General => General Fox T-Bird/Cougar Discussion => Topic started by: Beau on May 16, 2010, 02:59:40 AM
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Beau on May 16, 2010, 02:59:40 AM
Coupla days ago, at work, a truck driver offered me 3 grand for the sport. Started out as an innocent convo about my ever-present Ford hat, and ended up with him telling that he once owned an '88 TC, and always wanted another '88. I mentioned that I had a Sport, with a buncha stuff swapped and changed, and he lit up like Time's Square on New Years.
Asked me if I wanted to sell, and I said no, not really, have a lot of blood, sleepless nights, and memories with it...so then he asked the million dollar question;
If I was to sell it right now...what would be my bottom dollar?
I thought about it for a couple of minutes, and said "I'd like 3,000 for it, and some other stuff would go...IF I was selling."
He told me to keep him in mind when I was ready to let it go...I told him that "if" is only 2 letters, but such a big big word, lol.
Yeah, I'm probably stupid...I just feel that the journey isn't over yet...still roads to explore, literally and metaphorically. I explained this to him, and he seemed to understand what I meant. He left it at that, and told me to have fun with it, and to keep an eye out for a nice TC for him to play with lol.
I gave him the url for the board...hope he drops by soon :D
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: vinnietbird on May 16, 2010, 07:23:03 AM
$3,000 wouldn't even touch my Sport.I don't know the book value,but after all I've put into it,the time,thinking,troubleshooting,effort,fabrication,parts hunting,and the actual building of it (which is still going on),and I have WAY to much sentimental value in it as well. $3,000 sounds like good money,but it's really not that much.If one were to sell off their car that they built and loved for 3 grand,in no time,the money would be gone,and so would the car.I've seen people sell out for less,only to regret it shortly there after.......there's always regret.Forget that guy ever existed,if you have his info written down,throw it away.Get rid of any temptation you may have to end up setting yourself up for big disappointment later.Good job not letting your Sport go.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: 88turbo on May 16, 2010, 09:55:07 AM
Quote from: vinnietbird;322051
$3,000 wouldn't even touch my Sport.I don't know the book value,but after all I've put into it,the time,thinking,troubleshooting,effort,fabrication,parts hunting,and the actual building of it (which is still going on),and I have WAY to much sentimental value in it as well. $3,000 sounds like good money,but it's really not that much.If one were to sell off their car that they built and loved for 3 grand,in no time,the money would be gone,and so would the car.I've seen people sell out for less,only to regret it shortly there after.......there's always regret.Forget that guy ever existed,if you have his info written down,throw it away.Get rid of any temptation you may have to end up setting yourself up for big disappointment later.Good job not letting your Sport go.
I agree, you have put alot into the build and you have it just about to where you want it and there are more things to learn... dont let it go. I was thinking about selling the red bird I have so I could get the car I have been looking for, for a very long time. 1979 thunderbird t-top grey on grey. but couldnt do it ;)
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: xjeffs on May 16, 2010, 09:56:32 AM
Yeah, it would almost have to be the cost of parts and labor for someone to build another one.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Beau on May 16, 2010, 01:44:37 PM
I don't think I have 3k into it, not that i've really cared OR have been keeping track of money spent, it's pretty much been my goal for 10+ years to have a (somewhat) fast V8 Tbird that handles well...and I'm pretty close to getting to that point, I KNOW I'd be heartbroken not long after it rolled down the road out of my life.
Money never lasts, but a good car does. ;) Thanks fellas...y'all just wiped away what little doubt-regret-wistfulness I may have briefly had...:bowdown::rollin:
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Whiteboy on May 16, 2010, 02:03:05 PM
lol I would sell mine for 3000. thats because I know I can buy a straighter body for less and have a profit because i havent put anything on yet except for little stuff i can change out fast. If i sold my tbird like it sets in my driveway right now for 3000, I'd prolly come out on top about 1000. (counting the labor for just changing my heater core last weekend)
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: vinnietbird on May 16, 2010, 02:13:21 PM
I couldn't handle knowing someone else was driving the Sport that I built.I'd feel somewhat violated.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: fluke on May 16, 2010, 03:08:17 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;322077
I couldn't handle knowing someone else was driving the Sport that I built.I'd feel somewhat violated.
Ditto. Everytime I see a pewter WS6 in the area here I'm checking for performance brake rotors and visible suspension goodies and checking if its mine.. :( I'm still torn up about that car. I only traded it because of financial problems that weren't my fault that got resolved just 2 months later (could have paid her off in FULL...). It's heartbreaking to see your car go.. especially one that you've always wanted and had.
I've had two friends try to buy my Turbocoupe at different times and I almost sold it and backed out every time. I just couldn't go through seeing a THIRD built car of mine drive off in front of me. :shakehead
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: vinnietbird on May 16, 2010, 03:11:31 PM
That's usually what happens.People in general get in a bind and then feel desperate and sell off what's important to them,only to regret it a lot later.The Sport is family.Now my wife's chihuahua,I'd sell that dog in a minute.LOL............if I didn't have to deal with Gayle afterward.LOL.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Beau on May 16, 2010, 05:05:13 PM
I had a four-eyed Stang coupe....traded it for my first Tbird.
I have a permanent indentation in my ass from my own foot. I'll not make that same mistake again.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: FLSTCI71 on May 16, 2010, 09:07:35 PM
As I've mentioned before, I still have the 69 Torino that I used in 1978 to pick up my wife for our first date. I have NEVER regretted keeping that car. Moral of the story - Keep the Sport!!
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: daminc on May 16, 2010, 09:33:59 PM
after all my body work, paint, new motor, and everything extra I put in my car, I'd have to say about 17 grand would be my bottom price.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: vinnietbird on May 16, 2010, 09:59:01 PM
Quote from: daminc;322151
after all my body work, paint, new motor, and everything extra I put in my car, I'd have to say about 17 grand would be my bottom price.
Holy moly !!!! You'll have to keep it FOREVER !!!
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: daminc on May 16, 2010, 10:02:06 PM
that's my plan
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: T-BirdX3 on May 16, 2010, 10:14:12 PM
Quote from: FLSTCI71;322139
As I've mentioned before, I still have the 69 Torino that I used in 1978 to pick up my wife for our first date. I have NEVER regretted keeping that car. Moral of the story - Keep the Sport!!
HeHe, I still have the TC I took my wife to the high school prom with.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Watchdevil on May 16, 2010, 10:25:09 PM
Quote from: FLSTCI71;322139
As I've mentioned before, I still have the 69 Torino that I used in 1978 to pick up my wife for our first date. I have NEVER regretted keeping that car. Moral of the story - Keep the Sport!!
That is awesome! And yeah everyone listen to the moral!
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: HAVI on May 16, 2010, 10:26:48 PM
I almost sold my '78 f150 once for $600. For the reasons mentioned above: desperation. I'm glad I didn't, even if it's been a lawn ornament for 13 years now, lol.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Whiteboy on May 16, 2010, 11:46:14 PM
I REALLY REALLLY regret selling my old white one for the last couple weeks, i miss the rims, side skirts, EVERYTHING i want that wouldve been cheap, i wanna find that guy and call him back but idk his name or anything, he just wanted the engine....
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: FLSTCI71 on May 17, 2010, 08:57:55 PM
Quote from: daminc;322151
after all my body work, paint, new motor, and everything extra I put in my car, I'd have to say about 17 grand would be my bottom price.
You better be careful tossing numbers out. It's obviously not worth that much yet, but in a few years, who knows? Plus, if it got advertised like Foose or Boyd, "This is the famous daminc car!!" The sky would be the limit on that bidding. :D
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: daminc on May 17, 2010, 10:23:49 PM
You never know what will happen... in 20 more years, our little group may own the only couple hundred Fox birds and cats left on the planet. They could sell as high as $4000 on the collectors market by then.
Then again... there may only be a couple hundred left right now. Does anyone have a way to actually keep track of the cars in existence? They come and go so fast around here.
Got another one for you Mike... "You never know what's in the pickle barrel, until you get the lid off"
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Beau on May 18, 2010, 04:23:00 AM
There's surely as hell more than a coupla hundred...I mean, c'mon, I've had 4 1988's since 1999, and you know me...I very likely paid less for all combined than what Vinnie has into his wheels, or Jerry has into the metal on his car :rollin:
Mostly just kidding, but one thing is "for s"; our cars' numbers are dropping every day.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: birdman7 on May 18, 2010, 06:40:15 AM
you know what really ticks me off:beatyoass::beatyoass:!! is when jefthro from the backwoods wouldnt offer you s price for your ride!! whats he think it is a ...chevy?:D
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: daminc on May 18, 2010, 07:32:03 AM
Well, just looking at the active member list at 438 and figuring an average of 1 car per member (some don't own one at the moment, or are looking)... or......Even if we say there are 5000 left on earth at the moment, or even 10,000 fox birds & cougars combined, with maybe 1/3 of them about ready for the s yard. It's still a low number I think.
I'm just rambling on my first cup-O-coffee. lol
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: thunderjet302 on May 18, 2010, 01:26:29 PM
There's got to be more than 5,000-10,000 left. Ford made close to 800,000 T-birds alone between 1983 and 1988....
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: daminc on May 18, 2010, 03:50:46 PM
Quote from: thunderjet302;322346
There's got to be more than 5,000-10,000 left. Ford made close to 800,000 T-birds alone between 1983 and 1988....
Where are they? You never really see any ;)
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: T-BirdX3 on May 18, 2010, 04:17:12 PM
There seems to be a good many of them around here. I have four TC's and didn't spend much time looking for them. Dad has two TC's. We have several v6 and v8 cars for parts. The local yard has several sitting side by side, only one of them a TC though. Besides the ones I see cruising local, and this isn't a highly populated area.
So I can't say they are everywhere, and I am sure they are harder to find compared to years gone by. But I don't necassarily put them in that rare category.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: hypostang on May 18, 2010, 04:31:07 PM
Quote from: daminc;322354
Where are they? You never really see any ;)
Once you come down below the Arctic circle they become less rare , below the Mason Dixon especially :hick:
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: vinnietbird on May 18, 2010, 05:39:02 PM
It's hard to tell how many are left.I'd guess not a lot.These weren't like Stangs.These were built and designed for people around 40 and up,and that was 25 years ago.I know there is a following,but a very small one.I figure by now,more than half have been sent to their demise.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Whiteboy on May 18, 2010, 10:15:28 PM
I look almost every night in ALLL of the big citys of the midwest and southern states (i dont look in the northeast because if there are some the chance of them being rusty is more.) I found a good looking Bird in Vegas and one in Memphis, but other than that there arent any....
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: Haystack on May 19, 2010, 10:06:00 PM
There everywhere, there just all under car covers or in barn or sitting in someones backyard. Case in point http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=0&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=2473213
They had another ad with pictures, I think it would rival just about anyones car here as far as factory stock goes. I generally see three or four a year with under 75,000 miles on them. People just think there worth gold.
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: FLSTCI71 on May 19, 2010, 11:01:11 PM
Ford also made over 15,000,000 Model T's, but you don't see too many of those around anymore either. :D
Title: shoulda...coulda...woulda...
Post by: MY83T on May 20, 2010, 02:13:25 AM
I think the numbers of cars are relatively low considering the fact these were daily driven cars for most people. Every now and then you see a investment grade car come up for sale, but they are rare. These cars just dont have the broad "Mustang" and hot rod appeal. Which is why i have always liked them, and Torino's too. They always stand out at a car show. I think there are many more Fox birds out there than realized......I am very into Torino's and there seems to be a never ending supply of these cars, and these are 10-15 years older than the Fox birds. If we all plan on hanging on to these cars, now is the time to d parts. sheet metal etc...cause you will never see anyone re-popping any parts for these cars, unless they are common to the Mustangs of the same years. I search the internet high and low and there are deals to be found. i recently scored a complete set of body side mouldings for my car (NOS) and paid $100 bucks for the set. Also, scored a NOS grill in the Ford Box for $75. You just have to be persistent.