The last bit of trim has just been put on.
I regularly peruse the local classifieds for Lincolns and Thunderbirds. Being a sucker for a thousand dollar car, I spotted this car for sale for $500 and went to look at it. I intended to buy any car in need of some cosmetic work so I could become proficient in body and painting before tackling my Thuderbirds.
The seller said the car ran, wasn't wrecked, and that A/C even worked but couldn't be driven because of a frozen rear caliper. I went to look at the car and discovered that it was extremely sun-baked from sitting in the hot Texas sun for 20 years. The vinyl top was in shreds and the paint was fried on the hood and decklid but the interior was good with no rips or tears in the dark red Media Velour. There wasn't a single crack in the dash pad. The A/C really did work and there was even a moonroof!
The seller tried unsuccessfully to fix the rear caliper but I drove the car around the block dragging a wheel just to make sure the transmission was working. Satisfied that the car was driveable I offered him $300 and came back the next day with some tools to remove the rear brakes and drive the car home.
At home, the first thing on the agenda was to replace the caliper and the rotor which was in shreds. Not being entirely familiar with Lincolns of this vintage, I was suprised to discover that not all of these cars came with 4-wheel disc and sure-track brakes. Front disc and rear drum was the norm and consequently I had a difficult time finding the rear disc setup in the local junk yards. (You actually can't find much of anything from the '70s in the boneyard anymore). In addition to the brakes, a new exhaust system was installed from the cat back and all of the fluids and filters changed.
While working on the mechanicals, I decided to change the game plan. I decided that after making the investment in paint and body equipment and knowing that I would inevitably make mistakes, it would make more sense to have someone else paint the car. If I was satisfied with their work, then I'd use them again on the Thunderbirds. My project then was to strip the car of all trim, replace the full vinyl top and repair all the electrical accessories. (Power locks, windows, interior lights, remove aftermarket stereo and replace with AM/FM 8-track).
