Is It Worth Restoring?

[GregHowe]

I just bought another 66 Town Landau hardtop off the Internet. I knew the vinyl top was in not so good shape. After further inspection with out taking the vinyl off, I pressed down on the top and I can feel and hear some crunching. The chrome at the top of the front windshield is starting to pop up. The body of car is in great shape and all the chrome is on really good shape. It was repainted from gold to black. The steering is so loose that you can turn 1/2 way around while going down the road and the car still goes straight. I suspect the steering box needs to be replaced and some steering components. The shifter is really loose. The A/C needs work and so does the drivers side power windows and vent window. The interior is in really good shape except for a tear along the seam on the drivers seat and the door panels needing to be replaced. The brake lights and turn signals don't work and neither does the horn. The brakes feel like manual brakes instead of power brakes, I think the master cylinder needs replaced. One side of the H pipe of the exhaust is broken. I think this all that is wrong.

My had plans on pulling the engine and building it up a little, put on some chrome wheels and Flowmaster mufflers. Now that I know that the top of the car is in really sad shape, would it be worth trying to restore this car? Has anyone replaced the top of a 66 Bird and how expensive was it? Is it going to be hard to locate another top? I bought the car for $2200 and $800 in carrier charges for a total of $3000.

 

[phjohnso]

For what its worth - I have a friend that has a perfect 66 landau - with a 429 with ac. It is a beautiful car. The crunching roof would disturb me a bit but you need to investigate it further to see what you are dealing with - it could just be a small spot so check into it. If you can do the engine work yourself you can save money but if you need to spend more than $3500 on it you may want to pass.

My 62 was loose all over the road and it needed a rag joint $14 to tighten it right up. Maybe that is what it needs... Be carefull though because if the rag joint breaks you will crash.

 

[65tbirdconv]

Rag Joint?

 

[tbird5866]

Rag joint?

Does that question mean you don't know what a "rag joint" is?
It's the flexable coupling between the steering gear box and the steering shaft.
It allows you to move the steering wheel to the right for exit or entry. Or to prevent the shifter from dropping out of PARK.

 

[Joe Vandatta]

restore

Thats a tough call -- one that many have faced. Most the time you are better off to find a better Bird unless you have lots of time and muscle (and money)
Joe

 

[phjohnso]

A little more info on the rag joint - most every car has one - the rag joint connects the steering wheel shaft to the steering knuckle of your car - the reg joint is really made from disc of rubber that are riveted together and then bolted to both shafts. The rag joint is there to eliminate road vibration from the drivers hands on the steering wheel. Since the rag joint conects this two critical components together, if you have a ripped or broken rag joint then when you turn your steering the cars wheels will not move in time with the steering wheel. Obviously if the rag joint breaks the car will not have a connection from the steering wheel to the tire any more and a crash will then occur.

 

[65tbirdconv]

Thanks on the rag joint. Had not heard that term be4.

 

[GregHowe]

Kind of late to back out now. It is in my driveway waiting for my attention to restore it back. The engine is no problem since I was going to build it up a little and throw on a couple of glass packs. The car came from CA so it has some emissions on it that are not on in other states. Can I take off those emissions off when I rebuild the engine without having any major problems? It kind of looks like an early 66. There is a power steering reserviour on the firewall that looks like the 65 version.

Thanks to this group of fine folks for all the information you supply to others like me. This site has so much valuable information.

 

[65tbirdconv]

Congrats on the new project. Don't give up on it!

 

[GregHowe]

I talked to a guy last night who owns a local body shop and he said that I will need a doner roof for the car. It would have to be choped off as far down as possible. He would then match up what would need to be replaced. The top can be a standard Lanau top without vinyl. Does anyone know where I can get a top at a reasonable cost? I don't want to but a whole car to do this if at all possible. Another option that I might consider is to cut off the top and make it a permanent top down convertable.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated.

 

[Birdman93]

Talk with John Draxler at the Thunderbird Ranch, or look through the Thunderbird Registry-either way you should be able to find one.

 

[65tbirdconv]

I would make it a perm. conv. Have a cover made for it that can snap over pass compartment if it rains and you can't get to a garage. Sorta like those old british sports cars.

 

[boaterbob]

I have a 66 Landau i could cut the roof off. But it's in NJ how would you ship it?

 

[tbird5866]

I could supply you with a top for the car. i'm probably closer than NJ. I'm just north of fort worth, Texas.
I have four cars to choose from.

You are in Missouri? Where?