Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: shoulda...coulda...woulda... (Read 3057 times) previous topic - next topic

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Coupla days ago, at work, a truck driver offered me 3 grand for the sport. Started out as an innocent convo about my ever-present Ford hat, and ended up with him telling that he once owned an '88 TC, and always wanted another '88.
I mentioned that I had a Sport, with a buncha stuff swapped and changed, and he lit up like Time's Square on New Years.

Asked me if I wanted to sell, and I said no, not really, have a lot of blood, sleepless nights, and memories with it...so then he asked the million dollar question;

If I was to sell it right now...what would be my bottom dollar?

I thought about it for a couple of minutes, and said "I'd like 3,000 for it, and some other stuff would go...IF I was selling."

He told me to keep him in mind when I was ready to let it go...I told him that "if" is only 2 letters, but such a big big word, lol.


Yeah, I'm probably stupid...I just feel that the journey isn't over yet...still roads to explore, literally and metaphorically.
I explained this to him, and he seemed to understand what I meant. He left it at that, and told me to have fun with it, and to keep an eye out for a nice TC for him to play with lol.

I gave him the url for the board...hope he drops by soon :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #1 –
$3,000 wouldn't even touch my Sport.I don't know the book value,but after all I've put into it,the time,thinking,troubleshooting,effort,fabrication,parts hunting,and the actual building of it (which is still going on),and I have WAY to much sentimental value in it as well. $3,000 sounds like good money,but it's really not that much.If one were to sell off their car that they built and loved for 3 grand,in no time,the money would be gone,and so would the car.I've seen people sell out for less,only to regret it shortly there after.......there's always regret.Forget that guy ever existed,if you have his info written down,throw it away.Get rid of any temptation you may have to end up setting yourself up for big disappointment later.Good job not letting your Sport go.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #2 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;322051
$3,000 wouldn't even touch my Sport.I don't know the book value,but after all I've put into it,the time,thinking,troubleshooting,effort,fabrication,parts hunting,and the actual building of it (which is still going on),and I have WAY to much sentimental value in it as well. $3,000 sounds like good money,but it's really not that much.If one were to sell off their car that they built and loved for 3 grand,in no time,the money would be gone,and so would the car.I've seen people sell out for less,only to regret it shortly there after.......there's always regret.Forget that guy ever existed,if you have his info written down,throw it away.Get rid of any temptation you may have to end up setting yourself up for big disappointment later.Good job not letting your Sport go.


I agree, you have put alot into the build and you have it just about to where you want it and there are more things to learn...  dont let it go.  I was thinking about selling the red bird I have so I could get the car I have been looking for, for a very long time.  1979 thunderbird t-top grey on grey.  but couldnt do it ;)

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #3 –
Yeah, it would almost have to be the cost of parts and labor for someone to build another one.

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #4 –
I don't think I have 3k into it, not that i've really cared OR have been keeping track of money spent, it's pretty much been my goal for 10+ years to have a (somewhat) fast V8 Tbird that handles well...and I'm pretty close to getting to that point, I KNOW I'd be heartbroken not long after it rolled down the road out of my life.

Money never lasts, but a good car does. ;) Thanks fellas...y'all just wiped away what little doubt-regret-wistfulness I may have briefly had...:bowdown::rollin:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #5 –
lol I would sell mine for 3000. thats because I know I can buy a straighter body for less and have a profit because i havent put anything on yet except for little stuff i can change out fast. If i sold my tbird like it sets in my driveway right now for 3000, I'd prolly come out on top about 1000. (counting the labor for just changing my heater core last weekend)

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #6 –
I couldn't handle knowing someone else was driving the Sport that I built.I'd feel somewhat violated.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #7 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;322077
I couldn't handle knowing someone else was driving the Sport that I built.I'd feel somewhat violated.


Ditto. Everytime I see a pewter WS6 in the area here I'm checking for performance brake rotors and visible suspension goodies and checking if its mine.. :( I'm still torn up about that car. I only traded it because of financial problems that weren't my fault that got resolved just 2 months later (could have paid her off in FULL...). It's heartbreaking to see your car go.. especially one that you've always wanted and had.

I've had two friends try to buy my Turbocoupe at different times and I almost sold it and backed out every time. I just couldn't go through seeing a THIRD built car of mine drive off in front of me. :shakehead
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
'86 Turbo Thundercat (Cougarbird)
'02 TrailBlazer LT 4x4
'08 Chevy Cobalt

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #8 –
That's usually what happens.People in general get in a bind and then feel desperate and sell off what's important to them,only to regret it a lot later.The Sport is family.Now my wife's chihuahua,I'd sell that dog in a minute.LOL............if I didn't have to deal with Gayle afterward.LOL.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #9 –
I had a four-eyed Stang coupe....traded it for my first Tbird.

I have a permanent indentation in my ass from my own foot.
I'll not make that same mistake again.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #10 –
As I've mentioned before, I still have the 69 Torino that I used in 1978 to pick up my wife for our first date. I have NEVER regretted keeping that car. Moral of the story - Keep the Sport!!
1987 Turbo Coupe - Son's car
1987 Super Coupe - Son's project car
1934 Ford - My project car

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #11 –
after all my body work, paint, new motor, and everything extra I put in my car, I'd have to say about 17 grand would be my bottom price.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #12 –
Quote from: daminc;322151
after all my body work, paint, new motor, and everything extra I put in my car, I'd have to say about 17 grand would be my bottom price.


Holy moly !!!! You'll have to keep it FOREVER !!!
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #13 –
that's my plan
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

shoulda...coulda...woulda...

Reply #14 –
Quote from: FLSTCI71;322139
As I've mentioned before, I still have the 69 Torino that I used in 1978 to pick up my wife for our first date. I have NEVER regretted keeping that car. Moral of the story - Keep the Sport!!


HeHe, I still have the TC I took my wife to the high school prom with.
...and there was light!