What's up with all these Birds for sale?

[Radleigh]

I watch the sale of TBirds very closely. For no reason other than I get to look at them.

But I have noticed an unusually large number of birds for sale that have double and triple digits on their odometer's. Cars with 63 miles on them. Or 225 miles.

Just wondering if anybody had any thoughts as to why at this moment, these cars that still have the plastic on the seats are suddenly all coming up for sale?

~Rad

[PaulD]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

The economy is biting some of those who had grand plans for a big premium for a collectable bird with low miles. They have finally decided that they guessed wrong and are cashing out.

[Gobird]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I would guess that these are going up for sale because people are tired of sitting on their money. They know or found out these cars won't be worth much as a collector car for many years down the road and times are tight now.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

For those who bought these cars as collectible investments, maybe they are realizing it will take many years for these ever reach a collectible status. There was a lot of enthusiasm for the Thunderbird when it first came out in 2002 but by the following year, they were discounting them to move units. I'm convinced that nice clean examples of our Thunderbirds will continue to maintain a decent value, but I'm not sure they will ever really become "collectible". Most articles you read now about these cars relate to what a disappointment they were and how they could have been so much more. Oh well, I'm happy with mine and I'll continue to enjoy them regardless.

[EllisonCal]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

In 1973 I went to Hershey, PA in the fall and saw a beautifully restored Red '32 Duesenberg. The owner had spent $40,000 to buy it in fairly rough but a complete car. He spent another $40,000 to restore it. 1955 - 57 Tbirds were not priced like the classics in those days. It will be more than 20 years before the 2002-2005s are truly the special cars we know them to be!

[keithwand]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Whenever I watch Mecum or Barrett Auctions they have Chevrolet SSR's, 1989 or so Mustangs, 2000 (?) Firebirds etc.
I think I even saw a Neon once.
Why no retro Thunderbirds?
Does everyone just sell it short and trade them in?

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I think everyone sells them privately and with good clean birds they mostly get the price they want. There are many examples of quick private sales at asking price or near asking price here on TBN.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

These cars are too complicated system-wise to ever garner big bucks. Just go through the plethora of complaint threads about operating issues.

They will never appreciate much in value unless their numbers dwindle...just drive them now and enjoy them!

[jerrym3]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Can you imagine trying a total restoration of these cars (or any of today's cars) in the years to come? Even low mileage cars will need replacement parts.

Unless there's a huge market, which there probably won't be, what company is going to invest in repro parts in the future?

Maybe a few very rich Jay Leno types will buy one for their personal museum, but I don't think the typical old car buff in 2036 will be that interested.

Also, old car guys with disposable dollars tend to like and buy cars from their youth, which is why today's musclecars are so popular. Retro TBirds never reached that popularity level with the younger crowd. (The owner's age poll shows that.)

As stated above, enjoy them now.

Use, don't abuse.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Can you imagine trying a total restoration of these cars (or any of today's cars) in the years to come? Even low mileage cars will need replacement parts.

Unless there's a huge market, which there probably won't be, what company is going to invest in repro parts in the future?

Maybe a few very rich Jay Leno types will buy one for their personal museum, but I don't think the typical old car buff in 2036 will be that interested.

Also, old car guys with disposable dollars tend to like and buy cars from their youth, which is why today's musclecars are so popular. Retro TBirds never reached that popularity level with the younger crowd. (The owner's age poll shows that.)

As stated above, enjoy them now.

Use, don't abuse.

OF THE CLASSIC BIRDS THAT WERE BOUGHT NEW, ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE AGE BREAK DOWN WAS? THE ONES I KNEW OF WERE ALL BOUGHT BY OLD PEOPLE, AT LEAST OLD TO ME AT THE TIME.

[V8 Cat]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Also, old car guys with disposable dollars tend to like and buy cars from their youth, which is why today's musclecars are so popular. Retro TBirds never reached that popularity level with the younger crowd. (The owner's age poll shows that.)

I think this is the biggest reason the retro Tbirds won't command big $ in the future. Younger people hardly give them a second look, exactly the opposite from the way I was when I was 16 to 20 years old and saw a 1955-57 Tbird.

[PaulD]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

I think this is the biggest reason the retro Tbirds won't command big $ in the future. Younger people hardly give them a second look, exactly the opposite from the way I was when I was 16 to 20 years old and saw a 1955-57 Tbird.

Must be a rice rocket with a megaphone exaust to get their attention today.

[jerrym3]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Even before I reached driving age in 1960, I'd gawk at cars like the 55/56/57 Chev, Olds, Mercs, early Corvettes and TBirds. (Even did a double take when the Edsel came out in 58.)

I didn't see that happening with the retro. Initial surge, and then nothing.

In 2002, you couldn't walk into a Ford showroom in north Jersey without tripping over a retro. Then, it quickly phased out.

Can you imagine a 55 Chev or Ford maintaing popularity for three years back then if all GM or Ford did in 56 or 57 was to offer different colors?

Except for 2003, that's basically what Ford did. Big mistake. (Same for the LS.)

Future car shows will most likely be comprised of rice rockets, BMWs, and some Corvettes.

[Jawjagrrl]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

OF THE CLASSIC BIRDS THAT WERE BOUGHT NEW, ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE AGE BREAK DOWN WAS? THE ONES I KNEW OF WERE ALL BOUGHT BY OLD PEOPLE, AT LEAST OLD TO ME AT THE TIME.

I was 35 when I got my '02 and it was love at first sight. I had a 94 mustang prior that I loved, but the style of the retrobirds spoke to a classic era I was sorry to have missed. I was probably younger than the typical buyer and it is still a conversation piece, largely with folks I meet a bit older than me.... But make no mistake, I still get comments asking about what it is every time I drive it.

I was working on a graduate degree in Advertising when the tide turned on them and I opted to do an account plan as a class project to figure out why ford missed the boat on a car I love and came up with a few ideas I will through out here:

Sales strategy: this was a more $$ car that ford salesmen were used to selling for the most part. They knew how to move a $40k suv or truck, but a roadster? With Lincolnshire on their lots these days there is a range that is more intuitive, but in 2002,there wasn't anything like this car out there and they just didn't know how to sell them or to whom.

Craftsmanship: early reviews zinged ford for using some cheap materials for a car at this price point, something we have all had to deal with. Within 24 months I had a vent cover fly out of thrash one cold day. The plastic plate around the shifter broke as well. I have had other minor issues since and I not e my husband's 94 town car interior looks more luxe and has held up better even at 7 years older.

Demographic: I wasn't sure they targeted the right age or gender with this car. When first got it,it seemed like every other owner I met was female and about.15 years older. Tedious research aside, I proposed this car should have been targeted as such.... The right hand ring for a woman ready to treat herself. The woman that wanted the freedom Nancy drew had when she read of the independent, roadster-driving teen detective of many of our childhoods. I know I dreamed of a car like that but it was a long time before they made one up to the task.

My fellow owners may bear me out differently, but I did get an A for the term :) I am disappointed a bit that these won't be a collective as many first thought. While I hate having paid a premium that first year, I am glad to have the color i do and the two-tone trim while people always notice. Only made one year, and I think the only other color I'd ever even consider is the coral. Saw one in palm springs and it was gorgeous even without halley berry in it!

Now that mY trunk is open and battery recharged, I plan to keep on driving it and not worry about the odometer. My only real complaint? I got married this year and my 6'7" barely fits... It's like taking Dino to the drive-in :)

[billm]

Re: What's up with all these Birds for sale?

Some TBirds are coming up for sale because of of the poor economy. I bought mine two years ago after the owner got into deep trouble and had to sell to raise some cash.

Back about '92 Mercedes came out with a V12 SL, the 600SL, A neighbor of mine was a collector, thought they would be a good investment and bought two at $125,000 each, and put them in his garage. After he saw the prices begin to fall, he tried to sell, finally sold one at $100,000, and just started driving the other one!
Car prices are fickle!

_______________________________// Bill