Some of you may have seen my 88 T-Bird for sale in the marketplace. Since there doesn't seem to be any interest I'm weighing my options. I need some feedback as to what the car is worth if, and if it is likely to sell if I A, repair the blown head gasket, B, install the 5.0 H.O and Tremec 5 speed I took out of the cancered Mustang, stock with shorty headers and engine months from Chuck, or C, EBay as is. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and input.
My honest opinion, non running car is worth s prices. You might get lucky and find someone who needs good body or wants to fix it up, but most people won't trailer or tow a dead car.
With the h.o. it will be worth more as it would run and drive, but there is a big difference between a well executed factory looking swap and a hack job. If your missing trim panels or there are extra wires it will scare people away even if mechanically it runs well. Even well executed, you'd be lucky to get used gt prices out of it.
I think you'd be best to build and keep it yourself, or bring it back to stock and try to flip the stang parts.
Another option would be to gut the car, take all the trim panels and anything of value and try to sell it here or ebay. This will take slot more time, but would probably net you the most cash in the long run, if you can follow up on sales and have a place to either park the car or store parts.
When you modify a car, you will lose your money if your looking to make a profit. Selling parts individually is much easier and will bring in the most cash, in the long run.
Personally, id keep it, fix it up with the stang stuff and drive it, or fix the head gasket issues and try to sell it after to break even.
I agree with Haystack. I think if you move forward with the HO swap you may find that you want to keep the car. If you are set on selling you would make more parting it as mentioned before. Your car seems to be in good shape and you may hate to go that route. Guys on here are always looking for something, as parts are not readily available like the Pony cars. Good luck with it.
Space and especially time have dried up for me which is what derailed the 5.0 swap. I think I am probably going to send the heads out and replace the gaskets. Even if I only break even selling it then, at least someone else gets to enjoy it. Or maybe I'll run it for a bit. Thanks again for your help!
Unexpectedly, my space problem has been solved. So after an weekend of emotional roller coasters regarding this car I've decided to proceed with the engine swap. Kind of realized that if i dump the Bird, I will just get the itch again and buy something worse. Ask me how I know this ;)
Glad your space issue worked itself out. Also that you're going ahead with the 5.0/5spd swap.