Another picture of the two 1979 Plane Jane Birds

[Tim Cole]

Here is a 2nd shot of our two old plain-jane 1979 Birds--this time from the front, taken at Sea Hags Fish Restaurant in St. Pete, FL. Chuck picked up his (blue/white) Bird some years ago for just $800.00. Not bad, eh. Mine was a tad more, but I believe I've gotten my money's worth out of it. Fix everything myself. Over 300,000 miles on the motor and car. FMX tranny has "morning sickness"; but other than that my Bird always manages to get up out of the nest in the am and take me to the office. Solid steel. Heavy. Secure. And 70's technology. Can't beat it. Best of all--no computers. Shazaam!

 

[7T9BIRD]

Great cars..I noticed your T-Bird has colored bumper rub strips..nice. That's a great look!

 

[Tim Cole]

Front bumper strips

Thanks for your comments. In order to "upgrade" my plain jane Bird, I added the deluxe 7 gauge dash cluster--that includes tachometer, turbine wheels, color-coded the front grille to match the paint, color-keyed hood ornament, and painted the front and rear bumper strips. But it is still a plain--jane Bird. Thanks

 

[7T9BIRD]

You've completed a lot of upgrades, that's what I like about these cars...so many options and still some good parts available. Although, I guess some not so available too...I've learned to be patient in the part search dept. My question, what do you think about LED replacement bulbs for your upgraded dash? I've seen them on eBay and am thinking about installing some, they install exactly like the old bulbs, just swap one for the other. My dash is a bit dim at night, so I think this might be a good upgrade. I'm assuming it won't be too hard to do?....Thanks
Leslie

 

[Tim Cole]

LED replacement bulbs

Good question. By the way, from the pix you've posted, you have a very nice looking Bird; same color as mine; but it looks like a tad fewer miles. But, nice going with your Bird. How many miles do you put on it per annum?

Per your question, I have not used the LED replacement bulbs as my dash is quite visible at night; but I've heard others who did use them and noticed a substantial improvement. Let me know if you install them and experience the same. You'd have to remove the dash-pad and the dash to do it. About a 2 hour job, start to finish. I've had my dash off at least 100 times over the years. Getting brittle now. Thanks.

 

[7T9BIRD]

Thanks..I just bought it last June and she's got 66k miles and i put almost a 1000 miles last year, so i'd like to keep it down to about the same per year...but i really like taking her out on the highway, so who knows...the LED lights seem like a good upgrade from the old bulbs, so i may attempt it...also need to upgrade the speakers...when i get more time. i spent years looking for a well optioned mint t-top..so when i found it, i had to have it. We call her 'the big girl'...lol.

 

[Tim Cole]

meant to be driven

Happy to know you drive the Bird. These Birds are truly meant to be driven, not just looked at in a store-room. They ride nice and when you drive them, you give other folk a chance to see the car as well. I've driven mine daily for years and still get comments almost every day and offers to buy at the local service stations. If folks only knew how many miles on the car.

Here's a 1978 T-Bird Diamond Jubilee I restored and sold to a buyer in Norway a couple of years ago. Leather interior, 400-2v motor, C-6 tranny, one of the nicest I've done over the years.

 

[7T9BIRD]

nice car...so what do you think of the DJ as compared to your everyday bird? Better ride. less road noise..more refined? I wonder if a plain jane rides just as good? Those cars were very expensive at the time, so was it worth the extra $$..

In 1977 my best friends father bought a new Mark V, jade green and chamois trim..I was 11 years oid...so to me it was the ultimate car of it's day. Those DJ in 78 and Heritage in 79 were comparable. I wish I knew how much he paid for that Mark V..he traded it in for an 81 Continental sedan..

 

[Tim Cole]

Plane Jane vs. Diamond Jubilee

Good question. I've owned and driven (sparingly) 2 1978 Diamond Jubilee Birds, one with a 351M and the other with a 400-2v. But my daily driver has been a 79 Bird for many years. There is no comparison, really. The ride in the DJ is quieter, softer. The seats in the DJ are far more comfortable (mine are vinyl in my daily driver). The steering wheel in the DJ's are even superior to hold and maneuver. The atmosphere inside the cabin is just so much more serene, plush, quiet, soothing, and comfortable. Wish I had one to drive daily.

Check out the leather interior in my former 78 DJ, white exterior, blue leather interior. She rode like a cloud. The 400-2v motor was anemic, though. Needed a 4-barrel intake and carb. and a little more radical cam shaft.

 

[7T9BIRD]

Nice..love the blue interior and the seats look as though they have a bit more support than regular split bench. Nice car Tim, hope you find another one someday...maybe you'll decide to keep it..

 

[7T9BIRD]

Nice..love the blue interior and the seats look as though they have a bit more support than regular split bench. Nice car Tim, hope you find another one someday...maybe you'll decide to keep it..

Just wondering...how rare are the white DJ? I've not seen very many and i've been looking at these t-birds for over 10 years...

 

[Tim Cole]

White 78 DJ's

Ford only made the white DJ's in the spring of 1978. So the production numbers would be very low. Though they are rare, they still are not as popular as the triple blue DJ's. The triple blue's are the most popular and very collectable. There are some still out there for sale, but hard to find in 2013.

Here is one for sale in our area, but too high-priced, in my thinking.