My Lincoln Town Car has been doing very well in the near-year I’ve had it, but shortly after purchase, I noticed one of the trim pieces covering the seat frame was missing. Rather than go to the dealer and spend anywhere from $10 to $25 for a piece of plastic, I decided I would first check out the local junkyard. After all, Panthers are not exactly rare, so this should be a relatively simple task, right? Well, yes and no.
I’ve been going to this yard for a long time, but the last time I’d actually been here was probably 2010-2011. The first car that prompted me to record it was this 1985-86 Mercury Cougar. Looking through the windshield, it appears to have the center brake light, but I am not certain as I didn’t take a picture of the back.
Inside it appeared well-optioned, but not loaded, with an analog clock instead of digital, and no leather seats.
I found this little consolette interesting. It contains power seat, power mirror and power window switches, but apparently a power passenger seat was not ordered. It doesn’t seem to make for a great armrest, though!
Next up was this 1992 Town Car Executive Series. This one was a bit sad. Yes, it is not immaculate, but the medium blue paint was rather sharp.
Especially combined with what appeared to be Opal leather seating. The off-white looked really nice with the metallic blue!
As an Executive, it had vertical pleating on the seats instead of the Signature’s floating-pillow style, and this one also had an analog speedometer in lieu of digital readouts.
For some reason the headliner was torn, but what I could see of the rear seat looked pretty fair. It could’ve made a nice couch in some guy’s man-cave.
I guess nobody wanted her. Sad.
Sadder yet was totally rust-free rear wheel arches. Nearly every 1990-97 TC around here, with the exception of garage queens, will have rust here. A little, or a lot, or totally missing arches, depending on whether the car is on its third, fifth or eighth owner.
Clean on the opposite side, too! Too bad.
I was eyeballing the trim piece on the seat of this one. It looked like it might work, but I dismissed it, as this was an earlier body style. Plus, the clerk out front told me they had a 1998 Town Car Signature–same bodystyle as my car.
This 1986 Tempo was surprising to see. I remember when I was five or six and at a friend’s house, her next-door neighbors came home in their brand-new black Tempo. It looked very nice to me, and was the first one I saw with the updated “aero” headlamps and small grille. I probably have seen 1986-88 Tempos since then, but I really can’t recall any specific sightings!
This one had what I assume to be a five-speed, too!
And there was a SHO. This one looks to be a 1992-95, with the updated body and smoother nose.
Most of the car was still there. I thought about getting the SHO dash emblem, but it was just gray plastic and not really exciting.
It looked like most of the engine was there as well. From what I’ve read, these engines were so right when running well, but so wrong when things began to, well, go wrong! I suspect the engine and some four-figure bill put this example in the yard.
Finally, I spotted the Town Car (my first view of it was used as the top picture of this article). Uh oh. It’s black. My car has a Light Parchment interior. Is that a black interior?
Yes. Yes it was! It looked like somebody needed a fender, as they tore most of the bumper cover off to get it! The hood was not attached either. I briefly looked at the grille header on top of the hood as mine has a small ding in it, but this one was worse than the one on my car.
It was odd crawling around a car that I remember seeing new in the dealer showrooms, and one of which I owned as a near-mint copy. This one was a 1998, the first year of the “Cheshire Cat” grilled Town Cars, which ran through 2002.
Apparently 1998s were very nickel-and-dimed. First year models had no keyless entry with that little keypad above the exterior door handle. And know the little storage spaces built into the armrest? On the ’98s the passenger side one was a dummy! It was molded to look like it opened, but it didn’t. When I first heard about this, I had to rush over to my Town Car when I got home and check to see if its passenger-side storage was real. It was, thank goodness! Apparently customers complained about both cheap-outs, and the two features were rather hurriedly added to later model years.
There were still plenty of trim bits on this car, but as my car is in excellent condition, there weren’t really many spares I needed. Plus, about 90% of the parts were the wrong color.
This one was a Signature, which was the mid-level model. Excecutive was the standard version, and of course, the Cartier the top of the line.
The cruise control pod and radio were gone, and someone took the lid for the driver’s side storage bin, but most of the interior was still there. And what’s the deal with those aftermarket steering wheel covers? Even if the original leather-wrapped wheel was getting worn, this JC Whitney special didn’t look very comfortable. And are there any steering wheel covers that look good?! Oh yes, the stitch up ones were pretty nice–so of course they don’t make them any more…
This car did not have the heated seat switches my car had. They would normally be right by the power seat switch on the door.
This car had the trim piece I was looking for, but of course it was the wrong color. I could’ve maybe painted it an approximate color, but didn’t really want to.
I had passed several Grand Marquises of similar vintage on the way in (the car I wanted was literally in the LAST row at the end of the yard–of course!), so marched off to check them for the piece I needed. First car: gone. Second car: gone. Third car: all scratched up, no thanks. Then I checked a couple earlier Grand Marquises. No joy. So, what’s left? Check out the older Town Cars! Like this 1992.
Fun fact: 1992 was the last year you could get the classic “Turbine” alloy wheels on a new Town Car. These wheels had a long run, first appearing on the 1977 Continental Mark V and Continental/Town Car/Town Coupé. This car still had all four, but they looked a little worse for wear.
While silver is far from my favorite color, I like it quite a bit when it is paired with a red interior. This ’92 Executive Series must have cut quite a figure at the country club when new, with this great color combination and those lovely Turbine shoes.
And yes, the power window regulators on these cars can tend to be weak, judging from the removed door panels on this car.
Ultimately, I took the wrong-color part off the 1998 TC, went back to the blue 1992 TC, test-fitted the ’98 part on the ’92 seat frame, and voila! It worked! So I got the ’92 trim bit, as its Opal interior closely matched my Light Parchment trim, put the other part back on the other car, and that was that! But let’s keep looking around.
This was the second to the oldest Panther in the yard, a 1989 Town Car, This one had all four of the lacy-spoke alloy wheels in the trunk, and they were in far better condition than the Turbines on the 1992. There were even two of the center caps! By the way, the oldest Panther was a black 1986 Town Car with dark red leather. I didn’t get any pictures of that one.
The inside was a bit rough. This was a standard Town Car, not a Signature or Cartier. It didn’t even have a digital dash, though it was sporting the coach roof instead of the standard full vinyl roof and the aforementioned alloy wheels.
There was a Wade Gustafson Edition Ninety-Eight Regency as well. A 1990 model, the last year of the 1985 generation C-body. Other than the rust in the wheel arches, it looked like it was in reasonable shape before it went across the scales.
The leather seats still looked serviceable. But there’s another terrible aftermarket steering wheel cover. Is that an indicator that an old car’s time is almost up?
This one looked well-equipped with leather, the radio controls build into the steering wheel, and Dimensional sound. Whatever that is!
A slightly older Olds was a ways down, a 1981 Delta 88 Royale Brougham.
In white with Jadestone interior, this car reminded me of a car that friends of my parents owned when I was a kid.
Theirs was an ’82 non-Brougham Royale coupe, in Dark Jadestone with Light Jadestone landau roof, this color interior (but not so baroque), and color-keyed Super Stock wheels with the “starfish” center caps.
And…it was a Diesel! Yes! But they took good care of it and drove it for at least ten years–they bought it new. I remember the sound of that diesel Olds very, very well, though I haven’t heard one in years.
The interior was all there too, right down to the factory Delco radio.
Some rust was present, but not too bad for an ’81. I suspect this car was garaged for a long time, as even the vinyl roof looked decent.
I was a local car from new, as Vincent J. Neu was the big Olds-only dealer across the river in Davenport for years. I remember their ’80s jingle well, which to the best of my recollection, went, “V.J. Neu, ooh, it’s new, Oldsmobile!” I’m not kidding.
This might have been the only ’70s car in the yard, a 1979 Eldorado coupe. This one made me sad, as it had a collector vehicle plate on it.
At first I thought I had a real rarity upon seeing those fuel injection plaques, but upon reviewing the ’79 brochure later, learned all 1979 Eldorados had it. For a time in the mid-’70s, fuel injection on the Eldo, de Villes and Fleetwoods was a rare and pricey option.
This was not a Biarritz, but was still very plush inside, and the triple red color scheme looked great. Ah, FINALLY! A steering wheel cover I like…
While not the top of the line, this car did have an Astroroof. These were not super common even on Cadillacs at the time, as it was a pretty expensive option back then. Kind of hard to believe now, when most much everything on the market can now can be had with them.
Looks like someone wanted something behind the dash, as the air vents and center trim panel were still there–just on the floor.
This made me sad. Guess there were no takers. I wonder if it ran?
This could be why there were no buyers; that is pretty serious rust. I can just imagine the metal being eaten away, then water getting into the trunk and eating that metal away…
Whoever had this car went a little overboard with badging, as there were many more chrome scripts and wreath-and-crests than would have been installed on the car when it came off the line in Linden, NJ back in 1979.
While rusty, that interior looked rather nice, and could be reused. How about a red Sierra-grain leather couch for your garage?
Back seat was nice too. And see what I mean about the extra emblems?
I never noticed the chrome strakes on the taillights of these cars before. A 1979-only feature?
Moving forward about twenty years was this Seville. Not an STS, as it has the chrome side trim instead of the color-keyed ones.
Someone wanted that radio! And ANOTHER ugly steering wheel cover. Bleah!
Someone had been going through the engine for parts. Or perhaps the last owner was tinkering with it and got in over his head?
There was something strangely artsy about that exposed valvetrain, with water from the previous night’s rain glistening off of it. Junkyard art?
Someone wore that driver’s seat out, not to mention the shifter handle. Could it have been Mr. Goodwrench?
There was a W-body Regal GS in attendance. With the inclusion of this Regal in this article, I expect at least 25% more comments than if I left it out!
I always liked the look of these Regal instrument panels. Brougham meets Star Trek. Brougham Trek?
There was even a Reatta. This one must have been a looker new, in black with burgundy leather.
The seats and carpet were in nice shape, but someone had already made off with the HVAC controls and the VIC.
These cars were essentially hand-built, and I could tell in the quality of assembly, even in a junkyard example such as this. That horn button was wrapped in genuine leather. And not just the actual button–the whole steering wheel boss. I must admit I went back a couple weeks later and snagged this for my collection. I just really liked it! Now it sits on my desk at home.
How about a ’70s S-Class? This 280SE was largely complete.
Including the interior. This one had MB-Tex instead of leather, but as with most Mercedes-Benz interiors, it was very logical, and assembled to a very high standard. The slab of wood–real, not plastic–was a nice touch of class too.
I’m guessing something under the hood, or maybe something electrical, went kerflooey, and the part was just too dear to get. Too bad, as Mercedes makes virtually everything you need to keep this car running. But if you can’t afford it, it doesn’t do you much good. But if that’s the case, why buy a thirty-five year old German luxury car?
Here’s something you don’t see every day: Two Eagle Visions. The second one is beyond the rear door of the gray one.
This old CJ-5 Jeep got my vote as the most thoroughly worn-out car in the yard. Doesn’t look to be much left of it. And that paint? I’m guessing a respray in the late ’80s early ’90s, pastel colors like teal green and turquoise made a brief resurgence.
All in all, it was a fruitful trip. Best of all? These little seat frame trim covers are apparently not a high demand item. When I came up to the counter with it (and a Town Car fender emblem off the same ’92, just because), the clerk just said don’t worry about it. Cool!
I always think it’s just a dirty shame that usable vehicles that just need a little love get scrapped! Today I saw an immaculately straight and clean VW Rabbit pickup get fed to the crusher, it could have been kept going forever….
By any chance did it look like this?
Way nicer! It looked like it could’ve been driven away, 100 percent complete.
Looks like a camshaft was taken from the Seville’s engine.
Northstars aren’t known for their longevity.
Tom,
Quite a change from the cars at the LCOC meet! We should have asked, I bet someone there had the part…probably in his toolkit.
Glenn, I actually made this trip over a month ago. And hey, I got an article out of it too!
Very cool finds! I’ll really have to share some of mine from a junkyard trip back in July.
I bought a Mazda MPV that had a steering wheel cover. When I went to take it off, I found that the wheel had been extensively chewed by a dog and was missing large chunks of padding.
That’s why you don’t let your dog wander the car while you shop. They get bored or have anxiety and chew on stuff. It’s safer for them in a carrier anyway, especially if you’re in a wreck and have the carrier belted in.
Regarding the steering wheel covers–I certainly hope they’re not an indicator of impending doom, as I have a pretty wretched one on my ’97 Vic. It doesn’t even match the interior (gray wheel cover on a green interior). I blame my parents, as they owned the car before me, and they put it there as the wheel was getting to be in lousy shape at 10+ years old. It appears you can still get decent steering wheel covers though–a buddy of mine just bought one for his Benz from a brand called wheelskins and claims it’s as nice as or nicer than the original leather wrap. Leather and the old-school stitch-on type. They’re not cheap (~$50) but I’m considering it as it looks like it might match the willow green interior well, which is near impossible to do.
And, yes, the window regulators on ’92-’97 Panthers are absolutely wretched. Did they do a better job on the later ones?
I don’t know, but I can say that my 1968 Lincoln had plastic gears on the window regulators.
Another Willow green-interiored Vic, huh? My ’96 Vic LX has that interior too, although with a leather wrapped wheel. Life was better when cars had real colors for their interiors instead of varying shades of gra-eige.
Yep. It’s something of an oddity–was a fleet car before my folks got it so it has very few options for an LX (power passenger seat, ABS, and I think that’s it) and a refrigerator white exterior. But it does have that nice green interior rather than a more conservative color you might expect given the rest of the car. Hard to find matching pieces but I do really like the color. Hopefully the fact that I’m starting to see interior reds and whites return on luxury cars will start to “trickle down” into more attainable machines.
Looking at that blue ’92 Executive T.C. I can see why you’re so enamored of them .
I hope that old Jeep’s body tub had rust not visible here ? . in my youth in New England , non rusted out Jeep tubs were gold and hard to find , _always_ worth rebuilding .
-Nate
The two-door Delta is a first for me. I’ve seen Buick, Pontiac, and Chevy B-body coupes on plenty of occasions, but often wondered if Olds turned out such a beast. Now I know!
When I lived in Durham, NC from 2009 to 2012, a fellow at the opposite end of my street owned a very similar Delta coupe, a white ’84 or ’85 with blue vinyl landau roof and blue interior. Lived under the carport under a cover most of the time but he’d drive it every so often on nice days. While I never actually managed to talk to him about it or photograph it, the car looked showroom new.
Definitely rare though–I don’t think I’ve seen another one since moving out of that neighborhood.
My mom had a 1983, same interior as that one’s but navy blue metallic on the outside. By far my favorite car out of the ones she’s owned. Drove terrific and those seats were excellent. Also loved its full name because of its length: Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham LS! Wish we still owned it…
I was looking at some cheapo steering wheel covers with the hard plastic fake wood. How is that supposed to feel good or improve grip. Over the 30 years I had my Chevy truck, I lost count how many lace on covers I wore out, I would just wrap the previous cover in electrical tape and put the new over the collection of existing covers. Probably 6 or 7 in total. It finally had a nice fat, padded wheel rim when I sold it. A couple of those cars look too nice to be in the junkyard. I always cringe when I see a car I like in pristine condition in the U-Pull only needing some mechanical repair. Seems like such a waste. Sometimes cars that have no or only a minor problem wind up there, often because of a death of a family member who only want’s to be rid of it and it’s memories.
Tom,
It is shame you did not let me know that you were looking for the covers that hide the seat feet(ha ha rhymes) there were several Cartier and other TC of the 98-2011 generation hanging about in the local pick it pull it junk yard. Some even had that parchment color.
Interesting enough though you could tell the TC that were 2003-2004 in the junk yard just by looking to see if the drivers side door panel was still there. The 2003-2004 TC had the inner door handles made with brittle plastic that broke after use requiring you to spend up to $1000 on a new panel.
I see two more white Cougars next to each Town Car, a 94/95 and a 96/97, but the Fox brings a tear to my eye as well. I wouldn’t say it’s that well optioned, most of what I see is basic besides the power seat and cruise control, which are very common.
The 1996-7 Cougar next to the black Town Car also had the dark green cloth and leather interior. That must have been a sharp car new!
I really enjoy these junkyard visits. Even if I don’t need any parts, I’ll still go as they’re as good as therapy.
+1
It is better than a walk in the park.
+1. Therapy, or when I go to yards with older cars, like a museum visit.
Tom, great finds and great write-up. I really loved seeing the variety of cars you shot. I totally agree that it gives you a bit of a jolt when you see cars in the junkyard that you vividly remember when new. I sometimes feel a bit like a kid at a dog pound sometimes, where I wish I could “save” all the mutts, even though it is totally illogical. The blue over white Town Car and the ’79 Eldo–wow, I wish they could have found homes instead of heading for the crusher. The astroroof alone makes the Eldo pretty unique, though I do think that a lot those wreaths were actually factory applied, at least on the upholstery. A nice broughamy touch! The Delta 88 coupe is pretty rare too, but I do remember that the Jadestone color was hugely popular back in the day, whether paired with a white or green exterior. On the Benz, I always admire the indestructable MB tex–it will outlive humankind! They are expensive to maintain, but worth it if you do bother. My Mother-in-law enjoyed a 1979 300SD for 350K+ miles, and only parted with it after she was t-boned (walked away safe and sound even though it was a brutal hit). The Cougar console shot reminds me of a buff book write-up (I think Car and Driver) where they tested the car, and the author’s golden retriever kept hitting the seat buttons as it found it’s favorite “riding spot” from the back seat. Not the best design… And I like your choice of the Reatta wheel hub–that is a nice piece for your desk!
That seat trim piece looks an awful lot like the ones on my ’09 Mustang. Do they just slide on the track? I had to take a seat out to get repaired a while back and that’s how mine go on. Do you suppose Ford still uses the same piece?
They clip on on the Lincolns.
Maybe we need a CC dedicated to steering wheel covers.
I put a real leather steering wheel cover on my ’68 forest green beetle. The steering wheel rim had a tiny circumference, was hard as stone, slippery as a wet floor and hot as an exhaust pipe when exposed to the sun. I made an effort to sew it up by hand. There was no ugly wrap around shoestring. It made a real difference.
This was a nice junkyard visit. I have a thing for FoMoCo vehicles. The Benz, however takes the crown for me. You even spelled out the reasons why I don’t have one.
As nice as your car is I think a junk yard is not a place where trim pieces will be an improvement over what you have. Unless, of course, it’s missing.
The block TC brought back memories. I know the later models were improvements but the 5.0 was just about bulletproof when they quit making it.
Looks like some real opportunities for someone to make an off road luxobarge here.
You’d be surprised. My ’05 Vic ex-cop car had a hole worn through the driver’s seat back from the officer’s duty belt. Found a mint replacement seat back cover at the local Pull-A-Part, also off an ’05 ex-cop car.
Tom, I hope you took lots and lots of shots of the Town Cars like yours. It is so much easier to work on your car, when you have pictures that show what things look like already disassembled.
LOVE that Regal GS!! That exact Ruby Red/burgundy cloth Regal GS is one of my favorite cars of my lifetime (1985+). I’m always looking for ‘survivor’ ones around here..there’s no middle ground with these cars it seems. Either they’re a garage queen or are beaten to death by chain smoking, scuzzy looking individuals. My ideal one would be a Ruby Red 1990 model with the quad buckets. Why do I pick 1990? First year with the 3800, and still appeared identical to the 1989 with the amber front parking lights, black grille, and sharp alloy rims. Thanks for thinking about us W-Body lovers lol
Plus in 1990 you could still get the awesome digital dash on the Regal, with the bar graph tach and gauges.
True! If I recall, ’90 was the last year for the full out digital dash..the base one w/digital speedo & idiot lights went away after MY ’91 or ’92. That one is cool too – mine draws a lot of interesting reaction – but it’s nowhere near as cool as the full digital/bar graph setup.
About 9 years ago, I bought a `92 Panther Grand Marquis, a silver one with red velour upholstery from an elderly couple who I was friendly with and who I would take to the doctor, shopping, to Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, etc. He wanted to donate the Panther to charity because he didn`t drive anymore. I said “Irv, don`t donate it. Its only has 52,000 miles on it. Its not even broken in yet. I`ll give you $800.00 for it”. He said he would think it over, then he finally said yes.The car was in very good condition, power everything, but it had some yellow scratches on the front bumper after a minor colission with a taxicab, and the air didn`t work.I loved the car and I got a good 14 months out of it until the head gasket crapped-55,000 miles.These cars are used for livery-car service in NY. Somebody I knew had an accident with his, but the motor was still good. He offered me 700.00 for it, and he put his own engine in it. I`m sure that its still running today.
That is the first Reatta I have seen in a salvage yard in quite some time. You are correct, they were built mostly by hand with a group of technicians. There is a forum for Reattas at the aaca website and it always has between 10 and 50 people looking up some information or asking questions. The other forums have around 5 to 10 folks looking stuff up. They were built very well, my 1990 coupe with 148, XXX miles has never had the engine opened along with the transmission. Most parts are not a problem, the hardest things to find are good sheet metal and some weatherstripping. In fact Pilkington still makes windshields for them. The car came with a leather portfolio and one of the things in it was a list of all the team leaders and their signature who built your car. Maybe a bit over done, but I notice that the new luxo cars come with the engine builders name on it.
A bit ahead of the times.
I have always loved the Reatta and my goal is to get one in red(preferably a later one that ditched the CRT radio combo so as to add a modern touch screen radio(I commute and have to have an MP3 player playing as all they do is talk talk talk on the radio in the mornings)
I worked at a Buick dealer years ago while going through college and one day the service desk asked me if I would take home a 1988 Reatta and drive it around a few days to see if I could get the car to duplicate the stalling issue it was said to have had. It drove wonderfully. The car had so much room for a 2 seater(unlike the bathtub feeling you got from a Vette or Miata)
I remember going to the junk yard once and scoring a Reatta portfolio with the leather bound books, collector pen and a video tape.
If you are looking for a sports car keep looking. If you are looking for a comfortable crusier that is unique and you won’t see hundreds of them a week, with care won’t depreciate much or maybe even hold its value its hard to beat a Reatta.
IMHO.
Richard, In the early Post-War days at the Porsche plant [Zuffenhausen?], the company allowed the mechanics who assembled the engines to place their initials somewhere on the engine. Later, allegedly, other folks on the assembly line wanted an equivalent privilege. The firm decided to end all such practices, FWIW.
Next up was this 1992 Town Car Executive Series. This one was a bit sad. Yes, it is not immaculate, but the medium blue paint was rather sharp.
Especially combined with what appeared to be Opal leather seating. The off-white looked really nice with the metallic blue!
Yes, yes it is.
1998’s are 16 y/o, ancient to the used car industry, so off to the wreckers.
Anyway, it is always a ‘too soon’ feeling sometimes at pick and pulls, seeing 7 year old cars. Last visit was a 2009 Focus! Then I realized it was a totaled wreck, so was cheap for bone yard to buy.
Reality is it really costs a lot to get an old car going, and one has to truly ‘love’ the car. But most of the time, cost outweighs ‘sentiment’. To average used car buyer, a ’92 Town Car is a ‘hooptie’ and won’t touch it.
Whats crazy is seeing the cars you used to sell new in the junkyard, it must have been cheapo Town Car day at the yard, none of the Town Cars have digital gauges, funny.
Reattas were pretty nice, I’ve seen a few in the junkyard before, I’ve even seen an Allante in the Upick yard.
An Allante would break my heart too.
I really want one for some reason.
Must be their convoluted manufacturing process and sharp looks.
My ’88 Cartier TC has a digital dash; my ’85 Signature does not. I actually prefer the plain, analog dash: it has a easily-read clock.. and a TEMP gauge!
Great write up Tom!
Felt like I was riding shotgun on this scavenger hunt lol.
So many nice cars.
That Reatta, the SHO, the Olds, and the Eldorado (though rusty) made me specially sad. All three looked good. Specially the Eldorado seats. Would make a heck of an office chair or couch.
The Benz was really nice too. Were the door panels on those unique to it? I just noticed that sweeping downward line from he door handle back, looks very nice and modern. I like that interior.
Lots of TCs and Panthers there too. Sad.
Rare to see them with analog gauges.
That 1986 Town Car you mentioned with the red leather must have been sharp. I love red interiors.
Interesting how you mention the Cougar not being highly optioned due to the lack of a digital clock.
20+ years later, and analog is a sign of luxury again. I always find analog to be nicer but I guess in the 80s with the tech phase, they fell out of favor. Though the Europeans always kept the analog (Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche, etc.).
People always comment on the analog clock in my PT Cruiser. Possibly my favorite part of the interior lol.
Funny that you mentioned the wheel cover stuff. I thought I was the only that found most of them horrible looking. Specially those novelty Tweety or Betty Book ones.
The lace up ones are the best, but I wonder if they’d look good in a new car.
CC should open a “shelter” for ailing cars, where we find them loving homes and save them from the crusher haha.
If people realized that often times, these cars, with proper care, will likely outlast anything being produced today. All that glitzy tech will be nightmarish once the warranty is up on the new stuff, so I wonder if 3rd+ owners will be able to keep them running.
I’ll say it again, the W body Regal coupe was the best of the bunch. Some of those W bodies were just plain weird, including the Buick four doors.
The ’81 Delta 88 RB coupe is sad to see. It appears to have been in decent condition before ending up here. Very similar to the ’83 version I had, except my interior was dark blue. Thirty years from now, a lot of people will regret seeing this picture.
Regal coupes were definitely the best looking of the bunch – especially in Gran Sport trim. My only real knock on them is the woefully undersized brake pads & rotors. Makes for very weak braking on a fairly heavy car.
My #2 early W coupe would have to be the Lumina Z-34. I thought they were sharp when new, & still do today. the ’06-’07 W body Monte Carlo is aging well too
I’ve got that same little piece on my 03 Marauder. Pops off all the time!
Mid-90s Chryslers suffer from steering wheel rubber degradation so by 2010 the steering wheel on my Voyager was sticky which was so gross. Another advantage of a steering wheel cover is it increases the diameter of the wheel so my hands do not cramp up during long drives. Yet another advantage of a steering wheel cover is that you can take it off, clean it with sponge, and put it back on ever month or so.
It doesn’t surprise me that the seats in the ’92 TC Exec still looked great. I had one 2004-09, it had about 135K on it when I sold it to a friend, and the seats looked absolutely new. About three years and a jillion miles AND his two dogs later, the upholstery was still in good shape. I am pretty sure the ’92 Execs were the last TC’s until 1998 to have analog gauges.
By the way, do the 1998-2002 taillights (with the LIncoln star in the center) fit the 2003-11 cars?
Tom, I raise you an Chinese warehouse’s inventory of stitch-on steering wheel covers!
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Steering+Wheel+Covers+-+Lace+On/N0137/C0200.oap
Funny u mention the Olds diesel.. I too remember the sound very distinctive of our early’ 80’s Caprice wagon as a kid. That or my dad cursing as he tore the motor apart in ’92 trying to figure out what went wrong. It was a pretty decent, reliable car up til that one day.
Life was better when cars had real colors for their interiors instead of varying shades of gra-eige.