Car Restorers! Need Help considering a 1979 Ford Thunderbird for $900?

Question

We are considering purchasing a 1979 Ford Thunderbird for $900

Here are some cons we have seen:
Rust on hood (Not alot)
Rust on Roof.. not Bubbly like the hood
Rust along the underneath edges of the car
Rotars need to be "smoothed"
AC blows but not cold (use to blow cold according to him)
Muffler needs to be replaced (husband says it looks like swiss cheese!)
Chrome around windows need to be replaced
Other minor looking flaws

Pro's
4 new tires
Recent tune up
Recent Coolant Flush
New Alternator
New Fuel Filter
Regular Oil Changes
Runs SMOOTH
New paint job (was done over rust......tsk tsk)
From afar looks very nice


We know that it needs alot of work. We would just like to know from your experience is this a good deal. He is asking 1000, but it has been on the market for almost a month. We would like to offer 850+.

If you need any more info, please ask, I will be watching this question intently, THANK YOU!!!

Answer 1

It all depends on what you're going to do with it...If this car is going to be driven for work or just a beater then I would say 850 is a fair price...If you are looking for an old car to restore, the work involved Willl not be worth it if you do not "LOVE" this car. I would suggest you look at the trunk floor of this car for holes and major rust and take a good look at the quarter panels just to the rear of the back tire...if there is bubbling in the paint that means that most likely there will be holes in the sheet metal. it wil cost far more to "restore" this car that you will ever see in return if you decide to sell it. good luck on whatever you decide...

Answer 2

The late '70s T-birds are not considered collectable cars yet. This is because a TON of them were made. They are also big, slow and underpowered. The '79 T-bird is on the Torino frame, which has a coil sprung rear suspension. Has a good ride, my buddy's Torino felt like it was floating on a cloud. The car could have a 302, 351, or 400 V8. HP ratings were 130 to 160 HP. Low compression smogger V8s have no power.

Now for the reality check:

This car sounds totally worn out. Expect to spend $1500 to keep it on the road in the first 6 months. Brakes, exhaust, suspension issues, electrical issues. Those cars had cheap plastic interiors that will break off in your hand. There is always rust under the vinyl top, the power seat stuff stops working, the headlight doors won't open...

Smooth the rotors? Every time I get into the brakes on a car that old (and I've done about 5 or 6), the brakes always end up costing several hundred to fix. The rotors are shot, the pads are shot, the bearings are shot, the calipers are shot, the lines are shot, the master cylinder is shot, the rear drums are shot, the wheel cylinders are shot, the brake hardware is shot, etc etc etc.

You'll never get your money out of it. You'll wonder why it's so slow and only gets 16 MPG.

Answer 3

Unless you just really like this car for some personal reason - no. If you are interested for some personal reason - remember that this thing is 28 years old. It was old enough to vote 10 years ago. I wouldn't pay more than about $800 tops - and I do mean tops. I think I would offer more like 6 or 7 hundred. The seller probably has that much in the paint job, but he didn't do the paint job right anyway. The alternator and the regular maintenance items really wouldn't be leverage on me if I were the buyer. Something like a recent engine or transmission rebuild would be. You probably will be doing this soon if it hasn't already been done.

Answer 4

this car has no value for resale if you fix it up to new and sell it, you'll never get your money back. might be a small market of people that would want one again, but no clue why.

if you are wanting to fix this up enough to be a daily driver....you are crazy. you'll never find parts, let alone I doubt it will pass most smog laws.

sorry, just my professional opinion.