Considering a low mileage 79 T-bird.

[JoeD]

I recently found a very low mileage pristine 1979 T-bird that I'm contemplating. I'm curious to know from those who have 'em if there are any weak points on these cars that I should look out for. I've had it on a lift and it is almost perfectly rust free--there isn't any surfact rust on the underside anywhere. It even still has what appears to be the original exhaust.

I currently have a 1965, and though I love it, I would like to eventually get a T-bird that's a little newer and less upkeep. If I'm not mistaken, the 77-79 years appear to be based on the full size LTD platform. A friend of mine had a 1979 LTD that basically ran forever, even after he one time forgot to put oil in the engine and the dipstick came up dry.



Thanks,
Joe

 

[Sanitarium 73]

Be careful. I also thought I was buying a low-mile '79, but came to find out that it had over 153,000 miles. I do not have this problem, but I have heard of rust issues with the gas tank. Take her for a GOOD drive..open it up on the highway. Mine ran great for the ten minite test drive, but after ten mins, and after I bought it, it began to run very poorly. I wish you the best of luck. Even though mine is not currently road worthy, I still love it all the same, and if you purchase the one you are considering, you will love it too. And, one more thing. Forget about all those people who say it is slow because of when it was made...these things can be made to fly very easily. Thanks, and again, good luck!

Jim

 

[bigbrownbird]

Joe,
mileage isn't everything, and while it is a good thing, be watchful. my 78 has 326,000 miles, and while it has it has it's share of Wal- Mart rash and a few spots of rust, it runs very well. however, when I got Dad's 79, with only 74,000, we drove it for a week and all the seals let out! It seems that the seals got old and crusty from storage but let go when we began driving it. as long as it drives fine for a good half hour cruise, you're probably golden.
as for problem areas, look for rust over the upper control arms on whe inner wheelwells. it's common. all engines worked well, but if you are searching for high performance, beware of the FMX, it doesn't like a whole lotta ponies. I'm amazed mine is still alive. ditch the smog stuff in you can and enjoy a great driving car!

Lee

 

[JoeD]

Be careful. I also thought I was buying a low-mile '79, but came to find out that it had over 153,000 miles. I do not have this problem, but I have heard of rust issues with the gas tank. Take her for a GOOD drive..open it up on the highway. Mine ran great for the ten minite test drive, but after ten mins, and after I bought it, it began to run very poorly. I wish you the best of luck. Even though mine is not currently road worthy, I still love it all the same, and if you purchase the one you are considering, you will love it too. And, one more thing. Forget about all those people who say it is slow because of when it was made...these things can be made to fly very easily. Thanks, and again, good luck!

Jim

Well unless the guy was able to find NOS Ford date coded belts and hoses, I'm fairly sure they're original. There's no wear on the seats or around any controls. I made a point to look in all four wheel wells and around any place that looked like it could hold moisture and rust. Nothing. The undercoating is in good shape, but clearly isn't a fresh coat. The odometer shows 5,600 miles and some friends who also looked at it for me agreed that it's probably not 105,600 miles, but the genuine article.

Good point the other post made about old seals, I'll keep some money and time set aside in case I need to redo them. It's not leaking any fluids right now and all the rubber parts I did look at (like the weather stripping and brake hoses) are crack free and properly pliable.

Sounds like the 77-79 T-birds are good performers if given proper care. I'll continue to ponder it for a few more days (I told the seller I'd make a decision mid week).



Thanks,
Joe

 

[Charles]

Get the Thunderbird. Only thing not mentioned was the headlights not staying closed. Usually is the headlight switch itself. As far as the seals go, my 154,000 mile 'Bird started leaking like a sieve within 2 weeks after sitting for 8 years. By the way, the cars are the same as the LTD II, not the big LTD. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[JoeD]

Get the Thunderbird. Only thing not mentioned was the headlights not staying closed. Usually is the headlight switch itself. As far as the seals go, my 154,000 mile 'Bird started leaking like a sieve within 2 weeks after sitting for 8 years. By the way, the cars are the same as the LTD II, not the big LTD. Hope you enjoy it!

The headlight doors do indeed stay closed. I can't vouch for them staying closed for a week at a time or overnight since I personally couldn't baby sit the car to find out (for obvious reasons). However, they were closed when the seller started the car from a dead cold, and they stayed closed over the course of the several hours I went over the car.

The guy's a bit pricey--I couldn't get him below $8,000 for the car. On the positive side, he will deliver it to me so I won't have to drive it back and risk a breakdown from all the original parts (remember those belts hoses and tires are all original). It's about a two hour drive from there to my place, so I figure it's got to be worth a couple hundred I'm saving not having to pay for a flatbed.

I'm still thinking it over. I like the car, but that does seem kind of high to me, even for such an unmolested car. #1 condition on the price guide I consulted topped out a little over $5,000. On the other hand, it's not every day you come across such a totally pristine car, either.



Thanks for everyone's input,
Joe