289 C-code GT/CS
VIN #: 8R01C150087

This car has been in my family for 22 years, and we recently put it through a complete, nuts-to-bolts restoration. It is in showroom condition. The engine was completely reconditioned and professionally detailed, and has been driven less than 100 miles since the restoration.

The grill is not original, because my dad thought that it looked cool with the extra trim and the running stallion, but these things are easily removed for the purist. The fog lamps are original, but the pedastals are questionable. These are the same pedestals that have been with the car for as long as we have had it, so whether they were switched out or were originally with the car is uncertain.

The car comes with the ORIGINAL BILL OF SALE, marti report and a certified appraisal. NOTHING on this car was left untouched. The suspension, brakes, transmission, exhaust, complete interior, EVERYTHING was restored to mint condition. It has a/c and a mustang tape deck, to boot.


We are asking the appraised value from 2003 which is $25,800. We put over $30,000 into the restoration, and we have all of the documention to show.

We are located in Clearwater, FL
Phone: 727-504-5451
Email: mmerkle@knology.net

Mike, that sure is a good looking car! Are you going to add it to the gallery with more pictures?

Bill

Is there a running horse emblem in the grille?

I tried to post it to the gallery last night, and I guess it didn't take. I will try again.

The grille does have a running horse...

Interior....

Dash...

Engine...

BEAUTIFUL CAR!

Nice Car!

Love that color ;D ;D

Just so everyone knows, it's still for sale! Going on consignment soon.

Just so everyone knows, it's still for sale! Going on consignment soon.


Your price in the beginning of this thread is somewhat strong even for a fully restored car IMO. I hope you get what you are asking and please let us know what it eventually sells for.

I agree with Jason. It seems very strong for a 289 auto car with a standard interior and incorrect parts. Especially since GT/CS grilles are impossible to find. Hopefully the car looks so good in person that you get your asking price but please don't be surprised if it takes a while to get that price.

I know that some of you are thinking that 25 K for a GT/CS is too "strong". Please consider what it takes to do a "from the ground" up restoration. If you spend 30 K restoring one of these rare beauties, not including a thousand hours or more of labor, I think it should be worth at least that much. If GT/CS price levels don't rise on the heels of the Shelby craze, all GT/CS owners should be concerned. We should all consider
the fact that folks won't take a rust bucket GT/CS on for a restoration project due to a lost cost to benefit ratio.
I think a beautiful, fully restored GT/CS should bring at least $35,000 and hopefully more in the future, but that's just my opinion. :)

not trying to argue but making a statement:

If someone spends 30k on a resto it does not mean they will get 80% of that 30k back when selling. I have a car I spent over 55k on since I bought it and I can guarantee you I would be lucky to get 30-35k for it.

I do agree that spending this much plus the man hours that they SHOULD get this money back.

The market is the market and right now I don't think there is a market for this car at $23,000. I hope I'm wrong especially since I've been one of the loudest voices saying that GT/CSs are grossly undervalued. As much as it annoys us and baffles us there just does not seem to be a strong market for these cars. Look at the action on ebay for the last 3 months. For the most part the ending auction prices were diddlysquat. Jason keeps trying to raise the bar but he's only one man, and he's apparently given up.....buying a Grande.

Arlie;
Man you hit that one on the head - A "GRANDE". Hey Jason did you forget to take your laxative last week. You have definitely let us down. You are now officially banned from "HOOTERS".

Don :o

Mike

First, let me say "Nice Car". I have one the the same color and a full up restoration as well. I know the money that you have in it.

This past weekend, the local Ford dealership asked me to show the Cal Spec and my brothers AC Cobra for a customer appreciation day. At one point, I turned my back and found a lady inside my car. When I went over to ask her to see if I could help her (nice way of saying get out of my car) she told me she was there to buy the car.

Well, as you can imagine, that was a shock to me since I didnt know I was selling it. Long story short, she had "permission" from her husband to buy it and was willing to talk more than 40K. Now, before you start screaming at me saying "why didn't you sell", talk is cheap. Second, I am not finished with enjoying the car and after a long restoration, I still want to enjoy it. And third, I answer to a higher power called a 12 year old son who would have ate my lunch if I came home and told him I sold the car.

In my opinion, it only takes one. One person who wants a classic mustang and understands how rare these cars are. One person who has money to spend. One day when the car looks the very best and one day when the seller is ready to sell!

Hang in there Mike. It only takes one!!

Paul

Mike


and was willing to talk more than 40K.....I answer to a higher power called a 12 year old son who would have ate my lunch if I came home and told him I sold the car.



I'll bet a portion of that $40,000 check would have him seeing the light real fast!

Paul;
There are those out there who would say you should have taken the 40K but, I hear what your saying. I think at one time hook said it best - it's not always about the money. I to have a son who is 27 years old and he has told me more than once - dad if you ever want to sell your car let me know. I know what you have in it and I'll match any other buyer. What he doesn't know is it's already his.

Don :D

Arlie;
Man you hit that one on the head - A "GRANDE". Hey Jason did you forget to take your laxative last week. You have definitely let us down. You are now officially banned from "HOOTERS".

Don :o




yep, a Grande to drive around when it rains.

if someone offered me $40k for my 289 CS I would take it and find a cherry 390 CS or even see if Hicountrybob would sell his 428 HCS. :)

Would I sell my car when it's finished?
What a tuff question. It's hard to put a price on "how much do I love my car".
My thoughts are similar to Jasons I must admit. If someone offered me enough money that I could buy another and fund a complete restoration at the same time, I would sell.
I have been thoroughly enjoying restoring my car, like several others here, I am kind of weird that way (and in other ways too ;D. Remember, it's the people who say they are "Normal" you need to worry about 8)).
Another question might be if I had to start again fresh, would I make the same decisions. .... YEP!
I LOVE MY CAR :'(

The market is what dictates price with almost anything. 10 years ago, you could remodel your kitchen, add a new deck, new pool and not get full value selling your home. Today you can sell a home in Florida with the roof blown off for more money than it was worth 3 years ago..

As the GT/CS cars become less available (supply & demand) the price will go up in value. I'm sure a few GT/CS cars have been crashed during the past few years.. I still haven't figured out how insurance covers a total loss on a classic, I don't think they will give you $30,000 because that's what it costed you to rebuild the car. I think they will pull out a book like any other car and give you the listed value.. Has anyone here total their classic car and did you get fair value?

You insure it with an agreed upon stated value through a collector car specific insurance agency. If the value you are asking for is above what they consider fair market, then an appraiser will have to give an opinion. The insurance company will set the premium based on this value. Mark.

Wow, permission from her husband to talk more than 40k, apparantly these people have never heard of Mach1's or Bosses. Since she was rude enough to get in to someones classic mustang without asking, just shows how ignorant she is in the first place.

Money talks, bullshit walks, how can anyone even say you should've taken the "offer" when one was never tendered ? repost when the cash is on the table.

I love people who can't do restoration math, I get a #1 condition car for a fraction of what it would cost for me to do one myself. Just because you "think" it should be worth a lot doesn't mean it is. Even with the cars we love so much.

MUSTANG, I once took a course called, "Communicating with Diplomacy and Tact". Apparently it didn't do me any good but it might help you.

I will have a #1 condition car when I've spent my 30 grand. One thing for sure, I'll never sell it to MUSTANG.
By the way, I'm doing this because of the love of the car, not as a profit motive. Get that?

The prices for a GT/CS will only go up. It will take time because they are coups, but in the end the price will rise. As for the talk about $35000.00 or $40,000 for a GT/CS here's my thought........ I have personally stared down $35000.00 green cash on the table and turned it down. Once again $35000.00 green cash. I've taken my GT/CS as far as you can go with restoration, and tricking it out. Its a 10 second car, balanced, stroked and supercharged. The amount of money I've spent is staggering, the $35000. cash in hand offer was LUNCH MONEY TO ME. The buyer thought he would impress me, HA!!!!!! As for insurance, keep your receipts, get the car apraised, and get a special rider with your insurance. One more thing, I put the money into my GT/CS because 21 years ago when I got married, my wife and I were just barely getting by. One day she saw a GT/CS, and said that was here dream car! I promise her that one day she would have the nicest GT/CS money could buy. SHE DOES..........Bluto ;D

.....and tricking it out. Its a 10 second car, balanced, stroked and supercharged....nicest GT/CS money could buy. SHE DOES..........Bluto ;D


Will our honorable Mr. Athens take that as a challenge?

Paul, there was a racetrack involved in your planned tour wasn't there?

Perkchiro, of course I get that, it is exactly my point. There are posts on this board that clearly show some people don't get "that". Take a look at ebay, traderonline. hemmings, you name it, what GT/CS's actually SELL for is a far cry from what some people put into them. When the reality of restoration math hits them I can hear the violins from here.


As far as a $35,000.00 GT/CS offer, whatever....

Just for the record you will not hear me crying the blues or playing the violins. I have Zero/ZIP regrets!!!! Its a hobby and one of eight specialty cars I own, everything was paid for in green cash. Not taking a loan out, not robbing my 401K, or the kids collage fund, just cash. You can doubt or mock the $35000.00 offer all you want MUSTANG you haven't seen my car. Oh by the way I'm looking to start another car project, maybe I can buy yours real cheep..........Bluto

I think we all agree that MUSTANG is correct in that fact that totally restoring these cars is not a real good short term investment right now. Long term may be a different story, though. That's probably not a shock to anyone performing a total restoration. We ran the numbers a few months ago and if I remember correctly the average total cost for car, parts, and labor was between $20K-25K. BFHD! It entertainment. Even after they are restored we're still going to keep spending money on them one way or another.

Most forms of entertainment cost money and this form, for us, is a whole lot better than throwing our money away at the track, or in Vegas, or on the golf course. (Ok, golf is a bad example, and it is still the only recreation I know of in which we gladly pay huge sums just to get royally torqued off.) And even if we don't get all our money back right away at least we did not lose it all either. We still have a liquid asset that looks unlike anything else on the road, and that's gotta be worth a few grand right there.

It sounds to me like we are all saying the same thing, just is different ways so we're all one big happy family again, right?

Speaking of Golf I just spent the past week at our local Sand Dunes with a golf pro by the name of Bob May. He took Tiger to the edge in the 2000 PGA Championship and lost by one stroke on the third extra hole after they tied the final round. I met him through a mutual fly fishing friend. He and some friends of his were here at the sands so we BBQ'd at the house and they took me for a ride in their Sand Rail several times over the course of the week, the rail has 680 HP with twin turbos. Man what a ride. Next year when they come up he said he'd go golfing with me, he had surgery this past year so I don't think he's golfing much right now.

Hook

I'll bet Jason doesn't own one of those!!! :o

I'll bet Jason doesn't own one of those!!! :o


Probably could if he wanted from all the cars he does buy. ::) Larry another friend of mine traded the one he had for a new one through some guy at the sands that was a dealer and the new one cost him $80,000. :o

Hook

Notice in the picture near Bob's hand, DVD screens in the back of both seats in a Sand Rail no less. ;D

Hook

I'll bet Jason doesn't own one of those!!! :o


haven't driven one yet. ;)

they don't really seem like my cup of tea to own. However a fast motorcycle or car that's a different story.

That thing would be a blast on Houston's streets, especially during one of our weekly floods.

This thread has been around the bend and back.

Completely restoring your own as opposed to buying somebody elses restoration. Seems to me there would only be two guys looking to sell the car they put so many $$ and hours of time to build a project of this magnitude.
1. The guy who needs the $$ and has to sell his toys.
2. The guy who is a member of "the more money than brains club" who just enjoys building them and selling them.

When my car is completed, I will know exactly what I have. I will have touched every bolt, nut and washer on my car. There will be no mysteries to creep up on me in the future.

There's a more important part of the restoration that hasn't been mentioned and doesn't have a $$ figure. It's the comraderie that comes with all the hard work. I feel very lucky to have the friends I do who are willing to come over and help me build my dream. There is no price on that!

There are many aspects of the restoration that add to my days but that is my favorite part of this restoration.

sorry bluto, I'm keeping my car.

mosesatm, exactly. Lots of discussions about what the cars are "worth", not many about what they sell for. They are appreciating, just not as fast as some would like or other types of mustangs.

It is my goal to keep the expeditures for my restoration within the window of what I could get for the car if I had to sell it for some reason. I picked up the car for $4,500.00 and am doing all the work myself with the exception of the metalwork and paint. After the GT/CS there is a 65 mustang waiting for its restoration, that one may have quite a bit into it. At least I won't pretend to think its worth more than it is or get bent out of shape if the sale price doesn't reflect what I spent on the resto.

Been reading this thread mainly for entertainment - but I get a lot of that in this website! Anyway, after been reading this website for over 1 year I`m seeing more disclosure on prices, etc. So here is my disclosure. I paid $24K for my car 1 year ago. I know this must be towards the top end of prices (published anyway) but I have no regrets as it is a factory GT, a new motor, rebuilt tranny, rebuilt radiator, etc. etc. Basically the car runs great and looks pretty good too. Its pretty much an original matching numbers car. I don't have too much time to spend working on a car so needed to find a car that was basically done. I agree with most members of this site that the $$ value is not the important thing. I ENJOY driving the car (brings me back to my high school early college days when I did have the time to rebuild mustangs. This is mustang #5 for me!). I also enjoy pulling up next to a new `stang and having them check my car out. Keep the comments/entertainment coming!

Cheers CalPaul, it's only worth, is exactly what it worth to you and it sounds like it's worth it to you so you're dead on.

Hook

Thanks Hook. Hopefully we can meet at a CS 2008 location, or on a river in idaho. I want to introduce my kids to white water rafting!

Thanks Hook. Hopefully we can meet at a CS 2008 location, or on a river in idaho. I want to introduce my kids to white water rafting!


We got some awesome white water rafting along with some awesome fishing, you're welcome anytime you get the opportunity. Like I said, my life is full of spending time with friends doing the things I love and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm sure Steve would join us as well. Cook up some Elk steaks, kick back with a brew and admire our cars after a good day on the river.

Hook

Well, looks like the topics of GT/CS values and personal worth has been bantered around a bit on this thread. I hope I didn't ruffle MUSTANG's feathers with my comments. I just wanted to make the point that we should let the dollar values of our cars be set by the market. The personal values go far beyond that and it is the combination of both that make our cars special to us. I don't question or make light of anyone who says they have refused high offers for their cars. I take pleasure in knowing that the market value is rising and I believe it will continue to do so in the future. I also value this website and the members who offer their experience, expertise and help. I have a lot of fun viewing the posts and I'm looking forward to visiting and getting to know some of you in the future. Keep up the good conversation and lively posts. Remember, we're all on this website because of one thing, our beloved GT/CS automobiles. :)

Oft times I feel like I'm in the stock market forum listening to all the banter on how much they are or aren't worth, rather than the GT/CS forum.

Just kidding, don't want to ruffle any feathers, you all know I could give a crap less how much they're worth.

Carry on, I'll read all the post irregardless.

Hook ;)

Hey, it's me...the guy trying to sell the car at the beginning of this thread.. :)

I was getting in the habit of peeking at this thread only once in a while to see what was going on, if I had any "leads" or what have you, but it was always so darn quiet. I came on tonight and just thought, "HOLY CRAP!" You people have been busy... :)

It has been very entertaining reading your posts though, and I've learned a thing or two, as well.

To Slim, my thoughts exactly. It only takes one. I suppose I have been hoping that the car would cross the path of some Leno-type eccentric with more money and toys than he knows what to do with only looking for a GT/CS to round out his collection...and I know that is something of a pipe dream, but what the heck? I guess if I really wanted exposure I should bring to shows or something (no trailer...reluctance to accrue mileage).

The consignment idea came when I spoke to this dealer in Clearwater who ships cars world wide (quite a showroom) and has told me that has sold those cars before for $25 and $30K...but whatever.

Regarding Ebay, I have had the car on ebay, last year for a bit...and the highest the bid ever got was $17,000. I think it is funny how some people look at ebay as a reliable gauge for the Market, but I have come to think of it as more of an online flea market. I don't care what you are trying to sell, you just ain't gonna get what it's worth. People don't go onto ebay to pay market value...they want a deal. Unless you just want to whore out whatever you've got to sell for some quick cash (excuse the language), you shouldn't even bother with ebay. I guess I really wonder whether EBAY affects the overall Market more than the Market reflects performaces on EBAY. Perhaps I'm just bitter :)

Hmmm...

After reading everything, also...I might just take it off the market for while...not to wait on it's value appreciation, but simply because I do love the car so. It was actually my father's car but he got ill and died very shortly before the restoration was complete. He never drove the finished product. I guess I feel I'm driving it for him vicariously or something. In anycase, it is really more for the benefit of his widow (my mother) that "we" sell it. But......that is probably more information that you all needed or wanted.....but, what the heck?

I loved the story by the fella with the 12 year old son and the other with the 27 year old. I can't remember who posted them, but they made me really how great it would be to be to keep the car and pass it on to my own son. (Not yet...I'm only 27 myself. But, gosh...look at me ramble.

Anyway, keep posting! It's great fun reading your collective thoughts.

You know, it's like the Antiques Roadshow. They come out of left field with some of these items and you're thinking "Crap, $4500 for some costume jewelry from 1932" or "Oh my god that old bat just got the most tacky looking vase appraised for $10,000". The point is these are all appraisals and not offers. That's the show I want to see. "Well, Mrs. Smith, I appraise this one-of- a-kind quilt at, oh...$7500....and here's a check!! Never happens. I know I can get my car appraised for more than I could sell it for. I will never in a million years get what I've got in it, (unless I did meet that complete idiot, and with my luck, that just doesn't happen) There is a buyer out there for your car, Mike. You will eventually find them. Maybe not for $40K but well over $20K. I know it.
I will never have to worry about selling because as you spoke of these members with young'uns, I too have a 19 year old licking his chops for the day it's his. Not because he's greedy, but because he has quite a bit of sweat invested and more to follow. It's our thing, you know?

My son is 10. The only help he gives me is to stick his head in the garage and yell "are you done yet" lol
I suspect that will change in about 5 years when he sees that drivers license right around the corner.

My son is 10. The only help he gives me is to stick his head in the garage and yell "are you done yet" lol
I suspect that will change in about 5 years when he sees that drivers license right around the corner.


That's when the itch hits. My girlfriends son (14) has just started asking which Mustang he'll get to drive to school. You can guess what my answer was - NEITHER!
If he actually thinks I'm turning him loose with a big block stang as his first car he's nuts. His reply - I'll be careful. Yea I know how that one works to. I used to be 14 - 16. It's all OK until your buddies are in the car with you or you want to impress some little piece of tail that happens to be on the corner and before you know it there's that pole or sign you forgot about creasing the front end right after you realize "Crap, I've lost control".
Nope, looks like a "4 cylinder" to start with. I figure he can work his way up the same way I did. He may not like it but, that's life.

For MikeinFL;
I was the one who posted about my son who is now 27. I had promised him a classic mustang when he graduated from High School many years ago. I had just completed restoring a 67 Shelby GT 500 prior to his graduation. It didn't happen due to a divorce. Anyway - It's a promise I now hope to fulfill in the future.

Don 8)

If my son is anything like me at that age, (and it looks like he may be) He will end up with a 4 or a 6 banger to start with. My first car was a Maverick Grabber with a 200 cube 6. It took about 1 mile to get up to 80. Ask me how I know? That's the point, it won't matter what he's in, he'll want to see how fast it will go.
My stock 67 Mustang with 289 would do 105 at WOT, I flipped the air cleaner lid (gives you much more air flow and still seals on the filter without changing anything permanent) the top end went up to 110. It's an easy mod for a better breathing engine, just flip it back over when you want to show it.

Maybe I should think about buying the car that started this thread for my son so this thread would get back on topic! :D

Oh dang, I don't have a son. ::)

Carry on then. ;D :P ;D

My son is 9, He is going to have to buy his own GT/CS.

I think we would all like to break even or make a profit at such an interesting and fun hobby. Their really is no relationship between the rising prices of a Shelby and a California special. I think the CS's are definitely in good taste and should fall more into the original restomod or clone area. A shame they didn't come out with a convertible or fastback version. I think at 25k you want to keep it more than sell it and their is nothing wrong with that. I would think 20k would be over the top but who knows. I think that some of the prices that people are seeing on ebay are bogus... Just plain fake sales to tell you the truth but it keeps the market biting and going. Good luck and honestly I hope you do get what your looking for. I'm still looking in all the barns I can find. 8)