New to T Birds

[JC777]

Hi All, I am considering the purchase of a 55,6,7 that is in fair-good shape and am willing an able to do the detailing and cosmetic work. Are there any sore spots on these birds that should be taken into consideration... such as rust spots etc.

[nomadbird]

That's a very broad question you ask. I guess the easiest answer is that 45 year old cars of any brand are very different from contemporary cars even though they may still appear stylish.

Your location simply says "Northwest" so I am assuming you live somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. If that is true, I suggest you visit: www.birdbrains.net
This is a dealer in the Portland area who maintains a modest size inventory of baby birds. He is very knowledgeable about the cars and is just a genuinely great guy who will share his knowledge with you if you visit his facility. He is also as honest as you coul ever hope to find. You could confidently buy a car from him at a very reasonable price and he could probably tell you more about it than the previous owner.

To answer your specific question about rust, I offer the following tid-bit. In addition to the common rust spots in the floor, rocker panels, and quarters, the '55 & '56 trunk lid is susceptible to rusting in the lower trailing corners. Of course, there is such a thing as no rust at all! --anywhere.

If you have questions that are Bird specific, post them. We'll try to answer.

Tom

[JC777]

Hi Tom,

Yes we are in the Pasific NW, in the Panhandle of Idaho. I visit birdbrains.com on a regular basis to check his inventory and we are planning a trip over there in the next few days.

I actually looked at a 56 last week but did not know enough about these cars to make a serious offer, so I offered a low price and was promptly, but nicely, told no. After some research on 3 different value guides (NADA, CPI, VMR) that I found on-line, I called the man back to find out where he was at on pricing. He said $15,500

It has the port hole hard top only, 312 4v, PB, A/C (after market) A/T, Continaltal Kit, good glass, Calafornia car, No rust that I saw, fender skirts, and 4 orgional wheel covers. It's an older restoration and needs a repaint and rechromed. The interior is in fair shape, and it needs a new exhaust system.

The vin is a follows: P6FH294394 40AZEXF18EL1819. I have no idea what it means.

My wife and I have 4 classics now, but plan on selling down untill I (did you catch the drift from plural to singular)get to my final collection of a 49 F1 (got that one) a 64.5-65 Mustang convertible and the 55-6-7 T bird. We don't own trailer queens because we love to drive our rigs. My wife drives a 53 Chevy truck and I follow in the 49 F1 It's a blast.

From the brief discription I gave, do you think he is in the ball park?

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Rob

[JC777]

The 56 above also has the engine dress-up power seat and telescopic steerring wheel. Are these two items standard on these birds?

Rob

[nomadbird]

$15,500 is soooooo cheap! I can't believe there are complete cars still available at that price. Hope you didn't lose it by hesitating.

Tom

P.S. A more detailed answer to your questions will follow when I get a few minutes later.

[nomadbird]

JC777,

Here comes the long winded answer. First of all, I think all GOOD QUALITY baby birds cost $30,000 minimum. It sounds like if you had a budget of $4K for mechanical, $4K for paint, $2K for Chrome and other trim, $3K for interior, you would have beaten my arbitrary "value" number quite easily. Price guides are of little use because there are so many turkey birds out there that could never come under my number. All you would do is throw gobs of money at them without achieving high quality.(not trailer queens either)

You have identified the following extra cost options on this car: (1) Engine Dress-Up, (2) Power Brakes, (3) Power Seat, (4) Auto Trans, (5) Skirts. The telescoping steering wheel is on all three years as standard equipment.

Your Data Plate translates as follows:

P= 312 engine
6= 1956 model year
F= Dearborn Plant (all were)
H= Thunderbird
294394= Sequential assy #

40A= Thunderbird
ZE= Thunderbird Green bottom
Colonial White top
XF= Green/white vinyl int.
18E= Built 18 May 1956
L1819= Production Code that has conflicting interpretations.

The fact that this car was built within a few weeks of some significant changes means it may have some of the following product improvements: (1) Liquid cooled transmission instead of air cooled, (2) "T" Handles on the top at windshield header and shoulder clamp, w/straight handles @ back window, (3) Burtex trunk mat instead of rubber. The rubber mat trapped moisture and could cause trunk floor rusting. The Burtex would breathe.

[JC777]

Now that you mentioned it, I do recal some minor rust in the trunck. Thank you so much for the time you have spent with me. You are a great value to this forum.

[ACthunderbird]

HI: You sound like me about 30 years ago, when I bought my first 56 for $1800. Hard lessons learned; bondo, rust, prior collison damage,mine had it all. A magnet and an ice pick are two of your best friends when looking at a little Bird. The rockers, dog-legs, floors, quarters, all are prone to rust. Get under the car and look for clues of rust, or poor repairs. Look at all the exposed seams around the doors, trunk and hood openings, they can tell you volumes. These cars are a lot of fun, just shop around and find the best one within your budget. One that is shiny on the outside, but trash inside will just be a rust hole in the garage that you throw money at. Good luck!!! Also, try joining CTCI. Lots of info there, volumes of knowledge, publications, restoration manuals, etc.

[JC777]

Thank yo aal very much for the tips. We have decided not to purchase yet another classic.