Anyone willing to trade? ;)

[ArgonV]

So I've got a 2003 Red T-Bird, black soft-top (No hard top) with 100,100 miles. I've always loved the 1955-1956 body style (More so than the '57 honestly) which is why I bought the retro T-Bird I have now in the first place. I love my retro, and I love driving it which is why it has so many miles. It is a daily driver so it has some road dings, paint chips and scratches. It's not perfect. But I keep it garaged and it's washed at least once a week. I keep it well maintained, and do a lot myself (Brake pads, coolant fluid changes, oil changes, replaced many COPs). I am also going to have the back glass and cloth material replaced soon because the glass has started to separate a bit from the cloth and I'm going to replace the below-the-windshield plastic cowl piece as described here in my failing COP solution post. I did install a Harman/Kardon iPod system, a portable GPS and several after-market chrome trim pieces (Pics here).

Well, I really really really really really really want an original Little Bird. Anyone looking to trade a 1955/1956 daily/weekly driver for a 2003 daily driver? (Not looking for a garage queen here, something I can drive and won't beat myself up on if I get a small scratch or paint chip).

:)

[ArgonV]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

Ah well... It was worth the try! :)

[NebraskaBird]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

I have 04 but I am member of Nebraskaland Thunderbird Club Dedicated to the Classic 1955-1957 Thunderbird at http://nebraskalantbirds.org/index.html and there little birds sold there sometimes and if you do THE GOOGLE of classic TBird clubs you can find them but haven said that, I am unaware of any 55-57's that are driven daily. The ones I hear about are sold for about 33 grand, I know where there is Black for sale, I think a 57 I think it is for sale about 33grand.

Good luck on finding a daily driven or good one for less than 30grand

[THHNDR]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

DREAMER... but it never hearts to try...

[ArgonV]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

True true... I've looked at them on eBay, and you can get a pretty good conditioned 55-56 for $22k or more. Thanks for the info!

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

Jason, personally I think your 2003 Thunderbird would be easier to live with as a daily driver.

The 57 Thunderbirds can get a bit pricey, but I've definitely seen some decent 55-56 Thunderbirds on eBay in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. Most are older restorations with some wear but would probably meet what you're looking for. So keep looking around if you're serious but come up with a real plan rather than expecting a "trade".

[redbirdsal]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

If you're serious, this is a plan you want to think about long and hard.

I've been driving 50's Fords for about 18 years and am heavily involved in related Car Clubs for all that time. My son bought a '58 Ranch Wagon with intent to use it as a Daily. It just doesn't work out. There are just too many parts to fail with constant use. Most owners carry a lot of extra parts in the trunk.

I'll be glad to put you in touch with friends, and I'm sure Dot would, too.

Our Baby Birds are a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't want to rely on them for daily transportation.

[ArgonV]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

I do see your points. :) I currently live in College Station, and the commute to work is 5 minutes without traffic and 7 min with. The farthest place I would ever have to go is Houston and that is about a 2 hour drive and something I only do about 6 times a year. Plus, my wife has a Kia and we'd probably use that for drives over an hour. ;) How does the 55-56 hold up on a decent drive? And if you wouldn't mind what parts fail often?

Thanks for all the input! I was posting this on the off chance that someone might have been looking to get rid of their 55-56 T-Bird for something a bit more "modern". This plan will probably not pan out, so in the meantime I'm saving my $$$.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

I just pm'd you three guys who can answer your questions better than I can. I have relied on all three in the past.

Be sure to ask them what all you need to enhance your ride and drive (boosters, heavier sway bars, etc...)

[redbirdsal]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

I sent you a second email with a couple of suggestions that will require the assistance of Birdwings

[ArgonV]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

Thanks very much for the quick response! I will get some emails sent in the morning. :) Bed time now.

[Elijahbird7]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

For my '56, I always carry an extra fuel pump, coil, voltage regulator and resistor as well as 1 gallon of antifreeze, bar's stop leak, a quart of transmission fluid as well as a supply of tools, and a bottle jack just in case of a roadside emergency. In all of these years, I haven't had to use any of those things, as she's always gotten me there and back. The only mechanical thing that has happened in several years happened right in my driveway when I was putting her away for the winter. I had pulled the car about 3 feet out of the garage to sweep under the car and get it ready to put up on "skates" and slide against the wall. When I finished, I got back in the car, turned the key to start, and had a terrible grinding noise and nothing. The starter drive had sheared off. The problem was now, how to get it back in the garage, since the driveway slopes down hill. My '66 428 Bird sits directly behind the '56, so I got my tow strap, tied it securely under the front frame of the '66, tied the other end firmly around the rear of the frame of the '56, let the emergency brake off to let it roll ahead enough to get the slack out, then slowly backed up with the '66 to pull it back in the garage. If that strap had broken, she would have been on her way down the hill! Once back in the garage, I jacked it up, put jack stands under the front frame, and pulled the starter. Several teeth from the starter drive fell out in my lap. Quick order of a rebuilt starter and new drive from a Thunderbird supplier, and all was well, except getting that top bolt back in the starter. Anyone who has ever done this job will know what I mean, as it took several tries to finally get it back in.

[Ediron]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

The top bolt in a Ford starter boy does that bring back a memory.Had a '55 n 56 Ford .Both need starters it's enough to make you want to torch the car.But you do get better at it as you try.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

[quote=Elijahbird7;352804]For my '56, I always carry an extra fuel pump, coil, voltage regulator and resistor as well as 1 gallon of antifreeze, bar's stop leak, a quart of transmission fluid as well as a supply of tools, and a bottle jack just in case of a roadside emergency. In all of these years, I haven't had to use any of those things, as she's always gotten me there and back.

What is your advice to Jason on using a Baby Bird as a daily driver?

[ArgonV]

Re: Anyone willing to trade? ;)

Thanks Elijahbird7! Handy bit of info there. In my current retro T-Bird I carry a few COPs, a tool kit and a bottle jack (I hate the standard jack that came with the car). Also some stop leak and anti-freeze.