I have a old 1978 thunderbird (the big boat like cars) with a TBar roof, limited edition sitting out at my grandparents the last 12+ years.. Would it be worthwhile restoring it? There wasnt that many Tbars limited editions made, This would not be a quick restore, one I would do over the next few years, Would it be worth investing money into one of them or should I let the old girl go out in peace?
If I restored it, it would be from a ground up full restore.
Not classic today, but a lot of stuff from the 60's and early 70's that no one gave a second glance are worth big bucks today. If you like the car, restore it. But, never restore a car expecting to sell it to make money. You'll almost always lose money. Restore the car because you want to.
I'm going to be restoring a '92 Mercury Grand Marquis. Why the heck would I do that when it's the type of car I'd never buy and you can buy them a dime a dozen (well, they're easy to find, if not always cheap)? It was my father's car and it has sentimental value.
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10:10 PM
stimpy Member
Posts: 8197 From: Salinas, CA Registered: Jan 2000
I say give it the full on "Huggy Bear" edition treatment; faux fur interior, bright gold and green paint (gold for the honies, and green for the money!) side pipes, True Spokes, 8 track player with plenty of Ohio Players and Barry White, B&W TV with Betamax!
------------------ Member of the Year One OG's
quote
Originally posted by shop_rat45: It's much better than head cheese.
Not classic today, but a lot of stuff from the 60's and early 70's that no one gave a second glance are worth big bucks today. If you like the car, restore it. But, never restore a car expecting to sell it to make money. You'll almost always lose money. Restore the car because you want to.
I'm going to be restoring a '92 Mercury Grand Marquis. Why the heck would I do that when it's the type of car I'd never buy and you can buy them a dime a dozen (well, they're easy to find, if not always cheap)? It was my father's car and it has sentimental value.
He's right. How I wish I still had my '75 Impala in restorable condition! A good specimin is worth its original sticker price, at least!
And at some car shows i've been seeing '70s cars being restored by younger guys--18-20-ish. So it's a growing segment.
A friend of mine had a '77 T-bird and it was a pretty nice car. I'd say go for it, but expect to hold onto the car for YEARS before it appreciates enough to make it a worthwhile investment....
Not classic today, but a lot of stuff from the 60's and early 70's that no one gave a second glance are worth big bucks today. If you like the car, restore it. But, never restore a car expecting to sell it to make money. You'll almost always lose money. Restore the car because you want to.
I'm going to be restoring a '92 Mercury Grand Marquis. Why the heck would I do that when it's the type of car I'd never buy and you can buy them a dime a dozen (well, they're easy to find, if not always cheap)? It was my father's car and it has sentimental value.
Absolutely. For example, what is a used Fiero worth? less than most of us put into them, no doubt. Don't bother unless you love the car. Otherwise, sell it thru Hemmings or E Bay.
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12:40 AM
Liquid-Reality Member
Posts: 2031 From: Fredericktown, MO Registered: Aug 2003
Originally posted by Formula88: ...If you like the car, restore it. But, never restore a car expecting to sell it to make money. You'll almost always lose money. Restore the car because you want to...
Exactly! I don't think it will ever be worth big bucks, but I can appreciate the "cool factor". It was a car that was comfortable for four (at least) people, even on long trips. You should be able to find mechanical parts forever. Unless I'm mistaken, it's based on the early 70s Torino platform. (I could be wrong, though.)
By "T-bar roof", did you mean like the one in the picture above? Or does it have T-tops? (If it has T-tops, it would be the first one I've ever seen.
Regardless... Have fun!
------------------ Raydar 88 3.4 coupe........... Coming soon... 88 Formula, presently under the knife. Read Nealz Nuze!
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-27-2004).]
Go for it! I have a 1975 El Camino SS that I am about to restore. 73-77 are the forgotten years of the A-body, but there are enough freaks out there (just like us Fiero guys) that I can still get all the parts I need. Get on the big-assed boxy Thunderbirds of the late 70's forum and start shopping!
P.S. I drove a 1975 T-bird with a 460 back in college. It was a hand-me-down from my granfather. Green with a white top and green leather interior. It was pimpalicious.
------------------ 1986 SE 350 V8
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09:01 AM
PFF
System Bot
ED's85GT Member
Posts: 1054 From: Statesville, NC. Registered: Feb 2002
He's right. How I wish I still had my '75 Impala in restorable condition! A good specimin is worth its original sticker price, at least!
Ed
What's so special about them? I have a '74 impala that has too many new parts (Motor has less than 8,XXX tranny came from a '96 chevvy truck, completely rebuilt front end, new dual exhaust etc etc etc) and couldn't sell it for 2000.00 had a lot of people look at it, but none of them had the money.
I will need to get out to where its stored at (my grandparents) and take some photos of it and give it a quick going over to see what I need to do to get her mobile so I can move her to the garage..
I JUST sold mine. Though, mine didn't have the T-tops. And it was only the 302 engine, so not only was it a gas hog, but it was dog slow too.
As for if you should restore it or not... that depends what you want it for. And only you can make that call. I personally enjoyed working on mine, just didn't have the space or interest to keep it.
Member of the Year One OG's
I like the idea of her being in a drivable tank 
