Turbo Tbirds -- Future Collector Cars?

This is just out of curiousity -- I have heard around from a few sources outside of the NATO site that turbo tbirds would one day be future collector cars.

Has anyone else ever heard this from anyone other than a Ford salesperson of the past? I get the feeling the turbocoupes, especially the 87 and 88s do have something that sets them apart from other cars of their generation.

I'm not sure what the criteria is. I'm sure in the 60's and 70's people looked at Chevelles and figured they were just another car. Now they are bonafide classics.

I ask because, having gotten one with low mileage I am having the debate about whether to really drive it, or just keep it as a sunny day kind of vehicle, to preserve it for the future.

I'm sure lots of people today might laugh about that, as I'm sure they must have at many other cars that eventually in hindsight became classics. What do you guys think? Put your own enthusiasm for the car aside; is this really a car not only we but many others will remember as something special?

I think they will be collector cars someday since they were so advanced for their time. I mean, this is the first American car besides the Corvette that had ABS, Automatic Ride Control, 16" wheels from the factory, Turbocharged & Intercooled engine with functional hood scoops, etc,etc,etc. The only other muscle car of that era is the Grand National & Mustang GT, They lead the AERO design of the 80's & got better with the 87-88 lineup. Motor Trend Car of the Year helped out in 87. I can go on & on but I think they will definitely be collectable in the future since they made so few compared to the regular Thunderbirds.

As for weither you should drive it or baby it, I would say do both. These cars are ment to be driven, & you should enjoy it as much as possible. I would also take care to properly maintain her & make her look like brand new. Thats what I did with my 88 $250 Turbocoupe. I drive her whenever I can becuase I enjoy it. I baby her every chance I can & use only the best parts & supplies.



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Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.

If you can afford it keep a very low mileage turbo coupe as unmolested and clean as possilbe (no shopping cart dents...) and buy another one few cheap and beat the piss out of it. One that has low miles and is completely stock in my opinion will be rare, if not already. I found one with 100,000 miles on it (now 120,000) and clean and I thought that was rare, only $2000 which was the best part. I wouldn't expect to much though, it seems you kinda need to be an enthusiast to care. I think it will be cool to bring this car out when I'm older, its just got style even if then cars come stock with 1000hp/1000ft-lbs of torque. Like now when you see an old car its just cool...ford/chevy/dodge...whatever.

Mine has 106,000 and I got it for $950 [Image: wink.gif]

Does it really matter?

Not to me.

The only upside I would see would be IF they becomoe collector cars, someone might actually start reproducing some restoration parts for the 83-88TBirds/Cougars...something that we are in dire need of....

Other than that, it would just make them more expensive.

I myself buy cars to drive, play with and enjoy...not to keep in hopes of one day turning them for a profit as a "collector car"

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83 TC Clone, 87 Ranger 2.3T, 84 XR7, 80 XR7, 86 XR4 AND 88 Scorpio
NATO Member

Well said, Chuck.

I dont buy a car to turn a profit, but to drive it/ mod it / enjoy it.

These cars are really too new to be considered collectors. Maybe it 5 to 15 years, this will change, and, as Chuck said, MAYBE some aftermarket companies will start to make parts for them!

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 21 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)

Thank you for the replies.

Well, to be honest I'm not really keeping the 88 for collector value. I'd never sell it unless I absolutely had to. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to 'drive the hell' out of a car that has only 71,000 miles on it, which is pretty rare from what I can gather. I want to drive it like crazy, but I also want to preserve it for the future, because I'm sure there will not be many examples left in good shape in 15-20 years.

Also I suppose I'm haunted by the fear of things breaking that cannot be replaced. I think I will have to locate a parts car or two when I have more space. Then I might feel more comfortable. It might be nice 20 years from now to have one of few cars that still has everything working the way the factory intended.

Yeah. That's the debate. I think my plan for now is to just have her as a fair weather cruiser, and 'drive the hell' out of my truck the rest of the time. I don't ever want to feel like driving that car is routine.

They will likely be classics and by then there won't be many left. I'm sure mine will be long gone by then too. It will really be quite an accomplishement for someone to keep all of the eletronics still functional for 30, 35, 40 years (imho).

Hopefully someone will recognize there is a demand for a car like this and come out with a new model. With fuel prices what they are it may be soon.

As for ABS...

Bet you didn't know:

Chrysler had a 4 wheel system as an option in 1972. http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/72Elegant/

Cadillac had a rear system as an option by 1970: http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac/tech/otech.html
(Note the air bags in 1974, 30 years ago)

Beauty is in the beholder---cars will be valuble in percieved value (spelling?)! My neighbor has a 70 Roadrunner and is trying to sell it for $30,000, I look at it and say he is nuts but someone else will look at it and say "WOW" what a deal. Same thing with our cars--it will definately be someone who appreciates these cars. Aftermarket parts would be a great thing, I have an 85 with 73000 on it--what a pain in the but to get parts for. I got my car with 23000 miles on it 7 years ago and thought---hey, why put miles on it, I want to make money on it or I dont want to lose money on the car but you need to think, we all obviously agree that no matter how much of a pain in th a$$ these cars can be, we enjoy the hell out of them and that is what it is all about, enjoy and drive--as long as it is not driven in salt and all that crap, the body will stay solid and imho, having a paint job is not a bad thing, having bondo and holes underneath that new paint is. [Image: biggrin.gif]

I believe my 87 will be a "classic" when it turns 20 in 3 years and an antique at 25 years old . Is that correct?