1966 T-Bird - DPChallenge Forums

03/04/2012 07:28:46 PM · #1

I have an opportunity to purchase a restored 1966 Ford Thunderbird that is in remarkable condition.

The engine has been completely rebuilt, the exterior and interior have been restored. The interior still has a couple of minor issues that can be dealt with. The exterior is the original color.

The interior is all original except for the ceiling. It had to be replaced.

The folks that restored it have won several awards at various classic car shows with this. They have a wall of trophies to prove it.

It has factory a/c, electric windows, electric seats, automatic transmission. The clock doesn't work. ;-)

I can pick this up for less than $15,000.

I am new to the classic car scene. I know the people very well and spoke with the mechanic that did most of the work. The new engine has about 3000 miles on it. The owners drove it regularly. I drove it today. Good response on acceleration, the electric windows struggle a bit, but work, as did the electric antenna. The electric seat adjustments worked great. The car handles well and has a surprisingly tight turning radius.

Any classic car folks out there that can give some advice on owning one of these?

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

03/04/2012 07:52:53 PM · #2

//www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/default.aspx?carID=1651&i=8

Note the varying sale averages depending on configuration and engine. It may not be any bargain at all... Is that the hardtop coupe? Or the Landau?

R.

ETA: not the landau for sure... I don't know these 'birds very well, but I do follow modern classic cars a little.

Message edited by author 2012-03-04 19:57:06.

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

03/04/2012 07:58:00 PM · #3

Try to get the "born sheet" for the car. That will tell u all the info that was initially installed on the car. This includes interior color....exterior color....and also options that were installed

03/04/2012 08:31:54 PM · #4

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Thanks for the link. Interesting info on the average selling prices. This one is the Hardtop Town Sedan. So, the average price seems inline. If they go to Ebay they are going to list it for $17,000.

I can get a 'brother-in-law' deal since I am the brother-in-law. ;-)

This is owned by my brother-in-law's mother. She is in her 70's. Her and her boyfriend restored the car. Her boyfriend passed away recently. She has this and a restored 1970 Cougar convertible. She wants to keep the Cougar.

The T-Bird is the head turner for sure. The engine is the 390CI, not sure which one. I will find that out for sure. I didn't get a photo of the trunk, but it is really clean, too. When they show the car, the ones that open the hood and the trunk do the best. The only think that hasn't been detailed for show is the underside.

03/04/2012 08:38:38 PM · #5

Notice that on that linked page you can scroll all auction results in detail and by year, down near the bottom of the page.

03/04/2012 08:43:00 PM · #6

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Notice that on that linked page you can scroll all auction results in detail and by year, down near the bottom of the page.

I did notice that. What I don't see is the condition of the cars sold. I figure that condition is a huge factor in the price these 46 year old cars sell for.

03/04/2012 08:53:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by scarbrd:

What I don't see is the condition of the cars sold. I figure that condition is a huge factor in the price these 46 year old cars sell for.

No question about it. However, it's rare for Barrett-Jackson, RM, and Mecum (at least) to be selling cars that are not in decent shape, though many of them are partially restored "drivers" like the one you're looking at rather than full restorations. Unless I misunderstand your description.

R.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/05/2012 12:10:36 AM · #8

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
What I don't see is the condition of the cars sold. I figure that condition is a huge factor in the price these 46 year old cars sell for.

No question about it. However, it's rare for Barrett-Jackson, RM, and Mecum (at least) to be selling cars that are not in decent shape, though many of them are partially restored "drivers" like the one you're looking at rather than full restorations. Unless I misunderstand your description.

R.

I would definitely call this one fully restored. All but the underside is in "classic car show" condition. The engine was totally rebuilt and decked out with chrome. The body has been stripped down to the metal and painted ( color matched to the original color). The interior was restored to original with the exception of a small crack on the dashboard and some chips on the steering wheel.

Maybe I don't know what "full restoration" technically means, but this car is in beautiful condition and runs like a champ.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

03/05/2012 12:33:41 AM · #9

Are you buying it as an investment or because you love it, want to own it and drive it around?

If it's the former, you're probably better off with a mutual fund or bonds or something like that.

If it's the latter and you can afford it; buy it, drive it, love it.

Message edited by author 2012-03-05 00:35:04.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

03/05/2012 05:38:03 AM · #10

Take it from someone who has owned and worked on many antique cars... they cost oodles of money.

Spork99 hit the nail on the head with his comments.

Would love to talk more, but I have to go to work.( to pay for a toy I have in my garage, a 1948 Alvis TA-14)

Ray

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/05/2012 05:48:45 AM · #11

Originally posted by RayEthier:

a toy I have in my garage, a 1948 Alvis TA-14

Had to look it up. Very cool!

I love the old T-Birds - built like a tank! I know nothing of value, but based on th links & feedback you got so far, I would say go for it! (Not as an investment, though. Spork was right on.)

03/05/2012 07:58:11 AM · #12

That was pretty much what I was leading up to as well; if you *want* the car for the sheer enjoyment of it, and can afford it, how can you go wrong at that price? Is it a reasonable *investment*? The jury's out on that one. It's going to COST you money, you can count on that. Old cars always do.

As far as what "full restoration" technically means, it definitely includes the underpinnings of the car. Easier said than done on a car like this one, which is unibody construction.

R.

03/05/2012 07:58:11 AM · #13

double tap, gotta get new mouse.

Message edited by author 2012-03-05 07:58:33.

03/05/2012 09:10:24 AM · #14

Originally posted by Spork99:

Definitely the latter. However, I'm not a gear head by any means, so getting something that has had all the major work done is attractive.

It will be a third car for the family. I see us driving it on weekends and me driving it to work a couple of times a week.

My 11 year old son and I have been looking at some exotic rides lately thinking about picking on up. We took a serious look at a 1990 Bentley Turbo R. But talk about maintenance costs! We did test drive it and it is a sweet ride.

The T-Bird in this condition seems a bit more doable than the Bentley.

Plus, the mechanic that did the major work will continue to service the car. He seems to have an attachment to this one. ;-)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/05/2012 07:52:54 PM · #15

Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Try to get the "born sheet" for the car. That will tell u all the info that was initially installed on the car. This includes interior color....exterior color....and also options that were installed

I've searched for "born sheet" and can't find anything about cars.

I'd be very interested in getting that information. Do you know where to get these? Are the actually called "born sheets"?

Thanks

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/05/2012 08:07:42 PM · #16

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Plus, the mechanic that did the major work will continue to service the car. He seems to have an attachment to this one. ;-)

What kind of boat does he have? ;-)

You might want to inquire over at CarTalk, or even give them a call so we can have fun hearing them laugh at (really with) you ... :-)

RKT

Canon EOS-60D

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for Canon

03/05/2012 08:41:14 PM · #17

Have a look a Hemmings to see what others are asking for similar rides.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/05/2012 09:20:31 PM · #18

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
Plus, the mechanic that did the major work will continue to service the car. He seems to have an attachment to this one. ;-)

What kind of boat does he have? ;-)

You might want to inquire over at CarTalk, or even give them a call so we can have fun hearing them laugh at (really with) you ... :-)

Feeling really dumb. Read this 4 times and I still don't see the joke. Help a brother out, Paul. ;-)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

03/05/2012 09:47:08 PM · #19

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by scarbrd:
Plus, the mechanic that did the major work will continue to service the car. He seems to have an attachment to this one. ;-)

What kind of boat does he have? ;-)

You might want to inquire over at CarTalk, or even give them a call so we can have fun hearing them laugh at (really with) you ... :-)

Feeling really dumb. Read this 4 times and I still don't see the joke. Help a brother out, Paul. ;-)

Whenever the guys (both MIT grads, BTW) have to tell someone their repair is going to cost a lot, they will say something like "Your mechanic will definitely be able to make his boat payment this month" or the like ... I was suggesting that your (prospective) mechanic may well be looking forward to continuing to work, and work, and work on this car ... maybe you should have someone else go over it for you (like if you were buying any other used car).

If you aren't familiar with the show should should really waste an hour or two checking it out -- probably 70% humor and 30% solid auto information. If your local NPR affiliate doesn't carry it you can download any/all of the old shows from their archives.