![]() The next time I visited the dealership, the parts guy asked me how the rebuild went. It took me the better part of a day, but I rebuilt it, and it ran like new. I bought the rebuild kit and tore into the carb, only to discover that instead of the usual 5 circuits (choke, idle, accelerator pump, venturi, and power valve), this one had something like 17 systems, including altitude, temperature,and humidity compensation, and some I had never heard of. ![]() The factory rebuild kit, as well as the factory rebuilt carb, didn’t seem to go with the dealer’s “non-rebuildable” description. However, the parts guy found a “factory rebuild kit” for less than $50. The dealer told me it was considered a “non-rebuildable” carb, but said he would sell me a new carb for about $950, or a “factory rebuilt” carb for $730. More fun to drive with the 5-speed also! Its only downfall was the incredibly complicated carburetor, which started acting up after about 100k miles. Of course, it also handled significantly better.It would cruise at 100 all day long, or get 46 mpg cruising at 70. It had significantly more interior room, was more comfortable, and quicker than theT-Bird. Are any of you fans of these early-80s Thunderbirds or had they flown the coop by then in your opinion? Could this be the 302 V8? They say that the paint and body are in great shape but they don’t mention the engine or operating condition at all, and there is no phone number. It appears that the headlights are open which means some work to track down the culprit causing that, and they don’t list what engine this is or if it runs or not. Hagerty is at around $4,000 for a #3 good condition car so this seems like a good deal to me.ĭid I mention that this is also a one-owner car? I know that it isn’t a hidden muscle car or exotic, but anything in this condition with so few miles and having had just one owner since new tweaks my giblets. It’s a short ad without much info really at all, as far as features or operating condition, but for $1,900, I think it’s worth a gamble. The seller has only posted four photos in the craigslist ad but at least they hit on the interior and engine compartment. Leather Vinyl seats but no power windows or locks? Crazy, but this was the era when power windows still weren’t standard in even luxury cars. Did I want a Hemi Cuda? Of course, but I also wanted one of these smaller Thunderbirds based on the Fox Platform. I know that they aren’t very popular with, well anyone, but this is the era when I was out of high school and this was a little personal luxury car that I aspired to own, given my modest upbringing. I have always liked the eighth-generation Thunderbird. The seller of this hidden bird is asking a mere $1,900 which is a steal. Of course, it’s closed now, but it’s worth putting on your must-see list. No, that’s not a paid advertisement, just a strong suggestion to check it out when you can. This T-Bird can be found here on craigslist in Sumner, Washington, about 15 miles southeast of Tacoma, home of the fantastic LeMay Auto Museum. It may not be a “classic”, but this 1981 Ford Thunderbird is at least the idea of what a lot of us dream about finding hidden away in someone’s garage. This bird has a mere 22,000 miles on it, that’s crazy low for a car that’s almost 40 years old now.
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