50th Anniversary Edition

[jordsdad]

I am thinking, (only thinking) about selling my 50th Anniversary Edition Thunderbird. It has 6,300 miles. Perfect condition, except for the leather on the drivers side seat back, which has a blue stain across a couple of the panels, which i think came from a pair of blue pants where the dye off the pants stained the seat back. However, I am going to take it to a trim shop where i live to see if he can replace that leather. Anyway, does anybody have an idea of what my Thunderbird might bring? Thanks

[Gobird]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Gary, This isn't a smart remark but you get what you can get for it. My guess is $24,000 to $28,000. I may be on the low side here. As for the drivers seat, there is probably something you can get to clean this. I know others will chime in here.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Gary, This isn't a smart remark but you get what you can get for it. My guess is $24,000 to $28,000. I may be on the low side here. As for the drivers seat, there is probably something you can get to clean this. I know others will chime in here.

I would agree with Spence. $24,000-28,000 seems appropriate for a low mileage special edition 2005.

[islandtime]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Wow Gary - haven't heard from you in a long time! Actually I hope you keep your Bird. Before going the path of replacing the leather, try using basic saddle soap (I use this on my Cashmere/stone interior). If that doesn't work, graduate to a bit of Oxyclean gel. If it works, then treat it with Lexol leather protectant. If it doesn't work, ask a local dry cleaner how they get stains out of leather garments. They may have a solution for you that would be less expensive than replacing the leather. Also - new leather might not match up so well.
Best of luck!

[jordsdad]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Thanks Elle. I occasionally think about it, but then when i look at it with the cover off, and drive it, i come to my senses :) That sounds like a good idea about the dry cleaners, i have tried just about every type of leather cleaner, even took it to the dealership when it first happened, and they tried some ford leather cleaner and it didn't work, i actually thought it was a flaw in the leather, but i lost that argument. Yes, that is my worry, that if i can get new leather for it, that it won't match. The convertible top drives me crazy trying to keep it clean, especially on the sides, above the rear panel. I use Raggtop cleaner and protectant, but it really hasn't been driven or had the hardtop off for the last 2 years, untl about 2 months ago. I just ordered the Raggtop cleaner and protectant, as i was out of it. I appreciate your words of wisdom.

[islandtime]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

You're very welcome. That's what TBN is all about!

[Lonestar]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Gary - if you have a wet / dry shop vac then try using that on the top after using the cleaner. The cleaner will get the stuff in the fabric moist thus allowing the vac to suck it out of the fabric. I think the key to the light tops is to never lower them when wet (and it takes a very long time for them to completely dry after being in rain, car wash, etc.) and never lower it when dirty. You can also use the bleach method to clean the top as noted several times on TBN and those who have done that have reported good success.

After each washing I use my shop vac on the sides of my top and it looks literally like it did on day 1.

[Lonestar]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Oh, and I can tell you what one Ford dealership offered me on trade over the weekend... well actually I will not. But I will say the crusty used car appraiser made an offer and I told him I though he was a bit light. He basically said the only reason he made the offer he made was because the sales mgr wanted me to take the car I was looking at. He went on to say they could not sell the "things" when they were new and they can not sell them now. I politely told him that with the offer he had made he would not need to worry about selling it.

[merlot4]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

A dealer isn't going to come close to your offer unless they can make it up with profits on the new car and with profit on yours since it's far too nice to wholesale. Their market for such a car probably is somewhat limited in their area, however not in the internet market. You've had and enjoyed it for 5 years -and it looks great, so if the new car bug has bitten I would suggest selling it yourself to get what it's worth if you are willing to deal with that. Just remember that the market is a bit soft right now, so be patient. I wish I had something helpful to say about the leather, but I would definitely try the advice given on this thread. You might ask a high end detailer what they would propose as an alternative. Best of luck whether you sell or keep it.

[Bradford]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

He went on to say they could not sell the "things" when they were new and they can not sell them now. I politely told him that with the offer he had made he would not need to worry about selling it.

Sounds like they are not very good salesmen, obviously someone was selling them and someone was buying them, they all got sold! Not to mention the loyal enthusiast as proven by this website alone. I would be tempted to point that out to him. Put the a'hole back in his place.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

the leather on the drivers side seat back, which has a blue stain across a couple of the panels, which i think came from a pair of blue pants where the dye off the pants stained the seat back. However, I am going to take it to a trim shop where i live to see if he can replace that leather.

You might look into having the inserts dyed a shade of gray ???

[taflocks]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

just keep the car........ i regret every day selling my baby.

[merlot4]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Whoaa!! Tom, you replaced a Thunderbird with a pteratorn! That's a seriously nice bus though; you're still riding in excellent style.

(http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...1t:429,r:2,s:0)

[Bill Brown]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Try some WD 40 on it. Has worked in the past for me.

[jordsdad]

Re: 50th Anniversary Edition

Thank you to everybody on your suggestions, tips on both the seat and the cleaning of the top, i do appreciate it. Oh, and also on the possible sale. I won't be such a stranger anymore to the site.