Very nice collection! The "007" James Bond edition was in 2003, the color was Coral. We bought one in 2012 that had just 12 miles on the odometer. We sold it a couple years ago to a collector in SC. Loved the car, very classy, a wonderful performer. Kind of wish we had kept it.
@@loucostabile Yes, exactly! Ours was #67 of 700 produced. We bought the car out of NC in 2012 with 12 miles on the odometer, we sold it with 33 miles on it. Much of the value of the car was its low mileage, so we didn't want to drive it much. One of the drawbacks to owning a car like that is that you don't want to drive it much, but of course having a car sit without driving it isn't good for longevity. We had it registered here in Florida even though we hardly ever drove it. My wife came up with a very unique vanity plate for the car, "SPY BIRD". Very nice review, Lou, love your videos!
This is a no brainer Lou. I would much rather be cruising in a 57 T-Bird than a 2004 Thunderbird. A 57 T-Bird will always be worth more than a modern car. ❤
Hi Zavon B, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
When they first came out I was excited and thought they would be popular but I was wrong. I guess it was a toy for old people with disposable income. I would like to see one customized as a jot rod.
Hands down it's the 57 T-Bird for me. Love the interior and that engine-turned dash. The color is the same as my Aunt Jane's 57 Fairlane, Starmist Blue. Another aunt and uncle had a 1955 Olds 88 like the one Frank has, and in the same color combo. Please do a story on that one!
@@loucostabile Oh gee. That Olds was 5 years ago! I didn't recall seeing it, but I did and left two comments on it. Beautiful car! I'm glad to know he still has it.
Hi Lou! I must agree with you in my preference for the 1957 T-Bird. The retro models styling were too bulbous and lacked the true sports cars look. Both the colors are gorgeous though!
@@kdsboosted4954 you’ll never appreciate it until you get it out clean it up and make a driver out of it. You don’t have to restore just clean it up and take care of the vitals.
@Irishfan its got some significance She was screwed from the start. The owner/ builder sent pictures to Barris in Jan 57 to publish. He never did instead he used the designs to finish his stalled Ala-kart project and put the Aztec out. The owner parked it and my dad bought it without engine/ trans for $150 in 62. Fast forward a few years (4-5 years before passing) my dad ran into Barris at a show had a good afternoon BSing and when my dad showed pictures of the bird Barris lost his cool and was upset it survived.
I'm 6'5", and do not fit in the 2003. The seat won't go back far enough to give me ingress/egress. The '57's I've seen look like they have a bit more interior room, but I've never actually sat in one. I like both cars equally otherwise, but I need seating room. I'd choose '57.
@@franktroost7721 No, I've sat in it. There is a vertical "wall" behind the seat in the newer car. Seat track travel is limited by it, and the seat back cannot be angled back when seat is moved into rear-most position. It is impossible to adjust the seat where I can be comfortable and able to sit in the car with top/roof on. My head is too high, with seat back upright. The '57 has no console, so the area in front of seat is wider, and allows more room for legs.
Hey Lou, great idea to compare the two T-birds! 57 was also my favorite of the originals. I had a neighbor who restored a 56 when I was in grade school. That was around 1965. It was the only one I got a ride in. But occasionally, I will get a chance to see one. Last time was at a gas station, and a guy with a 57 was pumping gasoline at the next pump. I got a chance to look at it and talk with him. The modern ones were a similar story. I never got a chance to ride in one but have gotten a close-up look. The day I was buying my present car at a Ford dealer's used car lot, my sales person was working on selling a 2005 to another customer at the same time. I loved seeing the comparison on this video. If I had my choice for one of them, it would be the 57, but I wouldn't mind both!
An old friend of mine that lives in Cincinnati now had one of the new retro Thunderbirds that I would have to ask him which year it was. I don’t know now, but I remember seeing it in the garage has sent nice cars not really on my personal radar, but I appreciate all older cars, thanks Lou. Another great video. God bless you.❤
Hi James, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. Blessings received, and God bless you too, Lou
Hi Lou! I’m with you about the “points”. Those were iconic details of the 1955-1957 two-seater T-Birds, which also carried over to the 1958-1960 four-seat T-Birds. I’m sure that aerodynamically, they’re not desirable, and as you know current cars are partly designed in computer wind tunnels for areodynamic efficiency. One other bit of trivia: All the fins, “eyebrows” over headlights, and other artsy details of the ‘50’s cars are terrible rust promoters. They trap road salts and don’t drain very well, and this was another reason for going to “smoother” designs. But while I understand the practicality of eliminating fins and other details, I miss their look. They were way cool!! Modern cars are way too look-alike.
Okay Lou, it would be too hard to pick. Please, please, may I have both of them!!! Thanks for panning the garage! I love Frank's cars. This was a great comparison.
Great to see these two side by side. I thought Ford did a splendid job with the Retro-bird - tasteful and well-proportioned. The rear lights are a very close match to the headlights in their shape and positioning. I also like the fact that the trunk is close to the same length as the hood.
Terrific showing of neato automobiles. I like the 2003 T-bird body but would prolly change the engine to a 68 F-100 4rth gen 289. Great auto collection, thanks for showing Lou.
Hmmm. This will always be a tough call for me. In my heart of hearts, I'm a daily driver kind of guy, so I guess I would be better off with the '03. However, even though my garage is more modest than Mr. Troost's, I'm sure I could find room for both of these classics. 😉 Thanks, Lou!
Beautiful cars, both of them! I love the modern T-bird, it's one of the only modern cars that has any style. I wish more modern cars would take note of its design. I prefer the original one though, as usual! Great video Lou!
2002-2005 WanderBirds looks like a steamroller went over the new retro Volkswagen Beetle. The retro T-Bird cost about $10k more than the Corvette. The last good looking T-Bird was the aero designed 1984-1988. These were the Warbirds. Stomping Chevrolets in NASCAR and NHRA. Bill Elliot holds the track record for fastest qualifying speed at Talladega @ 212.809mph and Daytona International Speedway @ 210.364mph. Can you imagine a retro TweetyBird on a NASCAR track? Or drag racing? BTW, this coming from a die hard Ford enthusiast.
The hardtop improves the quietness of the ride at speed and increases the bass output of radio tremendously but at the expense of some creaking noises at slower speeds pulling into driveway etc.
I have a black '03, so I guess that shows my preference. Since I don't have much room, my convertible needs to be able to road trip comfortably. I also like cars from the early 2000's, I think they have a good amount of modern features but without all the annoying screens that modern cars have.
Hi Omniphorius VCF, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hey Frank where is my favorite car of your collection the 1970 Plymouth Fury station wagon? I love that unit you had it on Lou's channel once. It was a beautiful red with the woodgrain sides. I hope you still have it Frank it was my favorite unit of your collection. These units Frank are very beautiful!
@@franktroost7721 so glad Frank you got good money for it. But I sure wished you would have kept that. I just loved that unit so much. I was the one that wanted lou to do a story on it long before he did when I got a glimpse of it when you were doing another story on another of your units. I sure hope he takes as good of care of it like you did. I really loved that unit the best. Thanks for letting me know Frank!
Great comparison between the two Ford Thunderbirds! One from 1957 with a beautiful soft blue paint job, and the other much more "current" (although it is already more than 20 years old) from 2003 in a nice light green color. All in all, I'll stick with the 1957 model, for all that style and elegance it exudes; including those soft and sloping rear fins, hehe. But, I must clarify, that the 2003 design is not bad at all. Oh, and how striking that silver "Shelby Series 1" with red stripes behind both looked, hehe. Best regards, Lou!
I've been a Ford guy all my life. 40 plus years retired mechanic. I much prefer to drive the 2003 but look at the 57. I've been burned out from being a mechanic and don't even want to touch what could go wrong with the 57. My 2003 is driving fine with 148k miles on it.
Hi Keith, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hilarious about getting the 2003 for the wife until she got a dog lol. I am sure the retro is a real pleasure to drive, but I would go for the '57 due to it being more stylish, having chrome
@@loucostabilethat is a great video. He has such a nice clean car. Mine was all beat up and rusty. But it had power and it was my first car. ruclips.net/video/fupZxsMRW0I/видео.htmlsi=dlrUku_FB6l7LWAm
I like both of them and I was very interested in buying a retro- bird because of the modern features. I hope you don't mind Lou if I offer some info here, Thunderbird Bob ( on youtube) offers parts and will re-work components for the retro cars. I still think I will get a retro car some day.
My favorite T-bird of all time was the '57 with the Port Hole Hard Top. Ooo la la! That was the only time America had two sport cars, but only for three years. You have to wonder where Ford would be today if they kept producing their two-seater sport car. One thing for sure is that Ford would have been giving GM a run for their money against the Corvette. Some of us Vette owners might be driving T-Birds. Save the Wave 👋
Although not as collectable I kinda like the 7th gen. LTD II , Torino, Elite, Montego platform, great engine choices. 302', M 351, 400's 351 W's. The 03's had a lot of electrical gremlins ..but are beautiful & after sorted they were ok
@scalihoo you won't find any of those in this collection😀. Not a Ford guy although he did buy a '60 Edsel this spring. Interesting choice of cars, growing up in the '70's I hated them. But now nearly or more than '50 years later those cars don't look nearly as bad.
@@richardrice8076 I bought My Dad's 76 Montego that he bought new @ S&R Lincoln Mercury in RVC Long Island, they also sold Pantera's it was a block away from our house. It was black with a 1/4 white vinyl roof white interior 351 W /C6, it was a point shoot highway champ , car got taken out by a College kid that rear ended me at a light. Great memories ..the T-Birds were better even the LTD II's were nice looking too me...
@Scalihoo good memories, well except for your dad's Montego getting trashed. Mercury is one of my favorite brands. Turnpike cruisers, Marauders, Cougars, you get the idea. Not sure I could warm up to the LTD II or the '70's T birds. I think it's an age thing! But I appreciate your cars of choice. BTW for the record I'm a Studebaker guy. As a kid they kicked butt at the local dirt track.
@@richardrice8076 Studebakers were before my time & I can appreciate them although I know basically know of the Hawk's & Avanti's. Im a youngster @ 62. :). They weren't around when I was a kid on Long Island. Oh & I had a black 67 Cougar J code car looked like a GTE somewhat a tribute car. It was nice the gas mileage wasn't that good & actually it only became fun when I did a disc brake swap up front. OMG those drum brakes were scary. Nice chatting. 👍
Nice compare on the Birds. I'll be in the minority, i prefer the modern ones. True on scarcity of parts on modern ones. Funny about hard tops. I like the modern ones with the hard top with port tops.
There is no question that Ford's styling goal was retro. The Front of the retro-bird is reminiscent of the '55-'56 T-birds. Ford did the same thing when they introduced the 1974 Mustang II coupe. It was reminiscent of the original 1964 1/2 Mustang. Oh, the '55-'57 automatic was a 3-speed. Normally it started in 2nd gear, but push the pedal to the floor or place the shift lever in "Lo" and it would start in 1st. Ford never had a 2-speed automatic until 1959 and the last year it was available was 1964. That's what's in that '60 Edsel.
For the record it's a 2004. Frank told me last night he goofed. I've driven both. Gotta admit this is one of the few times I'll take the new over the old. Don't get me wrong I'd take the '57 in a minute, I just the like ride and performance of the Continental based '04 over the '57. Besides I fit in the '04 better!
Ford missed the boat when it decided to base the retro- Tbird on the original 1955 model. If they'd done one inspired by the 1961 Tbird it would have been more successful imo. However, just setting the grill back a few inches would have made a world of difference, as the side by side photo shows quite clearly.
Hi Kirby, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I would pick the 57 Bird before any car in the shop. I have never seen a retro car ,be it Camaro, Mustang,Challenger that had better styling than the original. Much of this has to do with the " bumper laws" of the 1970s.Especially Corvettes. I dont care for any vettes made after 1973
Thanks, well the ‘57 is the Preferred vehicle…….One wonders if , FORD had went the newer Bird: big Handling tires, Manuel tranny, biG HORSEPOWER (* a al VIPER/ CT’s Cadillac)
The Retro you could drive everyday. And buy it for about a quarter of what the 57 costs. Invest the rest I wonder if there are enough young people interested in these old classics. A lot of the pre-war stuff is of little interest.
the 1957 the retro was such a profound disappointment that didn't meet Ford's sales expectations I actually prefer the turquoise Chrysler a few feet away, hopefully a show on that
Steel is for real I would take the 57 do not like the 2003s they are very plasticky and cheap feeling I drove one in 2005 and a friend of the family at the time had a 55 T-Bird which is all around a better built car for the money
@ I respect that👍. I worked in the Entertainment Biz all my life, worked 12hr days, often 7 days a week, earned $80-$90K/year, but we had 2 kids. Sadly my car money went to raising the kids who are more successful than I was. I’m retired. I’ll take successful kids over cars.
Although the 57 "looks good" for its era, it functions terrible. In todays times , we are familiar with "just how" a modern car drives, thru the decades since, we had long forgotten "bad behaviour" we just accepted as "that's just the way it is". Drive a 57 & you'll hate the four-wheel drum brakes....same thing with the "handling", wallowing on a curve....don't dare trying to do full-on braking in your 57 at 72 MPH...you'll no doubt spin it out & die from the resultant crash.
Hi Ricardo, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
@AndieBlack13 have you ever driven a car from the '50's or '60's? I've driven many of Frank's cars and I don't hate drum brakes, you just need a little extra room to stop. Handling? None of his cars are(or were) corner carvers, I'm not interested in how the car handles. Yes that's the way it is and I love it. Driving a post war classic is something everyone should experience. Today's cars drive themselves, back then you had to drive it. It's a lotta fun.
@@richardrice8076 As a career mechanic since 1984, yes I have likely driven far more vehicles than most. My point is such that we collectivity have unwittingly gotten used to "better" cars....and yes, when I test-drove a 53 Ford, it wallowed about like a drunk sailor.
I would choose the 57, in a flash, in a resto-mod , image powered brakes steering windows air powered roof powered trunk, a beautiful navigation system, stereo system wild speakers, 🔊 !
Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou
The retro bird was a poor copy of the originals. The old original only way to go
The retro bird was a poor copy of the originals. The old original only way to go
Very nice collection! The "007" James Bond edition was in 2003, the color was Coral. We bought one in 2012 that had just 12 miles on the odometer. We sold it a couple years ago to a collector in SC. Loved the car, very classy, a wonderful performer. Kind of wish we had kept it.
Hi Wes, Like this one? ruclips.net/video/1kIfeYrIfSo/видео.html
@@loucostabile Yes, exactly! Ours was #67 of 700 produced. We bought the car out of NC in 2012 with 12 miles on the odometer, we sold it with 33 miles on it. Much of the value of the car was its low mileage, so we didn't want to drive it much. One of the drawbacks to owning a car like that is that you don't want to drive it much, but of course having a car sit without driving it isn't good for longevity. We had it registered here in Florida even though we hardly ever drove it. My wife came up with a very unique vanity plate for the car, "SPY BIRD". Very nice review, Lou, love your videos!
I will take the 1957 bird every day and I love his toy collection.
Thank you for sharing the one you'd take.
This is a no brainer Lou. I would much rather be cruising in a 57 T-Bird than a 2004 Thunderbird. A 57 T-Bird will always be worth more than a modern car. ❤
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer Derek.
I always liked these newer ones but they never got any love. I've also never seen anyone young driving them, so I'll get one next year lol
Hi Zavon B, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
When they first came out I was excited and thought they would be popular but I was wrong. I guess it was a toy for old people with disposable income. I would like to see one customized as a jot rod.
Hands down it's the 57 T-Bird for me. Love the interior and that engine-turned dash. The color is the same as my Aunt Jane's 57 Fairlane, Starmist Blue. Another aunt and uncle had a 1955 Olds 88 like the one Frank has, and in the same color combo. Please do a story on that one!
Hi Jonathan NC, Thank you for viewing and sharing which one you prefer. Here is the 1955 Olds :-) Enjoy! Lou ruclips.net/video/XfrZ-Yu6DCE/видео.html
@@loucostabile Oh gee. That Olds was 5 years ago! I didn't recall seeing it, but I did and left two comments on it. Beautiful car! I'm glad to know he still has it.
Great collection!
And the Thunderbirds are very cool. Wonderful condition.
Thanks Lou and Frank.
Hi Jeff, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great collection!" :-) Glad to share the Thunderbirds with you. You're welcome, Lou
Hi Lou! I must agree with you in my preference for the 1957
T-Bird. The retro models styling were too bulbous and lacked the true sports cars look. Both the colors are gorgeous though!
Hi Steven, Thank you for sharing the car you prefer. Lou
Which ever one l could fit in 🙂🙃
Frank has excellent taste in automobiles 🚘
NICE!
Always only the original♥
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
Дуже цікаве порівняня! Класні авто! Дякую!
Hi Сергій, Glad to read you find the comparison interesting. You're welcome, Lou
Beautiful collection of cars, love the T-birds in this video Thanks Frank and Lou!
Hi Floyd, Happy to share the car collection with you. You're welcome, Lou
Very cool 🤙 have a 50's custom 55 bird my dad bought in the early 60's. Been sitting at the barn for decades
Happy to read you have a cool car. Hope this video inspires you to get your car on the road again.
A car sitting in the barn, needs to be restored and put back on the road! Cars were meant to be driven not rotting in a barn!
@@kdsboosted4954 you’ll never appreciate it until you get it out clean it up and make a driver out of it. You don’t have to restore just clean it up and take care of the vitals.
@Irishfan its got some significance
She was screwed from the start. The owner/ builder sent pictures to Barris in Jan 57 to publish. He never did instead he used the designs to finish his stalled Ala-kart project and put the Aztec out. The owner parked it and my dad bought it without engine/ trans for $150 in 62. Fast forward a few years (4-5 years before passing) my dad ran into Barris at a show had a good afternoon BSing and when my dad showed pictures of the bird Barris lost his cool and was upset it survived.
@loucostabile there's a original picture of it on my channel in the community section for any interested.
I'm 6'5", and do not fit in the 2003. The seat won't go back far enough to give me ingress/egress. The '57's I've seen look like they have a bit more interior room, but I've never actually sat in one.
I like both cars equally otherwise, but I need seating room. I'd choose '57.
Hi Ray, Thank you for sharing your challenge, and I think Frank is about your height. Appreciate you sharing which one you prefer.
I’m 6’3”. 240 pounds. The 04 you would fit in better. 10:16 10:18
@@franktroost7721 No, I've sat in it. There is a vertical "wall" behind the seat in the newer car. Seat track travel is limited by it, and the seat back cannot be angled back when seat is moved into rear-most position. It is impossible to adjust the seat where I can be comfortable and able to sit in the car with top/roof on. My head is too high, with seat back upright.
The '57 has no console, so the area in front of seat is wider, and allows more room for legs.
Love these cars thank you Lou God Bless.
Hi Leroy, Happy to read "Love these cars" :-) You're welcome. Blessings received and God bless you too, Lou
Choose of course the old one
Happy to read the one you like.
Hey Lou, great idea to compare the two T-birds! 57 was also my favorite of the originals. I had a neighbor who restored a 56 when I was in grade school. That was around 1965. It was the only one I got a ride in. But occasionally, I will get a chance to see one. Last time was at a gas station, and a guy with a 57 was pumping gasoline at the next pump. I got a chance to look at it and talk with him. The modern ones were a similar story. I never got a chance to ride in one but have gotten a close-up look. The day I was buying my present car at a Ford dealer's used car lot, my sales person was working on selling a 2005 to another customer at the same time. I loved seeing the comparison on this video. If I had my choice for one of them, it would be the 57, but I wouldn't mind both!
Hey Daniel, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your neighbors car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
1957, anyday.
Thank you for sharing which one you'd choose.
57 hands down
Thank you for sharing the one you prefer.
The wood floor throughout that garage impresses
Thanks for sharing what you liked :-)
I'd choose the '57 all day long
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
An old friend of mine that lives in Cincinnati now had one of the new retro Thunderbirds that I would have to ask him which year it was. I don’t know now, but I remember seeing it in the garage has sent nice cars not really on my personal radar, but I appreciate all older cars, thanks Lou. Another great video. God bless you.❤
Hi James, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Friends car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. Blessings received, and God bless you too, Lou
I'd take the 57
Thank you for sharing the one you like.
1957 of course! The 2003 is a cutie no doubt about that but the 57 has that round window
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
Why would anyone want the 23! The 57 is a classic!!
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
Hi Lou! I’m with you about the “points”. Those were iconic details of the 1955-1957 two-seater T-Birds, which also carried over to the 1958-1960 four-seat T-Birds.
I’m sure that aerodynamically, they’re not desirable, and as you know current cars are partly designed in computer wind tunnels for areodynamic efficiency.
One other bit of trivia: All the fins, “eyebrows” over headlights, and other artsy details of the ‘50’s cars are terrible rust promoters. They trap road salts and don’t drain very well, and this was another reason for going to “smoother” designs.
But while I understand the practicality of eliminating fins and other details, I miss their look. They were way cool!! Modern cars are way too look-alike.
Hi OldRustySteele, Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Lou
Definitely the original. The remake models from the early 2000s had some problems, IIRC. Even if not; the originals are always the best. 👍
Thank you for sharing you prefer the 1957.
Okay Lou, it would be too hard to pick. Please, please, may I have both of them!!! Thanks for panning the garage! I love Frank's cars. This was a great comparison.
Hi Brian, Why not...twice as nice! Lou
Thanks for the video guys! super fun
You're welcome. Glad the video is "super fun" :-)
I had a chance to buy a 2003 Thunderbird 6 years ago and passed it up, wish now i had bought it!
Hi Kevin, Maybe still time? Lou
Frank has the great goods...To me the 57 is a winner, but I like the new one as well. Thanks Lou
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer CJ Design. You're welcome.
Great to see these two side by side. I thought Ford did a splendid job with the Retro-bird - tasteful and well-proportioned. The rear lights are a very close match to the headlights in their shape and positioning. I also like the fact that the trunk is close to the same length as the hood.
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
I’m 17 and have a 2003 in whisper white as my first car.
NICE!
Both T-Birds are in mint condition ❤
I agree.
Terrific showing of neato automobiles. I like the 2003 T-bird body but would prolly change the engine to a 68 F-100 4rth gen 289. Great auto collection, thanks for showing Lou.
Thank you for sharing the one you prefer. You're welcome gnewb underscore.
Great video, Lou! I like the old Thunderbirds, but i have to say i really like the 2002-2005 retro Thunderbirds! Cheers!😁👍🛠️🔧
Thanks Billy! Nice thing is you can have one of each :-) Cheers!
Hmmm. This will always be a tough call for me. In my heart of hearts, I'm a daily driver kind of guy, so I guess I would be better off with the '03. However, even though my garage is more modest than Mr. Troost's, I'm sure I could find room for both of these classics. 😉 Thanks, Lou!
Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Thank you for sharing which one you'd take. You're welcome, Lou
THANKS LOU, FRANK 🤗 FOR SHARING HIS COLLECTION …57 ❤️💚💚💚
You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long
Frank has a collection to DIE for!!
My pleasure sharing Franks collection with you :-)
Beautiful cars, both of them! I love the modern T-bird, it's one of the only modern cars that has any style. I wish more modern cars would take note of its design. I prefer the original one though, as usual! Great video Lou!
Hi Zach, Thank you for sharing which one you prefer. Appreciate the kind words on the video, Lou
2002-2005 WanderBirds looks
like a steamroller went over the new retro Volkswagen Beetle.
The retro T-Bird cost about $10k more than the Corvette.
The last good looking T-Bird was the aero designed 1984-1988. These were the Warbirds. Stomping Chevrolets in NASCAR and NHRA.
Bill Elliot holds the track record for fastest qualifying speed at Talladega @ 212.809mph and
Daytona International Speedway @ 210.364mph.
Can you imagine a retro TweetyBird on a NASCAR track? Or drag racing?
BTW, this coming from a die hard Ford enthusiast.
Hi Cobra Charmer, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
The hardtop improves the quietness of the ride at speed and increases the bass output of radio tremendously but at the expense of some creaking noises at slower speeds pulling into driveway etc.
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
If you click on this video, you'd of course choose the '57 Thunderbird.
An icon.
One of the most beautiful cars ever made in America.
Hi Niels, Thanks for viewing and sharing. Lou
I have a black '03, so I guess that shows my preference. Since I don't have much room, my convertible needs to be able to road trip comfortably. I also like cars from the early 2000's, I think they have a good amount of modern features but without all the annoying screens that modern cars have.
Hi Omniphorius VCF, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I like both of these but my retro choice bird is 62-63.
Thank you for sharing the ones you prefer.
Hey Frank where is my favorite car of your collection the 1970 Plymouth Fury station wagon? I love that unit you had it on Lou's channel once. It was a beautiful red with the woodgrain sides. I hope you still have it Frank it was my favorite unit of your collection. These units Frank are very beautiful!
Hey Steve, Happy to read "These units Frank are very beautiful!" :-) Here it is, Lou ruclips.net/video/X9fyc2aE6p0/видео.html
@@tippey2011 he sold it a few years ago. I miss that car too.
Sorry to say that I sold it. Got $30,000 for it. I just had too many cars . Buyer has owned it once before.
@@franktroost7721 so glad Frank you got good money for it. But I sure wished you would have kept that. I just loved that unit so much. I was the one that wanted lou to do a story on it long before he did when I got a glimpse of it when you were doing another story on another of your units. I sure hope he takes as good of care of it like you did. I really loved that unit the best. Thanks for letting me know Frank!
Great comparison between the two Ford Thunderbirds! One from 1957 with a beautiful soft blue paint job, and the other much more "current" (although it is already more than 20 years old) from 2003 in a nice light green color. All in all, I'll stick with the 1957 model, for all that style and elegance it exudes; including those soft and sloping rear fins, hehe. But, I must clarify, that the 2003 design is not bad at all. Oh, and how striking that silver "Shelby Series 1" with red stripes behind both looked, hehe. Best regards, Lou!
Hi Jaime, Happy to read your thoughts on these 2, and Shelby Series 1 :-) Lou
Hi Jaime for the record the Shelby belongs to a friend of Frank's. He's storing it for him.
Lucky guy to have the space and money to own both 👍
I agree.
Luck had little to do with it. Worked 6 days and two nights a week. Retired at 75. Fortunately I liked what I did.
@@franktroost7721 lol I work 6 days a week and I can't afford them Frank 😁. Well maybe I can but I certainly don't have the garage space 😂
I've been a Ford guy all my life. 40 plus years retired mechanic. I much prefer to drive the 2003 but look at the 57. I've been burned out from being a mechanic and don't even want to touch what could go wrong with the 57. My 2003 is driving fine with 148k miles on it.
Hi Keith, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hilarious about getting the 2003 for the wife until she got a dog lol. I am sure the retro is a real pleasure to drive, but I would go for the '57 due to it being more stylish, having chrome
Thank you for viewing and sharing which one you'd prefer.
My first car was a 1968 Thunderbird.
Like this one? ruclips.net/video/f3lKAgZPWr0/видео.html
@@loucostabilethat is a great video. He has such a nice clean car. Mine was all beat up and rusty. But it had power and it was my first car. ruclips.net/video/fupZxsMRW0I/видео.htmlsi=dlrUku_FB6l7LWAm
I like both of them and I was very interested in buying a retro- bird because of the modern features. I hope you don't mind Lou if I offer some info here, Thunderbird Bob ( on youtube) offers parts and will re-work components for the retro cars. I still think I will get a retro car some day.
Hi Mark, Thank you for viewing and sharing your choice. Lou
My favorite T-bird of all time was the '57 with the Port Hole Hard Top. Ooo la la! That was the only time America had two sport cars, but only for three years. You have to wonder where Ford would be today if they kept producing their two-seater sport car. One thing for sure is that Ford would have been giving GM a run for their money against the Corvette. Some of us Vette owners might be driving T-Birds. Save the Wave 👋
Thank you for sharing the one you prefer.
1953-2023: 1,560,000 Corvettes.
1955-2005: 4.4 million T-Birds.
Nice 😊
:-)
2003
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
For sure the 57 , its the year i was born❤😂🎉
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
Although not as collectable I kinda like the 7th gen. LTD II , Torino, Elite, Montego platform, great engine choices. 302', M 351, 400's 351 W's. The 03's had a lot of electrical gremlins ..but are beautiful & after sorted they were ok
Thank you for viewing and sharing.
@scalihoo you won't find any of those in this collection😀. Not a Ford guy although he did buy a '60 Edsel this spring. Interesting choice of cars, growing up in the '70's I hated them. But now nearly or more than '50 years later those cars don't look nearly as bad.
@@richardrice8076 I bought My Dad's 76 Montego that he bought new @ S&R Lincoln Mercury in RVC Long Island, they also sold Pantera's it was a block away from our house. It was black with a 1/4 white vinyl roof white interior 351 W /C6, it was a point shoot highway champ , car got taken out by a College kid that rear ended me at a light. Great memories ..the T-Birds were better even the LTD II's were nice looking too me...
@Scalihoo good memories, well except for your dad's Montego getting trashed. Mercury is one of my favorite brands. Turnpike cruisers, Marauders, Cougars, you get the idea. Not sure I could warm up to the LTD II or the '70's T birds. I think it's an age thing! But I appreciate your cars of choice. BTW for the record I'm a Studebaker guy. As a kid they kicked butt at the local dirt track.
@@richardrice8076 Studebakers were before my time & I can appreciate them although I know basically know of the Hawk's & Avanti's. Im a youngster @ 62. :). They weren't around when I was a kid on Long Island. Oh & I had a black 67 Cougar J code car looked like a GTE somewhat a tribute car. It was nice the gas mileage wasn't that good & actually it only became fun when I did a disc brake swap up front. OMG those drum brakes were scary. Nice chatting. 👍
Nice compare on the Birds. I'll be in the minority, i prefer the modern ones. True on scarcity of parts on modern ones. Funny about hard tops. I like the modern ones with the hard top with port tops.
Hi Pat, thanks for sharing which one you prefer, Lou
There is no question that Ford's styling goal was retro. The Front of the retro-bird is reminiscent of the '55-'56 T-birds. Ford did the same thing when they introduced the 1974 Mustang II coupe. It was reminiscent of the original 1964 1/2 Mustang.
Oh, the '55-'57 automatic was a 3-speed. Normally it started in 2nd gear, but push the pedal to the floor or place the shift lever in "Lo" and it would start in 1st. Ford never had a 2-speed automatic until 1959 and the last year it was available was 1964. That's what's in that '60 Edsel.
Hi Automated Electronics, Thanks for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
Early hands down. No computers, no catalytic converter, no smog checks, no metrics, and I can work on it myself.
Thank you for sharing which on you prefer.
For the record it's a 2004. Frank told me last night he goofed. I've driven both. Gotta admit this is one of the few times I'll take the new over the old. Don't get me wrong I'd take the '57 in a minute, I just the like ride and performance of the Continental based '04 over the '57. Besides I fit in the '04 better!
Hi Richard, Thank you for sharing which one you prefer, Lou
Ford missed the boat when it decided to base the retro- Tbird on the original 1955 model. If they'd done one inspired by the 1961 Tbird it would have been more successful imo.
However, just setting the grill back a few inches would have made a world of difference, as the side by side photo shows quite clearly.
Hi Kirby, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I would pick the 57 Bird before any car in the shop. I have never seen a retro car ,be it Camaro, Mustang,Challenger that had better styling than the original. Much of this has to do with the " bumper laws" of the 1970s.Especially Corvettes. I dont care for any vettes made after 1973
Hi Terry, Thank you for sharing which on you prefer. Lou
1957 évidemment ! y'a pas photo !
Thank you for sharing which car you prefer.
The 57
Thank you for sharing the one you prefer.
If I liked the 55-57 I would buy one, I just don’t like them. I’m on my second 03 and life is good.
Thank you for sharing the car you prefer.
Thanks, well the ‘57 is the Preferred vehicle…….One wonders if , FORD had went the newer Bird: big Handling tires, Manuel tranny, biG HORSEPOWER (* a al VIPER/ CT’s Cadillac)
Thanks for sharing the one you prefer.
The Retro you could drive everyday. And buy it for about a quarter of what the 57 costs. Invest the rest I wonder if there are enough young people interested in these old classics. A lot of the pre-war stuff is of little interest.
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
the 1957 the retro was such a profound disappointment that didn't meet Ford's sales expectations I actually prefer the turquoise Chrysler a few feet away, hopefully a show on that
Thank you for sharing the ones you prefer. Here is that Chrysler. ruclips.net/video/PsvU-8Hzu5I/видео.html
@@loucostabile thanks, I did. and those two t-birds are right there next to the Chrysler, five years ago.
Steel is for real I would take the 57 do not like the 2003s they are very plasticky and cheap feeling I drove one in 2005 and a friend of the family at the time had a 55 T-Bird which is all around a better built car for the money
Thank you for sharing which one you would take.
Geez, I struggle to buy one car for transportation. How do these people buy dozens of cars and then store them all? What am I doing wrong?
Hi Dan, I've been sharing business tips too. Here is episode one. Hope it helps, Lou ruclips.net/video/2OCUrlrT_3Q/видео.html
I worked 6 days a week and two evenings for 50 years. Retired at 75. Am now 80. That is how I was able to acquire these cars.
@ I respect that👍. I worked in the Entertainment Biz all my life, worked 12hr days, often 7 days a week, earned $80-$90K/year, but we had 2 kids. Sadly my car money went to raising the kids who are more successful than I was. I’m retired. I’ll take successful kids over cars.
@@danf321🎃👍
I always said “family comes first.”Started to accumulate these cars after second kid graduated from college.
57
Thank you for sharing the one you prefer.
Thunder Chicken? Why do an episode on a universally disrespected car??
Clearly these cars are not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou
@@stevenleek1254 universally disrespected? Please go on.
I’m a big fan of staying alive airbags ABS traction control and air-conditioning so I’m gonna go retro😂
Thank you for sharing which one you prefer.
Just stay home.
@ I did 2 months plus physical therapy. 68 Camaro ouch😢
Although the 57 "looks good" for its era, it functions terrible. In todays times , we are familiar with "just how" a modern car drives, thru the decades since, we had long forgotten "bad behaviour" we just accepted as "that's just the way it is".
Drive a 57 & you'll hate the four-wheel drum brakes....same thing with the "handling", wallowing on a curve....don't dare trying to do full-on braking in your 57 at 72 MPH...you'll no doubt spin it out & die from the resultant crash.
Hi Ricardo, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
@AndieBlack13 have you ever driven a car from the '50's or '60's? I've driven many of Frank's cars and I don't hate drum brakes, you just need a little extra room to stop. Handling? None of his cars are(or were) corner carvers, I'm not interested in how the car handles. Yes that's the way it is and I love it. Driving a post war classic is something everyone should experience. Today's cars drive themselves, back then you had to drive it. It's a lotta fun.
@@richardrice8076 As a career mechanic since 1984, yes I have likely driven far more vehicles than most.
My point is such that we collectivity have unwittingly gotten used to "better" cars....and yes, when I test-drove a 53 Ford, it wallowed about like a drunk sailor.
The 2003 was a horrible junk
Thank you for sharing.
Don’t know why you would say that. If you want top quality you buy Honda’s and Toyota’s. Unfortunately few of these are collectible .
LOL
They are both hideous
Clearly these cars are not for you :-( Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you'll enjoy :-) Lou
@@loucostabile Your channel is awesome ! and yes, you have hosted hundreds that we all love
@@mark_osborne what classic car do you own?
Old cars are like golf, you either like it , or them, or you don’t.
I would choose the 57, in a flash, in a resto-mod , image powered brakes steering windows air powered roof powered trunk, a beautiful navigation system, stereo system wild speakers, 🔊 !
Hi Wayne, Thank you for sharing which one you like :-) Lou
@@wayneque2101 then take the '04, leave the classic for us purist.
@ u take the 04