1956 Prices Very Cheap

[rdeleo]

Why are the baby birds so cheap. We are talking 60+ years old, many low mileage, and many are in good shape. So why are these beauties so cheap. I don't understand. Please start a thread on this. All input is welcome.

I bought it because I love old cars. And, in fact, the baby bird is in excellent condition. Yes it is almost immaculate, with a few exceptions. The most vexing is the wipers don't work. I have tried the brake fluid fix, no go. And there are some other small issues. But what I have discovered is that at 75 years old I can't work on a car like I used to...surprise. And I just haven't developed the enthusiasm I used to have. So I am probably going to sell. What I thought was a bargain seems to not be so. Always admired the 56 and thought this would be something new. Anyway, still shocked at the price these little jewels fail to make. Not complaining just discovering new aspects to later life.

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[Old Marine]

I have searched for an answer to this question but have been unsuccessful.

Why are the baby birds so cheap. We are talking 60+ years old, many low mileage, and many are in good shape. So why are these beauties so cheap. I don't understand. Please start a thread on this. All input is welcome.

Not really sure but my thoughts are that the younger generations (not all) don't want a car without power steering, power brakeas, air conditioning and needs to be maintained every 6,000 miles or so. HERITAGE, the younger generations (not all) don't know the meaning of that word or the word PATRIOTIC, their brains don't work like most of us over 50.

 

[tbird]

Not really shure but my thoughts are that the younger generations (not all) don't want a car without power steering, power brakeas, air conditioning and needs to be maintained every 6,000 miles or so. HERITAGE, the younger generations (not all) don't know the meaning of that word or the word PATRIOTIC, their brains don't work like most of us over 50.

The reality is people want to relive your youth. If you were 20 in 1956, that means you were born in 1936, late 80s. Less people that age to buy the cars.

The other factor is the popularity of the car when it was new. Since the Thunderbird outsold the Corvette 23:1 there are a lot more Thunderbirds in existence, supply & demand. This is why Corvettes are more expensive. Less supply.

 

[eboose7]

The fact is there is a shrinking demographic for cars from the 1950's. The number of people who remember these cars is smaller. That is one of the reasons for the failure to launch of the Retro Thunderbird. At car shows, young people pass by my fully restored '56 Thunderbird in favor of newer cars like Mustangs, Challengers and Corvettes.

 

[rdeleo]

What you are saying rings true. But, there are so many late 50s and early 60s car that are selling incredibly well. Oh well my luck to attach to a car that is ridiculously cheap to buy, and going down, but ridiculously expensive to fix. Maybe that's the real reason. Thanks for your responses.

 

[doug7740]

Oh well my luck to attach to a car that is ridiculously cheap to buy, and going down, but ridiculously expensive to fix. Maybe that's the real reason. Thanks for your responses.

The question is, did you purchase your T-Bird as an investment in wealth or as an investment in memories?

I purchased my 1955 Thunderbird 10 years ago, and I drive it approximately 1,000 miles a year. My wife and I have gone on many adventures by ourselves or with our Thunderbird club friends. I have taken my grandchildren on many rides through the park and even picked them up from school in my 1955 Thunderbird. Now that my grandchildren are in college and high school, the thrill of riding in a 1955 Thunderbird has faded, but the memories I have with them will never fade.

In 2021, I purchased a 2004 Thunderbird for my wife. We drove it from Ohio to Chicago to start our adventure on Route 66. It was a 13-day adventure from Chicago to Santa Monica. From there we took the northern route through Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin and back to Ohio.

We were on the road a total of 27 days, went through 15 states, and drove a total of 6,325 miles. The memories we made on that trip were priceless.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[74 Harley]

Well, a lot of them survived. And honestly they're lacking space if you are a tall person. Performance is ok, but nothing to really brag about. Lacking power features I don't think is really a price killer.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

I always liked the cars but part of what may hurt them is there are no current, modern Thunderbirds in appealing form.

 

[Grumpy Rick]

My 27 YO grandson WANTS my '55 , but has absolutely no interest in my 10,000 mile '05. I will probably be gifting the '55 to him in Texas in the next year or so.

On the other hand, my grand daughter will not allow me to take my 6 YO GG son for a ride in either car. No air bags in the '55, and neither has a back seat, apparently CA law will not allow a kid under 8 to ride in the front seat.....PERIOD, booster seat and belts or not.

The latest idea CARB has is to simply outlaw old cars. That one will go to the Supreme court.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

I agree with the granddaughter, air bags are a small part of modern safety equipment like ABS brakes, collapsible steering columns, side impact protection, crush zones, shoulder restraints, etc.. A reason why I try to dissuade parents giving their newly licensed 16 year olds a classic car to drive