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What is this thing worth?

1036 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2013 at 7:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Thunderbird, Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 103 of 104

#1016 of 1036 Re: This lady is unrealistic [lemko] by fintail

Jun 26, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jun 26, 2012 6:29 am)
A couple hundred dollars spent on a fantastic detail can add many times that in value, for sale or trade in.
 
Your price is fair, and would probably be the only offer. Just not a car many want today, but I can see your eyes dancing at the thought of a new hooptie

#1020 of 1036 1964 Thunderbird Landau by olddustoffer

Jan 08, 2013 (4:52 am)

Am restoring a 64 T-Bird Landau with about every option available. The only part not stock is that I put in a 5 Liter HO (300 hp) and an 800Hp capable transmission. Back in those days, Ford didn't put VIN numbers on the engines, so if someone wanted to switch it back to the 390 and Cruiseomatic, they could. It didn't have the original engine in it anyway when I bought it. I'll have about 15 16k into it when done. Wife will never let me sell it, but if I did, would it bring significantly more by reverting it back to the 390? The main reason I changed was because it dropped over 800 pounds, and with the HO I can buy parts anywhere instead of having to wait like a week or more just for a fan belt. With the Holly 4bbl, and performance kit, it fairly screams.
(last week I blew the doors off a Charger RT Heh)
Any clues on value now verses with the 390?

#1021 of 1036 Re: 1964 Thunderbird Landau [olddustoffer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 08, 2013 (8:19 am)

Replying to: olddustoffer (Jan 08, 2013 4:52 am)
No I don't think the value change would be "significant" if you reverted back to the original engine, and here's why I think that:
 
1. these are not high dollar cars even perfectly restored to like new condition---maybe $25,000 would buy you a fabulous '64 hardtop Bird.
 
2. while an original car would be worth more than yours, I don't think the difference in value would justify the expense of reverting back. Your car, if it has a decent body and interior, is worth what you have in it, so really by spending another $10K to find, rebuild and install an original engine, what have you gained? Nada.
 
3. car collectors are far more tolerant of "upgrades" than they were years ago---people like to drive and enjoy their "classics", so unless you've chopped up an extremely rare and valuable car, you haven't done much harm to the market value---some, but not much.
 
I think you should look at what you have now as a "resto-rod" or "pro touring" or whatever they're calling mildly modified old cars these days.
 
It's possible, if you did a very nice job and if you have desirable upgrades on a "classic" that really improve fuel mileage, performance and handling, that you might even match or exceed the value of an original. It depends on how far you go with the mods and how tasteful and useful they are.
 
I mean, things like modern fuel-injection, efficient AC, good fuel economy, radial tires, etc---these make an old car much more fun to drive.

#1022 of 1036 Re: 1964 Thunderbird Landau [olddustoffer] by fintail

Jan 08, 2013 (11:39 am)

Replying to: olddustoffer (Jan 08, 2013 4:52 am)
I think you might have improved the value. It's not a particularly rare or historic car, and you have made it much better to drive - probably more useful power and probably better mileage too, and by losing that weight, it probably handles better and eats up front suspension components slower than those things are known to do. I'd keep it the way you built it, maybe hold on to the original powertrain in case a new owner wants it back.
 
I wonder what it would take to add FI to that engine. My first car had a 390/4bbl, and that thing made me hate carbs.

#1023 of 1036 Re: 1964 Thunderbird Landau [fintail] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 08, 2013 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 08, 2013 11:39 am)
Aftermarket FI is a bit tricky but do-able and there are kits on the market for it.

#1024 of 1036 Re: 1964 Thunderbird Landau [Mr_Shiftright] by qbrozen

Jan 08, 2013 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 08, 2013 12:01 pm)
Going back... oh, about 20+ years... i remember them (I think Holley) offering a 4-bb EFI carb. So basically they just made a circuit board and suspended a mister of sorts over each barrel. Is that still around? I would imagine it to be improved by now. I think back then the cost was $1500.

#1025 of 1036 Re: 1964 Thunderbird Landau [qbrozen] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 08, 2013 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Jan 08, 2013 12:19 pm)
Now they use setups LIKE THIS but I think Holley still makes what you're talking about.

Messages Page 103 of 104

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