I've found that the "Pompeii" cloth seats that I have are fairly rare. I can buy new vinyl for $600, all leather for $1600, but the vinyl/ cloth is $1200. I'm debating to go to all leather since its only $400 more, but the "numbers won't match" and I'm concerned that it will reduce the car's value.
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I'm concerned that it will reduce the car's value. -
If it was a convertible I would say it might make a difference but 64-66 hardtops have so little value in today's economy that you should only be spending money on it that you can afford to lose, not because you are thinking of reselling it. Sorry for the blunt assessment but the value of these cars continues to tumble and there's no sign that it will turn around anytime soon. I've been buying and selling Thunderbirds for almost 40 years and this is the worst I've ever seen. At least for sellers. It's great for buyers though.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
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Steve as has been discussed several times in the past your car / your choice. I suspect that you are buying these to improve the overall look of your interior and it is your preference. Personally, I would stay period correct to enhance the originality of your classic but that is my two centsDano Calgary,Alberta Canada
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58HT #33317
60 HT (Sold )Comment
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I think I'll go for the leather and stow the old covers in the attic...
When I started this project 25 years ago it was just an old car and therefore difficult to keep "above water" in the value department. I see them going for $20K and up now though so I can put some money in it and not worry about throwing it down the crapper. And I don't intend to sell it for quite some time, certainly much later than the 10 years or so that it will take to recover from our current economy so the value can only get better.Comment
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20K and up for a '64 coupe? You can't even get that for a '64 convertible. I don't know where you live but I can buy nice ones all day long for under $5000 if I wanted to. I haven't bought one in 10 years because I can't give them away. And if you expect the values to go up don't bet on it. The people that will pay big money for Thunderbirds are dying off more and more each year. The people who will be able to afford to pay big money for cars 10-15 years from now won't even look twice at a '64 Thunderbird coupe. Sorry for the blunt assessment. I've been buying and selling Thunderbirds for over 35 years so I think i have a pretty good idea what the value is.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
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I sure hope you're wrong.
NADA says $19,750 for a complete restoration. Maybe $20 is a little high. But then again we're in a crappy economy.
I disagree with the buyers market drying up. Guys that bought these cars when they were new would like to have them, sure, and of course that market won't be around forever. But that's not the only market out there. Young guys think old cars are cool. Why else would folks be buying cars from the 20's?Comment
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I go by real prices like auctions and resales. NADA never bought or sold a car. They sell publications. Check Ebay or Craigslist and you'll see what cars are bringing in the real world. As for cars from the 20's even at Barrett-Jackson auctions they're not bringing half of what they brought five years ago unless it's something exotic. I can buy a real nice '64 coupe tomorrow for $3000. How about I buy it and you can give me $10,000 for it. That's half of what NADA says. Do we have a deal?
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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I'm just trying to prove a point that just because a car is old doesn't mean it's worth throwing money at with the expectation that there's going to be a windfall at the end. Restore your car the way you want because you like it, not because you expect to make a profit. I've seen too many people lose their shirt restoring old cars. Just a word to the wise.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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Maybe its a Jersey thing, a disagreement must turn into a p*****g match.Last edited by YellowRose; September 25, 2012, 02:12 AM. Reason: Modified that expression...... Keep it clean....Comment
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