Untouched 1955 Ford T-Bird Garage Find

[Guest]

Is this car worth $20K, seems like a lot of work to restore it.







From the article:
The car seems to have been cared for extensively, despite being the every-day ride of the unknown lady for decades, before it was put away. Aside from the shabby finish and some paint bubbling, it is, as the Craigslist seller says, “a perfect candidate for an easy restoration.”

19 pictures and and details

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[simplyconnected]

I never met a total restoration that was easy or cheap.
Do you only replace half the bearings or half the rings?
Do you only paint part of the car?
Do you replace half the carpet or seat covers?

Any car that is fifty years old has materials from that period (which weren't very good compared to today's polymers) but the steel was twice as heavy.

1955 Fords had six volt, POSITIVE ground systems. Y-Blocks have their own issues, mainly with the oiling system.

Now the question becomes, do I keep it pure stock and park it in a garage? Or, do I molest the car and make it into something I can safely drive on today's roads, among modern traffic..? (Or, are we going to call, "Pimp my Ride"?)

The level of 'enjoyment' is subjective as each individual has his own standard. Personally, I wouldn't drive it or put my family in it, in pure stock condition.

I think you are wise to sell it as 'untouched' or 'unrestored'. You will get the most return on your money. Call Leno and ask if he needs another '55. - Dave

[DKheld]

There are plenty of "restored" cars to choose from out there.

Very seldom do you run across "real" original cars.

I've seen quite a few unrestored original cars bring as much as a nice restored driver.

JMHO.....

Eric

[paul274854]

# 1, it impossible to value a car just by looking at three pictures.

The proof is in examining it in detail. Obviously, it has been sitting for a while, which probably means a new brake system, a new fuel system (with carb rebuild) at the least. How about the underside - rust? An everyday car usually means rust, even in Arizona or California.

Owners descriptions usually can't be relied on. "Easy Restoration" is subjective.

From the looks of the engine compartment, the car wasn't especially cared for.

[YellowRose]

Untouched 1955 Ford T-Bird Garage Find

If you click on the link at the end of that post you will find 19 more pictures to look at.....

[simplyconnected]

I can't agree more with Eric and Paul, both raise profound truths. I err on the side of caution with the old Latin phrase, Caveat emptor or "Let the buyer beware".

I would expect a sixty year old car to be used at least during some chunk of time in its life. But... this car, unlike Squarebirds, has a full frame under it. That means it can be separated and restored 'right and proper' like, on a trunion (some call them rotisseries).

[Guest]

Is it better not to restore this car fully? would it have more value in original condition.

[scumdog]

IF I had the dough to spare I would buy it, do the minimum to get it safe and roadworthy and just plain drive it.
And fix things that 'conk out' as they happened.

If it wasn't thrashed it should go on for a long time like that.

[paul274854]

Ok - I missed the other pictures. But nothing in them changed my mind. The other pictures show almost nothing new,. No pictures of the sides of the car (quarters and rockers except for one rear quarter) and no underneath shots, where the bad stuff is liable to be.

If you click on the link at the end of that post you will find 19 more pictures to look at.....

[Joe Johnston]

I wonder what happened to this car and the original poster??