'62 Thunderbird, am I an idiot?

[WillS66]

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

[WillS66]

AdriaanB said:

... I am impressed thus far with the quality and reliability of a 50+year old American Ford ....

That's precisely what I wanted to hear, thanks!

WillS.

[WillS66]

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]

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.

[WillS66]

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