The things people do for money

I saw this on ebay ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...1837397609 ) and it disgust me. Taking a good car and then parting it out only because "but will bring more parted out" It is pathetic. I have already wrote the guy this piece

"You guys make me sick. Instead of trying to perserve a car and bask in its greatness, you'd rather turn a profit from parting it. I cannot believe that someone would take a fantastic car as the turbo coupe and part it out just for the money. If this is not true then I qoute the ebay ad "but will bring more parted out" You guys need to be shot."

I say write them and let them know how you feel

that guy is a stupid #$%$%

While this is sad, it is true that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. I hate to see this happen, but it is the nature of this car that there are not alot of after market parts availible, so most of us turn to used parts. this is one place they come from. It is simple supply and demand economics. The demand for the full car is not that great, look at the value of this car, if there was more demand, there would be a higher value, but those of us that have them create a huge market for the parts, that and the other TBirds and Cougars that want the 87/88 hood, and front clip etc.
Its the old animal shelter syndrome, you can't save them all. It is really a shame though that this guy just announces that fact like he did. I'm sure he will get other emails about it, and I'm sure he will ignore them all. Fact is someone is going to need that turbo, or the water pump, the headlights etc., and he will make his money.

I've bought parts from him before with good experience; check his website (www.ciperformance.com) and you'll see that he's into TC's and other Fast Fords. Definitely another small business. I'll admit that in the past I've flamed people for parting out but on the other hand who are we to judge? Give the guy a break, my .02.

Without guys like these who are willing to do what he is doing, we would be hard pressed to find decent quality used parts. I agree-Its a shame he's dismantling a perfectly usable Turbo Coupe, but do YOU want someone telling you what you can and can't do with your car? I DO NOT. At least he's putting it out there for guys like us to find.

------------------
87 5-sp, black/red leather. Every option but sunroof.
95 Impala SS Grey/green metallic(was wifes car) FOR SALE
91 Caprice wagon (tricked out for the wife-refused to purchase a minivan)
66 Mustang convt w/5.0 AOD conversion, 4 wheel discs.
73 Mazda Rx2, 220 H.P ported 13B (sorry-it'll pull a bird, unless she was really hopped up)
74 Chev 1/2 ton p/u completely gone through (cause ya gotta have something to carry parts in!)
All living in my 40X72X12 shop. Sweet.

Man! That thing looks better than my "good" TC! I just bought another TC for a parts donor.(driving it though! [Image: smile.gif] ) And yeah, it too is worth more in parts than what I paid for it. It must die so that another might live...

While parting out TCs may seem like a bad thing, I agree that it is a needed evil. Let's face it guys, our cars are not the most valuable car on the market "intact". But, consider this. For every "single" TC that is dismantled beyond repair, crushed, etc... each of our TCs that we keep and restore become more unique by a factor of one. Just a little food for thought . Ok you guys let me have it now for this selfish perspective LOL.

------------------
88 TC 5 Speed Stock.
"I miss my Ex.....but my aim is getting better"

While I do agree with the parts I just don't agree with dismantling a good car. Granted it does make our cars seem more valuable but why part it when some person can enjoy the thrill and ride of these like we do. So they know what it is like to own a piece of history, a uniqueness that nobody even really acknowledges. Why should we (already owners) of these fine automobiles limit this enjoyment to just ourselves. Sure giving rides is all good but the feeling of actually owning one of these machines is better. Granted somedays you may hate it but we all chip in to help each other out and I do believe the motto of Nato is "Dedicated to preserving the 1983-1988 Thunderbird Turbocoupes" not dedicated to parting out running turbocoupes so we can keep our turbocoupes running. I do believe that is not the goal of this orginization. That is why I encourage people to email these people and plea with them to stop parting out running cars. Thank You

Matt
Ohio88TC

P.S. If they want to sell parts then rebuild the parts from the junkyard that is why there are junkyards

Well, I have an '86 TC which runs, but would need a little work to be a daily driver, but i have no title to it, so i posted it in the cars for sale section, and what do i get? replies asking for parts, not the whole car! it is a complete car for $500.00! where you gona find one for that? well, i am giving it until next weekend 6/29/02 and if it isn't sold, i am keeping the engine, turbo, and rear end, and parting it out. so although i hate to see one car sacrificed for another, it is the nature of the "enthusiest" beast!

Matt:

I too have a parts car that used to run (I drove it home). But it's totaled. Besides impact damage, there is substantial rust on the strut towers (as in they are rusted through). You don't know the story behind the car on eBay, it may be a similar situation.

Many of the parts on our cars are obsolete, so we need donor cars to keep the better ones running and looking good. It's too bad more people don't enjoy TC's, but then, that's what makes our cars more enjoyable. They are becoming more rare every day.

------------------
Jim Portteus
NATO Member
86 Turbo Coupe, LA3 w/ Intercooler and Larger VAM, Gillis Valve, 2 1/2" Downpipe to 2" Duals w/ 18" Glasspacks, 245/50R16's, 140MPH Speedo and new paint.