The 1988 Ford Thunderbird Sport I Bought Sight Unseen

I added a vintage Thunderbird Sport to the car line up and I bought it sight unseen. 

Sometimes when you put your trust in the word of someone selling a car it works out and sometimes it doesn't. When your rental car is a one way deal you are kind of committed. Check out how things went, what works and what doesn't and if I made 256 miles home.

The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.

An AI-generated transcript summary edited by a staffer is below.

[Image: Tony's Fords and Mustangs/YouTube]

Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Summary

The video follows the purchase and 250-mile drive home of a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Sport from near Richmond, Virginia, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and concludes with an assessment of the car's condition and future restoration plans.

Picking up the Thunderbird

• • The presenter buys the car from a Facebook Marketplace seller who believes it can make the trip home without issue.
  • The car is a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Sport with:
  • Original paint
  • Turbo Coupe wheels
  • 5.0-liter V8 paired with an automatic transmission
  • Generally clean interior and exterior

Initial Concerns

Before setting off, the presenter notes several problems:

• • Driver's window doesn't work.
  • Air conditioning is inoperative.
  • Cruise control doesn't function.
  • Cigarette lighter/power outlet is dead.
  • Engine was low on oil and required topping off.
  • Oil pressure appears lower than expected, causing some concern.

To avoid heavy Friday traffic on Interstate 95, the route diverts onto U.S. Routes 17 and 15.

The Drive Home

About 80 miles into the trip:

• • The engine temperature begins climbing higher than normal, though it never reaches the danger zone.
  • The presenter suspects the cooling system may simply need a radiator flush and plans to check whether the electric fan is operating.
  • A slight rear-end clunk suggests a possible worn U-joint, so the remainder of the trip is driven cautiously at 55 – 60 mph.

Despite the mechanical concerns, the Thunderbird completes the 252-mile journey without breaking down.

Post-Trip Inspection

A few days later, the presenter performs a more thorough evaluation and identifies several repair projects:

• • Cooling system flush to address elevated engine temperatures.
  • Loose steering wheel requiring repair.
  • Faulty shifter release button.
  • Multiple power steering leaks and a noisy power steering pump.
  • Non-functioning A/C, cruise control, power window, and power outlet.

On the positive side:

• • The interior is in very good condition.
  • The car includes its complete original owner's manuals, booklets, and delivery documents from 1988.

Overall Impression

The presenter considers the purchase a success:

• • The seller was largely honest about the car.
  • The Thunderbird proved capable of making the long drive home under its own power.
  • While it needs mechanical attention, none of the issues appear overwhelming for a hobbyist.

As a retiree looking for projects, the presenter is excited to restore the car into a reliable, fully functional classic and hints that future road trips will follow once repairs — including the A/C and cruise control — are completed. The video ends by inviting viewers to follow the restoration series and explore more Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury content on the channel.

from TheTruthAboutCars https://ift.tt/94MFvaG
via IFTTT