1995 Ford Thunderbird

Build thread: https://forum.birdcats.com/threads/project-chameleon.130/

To start, I've loved the MN12 since they were new. Growing up, my Dad drove Taurus station wagons as his daily driver. Thanks to his job, we had a Taurus wagon from every model year between 1993 all the way to their demise in 2005. One of the highlights of my childhood was going to the Ford dealer with him each February to get the new car and to check out all the other new models on the lot. The Thunderbird was always the eye catcher for me. Bill Elliott, Davey Allison, and Alan Kulwicki drove them and they just looked good to me. Needless to say, I always wanted one but never could find the right time or right one.

Until now.

It's a 1995 LX 4.6 in Chameleon Blue with the Dark Blue cloth interior. Odometer read 64,065 the day I bought it (yes it spins and yes the Carfax report shows it to be accurate and yes I know at some point it was probably frozen). Standard stereo, Traction-Lok 3.27 limited slip, factory remote keyless entry, SecuriCode, and non-ABS brakes. It's also 100% stock.

It was purchased new in 1995 by a close friend's aunt who recently passed away. These cars randomly came up in a conversation and I mentioned how I had always wanted one. He then informed me he knew just where I could find one. One week later, I hooked a U-Haul trailer to the Land Cruiser and the Thunderbird was in my driveway.

It has the typical MN12 issues (door panel falling off, broken window gear, rotten bushings, broken power seat switch trim, etc.), but it runs and drives beautifully for its age. The paint will need some heavy work as it has likely never seen the inside of a garage since new. There are a few dings and the front light housings are all shot. Inside, the cloth seats are partially faded but still very blue. The dash has no cracks and is still solid. Other than the aforementioned flaws, the interior is in great condition for a 1990's Ford.

My goals for this one is to do a proper touring coupe restomod that I can one day pass down to my son. Repair the body and paint, add SC bumpers and skirts, fit some style of OE 17" wheels, refresh the suspension, and add some mild performance upgrades. Stock Ford look, sleeper performance.

So to say the very least, I am excited. This is a dream I have had since my childhood and I'm finally getting to enjoy it (or suffer, flip a coin).

• Full restoration in progress.

• Full restoration in progress.