The Ford Barn - View Single Post

zoegrant · 10-26-2013, 10:43 PM

I think "old mic" sums it up pretty well.....there are a lot of 55-57 birds for sale but from all the cars I have looked at I think to get a great running bird in a strong #3 condition one has to spend around $27-$32000 with two tops,skirts and good paint.....
The higher asking prices are usually based on what the current owner spends on "personalizing" the car to meet the owners needs and desires...John in CT

I"m a late to the party Bird guy.Loved them when I was in high school but could never afford one as a kid.

Bought cheeper machines that I hot rodded and learned on then my life changed and cars were all but forgotton till I reached my mid 50s.

Bought a 56 Bird and started to really get back into cars in general but specialised in Baby Birds.

What I know is that on the average any specific model year car usually only survives in any fashion in the 8 - 10% range.

The survival rate for Baby Birds is around 22%.These figures come from the CTCI Thunderbird club.

So almost a quarter of all of the Baby Birds built are still on the road with more being found and saved all the time.

The collectability of these cars was defined in magazine articles as early as 1959 and early 1960.These articles were claiming the cars THEN as a future collectable machine.

I think that the shear number of the cars still around along with the changing demographics of owners is what is creating the percieved large amount of Baby Birds availiable.

The original owners are at the point that they are headed off into that drive in in the sky.

There children may or may not cherish there parents cars.This would be the first realm of these cars becoming availiable.

As I said many were saved over the years and a lot of these classics are now on the 5th plus ownership since they were built 58 years ago.

There great cars unless you want to drive them.

Rolling pieces of art work as I call them.Uncomfortable for long trips.Hot interior temperatures due to the exhaust manifold placements. and cant see if your over 5 - 11 due to the windshield top placement.

Parts are expensive BUT they do reproduce almost everything for these machines.

If your considering purchasing one I would suggest familiarising yourself with the usual rust locations and pitfalls of these cars so you spend your money wisely.

Dont buy one with any fiberglass replacement parts (such as fenders,quarters and rockers) and the oddball colors usually bring more money on a resale.Make sure you get a real Ford convertable softop.

The repro softops are nice but have no value.

Mid 20s will get you a nice car if you know what you are looking at.

The "E" and "F" models are much more expensive.

Cool cars.I"ll have two or more till I"m done driving

Oldmics[/QUOTE]

10-26-2013, 10:43 PM	#7
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	Re: Why so many little 'birds for sale? I think "old mic" sums it up pretty well.....there are a lot of 55-57 birds for sale but from all the cars I have looked at I think to get a great running bird in a strong #3 condition one has to spend around $27-$32000 with two tops,skirts and good paint..... The higher asking prices are usually based on what the current owner spends on "personalizing" the car to meet the owners needs and desires...John in CT I"m a late to the party Bird guy.Loved them when I was in high school but could never afford one as a kid. Bought cheeper machines that I hot rodded and learned on then my life changed and cars were all but forgotton till I reached my mid 50s. Bought a 56 Bird and started to really get back into cars in general but specialised in Baby Birds. What I know is that on the average any specific model year car usually only survives in any fashion in the 8 - 10% range. The survival rate for Baby Birds is around 22%.These figures come from the CTCI Thunderbird club. So almost a quarter of all of the Baby Birds built are still on the road with more being found and saved all the time. The collectability of these cars was defined in magazine articles as early as 1959 and early 1960.These articles were claiming the cars THEN as a future collectable machine. I think that the shear number of the cars still around along with the changing demographics of owners is what is creating the percieved large amount of Baby Birds availiable. The original owners are at the point that they are headed off into that drive in in the sky. There children may or may not cherish there parents cars.This would be the first realm of these cars becoming availiable. As I said many were saved over the years and a lot of these classics are now on the 5th plus ownership since they were built 58 years ago. There great cars unless you want to drive them. Rolling pieces of art work as I call them.Uncomfortable for long trips.Hot interior temperatures due to the exhaust manifold placements. and cant see if your over 5 - 11 due to the windshield top placement. Parts are expensive BUT they do reproduce almost everything for these machines. If your considering purchasing one I would suggest familiarising yourself with the usual rust locations and pitfalls of these cars so you spend your money wisely. Dont buy one with any fiberglass replacement parts (such as fenders,quarters and rockers) and the oddball colors usually bring more money on a resale.Make sure you get a real Ford convertable softop. The repro softops are nice but have no value. Mid 20s will get you a nice car if you know what you are looking at. The "E" and "F" models are much more expensive. Cool cars.I"ll have two or more till I"m done driving Oldmics[/QUOTE]