I have an NA V6 as well, which I swapped an SC manual transmission into. The manual transmission is the single biggest upgrade I could have done to that car. The gearing is perfect, and it actually gets out of its own way now. I wish I had an SC, but the regular V6 doesn’t do too bad. Have you removed your air…

That’s awful! I suppose it was fun while it lasted. :(

Gorgeous car. I have an ‘89. There’s still a pretty vibrant community at TCCoA and SCCoA for those cars.

This song literally popped into my head when I saw this car:

Its been 7 years since Murilee Martin left? Holy shit, now I feel old.

Michelin has had this technology for years

That’s even better than the ambulance on track at the NASCAR race last weekend.

I know you’re joking but now they have to do a Dirty Harry reboot with Scott Eastwood as Inspector Callahan. It would be awesome.

Here’s an example of Maximum Performance Summer Tires vs DOT Legal R -compound tires in my autocross class. Its literally a 5 second per run difference based on tires. My times are the ones with the Red lines next to them.

They actually did a Flex the year after.

You are welcome to come and check them out, especially on Facebook (if you have one).

Your Fairlane and Mustang sound like cool projects.

‘92 sounds awful late.

Under your definition, these cars would be “malaise”:

Nissan 300ZX, 240SX, 200SX, R32, Toyota MR2, Supra, Mazda RX-7, Miata, Mitsubishi Eclipse, 3000GT, Starion, Acura Legend, Integra, NSX, BMW E30, BMW E31, BMW E34, Mercedes R129, Audi Quattro, Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Pontiac Fiero, Chrysler…

I agree. Are you on TCCoA or SCCoA? Facebook has breathed new life into these groups.

With Ford it was their Quality is Job 1 turnaround, which started with the 1983 Thunderbird and 1984 Mark VII, and really culminated with the 1986 Taurus, and 1989 Thunderbird SC. It was the rejection of squared off lines for aerodynamic curves. It cost Ford millions of dollars to get the Mark VII approved for sale…

You can say that about every decade though. You could say hair bands and Camaro Berlinettas felt fake and cheap. You could say the Bee Gees and Mustang IIs felt fake and cheap. You could say Plymouth Valiants and the Monkees felt fake and cheap. That’s not malaise, its just the lowest common denominator of our culture…

How the hell is 1998 malaise?

What’s wrong with rear wheel drive, an independent rear suspension, and 735hp? If you compared it to a Hellcat its a lot lighter, and half the price. I can see how people can object to the $25k pricetag though.

Completely different. These had an independent rear suspension from the MN12 Thunderbird, but with aluminum lower control arms. In Lincoln form, the platform was called FN10.

They had an independent rear suspension and 280hp. They’re not slow, they handle well, and they’re lighter than a new Mustang. I have a Thunderbird that’s based on the same platform.

I’m happy to have moved from Northern California to Texas. About the only thing I don’t like is there’s not really any mountains. Though there are some beautiful lakes, hills, and trees in East Texas and Eastern Oklahoma. Property here is phenomenally cheap.

Or when there’s a crash on the causeway, or Mace Boulevard, or when nobody wants to merge at 113 and 80...