Da-Je Vu all over again

[Rondor]

I was killing a little time by re-reading some threads and a thought hit me.
I was remembering back when the first 'Birds came out and how they really didn't catch on that well and weren't really promoted by FoMoCo. Soon after their 3 year run you could buy one for very little money, I had thought " as a teenager " they would sell millions. In a few short years they all but disappeared from the streets. When the '02 came out I rushed to see one, and thought it was a great car but a little pricey for an impractical two seater toy. I also was sure they would become just like door knobs and every body would have a couple. When they quit production a year early I went back for another look. Dealer said they just didn't sell well at all. I chickened out. At that time I was seeing them in parking lots on a daily basis. Then..... just a few years later they all but disappeared. I realy believe that they will become very collectable for the same reason the original did. I guess you could call a PT Cruiser a retro too but they sold millions and they are junk. I seriously doubt that a T bird will ever be worth much less than it is today and may in a few years be back to what they cost new. I wouldn't speculate beyoond that, but it sure seems like a repeat to me.

[Sealy]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

We keep beating this one to death. One thing we can agree on, it was a four year run - 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. Beyond that, no one can predict the market and no one knows the future. The golden rule of collecting anything is to buy what you enjoy strictly for the enjoyment. Anything else is a bonus not to be counted on. No one is putting their kids through college with beanie babies and cabbage patch dolls. Just enjoy your Bird - whether on the road or in the garage is up to you.

[Leroy]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

What's worth more, an 02 Lincoln LS or an 02 TBird. The TBirds have held up pretty well I think. Leroy

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[EllisonCal]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

What's worth more, an 02 Lincoln LS or an 02 TBird. The TBirds have held up pretty well I think. Leroy

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Good comparison Larry. And the only difference between them is the style, so it speaks well of the Thunderbird's design philosophy.
Cal

[bob andersen]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

If our birds values had soared like the 02 to 05 diecasts of the same car we would be much happier. I have 61 1/18th scale retro birds in my collection and they seem to go up in value every time one is sold on E-bay. Some day they may be worth more than a real one. Who knows?

[David M 7173]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

The retro's we definely be as collectable as the original but I doubt any of us will live another 40 or 50 years.
David

[5bird7]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

Ron, I think you're right about the Thunderbird. There's a pattern of past people behavior already showing for it, however it hasn't shown up on our Chrysler TC yet and that car is 21 years old now. Might take it 20 more years to realize and I may not be around then. Still in the dumps on values.
I'm seeing much better value hanging on with the Thunderbird and there's 10 times the amount of 'birds around than the TC.

[Peterfurlan]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

There will three retro birds hitting the auction block this Thursday at the Mecum Kansas City auction. A 2002 (T111),2005 (T176) and a 2003 (T214) I believe they
all have reserves and most likely won't sell. This may give you an idea of what these
cars are worth today. These cars will go off Thursday Dec.second.

[merlot4]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

5Bird7, that's a nice picture you have for your avatar.

[5bird7]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

Thank you, Richard. We have since added wide whites to the car and it looks awesome.

[Rondor]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

My observation was more on the social- psychology side than economic. People are going to become very attached to theese cars and therefore be very reluctant to part with them. It may very well be another 50 year wait for one with this impact. I live in one of the states with the most T' birds sold and I rarely see one any more, and only 3-4 years ago I would see at least 2 or 3 a day. 'Course this is what drives the econmic side. Right? Point,,, anybody who wants one better be buying it soon.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

My observation was more on the social- psychology side than economic. People are going to become very attached to thees cars and therefore be very reluctant to part with them. It may very well be another 50 year wait for one with this impact. I live in one of the states with the most T' birds sold and I rarely see one any more, and only 3-4 years ago I would see at least 2 or 3 a day. 'Course this is what drives the economic side. Right? Point,,, anybody who wants one better be buying it soon.

There are some barriers to that thought.

The difference between the Retro-Bird and the original 2 seaters from the 1950s is inescapable. So too is the big picture of the market for cars and trucks over-all.

Those early cars have all the technology, expense and difficulty to keep running of my Lawn-boy mower. They also grew in popularity, over the years, in a time when gasoline was an undisputed fuel of choice for automobiles with no potential end in sight.

Today's Retro-bird is a car that when it begins to age and show problems is going to really test the whole cost/benefit equation to keep running in a way the 1950s cars never did.

Then there is the macro-economic picture of the entire world. Fossil fuels will continue to be challenged for supply to meet the growing demand. At some point environmental and cost concerns are probably gonna change the whole picture on what it is that we use to run a vehicle. It isn't at all inconceivable to think that 40 years from today the idea of a gas powered car will be part of history.

Want more?

The original T-Bird was a popular model put out by one of just the 3 manufacturers, (OK 4 but who really counts AMC).
Loyalty and affection for brand was much more common among the generation that bought those earliest T-Birds. Today so very many manufacturers are constantly producing new vehicles all competing for your attention.

It's no longer common to here someone describe themselves as a "Chevy guy" or a "Ford Guy" at least not among the younger generation that will become tommorrows potential demand for these cars.

Could the Retro-bird become as collectible as the 1950s 2 seater?

Maybe but there sure are a few more hurdles to jump this time around.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

The retro's we definely be as collectable as the original but I doubt any of us will live another 40 or 50 years.
David

Scientists can now reverse aging in mice, so perhaps some of us will.
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=29887

[MintTbird]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

The retro's we definely be as collectable as the original but I doubt any of us will live another 40 or 50 years.
David

well....

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Da-Je Vu all over again

There are some barriers to that thought.

The difference between the Retro-Bird and the original 2 seaters from the 1950s is inescapable. So too is the big picture of the market for cars and trucks over-all.

Those early cars have all the technology, expense and difficulty to keep running of my Lawn-boy mower. They also grew in popularity, over the years, in a time when gasoline was an undisputed fuel of choice for automobiles with no potential end in sight.

Today's Retro-bird is a car that when it begins to age and show problems is going to really test the whole cost/benefit equation to keep running in a way the 1950s cars never did.

Then there is the macro-economic picture of the entire world. Fossil fuels will continue to be challenged for supply to meet the growing demand. At some point environmental and cost concerns are probably gonna change the whole picture on what it is that we use to run a vehicle. It isn't at all inconceivable to think that 40 years from today the idea of a gas powered car will be part of history.

Want more?

The original T-Bird was a popular model put out by one of just the 3 manufacturers, (OK 4 but who really counts AMC).
Loyalty and affection for brand was much more common among the generation that bought those earliest T-Birds. Today so very many manufacturers are constantly producing new vehicles all competing for your attention.

It's no longer common to here someone describe themselves as a "Chevy guy" or a "Ford Guy" at least not among the younger generation that will become tommorrows potential demand for these cars.

Could the Retro-bird become as collectible as the 1950s 2 seater?

Maybe but there sure are a few more hurdles to jump this time around.

THIS IS ALL GOOD INFORMATION, BUT I BET THERE WERE JUST AS MANY HURDLES AND REASONS THAT THE FIRST BIRDS WOULD NOT BECOME COLLECTABLE. I BOUGHT MY FIRST 1956 IN 1965 FOR EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS, ONE OWNER LOW MILES, BOTH TOPS, POWER EVERYTHING. IT WAS JUST A USED CAR.