You see that sad 1986 Ford Thunderbird sitting underneath the tree? This is the end result of handing a car down one too many times. The story is familiar: someone in the family bought the car new, drove it for years, and moved on to a shinier, newer model. The car was gifted to someone else, who drove it, and so on, and so forth until it becomes yard art because nobody wants it anymore. Eventually, it is either gotten rid of on the cheap, left to rot in the sun, or is put on death row. In the case of this Thunderbird, the owner is all to happy to toss it up as the perfect demolition-derby car…even though there isn’t one Fox platform car that would qualify as demo-friendly. A field full of Crown Vics, Town Cars and well-used GM tanks would make mincemeat out of this Thunderbird before anyone knew what happened.
So what, then, is so wrong with this Aero Bird that $500 is all that’s needed to get it out of a yard? From the photos, the car is complete. Yeah, the paint looks like hell, but that’s a Ford trademark at this point. It’s a 30-year-old car, and for being that old, this one looks to be in rather decent shape. The add says it all: Will start and run, you can drive it. But will need brake work, pedal goes all the way to the floor.” Know your way around a brake system? Don’t mind fixing a safety issue on an otherwise complete car? Here’s a great project starter, then. Since we are playing with the Rough Start rules, you have $4,500 in your pocket and a Thunderbird that just doesn’t know when to stop. We’d scrub the interior a bit and try to bring out the paint, but there are sections of clear disappearing that just can’t be helped. Paint is on you…if you want to spend the money, go for it. Spare a few hundred to fix the brakes, hunt junkyards for some Fox Mustang wheels (wider tire footprint) and the 302 and AOD out of a Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer, and get it together over a couple of weekends. Toss in some good gears and a healthy set of pipes and you’re set. You should still have plenty of cash left over. Any more money you want to spend is all on you. Got a better way to build it? Say so below!
Craigslist Link: 1986 Ford Thunderbird
Swap in a tuned Coyote motor, upgraded brakes and suspension and put on some Borrani wire wheels with performance tyres. Then leave everything else exactly how it is for the ultimate sleeper.
You might spend more than the $4,500 but who gives a damn about imaginary rules anyway!
Swap in a ford motorsports ,stand alone 2.3 turbo ecoboost crate engine..
and have a awesome all around performance vehicle for cheap.
Slap on the mustang bits to make it turn and stop..
A newer 8.8 rear with exployer disc..
And enjoy it daily..
Only fox body I like is these t-birds..
I\’d find a turbo coupe and have at it..
make mine a stick please..
you guys are spoilt….in Australia that’d pull 5 grand all day long and people would look at it cos its different…ship it here and I’ll give you a couple grand for it straight away!
5.0 coyote 5 speed cobra IRS
Sleeper!!!!!!
If I wasn’t already building a ’78 Fairmont I’d be on the Bird like white on rice! A nice warmed-over Explorer 5.0 and a T5 (which I already have 🙂 as my ‘Mont will have a built C4), and a CL 8.8 with a gear and it’s off to the races 🙂 .
A nice 351C, half filled block, closed chamber 4V heads, Eddy Scorpion intake with 76mm blow-thru carb. A built AOD with a 8.8 out back. Load up the wife and kids and have at it.
Saw this car ‘ right up the street in Md. Girl selling 4 dad . Sure wasn’t listed 4 $500 ! She wanted 800 – 1000 and this ad is at least 2-3 years old