I think Frank is on target with this. The early bird restoration market is and has been a different market that what takes place here. There is big money in the correct "concours/Pebble Beach" standard of restorations. Amos Minter in Dallas comes to mind. I think that outfit would be at least interested in those heads if they are what is claimed. With Supercharged 57 TBirds going often north of $150,000 original parts like these are not cheap.



http://c-it.com/aminter-tbirds/index1.html

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

About 8 years ago I heard of a set of F Code heads going for $5000.00.

What is a totally restored F Code anything worth at auction?

What would it sell for with -471 heads? I'll bet the sale price would go done way more than 5K for a non correct car.

People who go to auctions and buy $125,000-150,000 cars live in different world than we do.

For that kind of money I would expect the car to be correct.

But, who would have thought that posted G heads would be worth 300-400 a pair of a 57 4-Barrel intake would sell for 200 bucks?

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

Absolutely no argument with what John is saying regarding the value / sale price of a 'collector / investment vehicle' being SIGNIFICANTLY diminished by the substitution of any non-original part.



In scrutinizing any vehicle, the identification of any 'non-correct' parts or components brings the entire vehicle's authenticity / originality into question. The identification of anything incorrect makes the inspector immediately of the opinion, 'Well if this isn't correct, what else has been substituted that I haven't detected or can't see to look at?'



The ends that some 'restorers' have to go to when substituting parts goes to surprising creative lengths from what I have been told by some who are followers of muscle car offerings. I think that this is part of the reason that 'barn finds' are so popular. There's a better chance of getting the real deal, and, when you build it yourself or under your direction, you KNOW what you've got when you get done.



As I stated in another thread posting, there are a lot of beautiful looking T-'Birds in the NorthEast that are not structurally sound because of how the 'restoration' of the body structure has been incompletely executed.



As for a '57 'F' code Ford, 471 heads on the engine would likely kill any potential sale.


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

I dunno Charlie, my F code is a blatant fake, but I'll bet I can sell it. 471 heads, 292 block, repo blower bracket, and the wrong data plate. No I won't get 100 grand for it, but then again i can drive it and race it without jepordizing my chldrens inheiritance, I think. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I don't think we have opposing views, Frank. I'm about all that you're talking about! I'm no purist. I'm not into flawless restorations, trailer queens, Concourse judging, fear of getting a paint chip, or the like. IMO, I don't see all that as 'fun'. Some do... I respect their efforts, it's just not what I care to pursue.



I say, build 'em, and drive 'n enjoy 'em! Build 'em to be all that you want them to be for the purpose you desire to use them for. Me, I'm principally into street and highway use.



My data plates are original, but there is no effort to match what is under the hoods, behind the engines, or in the rear ends with the original 'build' sheets. All of my equipment is NOT FoMoCo produced... but, it is y-block based



My vehicles are my 'hobby'. I do as much as possible myself in putting them together. I do not consider my engines or vehicles 'investments' or portray them as that to my wife. I'm sure I'll have more in them money-wise than they'll bring at sale. In the mean time, I love the planning, the building, the tuning, and the ride.



How much will they bring when I'm gone... not much from a purist... but, perhaps a reasonable dollar from someone who appreciates the combinations I've assembled for their fun on the road, well sorted out performance and reliability, attention to detail, and the mechanical improvements over bone-stock originals.



This Forum has been a blessing in moving me along in accomplishing what I'm trying to do with y-blocks. The wealth of information shared here has saved me untold time, effort, trial-and-error, and money in catching-up on what I haven't been able to pursue while raising three kids and working full time. I'm indebted to all who unselfishly contribute their time, effort, knowledge, and experience to making this Forum what it is as a resource. In addition to new thread postings, the 'Search' function is phenomenal!

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Charlie, I don't mind the 100 point restored cars, In fact they're excellent reference points, or should be if not overdone. But the people who own them usually don't build or maintain them. Often have anal problems and are "better than you are." Like the cars, often dislike the owners. That normally doesn't apply to the builders, those guys are generally very knowledgeable and willing to share. The guys on this foruum typically don't worry about "matching ashtrays" or the wrong brand of brake shoes. Lot more fun this way! We probably do disagree on some things, for example I'm a Notre Dame and Colts fan, not sure that would work near Buffalo!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

While spending the day starting a major clean up/reorganization of my garage and coming across some things I hadn't seen in many years, I thought about the asking price of the $5000 F heads. I remember way back on the Y block Discussion List when someone posted he bought an original complete Y Block Hilborn injection unit on EBay for about the same price. Frank probably remembers this. There were long threads of discussion and hand wringing, myself included, over the outrageous price paid. I go to the Pebble Beach Concours every few years just to marvel at the rareness and quality of the cars. But for the participants it is a completely different world where the owners are more like thoroughbred racehorse owners, with far too much money and playing in the high society "gentlemanly" game of one-upsmanship without a trace of grease under the fingernails. I doubt many of them could change a plug or pack a wheel bearing. They do provide an important service by keeping all these beautiful and historical pieces in original and top shape in the same manner as art collectors. I can't take the social aspect of it for too long though, the French Champagne, martini and rare cigar booths on the fairway grass instead of beer and hotdogs on asphalt or dirt leaves me cold.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

Mark, YES. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

We'll have to dig further to find something to disagree about, Frank. I'm not into football! Besides, people like yourself have contributed too much to this Forum and my hobby for me to be able to get upset with you about much of anything!



I still appreciate the two aluminum thermostat housing I was able to obtain from you. -Truly nicely done castings, post production machining work, and the use of stainless steel tubing for the water by-pass outlet! The aluminum housings make much more sense to me to use in conjunction with my aluminum manifolds than the original cast iron! -Again, it doesn't have to be 'original' for me to prefer anything that will reduce the typical corrosion problem you get when you put dissimilar metals together!



The T-85 overdrive you've sold me will work nicely in the car I'm converting from automatic. I like the T-5 I'm putting in the other car, but I can't afford to do both that way!



Last point... Your 'F' code '57 will bring more money if ever sold than anything I'm putting together, just because the supercharger is so desirable and rare. Too, you've the the time sheets to prove that the set-up is not just eye candy!



Salute, Frank!



Regards,


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

I appreciate the OP (Return Road) for bringing these parts here, but also know that if you Google y-block you are coming here first and rightly so.  I don't have an interest in them but  if I wanted/needed them would be delighted to know of the oppurtunity.  If the OP is still hanging out I would really like to know what happens to them and what these heads are worth at todays value when sold, and for me I'd love to know the back story, these are obviously rare, where were they hiding.  So hopefully RR you'll check back in.

Ted, Redding, CA