing to headers and different mufflers...i'm no expert but that sounds like a lot to expect. you have to do a lot to an engine to get another 100 horse out of it, especially an old carburetor'ed engine.
i had a 72 f100 ranger with a 390 in it...torquey motor...
the beauty of those old cars is if it makes you happy, then go with it. who cares what everyone else thinks.

huntnphool · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:52:09 PM »

Taking that car and changing it from stock would be a crime Shawn, save that kind of work for a car in far worse shape. If you want to do anything take it and restore it for top $$$

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:11:59 PM »

You bring up a good point Jackelope. What I'm told is the stock cast iron headers are very restrictive. Then you add to it the stock 2" exhaust and it's very restrictive as well. The problem with good high flow headers is the clearance with the shock towers.

The other mods you can do to it is convert it to a tripower. Three carbs adding a ton of fuel will do it. They came stock as an option for tripower which is easy to find. This particular car wasn't a tripower but to convert it would add power.

I'm kind of torn on it. It's not exactly what I want but I can't beat the price. There is no rust on this car except for a tad bit of surface rust on the trunk. Not even the battery tray is rusted out. 90k original miles...

luvtohnt · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:16:22 PM »

If its cheap buy it clean it up and re-sell it for profit, then go get the car you really want.

Brandon

jackelope · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:17:39 PM »

anything tri-power can/will be a giant pain in the ass at some point...

i wonder if the engine itself is different with a factory tri-power car. a whole lot of fuel coming in thru 3 carbs has to burn properly too...again, not a hot-rodder at all...just thinking out loud...but i wonder if there's different heads/cam/ anything else needed aisde from just throwing a different intake/carbs on to get the most benefit out of tri-power.

whacker1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:18:52 PM »

If the price is right - buy it - sit on it until you decide what to do with it. Tought to pass up a 62 as clean as that one - regardless of your long term intent.

huntnphool · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:23:30 PM »

You guys are nuts considering doing anything with that car except cleaning it up and keeping original. Do that, sit on it until 2012, its anniversary, and trailer it down to the Barrett/Jackson Auction, you will probably triple your money. Do you think any of your other investments will do that in the next 3 years, doubtful!!!

jackelope · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:35:02 PM »

i don't think there's anything special about that car....don't get me wrong, it's a 62 t-bird, but not sure that thing would bring huge money at a place like the barrett-jackson.

to bring big money, i'd be willing to bet that car needs a lot of work.

is this car a money maker for you, pope, or just a cool sunday driver car?

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:41:37 PM »

My dad got it cheap and is willing to offer it to me for about 2k. I really don't want to just turn around and make a profit on him when he could do that himself. Kind of an odd situation. If I kept it for 3 years he probably wouldn't care much, especially if I put work in it and used it.

If it was a convertable, I think it would have more collector value as they only made like 5000 of those but like 80,000 hard tops. I think there are a few of these around in the hard top model. You bring a good point though huntnphool... It would be a shame to pimp it out. I would keep all the stock stuff but still... I think as it sits it's probably worth about 10k. It needs some interior work. For about 5k I could have it in great condition. I don't think I would drive it much stock though. I'm kind of torn really...

huntnphool · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2009, 05:45:00 PM »

Quote

For about 5k I could have it in great condition.

Thats my point, you would have a total of about 7K into a car that would probably fetch 15K or so on a 50th anniversary, assuming its all numbers matching.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2009, 07:35:18 PM »

Pope, I picked up an original FoMoCo triple duece intake manifold, carbs, linkages and fuel log at the Pomona Swap meet many years ago....had a custom oval filter assembly/custom carb cover made just for me....for my 390.........he' he' he'....all mine! Waiting to plunk it all down on my 390! 390's Rule!

Buy the car and have fun with it!

Red Dawg · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2009, 07:40:32 PM »

that car is bad ass. I would buy it in a heartbeat for sure.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2009, 11:10:55 PM »

Hey ice, I heard those manifolds weigh a ton. I was looking for an aluminum aftermarket one but haven't seen one.

This poll has really got me thinking. Maybe I shouldn't pimp it out and just try and fix the tiny things wrong with it and update the interior...

cohoho · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2009, 11:18:06 PM »

Pimp it..... I can see some huge woofers in the trunk, a compartment for weapons access, lower so it can scrape off reflectors from the center lane, maybe slide some small 15" spoke spinners (25" rims if it was a SUV), of course wider than the tires and add low profile tires with really wide white walls. Add some port holes within the door for simple point and shoot drive bys, no need to wind down the window on a hot day, oh you'll need to add brass deflectors to the door mounts. Rip out that crappy original interior, add some brillant red crush velvet seats and fuzzy dice on the dash board, add some shag carpet, chop the roof line, tint the windows dark mirrored gold, put some curb feelers, install the stainless chain link steering wheel. Paint job- nothing less than metallic maroon/red with 24 carat gold flakes thrown in to the paint mix, put a really bad mural of a hot chick on the hood and trunk and of course add some hydraulics.... Oh I'm sorry, I guess I was looking at the car and had it already profiled.......

Take it to LA and sell it....

andrew_12gauge · « **Reply #16 on:** March 04, 2009, 11:22:03 PM »

dont forget to get a matching purple suit and hat and make sure you put a giant feather in your hat the longer the better oh and your gonna need a cane and a bottle of baby powder

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #17 on:** March 04, 2009, 11:29:49 PM »

Alright. If I keep this thing stock, don't I have to put on some good wheels bare minimum? This poll is really surprising me.

jackelope · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:16:49 AM »

put some wheels and tires and some cool exhaust and you're good to go. easy enough to switch back if/when the time comes.
no sense in wearing a tuxedo with chuck taylor sneakers on...if you're gonna wear the tux, wear the shoes.

i wasn't trying to convince you to pimp it out...just dress it up a little to fit your style.

cohoho · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:03:51 AM »

Your right I was a bit over board on my pimping. A better ideal would be scrap the whole lowered concept and get rid of the running gear and "redneck" it out by putting it up on an old bronco frame and runnning 38 inch Gumbo Mudders... Of course you'll need a good old Confederate Flag painted on the roof and a good light bar up on the roof...... Sorry, I just am not into these style cars at all.... All in good fun...

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:08:13 AM »

Im really not into the style of the car there are others that I perfer much more but for the price its defantally worth a look......If you need my sozzal you can borrow it then you would have a convertible

whacker1 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:46:26 AM »

I like the idea of the tuxedo with pants 4 inches to short for you and some chuck taylors

HawkenBob · « **Reply #22 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:36:47 PM »

Thats a screaming deal Pope!
I'd do the stuff that it needs to make it nice and stock. Then Id drop a set of 20"'s on it with 45's and a set of Brembo's underneath. Shorty headers, exaust, sway bars, poly bushings and sit it down a bit lower than the rear in front. The rims may need a custom offset but too look really cool it needs a wide tire and wheel. 10" tires at least...tucked under the wheel wells and the skirts.

Save the old stuff and its back to origanal in no time. I bet youd grow to LOVE it once its sittin, looking like a restomod

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #23 on:** March 05, 2009, 01:00:57 PM »

I'm with you Hawken. Plus, I could start a side business running hoes out of it.

HawkenBob · « **Reply #24 on:** March 05, 2009, 01:04:48 PM »

I'll give ya some of mine.

HawkenBob · « **Reply #25 on:** March 05, 2009, 01:14:11 PM »

Here is my brothers 64 Safari Catalina wagon. Its got air bags and dumps to the ground. Its a really slck wagon when its low.

whacker1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:13:40 PM »

Easy with that Pimp Hand!

huntnphool · « **Reply #27 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:17:57 PM »

If you were looking to sink 5K into something to have fun with it should have been the other car we were talking about, you won't have as much fun in anything as you would have in that.

mossback91 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:22:12 PM »

I say you need to run ho's!! I mean look at the economy.....jobs are scarce but I bet ppl will still be lookin for hookers man......

Bofire · « **Reply #29 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:30:55 AM »

It's "Ho's"

Ignoramusus,, geeeeez I hates bad spellin

Carl

MichaelJ · « **Reply #30 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:39:58 AM »

Dang I thought I posted to this thread but I guess it didn't post! Here's my .02!

Don't do anything to the car that you can't undo! It looks pretty low as it is, even if the tires are low on air! Throw some sweet new 'shoes' on her and get a nice free flowing exhaust and maybe a new carb... Keep the stock exhaust manifolds unless you're going to go with all new bolt ons for the motor. IE: New intake, carb, headers, and possibly a new cam. Get a nice dual mandrel bent exhaust with good sounding mufflers (though please DO NOT throw on the Thrush mufflers... IE: Cherry Bombs)...

Fix up the interior, put a CD player in the glovebox and replace the stock crappy speakers with something nice. That old car will ride like a dream down the freeway!!! Their leaf springs are like 6 ft long or something! Its a land yacht for sure!

Don't drop the suspension, don't hack any of the interior, don't put newer style suspension on it... maybe upgrade steering components or brake components but nothing too extreme...

Thats my sense! Keep it mostly original looking, but functional and make it a pleasure to drive!

Michael

blindpig · « **Reply #31 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:22:40 PM »

The numbers don't lie, keep it original

MuleySniper · « **Reply #32 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:29:27 PM »

I personally love most cars from 55-69. Most of the sixties classics are my faves. My first car was a cherry 63 chev nova 2dr. hard top. Red with a white top. Ive always adored early 60's impalas and would love a 66 nova ss, or a 67 chevelle someday. OR... a 65-67 Lincoln continental with suicide doors. That car your looking at is pretty sweet. Something about those sixties cars I really like.

MS

NWTFhunter · « **Reply #33 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:17:24 AM »

Take it down south to Cali, sell it to some brown guys for a butt load of money. You know they like them type for making lowriders

M_ray · « **Reply #34 on:** March 11, 2009, 10:51:53 AM »

I'm with Phool on this one ... DON'T MAKE CHANGES! A set of tires if you must so those can easily be changed back to stock. I personally would just restore it to original condition with your 5k+ and you'll be happy you did ... want to talk with my uncle about old cars? He was best friends with Harold LeMay and currently runs the LeMay museum and is Gen manager of LeMay. http://www.lemaymuseum.org/ My Uncle has about 10 old restored Mercs and is personally responsible for purchaseing more than half the cars in the museum on behalf of the family, he could tell you a thing or two about old cars

Intruder · « **Reply #35 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:07:28 AM »

Quote from: huntnphool on March 04, 2009, 04:52:09 PM

Taking that car and changing it from stock would be a crime Shawn, save that kind of work for a car in far worse shape. If you want to do anything take it and restore it for top $$$

whacker1 · « **Reply #36 on:** March 16, 2009, 08:51:03 AM »

Ok, Shawn
What did you decide? You buying it? Passing?

I think several are wondering what sort of outcome evolved - And if we were going to see more pics?

huntingnut · « **Reply #37 on:** March 16, 2009, 09:53:31 AM »

I say if you can drive it stock and appreciate it then get it. Other wise let it go, there is someone out there that would love that car and cheerish it in it's original form. For every classic car out there, there is someone who loves that model and year. Bucket cases are the cars to hot rod, a car that has already been hacked and needs a little tlc to bring it back. I hate it when classics that are still in good original shape get hacked up. There isn't too many originals out there, they need to be preserved. I say buy it and enjoy it if you can in it's orginal form, other wise find a bucket that you could personalize and save from destruction. Just my

rainshadow1 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 16, 2009, 10:09:07 AM »

Quote from: Intruder on March 16, 2009, 08:07:28 AM

Quote from: huntnphool on March 04, 2009, 04:52:09 PM
Taking that car and changing it from stock would be a crime Shawn, save that kind of work for a car in far worse shape. If you want to do anything take it and restore it for top $$$

Same here, brand new stock condition would be far more valuable. That car isn't an ideal street rodder, and hasn't been popular as one. Cherry OEM condition on the other hand, that could make it a prize. Doesn't look like it's too far off either, opportunity knocks!

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #39 on:** March 16, 2009, 10:31:54 AM »

Well, I have decided to not buy it to rod it out. I think I'm going to work with my dad and get it sold as is to someone that can appreciate it. It's just not what I want in the end and putting time and money into it would be a waste. I guess that's my decision..

whacker1 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 16, 2009, 11:21:07 AM »

Take the money you would have spent on the car and treat yourself to a nice drop camp hunt in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #41 on:** March 16, 2009, 11:22:43 AM »

Or a camera lens or a down payment to a dall sheep hunt...

Slider · « **Reply #42 on:** March 16, 2009, 01:06:29 PM »

Quote from: popeshawnpaul on March 16, 2009, 11:22:43 AM

Or a camera lens or a down payment to a dall sheep hunt...

POPE do you need me to tag along and take Pics for ya!!!

huntnphool · « **Reply #43 on:** March 16, 2009, 03:42:30 PM »

Quote

POPE do you need me to tag along and take Pics for ya!!!

Get in the back of the line Mike

Wacenturion · « **Reply #44 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:44:02 PM »

Keep it stock....probably don't see that color much either....makes it a little more unique. If the hubcaps bug ya, you could find some period ford wheels to jazz it up but keep it correct for its time.

My son hates the original white wheels on my 30th Anniversary SS Camaro Convertible...Artic White with Hugger Orange stripes (only 251 made), but I would not change a thing.

Pope....curious. In the second photo what is the car parked in front of the T-Bird?

skybusterbo · « **Reply #45 on:** March 16, 2009, 07:56:55 PM »

Quote from: NWTFhunter on March 11, 2009, 12:17:24 AM

Take it down south to Cali, sell it to some brown guys for a butt load of money. You know they like them type for making lowriders

You don't have to go all the way down to Cali. Just bring it over here to Yaka-vegas.

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