Changing Color ???

[Alteriago]

I have a 1964 T-Bird Convertible. It is in very good original condition with 62k miles on it. It has original KH wire wheels, Ac, good working top, new brakes, exhaust, coolant system. In short a pretty nice car.

Here is the problem - I don't like the color. It is chantilly beige. I have been told many things; One is that if I change the color I will damage the value tremendously; Another is that if I change to red it won't affect the value; Still another is that if I convert to one of the other 1964 colors it won't impact the value; Lastly, I have been advised pick the color you like and enjoy the car.

I could really use some opinions on this, as well as a quantification of the demunition in value if possible. Is it down 10%, 20%, 50%? Just how much whould I loose.

Also anybody with any experience with Chantilly beige? Is it as ugly as it seems or if I repaint will a fresh coat make it look acceptable.

Thanks for the help.

[ 07-20-2002: Message edited by: Alteriago ]

[maques]

here's my 2 cents worth - and i'll preface it with that i'm not an expert by any means... you're talking about a care - a pile of metal, glass, and other junk... this is not a picasso nor a rembrandt. unless you bought it as an investment (and even if you did, i doubt you'll get rich off it), paint the damn thing the color that makes your heart race when you look at it (and makes others drool when you drive by them) and enjoy it! keep in mind, it's just one person's humble opinion.

[Alteriago]

Hey Maques:

Thanks very much. There is a big part of me that agrees with you. I would love to hear some other opinions however, to see if it truly is foolish to make the change and also how often people keep the original color.

[ 07-20-2002: Message edited by: Alteriago ]

[t-bird-art]

Paint it anything you prefer. The next owner can paint it anything he likes or return it to the correct color if he is a stickler for authenticity. A non-correct color or condition of the paint is a not a depreciation factor. What IS important is rust. All buyers who want to restore the car expect to repaint the car even before they see it. The 64 convertable is a good investment but-- only as good as the maintenance and TLC that has been put into it over the years.

[Captain Mike]

I've studied Tbird values extensively for the past 3 years and there seems to be a clear correlation between the correct exterior color and the car's value. These weren't muscle cars (which were primarily red, black, or white). This was a "personal luxury" car evidenced by the wide variety of matching interiors/exteriors. The rarest colors (such as Palomino Tan or Samoan Coral) definitely add to the car's value and Chantilly Beige would be no different. An accurate re-painting will give you something very special. Besides....there's plenty of 64 Tbirds that have been re-painted red or black over the years.

[Guru66]

I would NEVER change the original color on a car. Yes, it will definately hurt your Thunderbird`s value. To properly change the color on your Thunderbird, you would have to completely dissmantle the car down to a bare body shell. An incredibly time consuming and exspensive undertaking to say the very least. I have years of experience in the autobody/painting field, and I always strongly advise against changing a cars color. There simply isn`t the time or space here to go into the countless pitfalls involved in such a project.
Thunderbirds were "up scale" personal luxury cars. They were offered in a vast array of exterior and interior color selections. Chantilly Beige is quite an uncommon color and few Thunderbirds in `64 came off the line so adorned. At any Thunderbird gathering, your car would be a standout because of it`s unusual hue! Stick with the factory color and keep it original. Any purist will agree with me on this point. Personally, I think Chantilly Beige is quite striking, and feel you have a truly unique and beautiful Thunderbird. I`d take your car over a compareable Rangoon Red `64 any day!

[65tbirdconv]

I would agree, keeping it orig paint, or repainting to orig is your best bet if you want to keep the value. If that does not matter then go RED, I would. This is a decision I will have to make down the road at some point.

[Harley Eaton]

If your PRIMARY interst is the resale value, just ask your buyer what color they prefer. Otherwise, you have no way of knowing what the paint color has done to it's value. Why not assume the color you like is the color your buyer will like?

[Obyray]

Hi, I think the previous opinions are all dead on. If you bought it as an investment, keep the same colour. My 64 was Chantilly beige originally. The prevoius owner re painted it metalic rose beige (pink), they did it right and dismantled the car to paint. I get more positive comments on the colour than you can imagine. I will never sell this car, so resale is of no interst to me. I'm not a big fan of the chantilly beige. So if you plan to keep it do what makes you happy. :)