Collector Cars and the new Economy

[metallic]

give me some idea of what retro-modding might look like. Thanks.

[Sierra977]

give me some idea of what retro-modding might look like. Thanks.

Flared rear fender wells, Jaguar engine, wheels, suspension and brakes - drilled and slotted discs, EBS ceramic pads and braided stainless steel brake lines, Borla, CAI, engine dyno-tuned with SCT X4, transmission upgraded, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, rear diffuser from a Mercedes DTM car, de-badged and most chrome blacked-out, Ford prototype hard tonneau, custom grille, ground effects and some other things. Last week it worked well against a new $460,000 730hp Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster (to be honest, the Lambo driver was afraid of his car and I late-braked him into every corner).

[BLACK BEAUTY]

[BLACK BEAUTY]

[AZTB]

Flared rear fender wells, Jaguar engine, wheels, suspension and brakes - drilled and slotted discs, EBS ceramic pads and braided stainless steel brake lines, Borla, CAI, engine dyno-tuned with SCT X4, transmission upgraded, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, rear diffuser from a Mercedes DTM car, de-badged and most chrome blacked-out, Ford prototype hard tonneau, custom grille, ground effects and some other things. Last week it worked well against a new $460,000 730hp Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster (to be honest, the Lambo driver was afraid of his car and I late-braked him into every corner).

Well done, Newman...I really like this (not overkill, very clean)

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Paul here are a couple pics of a less radical mod approach. I've done some engine mods, SCT tuner and a lot of bling. Like Newman I've got slotted/drilled ceramic brakes with covers. Rear diff user, custom grill, custom tail lights, Flowmaster custom exhaust. I've got 2006 LS Lincoln Sport shocks, but NO Jaguar engine. That would cost as much as the car!

[11TH GEN]

Nicely done Newman.....Tasteful and subtle always works.

[merlot4]

I"m not sure where to post this, but this seems to be a reasonable place. Regardless of the owner (also gorgeous), this is really a fine looking TBird. It will be interesting to see how it sells, but considering the famed owner, it won't be a reflection of price on similar cars.

https://jalopnik.com/buy-marilyn-mon...per-1829325977

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...4uIOQqajCQADM:

[Gobird]

My Bird now has146,434 miles on the clock. Well worth the $40,000 I paid from new. Wouldn't sell It for the price I paid. Too many memories in this car..

[11TH GEN]

My Bird now has146,434 miles on the clock. Well worth the $40,000 I paid from new. Wouldn't sell It for the price I paid. .

I can say with 100% confidence, that's a bridge you'll never have to cross.

[Rondor]

Never been accused of being bred before, very interesting, if not offensive.

Not at all meant to be offensive. Garage queen owners are afraid to drive their cars and often have little car knowledge but lots of money. All of us probably are garage queen owners in that our retor's and any other cars we are passionate about stay in a garage. All Jay Leno's does but every one gets driven and enjoyed. i don't think there are as many of that type buyers as there was a few years back. They went to shows with cars in trailers today the big thing is cruise in's

[EllisonCal]

Not sure where you're getting your information. Any 1967 or older VW Bus commands a pretty good price. Restored 23 windows variations regularly go over $100,000. Definitely not a fad by any means.

The VW Bus market is peaking and hasn't yet declined, you're correct. When you look at how sales prices have escalated, it is a function of momentum by speculators in collectible vehicles. The people who associate with the era when these VWs were the Woodstock vehicle, the beach surfer vehicle, are still in command of the pricing at auctions. All I was attempting to say was that higher bids and sales contribute to the momentum. When and if, the prices of these vehicles start to decline then some other vehicle will be the star of the auction world. The classics that used to dominate the auction market (except the really rare Duesenberg Model Js and Sjs) have been superseded by the Boss 429s and the Hemi cudas and the Tri 5 Chevys.

[JerriLampon]

Interesting discussion. On the one hand, many '50s-'70s cars commanding high prices are being purchased by those who have the bucks and enjoyed them in their youth and want to touch that experience again..
The problem ahead for the 2002-5 Thunderbirds is that they were purchased by the already older crowd remembering the 'Birds of their youth they couldn't afford at the time.
The problem arises because there won't be a "nostalgia" market ahead for the Retro 'Birds. No longing for the good old days they spent in their 2005 Thunderbird 30 years ago in their youth.

[EllisonCal]

Interesting discussion. On the one hand, many '50s-'70s cars commanding high prices are being purchased by those who have the bucks and enjoyed them in their youth and want to touch that experience again..
The problem ahead for the 2002-5 Thunderbirds is that they were purchased by the already older crowd remembering the 'Birds of their youth they couldn't afford at the time.
The problem arises because there won't be a "nostalgia" market ahead for the Retro 'Birds. No longing for the good old days they spent in their 2005 Thunderbird 30 years ago in their youth.

I was 64 when I bought my 2005 Thunderbird, so I guess you're probably right, when I'm 94 (possible though unlikely) I probably won't be bidding on another Thunderbird at some auction. And you are also right that it was a 1956 Thunderbird that I drove,when I was 16 in 1958, that made me lust after the retros. But there are youngsters who would never consider a 1955-1957 Thunderbird today that may view the 2002-2005 the way we do the baby birds. Our cars have many of the things that are essential to the people looking for a fun car. Let me list a few of these: A convertible top that is truly leak proof, an air conditioning system that isn't fighting a hot cockpit, a modern 5 speed overdrive automatic trans., and a comfortable yet sporty ride. I hope to see our cars being appreciated in the years ahead but it is more likely that my children will be the ones to see that appreciation by new fans.

[2K2BIRD]

I think some day in the not so distant future all of these baby boomer and older folks that are paying these really high prices for muscle cars, sports cars and rare classics are going to get stuck holding the bag (or more likely, their estate will). As we've discussed many times in the past the young folks of the last 10 to 20 years have far less interest in automobiles than we did as kids. I have two grandkids (one male, on female that live in different parts of the country) that are 17+ and haven't even gone to take their drivers tests yet. When we were their age that would have been heresy.

I hope everyone that bought their retrobird new has gotten their money's worth out of them by now, whether by driving it or looking at it. I can only speak for myself and probably the Cherokee Princess ... the enjoyment we've received from owning it far exceeds the $40K plus maintenance costs we've spent on it. Anything else going forward is gravy.