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What is this thing worth?

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

You are in the Classic Cars Forum.

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

Messages Page 103 of 104

#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.

#1026 of 1036 Calling Fintail! by michaell

Feb 01, 2013 (11:04 am)

Old MB for sale in Pacific NW ... what's it worth?
 
Two door taxi?

#1027 of 1036 Re: Calling Fintail! [michaell] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 01, 2013 (11:16 am)

Replying to: michaell (Feb 01, 2013 11:04 am)
It's an odd duck to be sure. I can tell you one thing---it's never going to live in California.
 
Given the stripper interior and 4 cylinder motor and parts inconvenience, if not hassle, I'd have to guess that around $3500 is all the money here.
 
If it were a 6 cylinder with MB Tex and automatic, and a U.S. model, it'd be worth more.

#1028 of 1036 Re: Calling Fintail! [michaell] by fintail

Feb 01, 2013 (11:35 am)

Replying to: michaell (Feb 01, 2013 11:04 am)
I agree with shifty - a few grand. It's an odd Euro (wrongly badged), not very fast or sporty, kind of pretty but needs a lot of detail work (cleaning, wheels, who knows what else, those for sale signs are disturbing). A very late (83-85) 300CD Turbodiesel coupe will bring the biggest money out of that series.

#1030 of 1036 Car by canewhite

May 10, 2013 (12:19 am)

In fact car advertisements have about as much in common with reality as James Bond's life has with my life - S.F.A. You will never see people commuting to work in a car advert

Messages Page 103 of 104

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