Early Bird Values Soft?
- Thread starter Anteek29
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miker98038
Well-known member
To my thinking, the birds have always been priced fairly low. Excepting the E and F codes, or one that belonged to a Sinatra. In 1967 I bought a 55, Thunderbird Blue, with a new 312. Isky RPM 300, 11.25 to 1 Jahns pistons, balanced etc. All the paperwork, and the guy next door to the car was a family friend and dirt and Corvette racer. He vouched for the work. Paid $1200.00. A beat up Vette was twice that. The bird didn't carry "sports car" insurance, or I couldn't have afforded it.
It's still pretty much the same, maybe worse taking inflation into account. So, my birds a hobby, not an investment. Looking at my sons friends (30 years old now), only one of them could drive it. They're not overweight, just too tall to fit. When Ford abandoned the two seater, the name kind of lost its magic to a lot of people. I think that's part of it. But I wouldn't trade mine for the world, at least as long as I can drive it.
It's still pretty much the same, maybe worse taking inflation into account. So, my birds a hobby, not an investment. Looking at my sons friends (30 years old now), only one of them could drive it. They're not overweight, just too tall to fit. When Ford abandoned the two seater, the name kind of lost its magic to a lot of people. I think that's part of it. But I wouldn't trade mine for the world, at least as long as I can drive it.
Oldmics
BANNED
I think that unfortunately Birds are becoming an item of the past.
Much as I love mine and I hate to say this but they are sorta headed the way of the Model T.
The age group that values these cars are getting older and passing away.
The heirs to these machines seem to be more interested in a fast cash sale of the vehicles rather than promoting the car hobby. Not all of the new owners mind you but I feel it is a majority group of heirs selling off the cars.
This sales mentality of "dumping" the cars has given the illusion of a soft market. Just because there are fewer buyers for such machines.
On the local level what I generally see is the original asking prices are out of this world high.
Once there is no interest at the higher asking price then the deals begin to happen.
If your a car savy guy a nice Bird can be had for 20K. Then according to the options the prices go up from there.
And of course a terrible car can be had for 40K + but it will look good!
I'm not a rich guy but I do have a coupla Birds.
I don't consider any of my Birds or any of the other cars that I own "investment quality" but they are unusual and desirable items.
The Birds are an art form. I call them art on wheels. Beautiful crafted lines never to be replicated again.
The beauty aspect alone of these cars will keep them around but unfortunately the seriously interested partys will diminish as time marchs on.
Enjoy them while you have them.I certainly do.
Oldmics
Much as I love mine and I hate to say this but they are sorta headed the way of the Model T.
The age group that values these cars are getting older and passing away.
The heirs to these machines seem to be more interested in a fast cash sale of the vehicles rather than promoting the car hobby. Not all of the new owners mind you but I feel it is a majority group of heirs selling off the cars.
This sales mentality of "dumping" the cars has given the illusion of a soft market. Just because there are fewer buyers for such machines.
On the local level what I generally see is the original asking prices are out of this world high.
Once there is no interest at the higher asking price then the deals begin to happen.
If your a car savy guy a nice Bird can be had for 20K. Then according to the options the prices go up from there.
And of course a terrible car can be had for 40K + but it will look good!
I'm not a rich guy but I do have a coupla Birds.
I don't consider any of my Birds or any of the other cars that I own "investment quality" but they are unusual and desirable items.
The Birds are an art form. I call them art on wheels. Beautiful crafted lines never to be replicated again.
The beauty aspect alone of these cars will keep them around but unfortunately the seriously interested partys will diminish as time marchs on.
Enjoy them while you have them.I certainly do.
Oldmics
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Alaska Jim
Well-known member
I have always liked them, but could never have afforded one. now that I can, I spent my money on another car I wanted first, so I am still in the same boat. can't afford one unless I can sell what I have ( I don't want to ) maybe I can get one if I can convince my wife it is for her. all the ones I see for sake seem to be overpriced to me, but I am sure most are not getting asking price, and I am sure a lot are sold for less. my problem is I am in Alaska. very few for sale here, and the ones I looked at the price was not negotiable. some were worth the asking price some were not. I think that over all the prices have remained somewhat steady for the last few years from what I have seen.
scicala
Well-known member
"To my thinking, the birds have always been priced fairly low. Excepting the E and F codes, or one that belonged to a Sinatra. In 1967 I bought a 55, Thunderbird Blue, with a new 312. Isky RPM 300, 11.25 to 1 Jahns pistons, balanced etc. All the paperwork, and the guy next door to the car was a family friend and dirt and Corvette racer. He vouched for the work. Paid $1200.00."
miker98038, you are bringing me back in time. In 1967 I had a '55 Mercury Montclair with a 292 and Jahns domed pistons, an Isky RPM 300 cam, ECZ-G heads and a Mallory dual point. Also took out the Mercomatic and installed a 4 speed BW T10 from a '63 390.
Sal
miker98038, you are bringing me back in time. In 1967 I had a '55 Mercury Montclair with a 292 and Jahns domed pistons, an Isky RPM 300 cam, ECZ-G heads and a Mallory dual point. Also took out the Mercomatic and installed a 4 speed BW T10 from a '63 390.
Sal
miker98038
Well-known member
Ha! I couldn't afford a 4 speed, but I got a T-85 o/d out of the junkyard. Used Hurst Syncro Loc, with a Corvette stick. Nobody told me a 55 had a smaller tunnel and it wouldn't fit,so I put it in anyway,somehow. That's how I learned the 6 cyl o/d wagon had the Dana with the 4:27 gear set. The junkyard owner had a 57, and took a liking to a kid who was covered in grease.
bobss396
Well-known member
My next Ford may be a '55-56 'Bird, I always liked them. Texas was always the hot spot for finding nicer ones.
A very nice one can be found for around $20k or a little less with some patience. if you're into it being close to 100% original, slap another $5k and up on that.
A very nice one can be found for around $20k or a little less with some patience. if you're into it being close to 100% original, slap another $5k and up on that.
Alaska Jim
Well-known member
If I was in the lower 48 I would be looking much harder. I know some do show up around those prices. being in Alaska really hampers a search for a good car at a reasonable price. every time I have found one, it was gone before I could even make an offer due to time zones, e-mail time transport logistics, etc.
I was lucky enough to purchase a 56 Bird off Ebay that was local, Its a one owner never been hit zero rust all original, 312 with a 3spd OD both tops parked in a garage since 1968. Paid $14,000 which I thought was very reasonable, this is the second 56 bird I have owned, the first one was in the 80,s for $3500 that was fair condition and a driver. Now for you T-Bird purists out there the first thing I did was take the continental kit off and put a 55 rear bumper on, sorry just had to do it.
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Alaska Jim
Well-known member
Good buy, and good for you. I also am not a fan of the continental kit. I always liked the lines of the 55-56 best, but like the dash layout of the 57 best. I guess because of the 56 fords I had when I was young. I also like the 2 top option and the manual trans. w/ o/d. You would never find a car like that priced as that one was here in Alaska, at least it has not happened for me.
hardlyrider
Junior Member
From what I have read people complained of no room in the trunk because of the spare tire in the 55,s so the continental kit was put on the 56,s to get it out of the trunk, then they got complaints that they handled like crap with the extra weight hanging on the back so in 57 they lengthened the back and put the spare back in the trunk in a semi vertical position like the 57 cars instead of flat like the 55,s.
miker98038
Well-known member
If I ever get around to painting my 55, that flat rear panel will go in, and the over riders will go. Always thought that "clean" rear end, with the exhaust under looked better. Nice job.
Talkwrench
Well-known member
Ahh its because the Aussie dollar is low and we cant afford to buy them anymore...
; o )
; o )
zoegrant
Well-known member
CB.....your 56 without the connie kit looks great.....I presume you had to cut the rear pan to install the 55 bumper. I am tempted to do the same to mine. I really like the look without the connie kit.....Did you have to get new bumper brackets or were you able to use the old ones ??
Can you post a side pic completely showing your car ??
Can you post a side pic completely showing your car ??
What I did was cut it back and left about a 1/2" then used a 64 galaxie front filler piece that goes between the bumper and grill and welded it on with a little tweeking it has the perfect contour of the bird rear bumper. I also used the rear lower corners from a pair of 57 ford 1/4 panel repair pieces off ebay to fill in where the exhaust use to exit and used 55 t-bird rear bumper brackets. Sorry don't have side shots with bumper on, it actually fits better than most 55 birds I've seen.
