New to Me '83 TC

Last Tuesday I brought home a new '83 Turbo Coupe. Back in the late 80s and early 90s I had an '85 TC that I absolutely loved. With a growing family I sold it.

Messing around on Craigslist I found the below '83. It needs paint and a couple odds and ends. The only things that do not work are the right door lock, antenna, A/C and the HVAC fan is noisy.

The interior seems to have been taken care of. It has leather with no tears. The front seats could use some work but the back seat is near perfect. The manual pump lumbar supports work great. The dash pad is even near perfect.

The drivetrain is tight and drives straight. I do not believe the turbo is boosting completely, the light comes on but there is no feel, just a very slight whistle can be heard. The head is fresh, there is no smoke on start up or under full throttle. There is a small leak from the front seal. There were a couple drops on the floor after sitting for a week.

I am not completely sold on the project just yet but am getting quite excited. If we decide to dive in there will be a complete repaint with body matching the mirrors, grill and headlight buckets. The fenders will be filled to do away with the side markers. There will be no side molding and I will shave the bumper moldings down on each of the sides front and rear to taper to the fenders and quarters.

As for suspension I have been talking to Chris at MM about doing full coilovers along with tubular A-arms and rear lower control arms. Of course I have read where there have been several issue with the spindles not completely working with the ball joints and I would like to have a good solution for this prior to starting.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/846536/Left.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/8...rivers.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/846536/Dash3.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/8...20Seat.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/846536/Dash1.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/846536/Dash2.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/8...Window.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/8...Engine.JPG

Looks pretty good for a 25 year old car! Good luck with the project!! First thing I would do is get a boost gauge to see what is going on.

I always wondered about the logic behind the early 80s "premium sound on/off" switch?? Just what I always wanted.... a switch to make the sound system sound worse!

This is going to be made a nice driver. I plan on putting Autometer ES series gauges in to monitor all vital happenings. This should tell me right where I am.

Three gauges will replace the nice little switch you mention.

Nice find! That car seems to be in great shape.

Very nice looking car.

Thanks guys.

I like the gray on gray. Most I see for sale have red interior along with my '85 I had years ago.

Paint is going to be a very dark gray, maybe even go with a flat or semi-flat.

Nice to see more early TC's being saved.

Nice TC and a good start to a great car!

I totally agree with Chuck, it's wonderful to see the early TC's saved!

Have fun with your project!

Thanks guys. Picked up the Motorcraft cap rotor wires and plugs. Will be ordering gauges tonight.

That looks like a very solid early TC. I'm beginning to see a bit of a surge in early TC pick ups lately. I glad I'm not alone. Good luck with the car.

Tommy