The longtime drummer behind rock legend Bruce Springsteen will not be cruising around in a glamorous vintage Thunderbird to celebrate his birthday today — but he might be behind the wheel of a $93,785 lemon.

New Jersey native Max Weinberg, who is also the bandleader on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," has filed a lawsuit against a car dealer who promised the musician a vehicle in "suburb condition" (sic), but allegedly sold him a lemon with a leaky transmission, a rusty and greasy underbody, and a bent and welded front frame.

Weinberg, who is an original member of Springsteen's E-Street Band, and who has performed in hits such as "Born in the USA" and "Born to Run," filed the suit March 18 at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, N.J. — Springsteen's birthplace, which he pays homage to in the song, "In Freehold."

The 54-year-old drummer purchased the gray 1957 collectible Ford Thunderbird for $93,785 from dealer Amos Minter last year in Dallas. He is seeking undisclosed monetary damages under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.

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According to the lawsuit, Minter is in violation of a New Jersey statute detailing the sale of false merchandise.

Newly manufactured vehicles are also covered under New Jersey's Lemon Law, requiring the dealer to replace the damaged car or produce a full refund of the purchase price. Because Weinberg's purchase is a vintage collectable, however, it is not protected.

Weinberg was looking to buy a 1957 Thunderbird and learned that Minter specialized in the restoration and sale of models from 1955 to 1957, the lawsuit states.

Minter, who sells automobiles to customers across the country, also provides nationwide delivery service.

According to Minter's attorney, Wesley Jeanes of Richardson, Texas, the Amos Minter dealership is extremely "small" — only holding between 20 and 40 cars at any given time.

The dealership's Web site currently lists one 1957 Ford Thunderbird for $69,500, as well as its lowest-priced vehicle: a 1956 Ford Customline for $790.

After Minter showed Weinberg various vehicles for sale, the drummer chose a car Minter said belonged to a former friend and insisted the "vehicle was of superior quality, that it had original parts," the lawsuit said.

In September 2004, Weinberg agreed to purchase the Thunderbird and added an extra $4,285 for upgrades before it was delivered in December.

When the car arrived, however, it was not the same car that was initially showed, Weinberg claims.

Jeanes, however, insists that the musician breached the sales contract.

"Max Weinberg needs to be asked to explain what the contract is," Jeanes said. "He bought it on an as-is basis. He had the right to have the car inspected by an expert of his choosing. And I don't believe he had an expert look at the car — that was his choice."

Although the case is in its early stages, Jeanes said it will probably go to trial.

Weinberg's lawyer, Russell Shanks, did not return calls for comment.

Dana Tarquini, managing attorney at David J. Gorberg's Lemon Law firm in Philadelphia, says problems like Weinberg's happen all the time.

"Customers are at the mercy of the agents at the car dealerships," Tarquini said. "Consumers trust the word of the dealers, and not telling them everything is a burden on the customer — and it's just not fair."

Weinberg has worked with an array of distinguished musicians throughout his career — he even performed with former President Bill Clinton at the 1992 Inaugural ball.

Although Springsteen launches a new national tour later this month, selling out box offices in less than 30 seconds across the country, the E-Street Band members — including Weinberg — won't be along for the ride.