CarlLaFong Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have a one word answer for those that equate rare and valuableYUGO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Leroyboy597 Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 So what I get from most of the comments here is the featured and numbered cars, in the Retro TBird line, like the NM and the 007, are not rare or worth any more than any other TBird from those years, even a one of one. And that's OK with me. I just don't agree with the idea that a 2002 NM is rarer and worth more than a 2004 one of one because it's not a featured numbered car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Bottom line is my 1 of 1 is a nice little Black Ford roadster with red and black leather seats, V-8 engine and dual exhausts. And I love it!That should be reason enough for anyone to admire it ;whether it's one-of-one or one-of-millionHave fun with it !Show us some more pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Guy Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I just don't agree with the idea that a 2002 NM is rarer and worth more than a 2004 one of one because it's not a featured numbered car.Just because something is "rare" (or even one of a kind) doesn't mean it's valuable or "worth more." Rarity can help drive value up, but is not the only factor by any means and plenty of rare stuff isn't terribly valuable at all. Just don't put too much stock in something being "rare..." there's more to it than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_a Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Rare and desirable in a car is great when you can find it. If that's what you want try to buy a Mercer Raceabout or a pre-1916 Pierce-Arrow. I'll predict that a car like yours will be quite the find in 40 years and cost more than garden-variety 2000-2009 Corvettes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) a 2004 T-Bird is one year newer than the newest car I own (my daily driver 2003 Durango). If, I was in the market for a 2004 I would use NADA as my guide. Here's what the NADA guide says what I might expect to pay for a hypothetical 2004 TBird with 42,000 miles. [TABLE=class: tbl-pricing used-pricing, width: 630]<tbody>[TR][TH=align: right] [/TH][TH=class: help, align: right]RoughTrade-In[/TH][TH=class: help, align: right]AverageTrade-In[/TH][TH=class: help, align: right]CleanTrade-In[/TH][TH=class: help, align: right]CleanRetail[/TH][/TR][TR][TD]Base Price[/TD][TD=align: right]$7,625[/TD][TD=align: right]$9,300[/TD][TD=align: right]$10,700[/TD][TD=align: right]$13,850[/TD][/TR][TR=class: heightNew][TD]Mileage (42,000)[/TD][TD=align: right]$4,375[/TD][TD=align: right]$4,375[/TD][TD=align: right]$4,375[/TD][TD=align: right]$4,375[/TD][/TR][TR=class: tbl-pricing-total-new][TD]Total Base Price[/TD][TD=align: right]$12,000[/TD][TD=align: right]$13,675[/TD][TD=align: right]$15,075[/TD][TD=align: right]$18,225[/TD][/TR][TR=class: heightNew][TD]Options: (change)[/TD][TD=align: right] [/TD][TD=align: right] [/TD][TD=align: right] [/TD][TD=align: right] [/TD][/TR][TR=class: option-row][TD]Hard Top[/TD][TD=align: right]$400[/TD][TD=align: right]$400[/TD][TD=align: right]$400[/TD][TD=align: right]$450[/TD][/TR][TR=class: tbl-pricing-total-new][TD]Price with Options[/TD][TD=align: right]$12,400[/TD][TD=align: right]$14,075[/TD][TD=align: right]$15,475[/TD][TD=align: right]$18,675[/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]link; http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2004/Ford/Thunderbird-V8/Convertible-2D Edited July 2, 2014 by bhambulldog added link (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac59 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It's a conversation starter. On something that new that was collectible right off the bat, it's not going to push the value much. It's not like it's some 1-of-1 Hemi convertible stick shift A/C power windows car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 The real question is, is this 10 year car appreciating in value or is it still depreciating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I remember the 76 Eldo very clearly because at the time it was going to be the "Last Convertible". My dad ended up getting a very nice one in 77. If my numbers are right, it was around 25k to buy a nice low mileage car in 77. That was quite a premium on the new car price of 15k. These days I think you can buy the best one in the world for 25k. The real value of today's 25k in 1977 dollars is probably around 12k so things have not only not gone up, but backwards. My first lesson in "Instant Collectibles". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I remember the 76 Eldo very clearly because at the time it was going to be the "Last Convertible". My dad ended up getting a very nice one in 77. If my numbers are right, it was around 25k to buy a nice low mileage car in 77. That was quite a premium on the new car price of 15k. These days I think you can buy the best one in the world for 25k. The real value of today's 25k in 1977 dollars is probably around 12k so things have not only not gone up, but backwards. My first lesson in "Instant Collectibles".I think that's where these Thunderbirds will end up. EVERYONE bought it as a collectable and they all have relatively low mileage. There will always be more for sale than there is demand for them and prices will stay low. That's not to say they're not pleasant cars with a great look, but it's a mistake to call them an investment or count on rarity adding value. They'll always be worth about what they're worth now and if you want one, you'll always be able to get a nice one in just about any color you want.Come to think of it, it's almost EXACTLY like the original Thunderbird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 If you want to know what a rare, 1 of 1 car looks like check out this Kisselhttp://forums.aaca.org/f169/1924-kissel-model-6-55-victoria-375033.htmlThis is the kind of car that gets collectors excited.Don't be discouraged, keep your Tbird in top shape and in 50 years it will be just as big a collector item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 The real question is, is this 10 year car appreciating in value or is it still depreciating?In 2004 my Dad toyed with the idea of buying a new T-Bird. My Mother nixed the idea because the TBird wouldn't have room to give grandchildren a ride. Dad got a new 2004 Lincoln TownCar instead. That Town Car has lost more than 80% of its value. In comparison, The 2004 T-Bird is doing much better in maintaining value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Bulldog, a "Birds nest option" might have been the answer but even back in 2004 it would have been unthinkable by the safety police to put the grandkids in a contraption like this, from a '57 Tbird: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 The t-bird to town car is not really a fair comparison as one is a collectible and one is an every day car. When I think of t-birds I think of Suzanne Sommers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 (edited) The t-bird to town car is not really a fair comparison as one is a collectible and one is an every day car. When I think of t-birds I think of Suzanne Sommers.My mention of the Town Car was to show how a purchase choice between two different 2004 cars that had divergent directions in value. Most (all?) that bought the retro T-Birds were buying the new car as a collector car. And, that is what they remain today, a collector car. It goes without saying, that is a reason they hold the value.A Town Car contrastly is just another car, as you said.I think the comparison is applicable because, It was a real choice that my Dad made. Between purchasing a T-Bird and a Town Car. Edited July 3, 2014 by bhambulldog sp (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhambulldog Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Bulldog, a "Birds nest option" might have been the answer but even back in 2004 it would have been unthinkable by the safety police to put the grandkids in a contraption like this, from a '57 Tbird:I think I remember seeing one of those many years ago.... I don't know if Mom would put her grandchildren in that seat....Maybe she would have put Dad back there .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Sorry, I somehow missed you were comparing two cars from the same year which means I get your point now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 It is rare that you would miss that A.J. - I fear Suzanne Summers must have clouded your judgement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest my3buicks Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Nice ones are still demanding very good money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Steve, my reading comprehension seems to be diminishing with age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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