Bought an 88

Both of mine originally came with leather, the XR7 still has it. I prefer the cloth, (as does my daughter,) since it doesn't get as hot in the summer or as cold in the winter. The leather is prone to cracking, and as Joe said, is only on the surfaces that are actually touched.

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Mike Walsted - NATO member
1986 5-speed TurboCoupe, and 1985 5-speed XR7 that will soon be owned by El-Nino

Okay that's most helpful. If I do the leather thing, I'd like to follow OEM guidelines.

I may choose just to do all high-quality vinyl, partly for cost reasons and partly because I've found the good vinyl lasts a lot longer than leather does.

When I was quoted on leather, they were saying I'd need 3 hides to do the whole car. But I wonder if she was referring to the seatbacks as well as seating surfaces.

Just a couple more questions for leather TC owners -- is the headrest leather to? You touch that, so I'm assuming so. Also, the 'inserts' in the door panels (the gray cloth on the door panels in mine).. would that also be leather? Or more probably vinyl?

Thanks again!

Yep, the headrests and the door inserts are the same material as the seats. But the seats are leather and vinyl, so I can't say which material is on the headrests and inserts, only that it matches the rest of the interior.

I currently own an original leather interior car.
The seat "inserts" are leather. The rest, door panel inserts and headrests, are all vinyl. The leather is rather thin, especialy compared to my old '77 Chrysler NY Brogham.

I agree with you on the high grade vinyl. I've a '89 Diplo ex-police car with vinyl seats and rubber floor mat. Even after all the police use, read "rough", the seats look great and have no rips or tears. Going to use them in a future project.

Just looked at the pics, nice car! Good dash too! Looks like it has everything but leather and alarm. Not shabby!

A little high on the price, but then I'm a cheapskate! [Image: biggrin.gif] (DOH! Just noticed that's Canadian! Not bad! [Image: redface.gif])

[This message has been edited by cheapbird (edited 10-17-2004).]

[This message has been edited by cheapbird (edited 10-17-2004).]

Hey there cheapbird..

Okay that's good to know, because when I priced out doing leather I think she was thinking we were doing every part of the car. A single hide of leather is $630cdn. Then she charges $500 per seat and $350 for the back seats.

I have no problem at all with vinyl, I think it's just a psychological thing with leather, and the idea of keeping the car somewhat in tune with OEM.

Oh, and there IS an alarm system on it. I found the horn for it under the trunk, but I'm not sure if that's OEM or aftermarket?

Brad

One more thing while I'm at it -- my car has a spoiler on it, and looking at pictures I've seen a few cars with spoilers that look exactly like mine -- is that also an OEM option? Some kind of Ford aftermarket thing?

Hey UF!
I have no clue as to the horn you found under the trunk. Is there a little rectangular lamp between the seat controls/window switches? Supposedly the factory alarm has this. If you have it, could you post a pic? It'd be much appreciated.

AFAIK, Wings, spoilers and such were apparently never a "factory" item. Dealers could get some stuff through Ford, and install it themselves. Ford "authorized" aftermarket vendors and sold products through Motorsport/SVO. The only "Ford" spoilers I've seen are the "Motorsport" rear spoiler, which is more of a ducktail or "lip" type. What you have looks pretty good actually. Someone here will probably know more about it than I.



[This message has been edited by cheapbird (edited 10-18-2004).]

Hey there,

Well, I don't have a little rectangular lamp between switches. I do however have a circular little 'flashy red' light just below my clock. Any idea what that'd be? I'll take a pic sometime if nobody is sure.. maybe an aftermarket alarm?

More than likely aftermarket, yes.
I think the factory alarm must've been the rarest option...

Originally posted by cheapbird:
Hey UF!
I have no clue as to the horn you found under the trunk. Is there a little rectangular lamp between the seat controls/window switches? Supposedly the factory alarm has this. If you have it, could you post a pic? It'd be much appreciated.[This message has been edited by cheapbird (edited 10-18-2004).]

The factory Alarm was only available as an option on 85-86 Thunderbirds. The 87 & 88 did not offer it. Here is a pic on ther lamp between the Seat Controls. It will flash a Red Alarm when its activated. The light is still available from Ford for around 13 bucks.

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Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.