Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I said I wouldn't start another project. However, yesterday I found a 1995 Thunderbird for sale for only $350. Had a little fender damage to the rear quarter and fender, and the engine had a knock in it. Was thinking about building one of these kit cars out of it. Everything just bolts on. However, after checking the price for the kit from Easyrods $3500 delivered, and adding engine work, the cost would probably be up around $5,000 for it all, not counting a final paint job, grill, lights and bumpers. Fender and quarter was not a problem since it is part of the kit anyway that just bolts on. Thought about it and decided if I put the same amount of money in my coupe, it would be just as nice. So.........scrapped the idea. You gotta have will power in this hobby. Quote
rearview Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I saw one of them a a local show last year. It wasa little weird, but cooler than a regular TBird Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Posted March 22, 2007 Bob, I've seen several of them running around our area. The do look like a 49/50 Ford until you look close. You only need an 87 - 97 T Bird or Cougar to build one. What's nice is, you can hit the highway pretty fast with one of these and keep up with the traffic. Plus you get all the modern stuff inside. So I've thought about the possibility for a long time. Never found a T Bird or Cougar at a reasonable price though until yesterday. Then that annoying little voice in my head said no don't do it, put the money in the coupe. So........... Really, I had never checked the kit price until yesterday. If I didn't have the coupe or some other old car, I'd probably go for something like this. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I saw these at the auto swap meet in our area years ago when they first came out..sharp looking rather easy mod to have the nostaligic look with all the modern electronics and safety. Since first arriving on the scene they have cleaned up the lower body line to blend in better with the rocker area..first attemps though nice left a lot to be desired. Today they are very clean and sleek...I think building one of these would be very rewarding..Norm..you ought to go for it guy...you only live once..live it well... Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Posted March 22, 2007 Tim, As mentioned putting that much money into my coupe would really finish it out. That was one reason for not going for it. The other is I don't have the room like you do for another car. Already have three cars counting the coupe. If I got another one, I'd have to get rid of one. Wife would not like it if I got rid of hers. So that leave my coupe or Lumina Van. Not ready to get rid of either of those now either. So.........that creates a big problem when it comes to another car. As the old saying goes, "you can't always have your cake and eat it too." Quote
rearview Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 It's easy Norm... you drive the couple down by me, then build the TBird for a week or two, then swap 'em out. I'll gladly keep the 49-51-Tbird all lubed up by driving it occasionally Just trying to help... Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Posted March 22, 2007 Bob, I'll bet I could get a lot of offers like that one. Quote
Justin Slingsby Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I guess I really don't understand the appeal of these kits. Sure you have all the creature comforts of a modern car but does that make that much of a difference? You can still get a shoebox for cheaper than what it would take to build a knock off, and the original shoebox still would have cooler stuff on it than a T-bird. I love the first link. The second link has a newer interior a 5 speed, disc brakes and AC. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-1949-FORD-2-DR-CUSTOM-COUPE-SEDAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6057QQitemZ220093429163QQrdZ1 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-COUPE-CUSTOM-1949-FORD-CUSTOM-COUPE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6057QQitemZ160098678180QQrdZ1 I am not trying to knock your tastes Norm, IMHO put the money in your coupe. Quote
Dennis Hemingway Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 Norm. You could get something like this 789, a melding of 1957, 1958 and 1959 Chevys built on a 2005-2007 Corvette C6 chassis. The price of a turnkey 789 is $135,000. Dennis:D http://www.n2amotors.com/cars.htm. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Posted March 22, 2007 Justin, Don't worry about it. We're all entitled to our own opinions. That's what makes the stomach churn. As mentioned, I'm not going to build the car anyway after thinking about it. I know a lot of people don't care for any of the fiberglass kit cars out there. However, when you think about it, it's a lot easier. Lets face it, when we buy old clunkers to fix up, we have to do a ton of work just to get the rust off. Then we have to worry about that rust coming back. Then there's all the engine and chassis work involved along with it. If I was younger and had it all over to do, I would probably go with a 30's Chevy coupe fiberglass kit car and make everything new. No, it's not original but it's just a matter of bolting everything together and then rolling down the road. And, with all the modern comfort features. If I was going to build the 49/50 Ford from a modern T-Bird, I'd go with one that is at least in good running condition and no rust. At least that way I wouldn't have to do any major engine work. That means the car would have to come from someplace down south. Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Posted March 22, 2007 Norm. You could get something like this 789, a melding of 1957, 1958 and 1959 Chevys built on a 2005-2007 Corvette C6 chassis. The price of a turnkey 789 is $135,000.Dennis:D http://www.n2amotors.com/cars.htm. Dennis, That's a sharp looking car. However, I wouldn't pay that kind of money for any car, even if it were gold plated. Quote
Brad Lustig Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I've always liked those Thunderbird kits. They've got some nice kits for Chevy Blazers http://www.rodster.com/ But my favorite is something you can build yourself with a VW and basically just a few sheet of plywood. http://www.stevproj.com/PAPRolStk.html Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 Have seen a 50 Studebaker front end on a Taurus station wagon. Then, there is this pickup. Not sure what that front end represents. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 I got the 50 Stude..and I have seen the Stude-taurus wagon..very sharp... Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted March 22, 2007 Report Posted March 22, 2007 Or, you could have one like this.....pretty streamlined. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 24, 2007 Report Posted March 24, 2007 Norm; You have a good V-8 engine and transmission sitting in your garage. Give it a good home in your Shoebird. Quote
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