56 TBird Sale advice needed

[JoanMA]

I am helping my aunt sell her 1956 t-bird (convertible and hard top, purchased new and has low milage). It has been garaged and not driven for at least 10 years. There is some rust and it definitely needs work (the wheels don't turn anymore). No one has touched it since she parked it. I have no idea how to find a fair market value for this car, and wondered if anyone on this board could give me suggestions for the best way to get it appraised, and then sell it. It is located in Western Mfoul_wordfoul_wordfoul_wordachusetts. There have been some folks offering us $5-7000 for it, but as she will need this money for living expenses (she is 90) we want to make sure that she is not taken advantage of. Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks.

 

[phjohnso]

she can donate the car to the forum if she so chooses.

 

[dans65]

Do you have any pics of the car? I am wanting to get a baby bird but to be honest with you 5-7k seems low. I would get a old cars price guide, its a monthly magazine, and see what it says. It lists cars on a 1-5 scale and will atleast give you a ball park idea what it is worth.

 

[JoanMA]

Thanks, your suggestion helped a lot. I ended up searching for classic car values online (as I didn't have time to get to a store for a magazine before the meeting with my Aunt's lawyer) and I learned a lot about pricing, condition rating, etc. That said, at the meeting her lawyer pulled out a box full of paperwork about the car, including all of its service records, user manuals, etc., and also a professional appraisal done in 2002 and the value was set as 14,000-18,000 with a rating of #4. I imagine the value would be lower now as more time as passed. He did comment that "is a prime candidate for a total restoration and would prove to be a good investment car." Between that and what I learned online, I convinced them to let me sell the car on the open market. As of next Tuesday, I will be able to take possession of the car and put it up for sale. I will get a photo as soon as I can, but if anyone is interested in more details about the car, I could fax/email the appraisal information.
Thanks!

 

[dans65]

When you get pics if you could email me at [email protected] Thanks Dan