Need to sell 56 t-bird

jhelgesen · 08-21-2007, 11:34 AM

Father in law recently passed away and I've been asked to take care of his 56 t-bird.

Beautiful car, he did a frame off resto a few years back, original color fiesta red, lots of chrome, etc. Didn't drive it much, just rubbed it with a diaper.

Anyone know good resources for estimating value and finding buyers for such a ride?

I'll get pictures up when I can.

widgeon13 · 08-21-2007, 11:47 AM

I know someone who is actively looking for T-bird, not certain if it's a 56 or what this friend wants but if you can send me pics I will get them to him.

I have to go out at 4:45 and will but will be back on later this evening or tomorrow AM.

jhelgesen · 08-21-2007, 11:50 AM

No prob, may be this weekend before I have pictures.

widgeon13 · 08-21-2007, 11:56 AM

Thanks, just sent you a PM w/ my email. Looking forward to details.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Try here...

http://www.intl-tbirdclub.com/classifieds.html

http://www.tbirdclub.com/

http://www.tbird.org/sites.htm

rouxroux · 08-21-2007, 03:05 PM

There was also a fellow with the last name of Minter who used to buy, sell & trade nice early T-Birds in Hemmings Motor News.

Tishabet · 08-21-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rouxroux

There was also a fellow with the last name of Minter who used to buy, sell & trade nice early T-Birds in Hemmings Motor News.

Hemmings motor news is the first place I would look for comparables.

jhelgesen · 08-29-2007, 04:57 PM

Took pictures over the weekend.

More at:

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x311/jhelgesen/tbird/

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Absolutely gorgeous!

strupgolf · 08-29-2007, 05:58 PM

One of my favorite cars of all time, I would like to have it. Good luck with the sale.

HardDrive · 08-29-2007, 06:08 PM

Beautiful. I would do a couple weeks of market research. Its worth building some sellers knowledge.

aigel · aigel's Garage

You should also go see one of the "toy store" consignment places in your area. Act like you want to sell it through them and have them give you their opinion on value. It will help you get it in the right ballpark. However, do NOT sell through them. They will make it easy for you but you will possibly take forever to sell and end up short. Also check Ebay's past auctions, for what that's worth.

Good Luck,

George

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

You open to trades

Evans, Marv · 08-29-2007, 08:32 PM

I remember seeing the '55 T-Bird when it came out at the L.A. car show. The one they had there was either mint green or a robin's egg blue. What a revolutionary looking car it was. Ford screwed up with the one they just built & discontinued (I think). Whereas the old ones had beautiful angular features, the new ones didn't have any shape at all. Whoever gets that one will be a lucky person.

Evans, Marv · 08-29-2007, 09:03 PM

By the way, I'm almost 100% sure that car is a 1955. It has the round turn signal lights. The '56 had the flat, oval lights, and the grill was different if I remember correctly. I think the '55 also had a 6 volt system and the '56 had a 12 volt.

jhelgesen · 09-03-2007, 04:47 PM

Hey Marv,

The vin on the car says 56, v8 with and overdrive, 215 hp, 12 volt and has the side vents. Interestingly the hard top does not have the port holes.

Probably going to list the car for sale, north of 40k.

Hugh R · 09-03-2007, 05:09 PM

Check out the thread I started on taxable gains on selling a car.

Advice from any Tax Guys on Sale of a Car

johnco · 09-03-2007, 05:10 PM

Gold Book Classic Car prices as of August 07

1955 FORD/THUNDERBIRD THUNDERBIRD 2D CONV (4,000/16,155 left)
Dsp/HP Eng Fair Good Exc Show Loan
292/193 V8 16,000 30,000 57,000 66,900 H 27,000
Ded: 1 Top $2,000

MRM · 09-03-2007, 07:56 PM

I also think it might be a 55. I thought 55 was the only year for the real continental spare tire. But I could be wrong. Check the vin with the T Bird junkies.

Don't sweat the tax consequences. If your relatives inherited it, they shoud take it at the new basis, which is what you could sell it for now.

What a beauty. Drive it. It will still be here when we're all gone.

Evans, Marv · 09-03-2007, 08:53 PM

I guess I stand corrected. I was sure I remembered the '56 T-birds had the flat-oval front turn signals. But I just did a Google image search for "1956 Thunderbird," and came up with a great thread of images of Fords from 1950 on. Looks like the '56 looked pretty much exactly like the '55 on the outside including the round turn signals.
My first car was a '55 Ford 2 door sedan, and I remember one of the few outside differences between the '55 & '56 was the turn signals.