Sometimes, you just have to respect the build. It’s not always our cup of tea, or the type of vehicle we’d build for ourselves, but when someone clearly has a passion for a specific model, who are we to kick rocks? The seller of this 1987 Ford Thunderbird has built the car the way he felt it should have left the factory, with a number of OEM-inspired tweaks and upgrades that should make it a fun driver for the next caretaker. Find the V8-powered Thunderbird listed here on craigslist for $5,000.
Modified cars are always tricky, however, as you’re helping someone else likes your modifications as much as you do. The more you personalize it, the more difficult it becomes to sell someone on the idea that your interpretation of the perfect T-Bird is correct. The seller seems to have done a nice job of plucking the best OEM bits for his car, however, swapping in a 5.0L V8 from a 1992 Lincoln Mark VII and paired with a Borg Warner T-10 WT five speed from an ’89 Mustang. The seller even went so far as to install sequential taillights and the nose panel from an ’86 Thunderbird simply because he liked it better.
Truth be told, I kind of get it. I owned a 1988 Subaru XT6, one of the worst project cars I’ve ever purchased, and I made a variety of cosmetic tweaks to make it look like a 1986 model. The reason for this was as simple as the seller here: I liked the rear bumper and taillight treatment better than the one that came on my model year. The interior of this car appears to be in good order, but the seller admits the power moonroof doesn’t work, the A/C system has a leak, and the driver’s power door lock is “lazy,” all of which are minor concerns.
A Shaker Scoop from a 1994 Mustang has been installed, but it’s non-functional (ironically, I also had a hood scoop from a turbocharged Subaru XT molded into my XT6’s hood – maybe this is guy is my brother from another mother!) The body shows evidence of dents and dings and plenty of cosmetic discoloration. The tires are old and the seller admits he planned to perform a 5-lug swap but never got around to it. Overall, this looks like an entertaining car, but it’s obviously suited for one type of buyer. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the tip.
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