'62 Thunderbird, am I an idiot?
Discussion
Over the weekend I did something I promised myself I'd never do.
Having gone to a car auction (Silverstone at the NEC Classic show) with the intention of bidding on one particular car of a type I'd researched, I found myself buying something I'd not even considered before seeing it in the metal, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird.
Hoping to pick it up this coming Saturday, if it starts!
Any Thunderbird owners around who'd like to chip in with reassuring words? ;-)
Currently trying to figure out where the hell I can put it.
WillS
Having gone to a car auction (Silverstone at the NEC Classic show) with the intention of bidding on one particular car of a type I'd researched, I found myself buying something I'd not even considered before seeing it in the metal, a 1962 Ford Thunderbird.
Hoping to pick it up this coming Saturday, if it starts!
Any Thunderbird owners around who'd like to chip in with reassuring words? ;-)
Currently trying to figure out where the hell I can put it.
WillS
WillS66 said:
Currently trying to figure out where the hell I can put it.
Hmmm........terrific 'lets not think this purchase though' buying mode - top marks 
However, if its a nice one, then finding somewhere inside to keep it needs to be your priority.
I know of someone that bought a very nice '63 T-Bird 18-24 months ago, and keeps it at his Mum's house on her driveway under an 'outdoor' car cover...as he doesn't have a garage, let alone one big enough.
18-24 months kept like that have taken quite a marked toll on what was a very nice car.
aeropilot said:
Hmmm........terrific 'lets not think this purchase though' buying mode - top marks
Thanks, thinking's over-rated!I've been measuring my garage, with multiple different tape measures, but they all tell me the same thing; "no, not really".
I can fit it through the entrance (3 inches clearance either side), I can open the car doors once it's in (20-25 inches clearance either side once through the entrance) but it's a long car. If I remove all the workbenches at the end, so that the garage is basically just a shell with all the storage shelves at shoulder height or above, it'll fit but only with a grand total of 12 inches to spare.
(But at least I can fit the front of the car in far enough to work on the engine in relative comfort over the winter if it's needed)
So, car cover for winter and then consider garage extending options in spring.
WillS.
WillS66 said:
Thanks, thinking's over-rated!
I've been measuring my garage, with multiple different tape measures, but they all tell me the same thing; "no, not really".
I can fit it through the entrance (3 inches clearance either side), I can open the car doors once it's in (20-25 inches clearance either side once through the entrance) but it's a long car. If I remove all the workbenches at the end, so that the garage is basically just a shell with all the storage shelves at shoulder height or above, it'll fit but only with a grand total of 12 inches to spare.
(But at least I can fit the front of the car in far enough to work on the engine in relative comfort over the winter if it's needed)
So, car cover for winter and then consider garage extending options in spring.
WillS.
If it's just for the winter, do consider paying for decent storage, especially if you have not checked in the nooks and crannies for incipient rot. Any expense here would be nothing compared to cutting out swathes of metal later. Even if you can get it in a garage, I'd have it in a Carcoon or something similar. These things can deteriorate fast! I've been measuring my garage, with multiple different tape measures, but they all tell me the same thing; "no, not really".
I can fit it through the entrance (3 inches clearance either side), I can open the car doors once it's in (20-25 inches clearance either side once through the entrance) but it's a long car. If I remove all the workbenches at the end, so that the garage is basically just a shell with all the storage shelves at shoulder height or above, it'll fit but only with a grand total of 12 inches to spare.
(But at least I can fit the front of the car in far enough to work on the engine in relative comfort over the winter if it's needed)
So, car cover for winter and then consider garage extending options in spring.
WillS.
WillS66 said:
Thanks, thinking's over-rated!
I've been measuring my garage, with multiple different tape measures, but they all tell me the same thing; "no, not really".
I can fit it through the entrance (3 inches clearance either side), I can open the car doors once it's in (20-25 inches clearance either side once through the entrance) but it's a long car. If I remove all the workbenches at the end, so that the garage is basically just a shell with all the storage shelves at shoulder height or above, it'll fit but only with a grand total of 12 inches to spare.
That's OK, about the same as I've got around my '32 Ford, actually less than I've got and I've got to bench relocate to wall mounts etc.,etc.I've been measuring my garage, with multiple different tape measures, but they all tell me the same thing; "no, not really".
I can fit it through the entrance (3 inches clearance either side), I can open the car doors once it's in (20-25 inches clearance either side once through the entrance) but it's a long car. If I remove all the workbenches at the end, so that the garage is basically just a shell with all the storage shelves at shoulder height or above, it'll fit but only with a grand total of 12 inches to spare.
As mentioned above, I would seriously consider not leaving it outside for the winter under a cover....
Given it will fit the garage with a bit of re-arranging, I'd pay to put into a proper classic car storage facility for 3-4 months over this winter, while you get the benches and storage sorted, and then bring the car home in the spring.
psi310398 said:
If it's just for the winter, do consider paying for decent storage, especially if you have not checked in the nooks and crannies for incipient rot. Any expense here would be nothing compared to cutting out swathes of metal later. Even if you can get it in a garage, I'd have it in a Carcoon or something similar. These things can deteriorate fast!
Noted. I'm arranging to pop in to look at the UCCS facility next week. I think it can survive one or two weeks under a cover while I check out the options.WillS.
Lovely car you have, I had a look at the sales pics for the auction, it does look a very good buy. Hopefully it shouldn't need any work apart from annual servicing
As for keeping it through the winter months, an outdoor Carcoon will do the trick if you have space on your drive
https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-double-skin-outdoo...
As for keeping it through the winter months, an outdoor Carcoon will do the trick if you have space on your drive
https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-double-skin-outdoo...
Well, I made it home. The weather was not good but at least I now know that the heater, wipers and lights work just fine!
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to put it in storage and take it out for the occasional jaunt/event before bringing it home permanently in the spring. It's in such very good condition, I'd hate to spoil it by being a bit stingy on accommodation.
WillS
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to put it in storage and take it out for the occasional jaunt/event before bringing it home permanently in the spring. It's in such very good condition, I'd hate to spoil it by being a bit stingy on accommodation.
WillS
That is just far too nice to leave out in the rain/salt/easy access for some cretin with a key. Gorgeous car!
Edit to add: And someone just paid nearly 5 times as much for a MkII Ford Escort? Makes yours a ludicrous bargain.
Edit to add: And someone just paid nearly 5 times as much for a MkII Ford Escort? Makes yours a ludicrous bargain.
Edited by mac96 on Saturday 18th November 22:19
Edited by mac96 on Saturday 18th November 22:19
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