Vintage Cars: car value, 1955 ford thunderbird, ford thunderbird

Question
Hi.  I have a 1955 Ford Thunderbird. It was garaged most of its life, until the last 8 years, it has been under a canvas car cover, outside.  The original engine and trans. are out of the shell, and it has been completely stripped.  That is how I purchased it in 1989.  The liklihood or me being able to restore it is slim, so I'm looking to sell.  Obviously, I want top dollar, but need to be realistic.  I bought it for 7600, and have bought a second engine and trans. from a 1955 Sedan, same size -292.  Looks like the outdoors has crackeled some paint that was covering some bondo, and the right quarter panel has a small dent.  The interior needs replacing as well.  I have most parts in boxes.  Just from the sound of all this, what do you think it might be worth asking for it?

Answer
The price guides I have don't really list what would usually be called a #5 (non-running, but complete, needing complete restoration or a #6 (parts car, not complete and not really restorable) type of car.  What you describe would fall at #5 or between them.

A #4 car, running but needing restoration, but not rusty and useable as is is worth about $15,000 to $17,000 or so.

These values assume that the original driveline is with the car and is restorable.  If you put in the sedan engine, the value goes down by 25-40%.

This also assumes you do NOT have the removeable hardtop and that the convertible top is there and restorable.  If you have one of the performance engines, the value goes up a bit more.

Nobody can accurately give a value that is anywhere near precise from a distance, but I would say your car is worth about what you paid for it, maybe a couple thousand more.  

Color makes a difference.  Green, browns, worth less.  Red, Black or a yellow for instance, maybe more.  Options?  the more the better.

All the trim there and restorable?  Then worth more.  If the trim is missing and/or not restorable it is worth less.

How bad is the bondo and possible rust underneath?  The more rust, the less value.   

Any car stored outside, even covered will deteriorate a lot except maybe if stored in the Southwest in the dry.  and then wind/dust will get into everything.   

You can ask what you want, but it sounds like you may be able to come out even or a little better.  I would not look for more than $10,000 though if someone offers it I would take it and run!

Advertise it in Hemmings Motor News, and to Thunderbird clubs and see what happens.  You might try E-bay.

Don