Retro Bird at auction.

[snowbird]

Earlier today Gord (tbird6t4) and I attended the RM Auction at the International Center in Toronto and my faith in Retro Birds becoming future collectibles was definitely restored. A 2002 Inspiration Yellow Bird, Interior accent package, with hard top on, went through the block and sold for $21,500.oo cdn. (approx $20,000.00 usd). Buyer fees etc would be on top of that. This particular Bird had been well used as evidence by the driver seat, front and rear cowling, and approx. 40,000 miles on the odometer. It was an original, sold new in Canada Bird. In relation to high end luxury cars, this Bird surprised almost everyone. It certainly did us. It was the only Retro Bird on the floor.

MartinB.

[Chuck]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

20k US with 40k miles on it is about right for your "basic bird". Future collectables? I think only the future holds that answer. I think it will be a lot of years before these cars are worth what we paid for them. Personally I don’t think most of us will be around to see that. To us they are something special, to most others, they're just another car

[FUN X 3]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

As the old Redskins coach George Allen used to say, "The future is now!" From the get-go, I bought my Bird to drive and enjoy. Almost 90,000 smiles later, it's probably worth less than $15K due to high mileage. But I don't plan on selling it anytime soon, and it's got loads and loads of more smiles in it yet. I admire and envy those that are young enough and can afford to buy and put away their Birds for future gain. As for me, I'm enjoying mine every day and will never wonder if I drove it and enjoyed it enough.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

Good answer Phil.
I foresee a day in the near future where the collector car market will come crashing down due to several factors ranging from economic to governmental to environmental issues. If you have a classic or even a retro I believe you will get more enjoyment from it by driving it instead of admiring it up on a pedestal.

[Ski]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

We don't live forever so who are we saving it for? Mine is not a daily driver but I take it out at least once a week. Just makes me feel good.

[Lindy]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

The collector's market was never really about making a profit; it's just a way to hand down your hobby to your successor, whoever that nect interested party might be. Inflation, is maybe the biggest factor, next to the kind of car your taliking about. In this case, it is the twice extinct two-seater Thunderbird. Education of the next generation, is another factor. Just as we teach our kids the value of money, let's see...there are $1's $5, $10's etc., so must the aspiring youngsters learn about Chevy's Corvette's and Classic Thunderbirds as well as Retro-Thunderbirds. It's the art and the joy of the collecting and the conversation and accolades that are the real value. Just my 2 cents worth.

--Lindy

[ChromeDome]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

It never crossed my mind when I was buying the Thunderbird about it someday being a collector car.
Now, if you want to make some real money, I know this guy named Bernie!!!!

[Ray]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

As for me, I'm enjoying mine every day and will never wonder if I drove it and enjoyed it enough.

I agree, Phil! That's a good philosophy to follow in all aspects of life. I hope when my time is up, I don't have any "should'ves, would'ves, or could'ves" left. Like Mae West once said: "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

[tbird6t4]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

In relation to high end luxery cars, this Bird surprised almost everyone. It sertainly did us. It was the only Retro Bird on the floor.

MartinB.

Re: R&M Auction:

When you see a 15 year old low milage Bently in mint condition going across the block for $6,000 CDN vrs $21,500 for that well used RetroBird it has to tell you that even with it's scratches and scrapes that there is a certain mystique that the RetroBird has and given the limited production #'s of the RetroBird, that it does have collector "potential" down the road. Total production # of approx 66,000 units is not a lot in the grand scheme of things today, so it is a limited production automobile.

I can remember people with the original little Birds telling me that my 1964 T-Bird would never be worth anything more than a used car 30 years ago and even though they made around 110,000 T-Birds that year alone, the value for those of us who kept and maintained them (and drove them), is far higher than it was when we bought them new or used by 10+ times in some cases.

The point is well taken that the Retro's were meant to be driven, heck I was in Chattanooga and the car wasn't trailered, but if condition +style=desirability towards what makes collector cars collectible and we live long enough (I plan to), then even if we do drive and enjoy them like Martin and I have for many years, they will be worth more to someone if not for nostalgia reasons alone.

How many people do you meet today that say, "My dad or grandad had one of those T-birds and I would like to own one too."? Like Jay Leno says, "I am just the keeper for the future generation of car enthusiasts."

I'm with Martin on this one and feel that the future is bright for these cars "if" they are maintained, because as some of us know who have been involved for many years in this collector car hobby, time will reduce the numbers and availability of these cars too to the extent that they "may" become the next classic in a world of cookie cutter cars, where the population is growing at a faster rate than when we were young which in turn should create a greater demand for something unique.

"THUNDERBIRD UNIQUE IN ALL THE WORLD" if you remember that slogan you can probably appreciate where I am coming from.

Time will tell.

Gord R.

P.S. Sorry for the long diatribe but I am passionate about my T-Birds and have been since I was 10 years old when I saw and rode in the 1955 model.

[rpatton3]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

I think a 4 mile Merlot 2004 bird sold at Barrett-Jackson last time for $30,000.

[robbie199]

Re: Retro Bird at auction.

I recall one of the Barrett Jackson experts predicting that these cars will some day break the bank. Collectable cars somtimes sell for 10, 20, 30 times the original sticker price. Most have required full restorations with tons of money spent bringing them back to as new or better than new condition. Originals being worth more and often go for much higher. Some of our cars stickered for 44K plus so maybe breaking the bank isn't out of the realm. Collectors collect and drivers drive and both enjoy equally as much. I believe the limited editions will do well over time. Just my two cents worth.