$ for 55 bird

[radman]

I looking at a 1955 bird with 37,800 actual miles. 2 owner car. Arizona car originally. Car is in very good condition. Next to zero rust. Original interior except for carpet which is new. Dress up engine kit, ps, pb, power windows, power seat, fender skirts, automatic. Believed to have original red exterior paint which is very good but not excellent condition. Engine compartment repainted 12 years ago when engine was refreshened. Engine runs perfect. Original chrome slightly pitted. 12 volt conversion, and stainless steel exhaust. Has good hard top but soft top needs replaced. Radio original but not working. Tach works but doesn't register properly. Has aftermarket AC. Did I say it has essentially no rust! Current owner wants $32K and has owned for past 12 years. What do you think?

[gbhrps]

You keep saying "virtually no rust", so how much is there, and where is it? There will be more than you can see, and maybe other things as well. Recently an owner of a local Tbird restoration shop bought what he thought was an unmolested, original 57 bird, needing a total restoration. Once off the frame, gutted and on the rotisserie..surprise! An entire back half of one car was grafted onto the front of another car right under the middle of the seat, from one side to the other. My advice is to get someone who KNOWS tbirds to look at the car with you. Not some guy who saw his brother restore one once, and considers himself an expert. Whatever it costs for you to get a professional opinion...will be money well spent. I'll not comment on the asking price of this car, since I haven't seen it personally, and even though I own a 55 that I worked on throughout its frame off restoration at a professional restoration facility, I don't feel qualified.

[Harley Eaton]

1956 Thunderbird came from factory with 12 volt system.
So, should not have been "converted".