OrthoBox

Hi Clive, I don't have the parts you're looking for, but what I can suggest is perhaps getting a differet muffler (along with a new exhaust: use the 2.5" system with turbo cat converter and turbo muffler from dynomax; it worked for me). You may be trying to keep the car as original as possible, and I understand that. However, from what I've read (I only own an 8V automatic from '89) the exhaust exchange is the only real upgrade you can do easily to the 5-speed, other than some race-type alternative parts (like better spark plug wires, etc.) I can't say exactly what performance you'll notice with the better exhaust system, but generally speaking, I've noticed a significant increase in power at the high end and it just sounds a little better, and by better I mean it sounds a little more like a race car with a little more throat to it. So, I wish I could help you with the parts you are looking for, but regarding your muffler, you might just want to upgrade to a little more advanced of a system. I've done it to my 8V and I have nothing put positve things to say about it, and it really doesn't stand out visually. My father has his original muffler, and yes, mine looks a little different than his (8V '89), but it's not ugly or outlandish. Anyway, just a suggestion. Cheers. -Oliver Box

Hey about the tonneau cover, that is great news. If you could please email me we can discuss the shipping, payment and address stuff. Thanks alot. I really appreciate it. email: oliver.box@gmail.com -Oliver Box

Hey, I hope I'm not bothering you, but can you tell me, what color is the car? is it black or burgundy? and do you still have the tannau cover and is it able to be shipped? Thanks.

Hi Car Chick, This sounds great. The piece that fits into the chrome by the Tannau cover is the one I need. OK, how do I send you the $5 plus shipping? Do you take pay pal? Here's my email, it may be easier to do our business that way. Thanks a million. email: oliver.box@gmail.com -Oliver Box

I know what you mean, gavprof. It seems like when one runs into a deal like that, one says to one's self, "$45 (or whatever it costs) is WAY overpriced! I'd like to have it, but I don't '45 Dollars' want it!" Then, later, one feels like kicking one's self for not buying it and one thinks, "I would rather have that missing piece than the $45", but then it's too late and the opportunity has passed. On Cowancom's recommendation, I spoke with the guys at tcparts.com. They were increadably helpful and told me the same thang about the shoelaces. Anyway, they offer a substitute part (probably similar to the lebaron) that they promise is a perfect fit for like $5. I'm going that route. It would be nice to have the original, but as long as it looks finished and is servicable and I don't have to worry about it breaking... that sounds fair to me. It's for my dad, and the part should be in in about a week, so if you want, I'll let you know how it works out. Take care.

Cowancom, Thanks so much for your help and direction. The guy at Tcparts.com was increadibly helpful and informative. I also found out why all the odometers fail: he said it was because the lubricant that they used at the factory was corrosive to the plastic gears (Go figure!) and he said that they can fix it for around $200. They were able to totally help me with the parts and even had some really helpful suggestions for installation. They were all out at the TC Nationals show in California when I called. It was fun talking to them. They said my parts should arrive in just about a week (they're shipping them as soon as they get home) and my Dad is going to be thrilled. I just want to say thanks for helping me out with that info. I really appreciate it and it will mean a lot to my Dad. The TC National event looks like so much fun, if my Dad's up for it we may go to the one in Florida. St. Augustine is wonderful. We used to live in Jacksonville like 20 years ago... and you couldn't ask for much more than Florida in the 1980's. It would be fun to get back down there. Thanks again. -Oliver Box

Hi car chick, thanks for the advise. The other part my dad needs is a little plastic "end cap" for the chrome strip on the door. It's a little black plastic piece that fits into the end of the chrome where the door is to give it a finished look. There are two of these pieceson that fits into the door side of the chrome and one that fits into the body side of the chrome. He needs the body side piece. Thanks for asking... if you've got it, let's make a deal. -Oliver Box

HA HA HA! Yeah, Jeff, I see your point. Gosh, I didn't even think about it until you said something. I guess I just don't know what to call that part and so I just did the best I could. But you know what I'm talking about. I need that plastic piece that releases the cover to the gas tank. I would really like to get that for my dad. He's only missing that and one onther small piece and his car will be complete and in pretty great shape. He's just been diagnosed with cancer and I would really like for him to be able to complete his car. He's always been a stickler for detail. Anyway, thanks for a good laugh and if you know where I can get one of these parts, please let me know. -Oliver

Thanks Jeff, Yeah I saw it earlier, and it really does look tempting as a project car. New Jersy is a long way from Mississippi and I'm not sure I could drive it home if I flew up there. I'll wait and see how high it gets before the time runs out. thanks. -Oliver Box

Hi, I put in a very humble SMEC from a daytona, but I did upgrade my exhaust to the 2.5 with a universal I?O cat and muffler from dynomax. I get a little burned gas, and I couldn't really tell you with any accuracy about the fuel economy because of the lousy odometer. However, I wouldn't go back for the world. I love the way it performs and I would be really interested to know how the FWD performance SMEC (like 15 lbs or preassure or someting) would do. How do these three speed transmissions hold up to that kind of power? Thanks -Oliver Box

Sorry to post again so quickly. My dad doesn't do well with the computer and he needs the interior plastic release switch for his TC (the one on the floor by the driver's door). He just need the plastic "sleeve" that fits over the metal switch. The switch works, it just doesn't look finished. If anyone could help out with this part, I would love to buy it from you. I would really like to give him this piece for Father's Day if I could, it would mean alot to him. Thanks very much. -Oliver Box

Hi, I'm sort of new to the forum. I currently own an '89 8V automatic (Red/tan) and my father owns an '89 8V (Burgundy/Burgundy). Both cars are in pretty great shape, though dad's is probably a little more "cherry" than mine. Anyway, he and I would like to try and find a 16V is pretty good condition. Anything under 65K miles would be good, or if the car runs well and has had the oil changed and everything, that would be fine too. We're sort of meticulous. Anyway, we really don't care too much about the color... we sort of like every color they made and wish they'd made a few more (like navy or green). We live in Mississippi and would be willing to fly/drive to purchase, but would like to evaluate the car by photo unless it's fairly close (<150 miles). We're pretty open to negotiation and I'd even be willing to trade for the right car. Like I said, mine is not compltely perfect. It needs some VERY minor work at the body shop, but I just had a good bit of the interior restored, including a brand new velvet liner for the hard top, and the arm rest completely redone in leather. The color is an exact match. I put it back just like the original. I had all the electronic switches gone through and repaired and the lights repaired and that cost nearly $300 in all. The interior cost me over $500. I also had a brand new exhaust system ($250) put on with the 2.5" pipes and High-Output Turbo cat converter and Muffler from Dynomax. I also put in a SMEC computer from an Daytona and a K&N air filter, so I'm getting around a difference in performance, especially on the high end. It's a beautiful car with no rust to speak of (the only exception is one of the few areas needing to be addressed by the body shop, but it is minor) and I think the best color combo, but that's me, and it cleans up immaculately. Oh yeah, and I just put brand new tires ($400) and I have the original rims and some super cool after market gold rims (they are the same pattern as the standards, but they're gold and they look HOT with the Rad/tan color scheme). Sorry, I don't have pics right now. But if someone is interested in a trade or in selling their 16V, I can get pics and email them. Here's my contact info: Phone: (662) 419-6226 email: oliver.box@gmail.com

[color:"blue"] Hi, my name is James and I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading it for a few weeks now. My uncle owns an '89 Cabernet 8V TC and he, my cousin and I love it. We're fairly big guys, and the TC is the most ccomfortable convertible that I've ever been in. Anyway, I just finished graduate school at Duke (Go Blue Devils!) and I would like to get a TC of my own. I would really like to find a 16V. If anyone has one in good shape and would be willing to sell, I would really like to discuss it and see if we can work something out. I'm not overly particular about color, but I would probably prefer Red or Grey... too bad they didn't make the car in blue! Come to think of it, why didn't Maserati make it in blue? A nice navy blue with a tan interior would look nice. If anyone has any information on a 16V for sale, I would be very interested in negotiating with them. I understand about the rarity of these vehicles, so I also understand that one in good shape will not be as cheap as an 8V in similar condition. And I can promise, that if someone is willing to part with their 16V, I can give it a good home. I'll be watching this posting, or anyone can feel free to email me at: OB4@duke.edu Thanks very much