Parts car

[Little Ice-Cable]

1997 Ford Thunderbird · LX Coupe 2D https://share.google/MD6VgemkSGwl848mC
I am going to look at this car this weekend and I wanted to see if you guys see anything wrong with it. I am planning on using it as a donor car, so I am probably going to buy it anyway. Though I am buying it with the potential to be a project down the road.

 

[KevinVarnes]

I can't open your link, but what do you need it as a donor for? What is the planned project for it further down the road?

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Donor car wasn't the right word I mean parts car just stuff like header panel tail lights and any other part I may need. This seems like a good car for not that much more than getting a header panel around me would cost.

 

[MadMikeyL]

Honestly that looks too clean to be a parts car. I would just fix the trans and drive it. Actually I would just manual swap it and drive it, but I would feel bad parting that car out.

 

[Kenz]

It looks worn out, but it's a complete car. It has almost 200k miles and the trans is probably bad, it's mechanically totaled because of that.

However, it appears to be a well optioned model with a sunroof, has a rust-free chassis, and the important bits seem restorable. It's a great starting point for a project car or even a cheap driver for someone who has the time and ability, to fix it up. It would be a shame for it to end up parted out and in a junk yard...

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

The plan is to take the stuff I need for mine off and then put the parts from mine and put it on that one. Then I will have two running cars.

 

[XR7-4.6]

The thing that gets me is the donor is a LE in an uncommon color combo with chrome fanblades. It might be a little rough but man that’s a tough one to see parted.

 

[Jae 'Bird]

I want that Subway sign, thats epic

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

I want that Subway sign, thats epic

I thought the same thing

The thing that gets me is the donor is a LE in an uncommon color combo with chrome fanblades. It might be a little rough but man that’s a tough one to see parted.

Again as of right now I don't need any of the body panels all in doing is taking the header panel off of that one and putting the cracked/partly broken one back on the one im buying. I will also be doing the same thing with the taillights and a few other small things.

 

[Zep5.0]

Fact of the matter is no one will save that car. I say do as you need to keep yours running. If you save it later, great.

 

[Kidd-7]

While I’d be a shame to see it parted out Zep is correct.

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Welp she is coming home with me. Way to good of a deal to pass up.

 

[Kenz]

View attachment 13167
Welp she is coming home with me. Way to good of a deal to pass up.

If you change your mind I'll give you $850 for it

 

[CDsDontBurn]

How was it strapped to the trailer? Don't tell me it was just through the hood like that. If so, that's hella sketchy.

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

How was it strapped to the trailer? Don't tell me it was just through the hood like that. If so, that's hella sketchy.

No we stuck the excess in the hood, it's on the sway bar.

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Does anyone know what the limited edition package includes?

 

[Rodeo Joe]

Not much. Fender badges, body striping and LE floor mats. Models have nothing to do with it, could be a V8 or a 6, Sports or an LX. Dealer option.

Joe

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Not much. Fender badges, body striping and LE floor mats. Models have nothing to do with it, could be a V8 or a 6, Sports or an LX. Dealer option.

Joe

Is the options on it like sun roof, CD changer, power antenna apart of the package or just options?

 

[Rodeo Joe]

No special options, whatever car the dealer decided to put the package on.

Joe

 

[XR7-4.6]

Is the options on it like sun roof, CD changer, power antenna apart of the package or just options?

CD changer wasn’t a factory installed option after 1994, it went the way of the JBL option. Like Joe said this was essentially a Ford commissioned limited edition package(like the 95 40th) applied at dealers to kind of whatever car.

I’ve also never seen a LE without the factory rear spoiler, but I suspect some of those were installed with the stripes. I don’t know if any of you have seen the factory OEM rear spoiler new in box before but included with it is a handy drill template the dealers would have utilized

 

[Rodeo Joe]

I don’t know if any of you have seen the factory OEM rear spoiler new in box before but included with it is a handy drill template the dealers would have utilized

I have, that's what the body shop guy used to put the spoiler on my car!

For the life of me, I don't know what happened to that template.

Joe

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

I'm wondering how many of the grey limited edition with all the options were made even though I know there is no way to find limited edition numbers since they were dealer installed. I would like to know though.

 

[XR7-4.6]

I'm wondering how many of the grey limited edition with all the options were made even though I know there is no way to find limited edition numbers since they were dealer installed. I would like to know though.

The lower option ones are the ones I find the most interesting. Based purely on my observations LEs did seem to be applied overwhelmingly to sports

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

The lower option ones are the ones I find the most interesting. Based purely on my observations LEs did seem to be applied overwhelmingly to sports

Is there a way to tell I'm mine is a sport since they all had spoilers?

 

[XR7-4.6]

Is there a way to tell I'm mine is a sport since they all had spoilers?

Look at the spring code on the door tag. Sports will either say JJJJ or JJEE

97s will also only come with 16” wheels and the larger brakes

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Look at the spring code on the door tag. Sports will either say JJJJ or JJEE

97s will also only come with 16” wheels and the larger brakes

It has the 16s on it so I'm going to guess it's a sport.

 

[Rodeo Joe]

It has the 16s on it so I'm going to guess it's a sport.

Yours has 15" chrome fan blades on it, so you need check for the spring code. Early 96s came with the smaller LX brakes, larger brakes were a midyear change. But all the Sports had the SC style 16" Sport wheels.

Joe

 

[MadMikeyL]

Unless someone changed out the brakes, it can’t be a sport. The sport brakes require 16” wheels to clear them.