Hi All!
I've been gradually becoming a "Ford Man" since my teens, though I don't think it really hit until I got my '95 4.6l Tbird in my mid-Twenties. I loved that car immensely from the day I bought it (STOLE it as a program car with 9k miles in late 95), and would have kept it forever if not for its untimely death this past December, just MONTHS before being paid off. I always looked at a Mustang as somewhat out of reach, and more performance than I'd be fortunate enough to own for a couple more decades. However, a recent trip to my Dad's house (he works for Ford), and a drive in his V6 Mustang demo got me thinking.
I was truly quite impressed with the 6 compared to what I had expected, and the interior got me feeling quite nostalgic about my 'Bird. (You might be surprised at how similar they are inside, just bigger.) As we got to talking, I threw all caution to the wind regarding waiting another year or so to jump into a car loan again, and really started to consider seeing if he could put me into a GT. (even though I liked the 6, I couldn't see buying a Mustang that wasn't an 8 )
The moment the words "Bullitt Edition" came out of his mouth, I knew that I would have to have one if it were humanly possible, having seen the movie a couple of times with my father as a kid, and the infamous chase scene several more times since then. Not only that, my future plans for the 'Bird had included Torq-thrust rims and somewhat of a retro approach.
He put the deal together as I left to come back home this past Monday (7 hours away), and I have been in a relentless state of 5-year-old-on-Christmas-Eve-like anticipation ever since. It may just kill me before I go down to get the car next Thursday.
I've been lurking this and other boards the past few days, just to get a Bullitt-fix, and when he called today to tell me my number (1934), I thought I'd go ahead and register and say hi to you all. So Hi! And thanks for the entertaining/educational reading!
I do have a few questions if you don't mind, and they aren't all Bullitt specific. I planned to keep the T-bird forever, but I don't think I started treating it like a car I wanted to keep forever until I had had it about 3 years. I want to get off on the right foot with the Bullitt, which I will also plan on keeping forever, and some of you more seasoned car buffs might be able to give me some advice.
What finish products are considered to be truly good and not just hype? I'd figure that most car-wash specific detergents would be good, but I'm sure there are definite DO buy/DON'T buy recommendations regarding waxes. Any suggestions? Any non-obvious cautions about washing and waxing of the Bullitt or keeper-cars in general? How are the CLOTH automatic washes regarded in a pinch? (not every time)
I've read most of the complaints people have had with their cars that have been posted here, and I did ask them to check the tranny mount bolts, and to undercoat it without spraying the engine compartment. (I live in PA, I figured undercoating was good insurance.) I've not been able to inspect the finish, but my father is a perfectionist, so I'm sure he'll notice any blemishes before I even get down there. I'll check seat position, dashboard fit when I get there. Any other common issues that I've missed?
There seems to be some controversy about the 5w-20 oil. Whats the generally accepted opinion regarding 5w20, synthetic, and when to switch? I ran Castrol Syntec in the 'bird, are there strong opinions otherwise? Likely warranty issues with oil other than 5w20? What do you think of Slick 50 (or similar), and should a break in period be allowed before using it?
I'm sure I'll want to hit the track at some point, though I plan few if any mods. I only currently see a Densecharger, gears (maybe) and Tri-Ax (maybe) in my future. Only the Densecharger would be less than 2 years away. However, I've just never been to the track. What's the atmosphere like at a track for someone who has never been there? Will I be welcomed or scoffed at by the race seasoned? If nothing else, I think it would be nice to just get my launch worked down to as close to perfect as I'm capable, and I'm sure that would be the place to learn, but I'd honestly be pretty intimidated rolling up for the first time. Any thoughts?
Thanks for reading my ramble and for any info you may share... Oh, and a few more gushing accounts of how much you like to drive your cars would be great to read! :smile:
Joe
DHG-1934 (coming soon)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DHG-1934 on 2001-07-14 02:20 ]</font>
I've been gradually becoming a "Ford Man" since my teens, though I don't think it really hit until I got my '95 4.6l Tbird in my mid-Twenties. I loved that car immensely from the day I bought it (STOLE it as a program car with 9k miles in late 95), and would have kept it forever if not for its untimely death this past December, just MONTHS before being paid off. I always looked at a Mustang as somewhat out of reach, and more performance than I'd be fortunate enough to own for a couple more decades. However, a recent trip to my Dad's house (he works for Ford), and a drive in his V6 Mustang demo got me thinking.
I was truly quite impressed with the 6 compared to what I had expected, and the interior got me feeling quite nostalgic about my 'Bird. (You might be surprised at how similar they are inside, just bigger.) As we got to talking, I threw all caution to the wind regarding waiting another year or so to jump into a car loan again, and really started to consider seeing if he could put me into a GT. (even though I liked the 6, I couldn't see buying a Mustang that wasn't an 8 )
The moment the words "Bullitt Edition" came out of his mouth, I knew that I would have to have one if it were humanly possible, having seen the movie a couple of times with my father as a kid, and the infamous chase scene several more times since then. Not only that, my future plans for the 'Bird had included Torq-thrust rims and somewhat of a retro approach.
He put the deal together as I left to come back home this past Monday (7 hours away), and I have been in a relentless state of 5-year-old-on-Christmas-Eve-like anticipation ever since. It may just kill me before I go down to get the car next Thursday.
I've been lurking this and other boards the past few days, just to get a Bullitt-fix, and when he called today to tell me my number (1934), I thought I'd go ahead and register and say hi to you all. So Hi! And thanks for the entertaining/educational reading!
I do have a few questions if you don't mind, and they aren't all Bullitt specific. I planned to keep the T-bird forever, but I don't think I started treating it like a car I wanted to keep forever until I had had it about 3 years. I want to get off on the right foot with the Bullitt, which I will also plan on keeping forever, and some of you more seasoned car buffs might be able to give me some advice.
What finish products are considered to be truly good and not just hype? I'd figure that most car-wash specific detergents would be good, but I'm sure there are definite DO buy/DON'T buy recommendations regarding waxes. Any suggestions? Any non-obvious cautions about washing and waxing of the Bullitt or keeper-cars in general? How are the CLOTH automatic washes regarded in a pinch? (not every time)
I've read most of the complaints people have had with their cars that have been posted here, and I did ask them to check the tranny mount bolts, and to undercoat it without spraying the engine compartment. (I live in PA, I figured undercoating was good insurance.) I've not been able to inspect the finish, but my father is a perfectionist, so I'm sure he'll notice any blemishes before I even get down there. I'll check seat position, dashboard fit when I get there. Any other common issues that I've missed?
There seems to be some controversy about the 5w-20 oil. Whats the generally accepted opinion regarding 5w20, synthetic, and when to switch? I ran Castrol Syntec in the 'bird, are there strong opinions otherwise? Likely warranty issues with oil other than 5w20? What do you think of Slick 50 (or similar), and should a break in period be allowed before using it?
I'm sure I'll want to hit the track at some point, though I plan few if any mods. I only currently see a Densecharger, gears (maybe) and Tri-Ax (maybe) in my future. Only the Densecharger would be less than 2 years away. However, I've just never been to the track. What's the atmosphere like at a track for someone who has never been there? Will I be welcomed or scoffed at by the race seasoned? If nothing else, I think it would be nice to just get my launch worked down to as close to perfect as I'm capable, and I'm sure that would be the place to learn, but I'd honestly be pretty intimidated rolling up for the first time. Any thoughts?
Thanks for reading my ramble and for any info you may share... Oh, and a few more gushing accounts of how much you like to drive your cars would be great to read! :smile:
Joe
DHG-1934 (coming soon)
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DHG-1934 on 2001-07-14 02:20 ]</font>