Pro and cons of restoring 60 bird w/sunroof

[59Tisfaction]

Thanks for looking,
Are sunroofs rare enough to add significant value to a 1960 hdtop?

We have a 1960 Squarebird hardtop, with a factory sunroof, 352, cruise-o-matic, A/C, electric seats, washer pump, remote rear-viewmirror on the driver's fender with built-in searchlight. (Probably dealer installed?)

We are deciding whether to part it out or restore it - here are our arguments:

Negatives:
1. It is in rough shape from sitting in a New York garage since 1968.
2. Copper oxide is showing through all the chrome, there is some mildew but the headliner looks clean.
3. Undercarriage is covered 100% with surface rust, but there is no rust-through anywhere.
4. Would need complete new paint, rust removed, interior cleaned, undercarriage blasted and repainted.
5. $$$$$

Positives:
1. The car is completely intact.
2. Nothing appears broken, i.e. steering wheel, knobs, lenses, trim, chrome, buttons, seats, glass, sheetmetal - it's just filthy.
3. We like the sunroof.
4. Engine oil, transm fluid and radiator fluid look surprisingly clean. Battery isn't leaking acid.
5. Emotional value, it belonged to a close family friend who passed away
recently.
6. We know it was ordered by the owner from the factory. He never threw away anything, so we expect to find all the paperwork from the sale and service of the car.

Any comments on the value of restoring this? Thanks, - Art

[tbird5866]

A air conditioned factory sunroof on a 1960 Thunderbird is fairly rare. My opinion is that it would be worth restoring. Does the sunroof operate correctly? Does it have the windbar above the windshield? Hope so..

[Birdman93]

Visit the Thunderbird Registry-there's a listing there for the Sunroof Birds. That should give you an idea of how many survive in running condition or restored condition.

www.tbirdregistry.com

[59Tisfaction]

Thanks ...5899 and Birdman,
Yes, the car has that funny thin wind-bar intact, and yep, the sunroof panel operates surprisingly well. We'll go check out the registry!
Happy Holidays, - Art

[Birdman93]

You're going to restore that Bird, I take it-what info did you find on the Camaro in that garage?

I can't believe that no one knew about the Bird being in there until you found it-and what a find!!!

[t-bird-art]

Great Find: Just 1 thing to take a real hard look at. The frame under the Driver and Passenger Doors. I have seen 2 Square Birds where the frames were completely rusted thru. I don't know if water laid in there ( design flaw) or what.

[59Tisfaction]

Originally Posted by Birdman93

You're going to restore that Bird, I take it-what info did you find on the Camaro in that garage?

I can't believe that no one knew about the Bird being in there until you found it-and what a find!!!

Well, it was decided to restore it, but by someone else. We are a Mopar family, so this is going to an T-bird family aqcuaintence in upstate NY. We are trading for a similar-condition rare sunroof 1973 Roadrunner w/bigblock. All parties are happy with the deal.

The Camaro? How'd you hear about that? I must have posted a thread somewhere else on this!
Anywhooo, about the Camaro:
- Never been modified. Complete documents; factory order form, dealer invoice, window sticker, Protect-O-Plate. Last registered in NY in 1978. Original orange plates.
- 76,700 miles. 1969, 350/4bbl LM1 TurboFire engine, TH console automatic to a 2.56 posi rear-end. Power front disc brakes. A/C. Power windows. AM/FM radio. Console instrument cluster. Rear defroster (back when they used fans). 51-51 Blue with Medium blue vinyl roof. Dents and rust-through in every QP. Filthy exterior, clean interior.

How's THAT for something to find in an old garage in The Bronx, NY?? Merry Christmas for years to come! LOL.
- Art