Rare Item on Ebay

[Leroy]

Spotted this on Ebay today. Item # 190340162949 is a TBird Wait Kit that was sent out to people that had ordered a new TBird and were put on back order. First I've ever seen or heard of anything like it. The guy that has it listed said it came with the used car he bought. Opening bid is $225.00, no bids yet with six days to go. For the TBird owner that has everything. Leroy

[SixPac]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Not really a rare item. I have two of them...one WW and the other TB. Ford issued these sets under what is now known as the "Thunderbird Collection". The only way to initially get it was for your dealer to pay Ford $49 and have your name put on the list to receive one.

At one time these collections were selling for $1,000 to $1,200 on the secondary market. Now you can buy them for $200 - $250.

[Skip]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Leroy:

These show up from time to time on this site as well as ebay. The price seems probably on target, but Dot would be a better source to verify this. The color of the model car is often a big factor in the selling price. If the model car in this set was white, you there likely would be some strong bidding. But, at least one person thinks it is worth $225.

Skip

[rmarshal]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Price is right, but it doesn't have the 'vellum' cover letters that came with each box. Still, they are fun for those who want as much documentation with their 2002 as possible.

[My Raven]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

It is amazing how the price of these have dropped ... Remember as Charley stated people were in bidding wars for them into the thousands of dollars?

I placed a TR one last year on EBay for $150 with no takers ...

[Skip]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Joe:

I think some folks still don't know what they are. Especially new owners.

Skip

It is amazing how the price of these have dropped ... Remember as Charley stated people were in bidding wars for them into the thousands of dollars?
I placed a TR one last year on EBay for $150 with no takers ...

[My Raven]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Per Skip's suggestion here are the pics from Dot's sight which show the contents of each of the five boxes sent to "Manage The Wait" as the set as come to be known.

With a delay in production FoMoCo sent these boxes over a select period of time to folks who had placed an order for a 02. Each set was tailored to match the color of the Bird the purchaser had ordered.

The first 3 mailings in order are pictured below:

[My Raven]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Pictured below are the last 2 of the 5 box set: When lined up side by side they formed the Thunderbird logo shown in the last picture.

Per Dot's site, here is more trivia on the box sets:

Trivia - Someone asked about #'s produced of this collection - unknown to me but would be less than 18,000.

Since it could also be divided by color of your car:

less that 200 for the NM owners (why less? - Most owners never got them)

approx 1/3 went to owners of black cars

approx 1/10 went to owners of white cars

approx 1/9 went to owners of yellow cars

The rest would have gone to owners of blue or red cars.

If there are any stat. experts that have access to the actual #'s produced, I would appreciate knowing

This Set continued to be offered as Door Prizes at various Ford and Thunderbird events thru 2005.

This set was produced by the Walter J Thompson advertising agency and won the IAAA gold for 2001.

[SixPac]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

No set was made for the NM owners. Instead they received a scarf and and a pair of gloves. '02 buyers received a set only if their dealership paid the $49 and signed them up.

[My Raven]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Guess that explains why so many were sitting in the warehouse collecting dust and FoMoCo gave them away at the 50th Anniversary Celebration at the corporate HQs ...

[rpatton3]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

Any leads on a yellow one?

[5bird7]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

No set was made for the NM owners. Instead they received a scarf and and a pair of gloves.

disagree, Charlie - NM owners were also able to get a set but instead of model car in their 4th box, a picture frame was included.

[SixPac]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

I stand corrected.

[Leroy]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

It sold for $225.00 with one bid. Leroy

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[darsinewman]

Re: Rare Item on Ebay

I got it. Thanks for the heads up on that one, Leroy! I've been wanting one of those for a while.