After a solid German and a krusty Italian, it's now time for the real thing. Detroit Steel from Ford!
Actually, this is from Ohio and not Detroit, Michigan. But that's not important. But what do I think is wrong with my Thunderbird?
Well, I think it's not too bad to begin with. Sure, there are a few things going on, so I made a small list.
For starters, the check engine light lights up the moment you start the car. So I checked the engine, and it's still there.
I don't know if anything's wrong with it, because the previous owner said that the light was always on, and it still works. So whatever.
The steering wheel is a little busted. Like this and like this, so there's something not quite right here.
That's probably related to the vibrating front end. It's shaking, it makes noises at lower speeds, but according to the previous owner...
it's the brakes. But the car still brakes, so yeah. Anyway, if there's something wrong with the brakes, that's bad news.
Around the 100 km/h, there's quite a big vibration at the front end. It could need some alignment or it's because two different tire brands.
That's Joep's task. Let's see, what else do we have? The floor has been welded. If that was done properly,
there's nothing wrong. If that wasn't done properly, I could be in trouble.
The rear lights then... One of them is on, but the Thunderbird-part on the right unit isn't. But it should be producing a big red beacon of light.
I'm hoping Joep can find the plug for the right rear light. The headlights are incredibly dimmed as well.
They produce light but you won't see anything when you're driving in the dark. Other than that however, there's nothing wrong with it.
I say that, but there's another big drawback to this car. Where do I leave this. It's an American car without cup holders. Blasphemy!
My first experience with a Ford Thunderbird. An American car from the early nineties I believe. And let me be straight with you,
I don't care for cars like this at all. It's too big, it's clumsy, inefficient, it's plastic, the finishing is horrible, and I don't know why people love them.
Right, that's my rant about American cars over. However, it does have a V8, which is nice. An automatic gearbox, so you'll be cruising comfortably.
A leather seat which I could get used to. An interior which is taste sensitive, but all features actually work.
Climate control, cruise control, all dials and switches and lights, they all work. And it has a lot of features.
But again, if they all keep working... Right, the doors just locked. Why?
So except for the incredibly noisy windscreen wipers, which are quiet now...
My god... Those wipers guys...
Also, it sounds like there's a loose spring at the front. I almost can't get myself to say this, but this the the best driving one of the bunch.
Please no.
There isn't a lot to say here because there's isn't a lot wrong with it...
But there is a lot of it, right. - There is a lot and it's all good!
Except for this little thing, because this is your first free repair. - What do you mean?
This is the hose for the oil sump ventilation. And it has been mended with a home made botch job.
It's pretty wet under here. - Only a bit right?
Yeah... - It's raining dirt under here...
I just don't like it a lot man. - You want me to explain?
As if you'd convert him. - However...
However? - I think it's the best cruiser of the bunch.
But Alfa's aren't meant to cruise with. - You can't drive it in a quick fashion either.
It pulls slightly to the right when you brake... - Right.
I think that has something to do with this. There's too much play on it?
Usually, when you brake, the wheel brakes the car. So the wheel slows, but the body still moves forward.
This is a reaction rod, which holds the body. But this rod can only process sideways forces, and not forward forces.
Reaction rods are meant to process forces in longitudinal direction, and this doesn't do that anymore.
If this was a driven wheel, the noise levels would've been unbearable, because the car would move everytime you'd accelerate.
Luckily it's rear-wheel drive. - Luckily, it's easily solvable.
So the last part of subtlety is broken? - Thanks for your comment, Nic!
This is pretty serious this. The bearing which is leaking grease is this unit right here.
You should look on the inside, so go under here. It's over there. - Oh dear, you're right.
That's what you hear right? - Absolutely.
Well, that's explained!
There's an additional noise to the rear suspension. When you drive over a bump, you can hear a cracking, squeaking noise.
I can't immediately see any big faults. I think that if you wanted to solve it and we would work on it, one of us mechanics would go under...
the bridge whilst two others started moving it up and down. That way we're able to see what's wrong.
We might even remove some parts and feel them, so yeah. It's not really fresh, but it's not car breaking.
That was the third and final Klokje Rond-check up, and I think my Thunderbird did pretty well.
However, that's Joep's conclusion to share. - Right Michiel, I'm scratching my head in anticipation.
I mean, it's called 'Barrelbrigade' for a reason. They're all beautiful lemons of course, so none of them are brilliant.
And I'll start with yours. It's not the worst, but it's not the best either. You get second place.
- Second place? When it comes to the technical condition, yeah.
It's a mix between technical condition, the way it drives, if it's safe or not, or if it still can be saved.
You know, is it worth the effort. So the winner is the car with the least faults.
And that's not me? - Nope. The least faults and the safest car, let me put it like that.
If you ask me, that's going to be the A-Class. - Yeah right... Is that still up for debate?
Right. I'm going to take my loss as a man. Thanks Joep. - You're welcome.
I'll get them back, just you wait. - Alrighty then...
The winner of this part is... Me! Ten points for me. Michiel came second and therefore scored five points.
The second loser is Jan, which only gets one point. Pretty good start if you ask me...