Crapwagon Outtake: 1996 Ford Thunderbird

For those who grew up during the Truman and Eisenhower administrations, or perhaps were influenced by movies like “American Graffiti,” the hot rod is an iconic part of the youth culture of the era. Countless aging enthusiasts spend a great deal of time and money modifying, maintaining, and showing off classic Detroit iron.

It makes me wonder if, in 50 years or so, will some of my friends still be showing off tuned and slammed Hondas? Will Bozi unfold his tennis ball-clad walker from the rear of his WRX so he can polish the finish one more time before the judges arrive? Will Bark still be preaching about his FiST from a Kentucky retirement home?

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  • Master Baiter Ditch the Giga-casting and Robo-taxi. I'd rather have a turn signal stalk.
  • Pig_Iron If it's not hurting anyone, what's the problem? We have a lot bigger problems to deal with like the failure to prosecute the 5-29 insurrectionists. ✌
  • MaintenanceCosts This is already illegal for several reasons. Is this a new redundant law, or is this just an announcement that the police are actually going to be enforcing the law as is?(Also, most lifts at all 4 corners are illegal too, although it's almost never enforced.)
  • Jkross22 I get Lexus much more now, especially this era. This seems to be the sweet spot for reserved styling, comfort and reliability. No turbos, integrated screen, hard buttons and knobs, good to great stereos, great seats. Still have some pangs of desire for the GS-F for all of the above reasons and V8 sounds, but this is the smarter choice.
  • Canam23 I had a 2014 GS350 that I bought with 30K miles and the certified unlimited four year warranty. After four and a half years I had 150K miles on it and sold it to Carmax when I moved to France a little over two years ago. As you can see I ran up a lot of work miles in that time and the Lexus was always quick, comfortable and solid, no issues at all. It was driving pretty much the same as new when I let it go and, and, this is why it's a Lexus, the interior still looked new. I bought it for 30K and sold it for 16K making it the most economical car I've ever owned. I really miss it, if you have to drive a lot, as I did in my job, it is the perfect car. Some may argue the Camry or Accord would foot that bill, but I say nay nay, you really want the comfort and rear wheel drive of the Lexus. Keep it forever Corey, you won't regret it.