thunderbird HQ

[jonnyt]

hey can anyone here give me some info on thunderbird headquaters...i just wondered if many had used them and had any input. looks like they have alot of parts and i didn't really care to give the vin number of my car... thanks if anyone could help out

[Harley Eaton]

What is the VIN ?

[Rally7]

I purchased a lot of stuff from them. They want the VIN to be sure that your get the right parts for your year/model.

[Darrellinceres]

And you don't have to give then the whole VIN. just repace the last 3 or 4 digits with xxx. That's what I did. I've been buying a lot of little parts and they have been very helpful. Even exchanging the ones I ordered wrong.

[Sierra]

I have pruchased many parts from them and always with good results. I only use them unless they do not have what I am looking for. Prices are ok fas well.

[UncleDougie]

Completely off topic but why would it matter if they knew the VIN (unless of course it is stolen)?

[Harley Eaton]

Thunderbird Headquarters is not the only vendor that asks for your VIN. My thinking is they want to supply parts to you for the vehicle identified by the VIN. They think some owners don't really know that much about the car they have or the car they are working on.

[Gary Tayman]

Maybe I'm a bit slow, but why should anyone protest over a serial number?

I'd rather pass out a 50-year-old VIN number than say, Social Security number or driver's license number.

I suppose there are crooks out there who can do stupid things with people's ID numbers, so a certain level of caution should be applied when personal information is asked. But sometimes it seems people get totally paranoid when it comes to giving away anything, regardless what it applies to.

I continually run into problems with my own radio customers, who don't supply an address or phone number. Uh, do you want it back? Starting January first I began asking for information WITH either a check or credit card information before I start -- with options for supplying me with the information via secure e-mail. It doesn't change a thing, it doesn't cost them an extra penny, but it has made my life a lot easier and has sliced off considerable time with turnaround for everyone. Nothing sinister, just common sense.

In the case of vintage cars, many people like to collect serial numbers for the sake of historic information -- which of course benefits everyone. Such collections provide tidbits of information, such as whether the rear view mirror is factory-correct for a certain car, when others are different. With such a collection one might find that models made in Canada with serial numbers 20056 through 20175 indeed were fitted with mirrors from a different vendor. At this very moment I'm restoring a 1924 Grebe Synchrophase radio; a VERY collectible set with numerous production changes and a very cryptic serial letter system -- yes, letters. Mine is NRFM. This one has the chain drive; it has the dampened tube sockets; it has the UX-112 output tube, etc. In the interest of providing historic information, I'm willing, and eager, to provide as much as I can.

Just my opinion.

[RobertZpianoman]

vin # or not , wait till you find out that the 1958 t bird you bought needed a simple water pump and poor BIRD NEST IN CALIFORNIA ... has to ask are you sure that's the original block motor under the hood....and you find out by engine # that it it in fact a 1964 ford galixie 352 and not a 1958 352 type there for the they send you a (long shafted water pump) getting too close to that radiator!!! when ford's 1964 galixie has the shorter one top to fit inside 1958 engine bay giving the correct safe clearance and performance ...how about that radiator hose from pat wilsons t -birds in new jersey? bet you didnt know that length is a whole different curve length to accomadate battery removal etc. so the train engine knows that the caboose is at the other end of your train...etc.communication saves time and returned parts shipping charges. get a service book on e bay or local suppliers of t bird parts first then start your restoration project..saves us all a lot of ooops in the end. of course on the other hand access to vin # thru the d.m.v. request forms... can get an address of where your car was last located and google to that address and there exist a theft possibility oh well on and on .

[Gary Tayman]

Speaking of VIN numbers, here's a cute story -- 100% TRUE!

A local fellow stopped at his favorite watering hole in 1974; when he came out his prize 68 Charger was gone -- stolen. He called the police and reported it, a search did not turn up the car.

Some 38 years later he got a phone call from the police. They found his car. Not only that, they found his car in perfect, pristine condition!

Indeed, somebody stole the car. He wiped out the VIN number, forged out some sort of title, and managed to register the car in his own name. The car became his daily driver for several years, until one day he bought another -- but did not trade it in. Eventually he fixed up the car and began taking it to car cruises, was awarded several trophies. Then one day not that long ago, his job transferred him to Kansas. When he tried to transfer the registration, something about the title didn't look right. They checked the VIN of the car, rubbed out. These cars have VIN numbers stamped elsewhere in hidden places, so they searched -- found it, determined it was stolen, handcuffed the guy on the spot, and impounded the car.

We saw that car at a car cruise about two months ago in Bradenton, Florida. How's THAT for a story?

[RobertZpianoman]

thank you for the story. our family enjoys all this car classic related infro. we hope all criminals get bit by the( guard dog )at our town's car shows. I' m installing the magnetic switches at our home to the doors and they will report to the main relay which turns on the 102 db. siren. were out in the sticks and a taser gun is also being considered so we can watch the bad person wiggle around before the cops arrive. I think "god " ought to pay them a visit too and tell the bad persons what it means to have a classic in the family daily driver etc.