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Originally Posted by stork
Hi All, Not sure if this is where I should be posting this, if this is the wrong place can an admin. place it in the correct place.
Can some one forward me contact information for a Thunderbird Parts supplier in the Tampa, Florida area. Thanks
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There is nobody to my knowledge in the Tampa area who deals with Thunderbirds specifically, that I would recommend. Seems about 10-15 years ago there was a place in Pinellas Park that offered parts and service -- and a friend of mine took a 65Landau there for some mechanical work as well as a new vinyl top. Some two years later, after months of stalling and later several unanswered calls, he physically went there, grabbed the car, and drove it home, basically telling the guy to "sue me if you wanna get paid." The new top was on it, and a kindergartener could have done a neater job -- you could see the flaws 500 feet away (white goo everywhere!). He gave up on the car and sold it. The shop closed up I believe.
There is a Bob's T-Birds in Ft. Lauderdale. Others have told me to stay away; a resto shop who worked on my car sings their praises -- but this shop ripped me off badly -- and installed some major parts that were supposedly new, but were in actuality used junk. But did those parts come from Bob's? I do not know. They may be fine, but caveat emptor.
Another outfit I WILL recommend is McCune Radio-Aire in Ft. Lauderdale. Okay, I'm loosely affiliated with them on the radio side, we help each other out at times. But they are also air conditioner experts, and I believe they do other resto work as well. But -- right in Tampa there's Classic Auto Air which seems to have a good reputation.
I live in Sarasota. There is a mechanic nearby (Graybeal's) that does excellent work on older cars, and continually has vintage vehicles waiting in line for service. Generally when he needs parts that aren't available in the regular outlets, he'll ask you to order them from your favorite catalog supplier. Places such as Bird Nest in Oregon or Larry's in California -- may take a few days to get it -- unless faster shipping is requested -- but I get the parts I need and he puts them on.
There is another great mechanic in Port Charlotte (Giovannetti & Sons) who rebuilt my transmission and did some engine work. Only problem for me is the distance -- hitching rides back and forth to get the car there and back.
But my basic recommendation is this: go to local car cruises and ask around for recommended shops for servicing your car. As for parts, pick your favorite catalog.