What's up with all these Birds for sale?

[jerrym3]

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

When I think back to the musclecar era in the mid/late 60's, we were buying new GTO's, 442's, Cyclones, Torinos, Chargers, 390 Mustangs, Camaros, and Road Runners at the ripe old age of 21.

Not a lot of retros Birds have been bought by 21 year old males.

Therefore, we probably will not see a "nostalgia" affect with these cars in the future.

On the good side, I really don't care. I didn't buy this car for my kids to make money.

I bought it because I liked it.

[Bradford]

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

I didn't buy it as an investment, I don't expect to get a premium for it when I sell. I'll just drive it till I'm tired of it.

[eboose7]

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

What we are seeing now--low mileage Retros being offered for sale--is really nothing new. I started noticing the trend about four years ago on eBay. Apparently, speculators brought '02 Thunderbirds in anticipation of making a profit. They stowed them away in heated garages waiting for the day they could sell for hugh profits. When it appeared that would not be the case, they began to unload them in an attempt to recover at least part of their initial investment. Keep in mind that in 2002 it seemed as if the sky was the limit for the these cars. But, like some many other things in life, that was not to be the case.

[Tbyrdy]

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

My only real complaint? I got married this year and my 6'7" barely fits... It's like taking Dino to the drive-in :)

Amen! I can't get the seat back far enough...this is a WOMAN'S car!

[MintTbird]

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

You must have a different model.... My woman's seat is on the right side....

[lasuvidaboy]

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

I'm not sure our 'Birds will ever become as desirable as the original 1950s/early 1960s models are today. The biggest difference between then and now is the demise of the car culture in the states. Car companies are well aware that most young people are not very interested in cars in general and who can blame them w/all the boring plastic boxes that have been manufactured over the last 20-years. If you are 30-years old, what car (other than some exotic) from your past do you dream of? A Toyota Camry or Chevy Celebrity? Also when the current buyers of muscle cars (those buyers were generally young boys or teenagers when those cars were new) start to die off, who will replace them in the collector car market? I see it with my classic car club and our aging membership base. The youngest member is around 40-years-old and fewer and fewer younger people are interested in cars from the 1950s, 60s, 70s or even later. There will continue to be a niche group for collectible and classic cars but I believe that niche will be far smaller than it is today.

[Tbyrdy]

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

You must have a different model.... My woman's seat is on the right side....

I must have a different model because I feel like a giant in it. The insides are small, but we didn't buy it for me, we bought it for my wife. She has to pull the seat up to drive it. I have to put everything back and I still don't fit!

[007Cruiser]

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

I'll just drive it till I'm tired of it.

I believe that this is what's happening. Original buyers are at the point where they have the "new car itch."

[JAB02LHS]

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

I believe that this is what's happening. Original buyers are at the point where they have the "new car itch."

Usually a small application of sticker shock cures my new car itch!

[BirdsAndBugs]

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

I believe that this is what's happening. Original buyers are at the point where they have the "new car itch."

I figure our current vehicle fleet is paid for and still has plenty of good miles left in them. Also, while there are certainly cars I like out there, I can't seem to get excited enough about any of them that would make me want to trade anything I have and take on a car payment.

[MintTbird]

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

just a joke...

[Rondor]

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?

I saw a Meecum last week either Iowa or indy and an '04 weent for $18.5K and it was nothinspecial with 53K miles. The commentators talked at length about this being a good buy on a soon to be collectableamd they have likely bottomed out. As I have said before, it may be awhile before they get up to original price but they will not likely go any lower.

[Larro]

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

Usually a small application of sticker shock cures my new car itch!

Same here!! The very few interesting cars out there are so expensive that a retro Bird with low miles at current prices looks like a bargain to me. If I had the money and the space I'd grab a couple more right now. How many interesting cars can you buy with low miles which are also modern and drivable for around $20-25K? I'd love a PCR or a Cashmere or a Bronze or all three.

[Tbyrdy]

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

just a joke...

...I know that...still like the car!

[Chuckster]

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.

It is a different era. In general, young people (high school & college age) hardly give ANY car a second look today. It's not an object of passion or beauty, it's an appliance to get them where they need to go. Back in the day, there weren't many teens who actually preferred a car with 4 doors.

So what might the profile of a Retro Bird collector look like in 50 years? That's assuming that there are still gasoline-powered cars and T-bird parts around in 50 years.