DodgeCharger.com Forum

Out of curiosity I wanted to make a poll of the current age of Dayton or Superbird owners. Current age only, not your age when you purchased your wing-car.
The poll is intended for owners of real cars only, not recreations or clones.
I am not ditching owners of clones or recreations, I am just wanting to keep the poll isolated to legitimate / authentic wing-cars.
If you do not fall in the options of age groups, and you feel comfortable in doing so please post your age as well as any other details you care to share. IE: multiple wing-car owner, age when purchased.
Thanks in advance, Sincerely Vic

I have 35 years old lol

  I bought my Daytona when I was 45 now I am a big 60.  :nana:  (Wingman) Jay.

I bought my first wing car ( SUPERBIRD ) when I was 22 and am 64 now.
MJ

Bought mine just before I turned 28, now turning 56 in 2 weeks.

Quote from: Mopar John on March 09, 2018, 05:08:47 PM
I bought my first wing car ( SUPERBIRD ) when I was 22 and am 64 now.
MJ

thats a beatles song    :icon_smile_big:

I bought my bird new when i was 28 on May 19th 1970--I am now 76   Rick    :cheers:  :blahblah: :blahblah:

53 now bought it when i was 34

Poll doesn't start a low enough age if your asking how old long time owners were when they first purchased a wing car.

Now if your looking for current ages, there are not many who are currently under 40.

Me, I am wingless. Just a 69 500 for me but still not old enough to be in the poll. Bought first 500 15 years ago now. Was 23 when I bought it.

First wing car at 22, now I'm 60 years young. WINGNUT

not quite 5...

I was 23 when I  bought it - turning 60 in a month

While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?   

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?   

Can't afford them.  There are plenty of younger guys on here, so the hobby is alive and well.

Well I have to wait until I get a Daytona to vote. And I would have to wait until I was 40 to vote as well. Lol

Quote from: 69_500 on March 09, 2018, 09:47:24 PM
Poll doesn't start a low enough age if your asking how old long time owners were when they first purchased a wing car.

Now if your looking for current ages, there are not many who are currently under 40.

Me, I am wingless. Just a 69 500 for me but still not old enough to be in the poll. Bought first 500 15 years ago now. Was 23 when I bought it.

My intent on this poll is to determine the current age of wing car owners here.

I purposely started the age brackets on the high end as my thoughts were that most owners here are longtime owners and hence, the majority are older than forty. The poll is showing exactly what I thought it would, that most wing car owners are over fifty years old. If you look at the results so far, there are no current owners that are under 45 years of age.

If I were to have set up the poll on what age someone was when they purchased their wing-car I am certain I would have had many owners that were in the 20-24 year old, 25-30 year old, 31-35 year old bracket. It is my believe that the majority of wing-car owners are long time owners hence they are older in age.

I am however going to set up additional polls on how old wing-car owners were at the age of purchase, longevity of ownership as well as multiple wing-car ownership. The last poll I find kind of interesting as a good many wing-car owners are multiple car owners. They are so passionate about wing-cars that when they stumble across another one they just have to have it.

Your response did make me realize a flaw in my poll parameters. I should have made the poll to cover all aero-cars instead of wing-cars. This was a poor oversight on my part, as I believe the 1969 Charger 500 to be just as relevant to the poll results despite not having a nosecone and wing, especially considering their extremely low production figures. Therefore if you and any other owners, would please include the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 in this poll as they are aero-cars and should be included in the results. Thanks

Sincerely Vic

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?   

Aero, yes you are correct and part of the reasoning behind this poll which is to determine the current age of owners.
And yes, "The high average age does not bode well for the future" all things considered.

As far as your question, "Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?"
I believe the reality is that the younger generation that likes and collects cars, just prefer other cars that are of their generation. Nothing more or nothing less than that. However I am positive that there are going to always be exceptions and younger collectors that will always cherish and preserve the aero-cars.

Sincerely Vic

 

I am in my 50"s and would like to own a real wing car some day
Can not afford it right now so I am building a clone
Some day some day some day .....

Not sure if you could edit a poll but if you can just add Charger 500 and add a 40 and under category or just change the 1st to 44 and under.  :Twocents:

Quote from: Moparpoolman on March 10, 2018, 10:21:07 AM
Not sure if you could edit a poll but if you can just add Charger 500 and add a 40 and under category or just change the 1st to 44 and under.  :Twocents:

I have edited the poll to know include the 1969 Charger 500 and an under 40 year old current age of owner.
Unfortunately the option for under 40 years old is now out of sequence and the last option, #6 at the end of the poll.
I don't think it will create may issues if everyone responding reads all of the options through.
I would be surprised to see many under 40 replies, however now those that may be are included in this poll.
Thanks for your input and advice. Sincerely Vic

I'm 39 and hope to buy one in the not to distant future. The recent auction prices don't bode well though for me! Plus the low Canadian dollar pretty much puts me out of the running for now.  :shruggy:

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM
...the reasoning behind this poll which is to determine the current age of owners.

Is that so, if we are real old like me (54), you can order us all handicap parking permit?   :icon_smile_big:

Quote from: hemi68charger on March 10, 2018, 06:31:04 PM

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM
...the reasoning behind this poll which is to determine the current age of owners.

Is that so, if we are real old like me (54), you can order us all handicap parking permit?   :icon_smile_big:

Since handicap parking spots are usually larger it would be ideal for a wing car.  :- ::)

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM
"Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?"
I believe the reality is that the younger generation that likes and collects cars, just prefer other cars that are of their generation. Nothing more or nothing less than that.

Seriously guys, that's not it.  Most people, let alone young people can not afford an aero car.  Owner's ages are higher because these are mostly people who have been successful in their careers and have disposable income now OR they bought them long ago before the prices were so high.  If prices were lower, younger people would drive them.

I'm 31.  If I could afford a Daytona I would buy one.  But right now, even R/T's are out of my price range.

Purchased mine in 1986, at the age of 19....now I'm 51.

43 now, bought my Q5 Daytona when i was 39. Have several mopars (and others), but that's my only wing car. Might get some others at some point.

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?  

Aero, yes you are correct and part of the reasoning behind this poll which is to determine the current age of owners.
And yes, "The high average age does not bode well for the future" all things considered.

As far as your question, "Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?"
I believe the reality is that the younger generation that likes and collects cars, just prefer other cars that are of their generation. Nothing more or nothing less than that. However I am positive that there are going to always be exceptions and younger collectors that will always cherish and preserve the aero-cars.



Sincerely Vic

 

Well its not all true... but then again i am not and young timer any more (33y) I have loved the wing cars since i was around 12. And there is more people like me.
But I realize it will be some more years before I get one. But oNe DAY :2thumbs:
( I have to ad 25% VAT to the cost of the car and the Shipping) :flame:

K-E

I will turn 67 this year.  I was lucky enough to by a 1970 Roadrunner brand new.  Sitting on the show room floor was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.  There was a Vitamin C Superbird!  The salesman was nice  enough and told me I was just able to get the regular one, but I vowed to have one someday.  It was in 1982 when I was lucky enough to get my Superbird after many trips out of town to look at one when it came up in the Auto Trader.

Quote from: hemi68charger on March 10, 2018, 06:31:04 PM

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM
...the reasoning behind this poll which is to determine the current age of owners.

Is that so, if we are real old like me (54), you can order us all handicap parking permit?   :icon_smile_big:

I turn 54 this July. They say 50 is the new 40, I am just not sure who "THEY" are.  :lol:

Quote from: Fitz73Chrgr on March 10, 2018, 07:51:17 PM

Quote from: cudavic on March 10, 2018, 09:27:16 AM
"Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?"
I believe the reality is that the younger generation that likes and collects cars, just prefer other cars that are of their generation. Nothing more or nothing less than that.

Seriously guys, that's not it.  Most people, let alone young people can not afford an aero car.  Owner's ages are higher because these are mostly people who have been successful in their careers and have disposable income now OR they bought them long ago before the prices were so high.  If prices were lower, younger people would drive them.

I'm 31.  If I could afford a Daytona I would buy one.  But right now, even R/T's are out of my price range.

Valid point on disposable income.
I agree, I can remember passing on a Superbird back in 1985.
The seller wanted nine thousand dollars at the time, which was on the high side for a Petty blue 440, automatic car.
However he could have been asking half that and I couldn't buy it without selling my '71 Cuda.

I was 46 when I got my C500 :2thumbs: I'll be 54 this year.

Curt

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?   

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 11:39:49 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?   

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Curious how much $$ do you think you need to find a project bird ?

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 11:47:02 AM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 11:39:49 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?  

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Curious how much $$ do you think you need to find a project bird ?

$5,000
Lol I'm just kidding.
Something along the lines of $40,000-$90,000 depending on if 440 or 6 pak bird and how much it's missing because wing car parts cost an arm and a leg. And also depending on the amount of rust repair needed.

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 12:08:24 PM

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 11:47:02 AM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 11:39:49 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?  

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Curious how much $$ do you think you need to find a project bird ?

$5,000
Lol I'm just kidding.
Something along the lines of $40,000-$90,000 depending on if 440 or 6 pak bird and how much it's missing because wing car parts cost an arm and a leg. And also depending on the amount of rust repair needed.

If you are only 22 and already have $40 000 saved up good for you
At that rate someday you will have a real wing car

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 02:59:47 PM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 12:08:24 PM

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 11:47:02 AM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 11:39:49 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?  

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Curious how much $$ do you think you need to find a project bird ?

$5,000
Lol I'm just kidding.
Something along the lines of $40,000-$90,000 depending on if 440 or 6 pak bird and how much it's missing because wing car parts cost an arm and a leg. And also depending on the amount of rust repair needed.

If you are only 22 and already have $40 000 saved up good for you
At that rate someday you will have a real wing car

Thanks! I'm hoping. I also have a 383-4 gran coupe 70 barracuda I'd sell. And a 72 340 demon I'd sell to get that a project bird. I just don't want to sell them until after because I know I won't be able to find them again.

I bought my current Daytona recently, only back in July of 2016. It is a very special Daytona! It was very expensive but well worth it! I am now 62 and I love this Daytona more than any other car I ever owned!

I purchased my Superbird in 1984. I was 24 at the time.  At the time I was saving up to put a blower on the 74 Cuda that I had.  I seen the Bird for sale in an Autotrader add and ended up buying it  thinking that I would like to restore it because I knew the car was kinda rare and I would never lose money on it.  I also was really liking the Birds then but could not afford a Hemi one.  The Bird I bought it needed restored and I was fortunate enough to keep it garaged and be able to hold onto it for 30 years.  Then 4 kids later I was able to save up enough to get it restored 30 years later.  I am 56 now.  It is the only car I have done now so I drive it like it is supposed to be, weather permitting.  Enjoying the heck out of it for 4 years now!! 

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 02:59:47 PM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 12:08:24 PM

Quote from: 70 sublime on March 11, 2018, 11:47:02 AM

Quote from: Luis9995 on March 11, 2018, 11:39:49 AM

Quote from: Aero426 on March 10, 2018, 07:47:25 AM
While hardly a complete sample, out of 19 owners, the median age is 50+ for 95% of the respondents.    A lot of long time owners who bought in before the major price spikes.   The high  average age does not bode well for the future.  Is it because people in the younger group can't afford them, or prefer other cars?  

For me I have most of the money for a bird project but haven't been able to find one. Been looking since 17. Now 22. I've seen two on eBay but one was from a fire and the other was too far too restore and missing vin and everything pretty much. I love these it's my dream to own a superbird but just too dang hard to find. I do think most young people like modern cars but there's a few of us who do like the older ones and even fewer who are willing to save their money for a car this expensive. I know my friends rather get the same power from newer cars since ThTs what's in style with them.

Curious how much $$ do you think you need to find a project bird ?

$5,000
Lol I'm just kidding.
Something along the lines of $40,000-$90,000 depending on if 440 or 6 pak bird and how much it's missing because wing car parts cost an arm and a leg. And also depending on the amount of rust repair needed.

If you are only 22 and already have $40 000 saved up good for you
At that rate someday you will have a real wing car

Hopefully you've got more than that in a retirement account already.   :Twocents:

I find there is a lot of crossover to the car hobby in other forms of collecting.   Here's a shot from a large slot car show in Chicago yesterday.    Look at the average age of the attendees and vendors.    We are all old!    Where are the younger people who will want to buy those mint in box slot cars and models you have been saving forever?      By and large, they don't exist!

I have a similar story to several I've read. I bought my Bird in 87
when I was 23, now I'm 54.

Quote from: Aero426 on March 12, 2018, 11:57:59 AM
I find there is a lot of crossover to the car hobby in other forms of collecting.   Here's a shot from a large slot car show in Chicago yesterday.    Look at the average age of the attendees and vendors.    We are all old!    Where are the younger people who will want to buy those mint in box slot cars and models you have been saving forever?      By and large, they don't exist!

Same goes for the 'antique' radio crowd...

I'd also suggest that if you want a real wing car, unload your other cars to be in a cash position when one turns up...  Nothing worse that having to dump a car for less than it's worth to get fast cash. 

I have been into the Slotcar and train hobby starting early in the internet age.  The Slot car hobby was hot an crazy, then tanked.  Trains are same way, though the modern electronics with full command control and wifi have kept it going.

But the average age for cars, any older car is high.  So you do have to believe there will be a price reckoning sooner or later.

Recent vintage car show swap meeting and it was hard to watch the guys barely walking across the parking lot.  Canes, walkers, wheel chairs.
Mopar club of over a hundred folks and maybe 4-5 in the 30s, only one with antique car, other have modern challengers and charger.  Not interest in the older cars.  They hop up the new ones.
The rest of the young crowd go towards the Japanese cars.  Go to a good all vehicle type car show and watch the crowd and what they look at.  They will stop at the OEM Daytona, but they stay at the customized modern cars.

I think only the auction houses keep the price up, because they have made it a show/circus.  So folks with lots of disposable money do it for the competition and fun.

At some point cars will start to flood market.  Old person with collection unexpectedly passes.  His children not interest, and the wife (maybe second or third) wants to move immediately closer to grandkids and every thing sells well below current market.
Hoarders get eaten alive, there is so much stuff who can even deal with it or knows what it is, guess who gets most of it.  The scrape metal guys.  I have seen this first hand in my area.

So I do not believe the buy and hold applies to the collector market if you looking at investment.  I do believe that period has passed as in many other hobbies.  More losers then winners, other than BJ/Mecum etc...  They get 20% plus coming and going regardless and for about 3-4 minutes of work.

Quote from: Dragon Slayer on March 15, 2018, 08:23:20 AM
I have been into the Slotcar and train hobby starting early in the internet age.  The Slot car hobby was hot an crazy, then tanked.  Trains are same way, though the modern electronics with full command control and wifi have kept it going.

But the average age for cars, any older car is high.  So you do have to believe there will be a price reckoning sooner or later.

Recent vintage car show swap meeting and it was hard to watch the guys barely walking across the parking lot.  Canes, walkers, wheel chairs.
Mopar club of over a hundred folks and maybe 4-5 in the 30s, only one with antique car, other have modern challengers and charger.  Not interest in the older cars.  They hop up the new ones.
The rest of the young crowd go towards the Japanese cars.  Go to a good all vehicle type car show and watch the crowd and what they look at.  They will stop at the OEM Daytona, but they stay at the customized modern cars.

I think only the auction houses keep the price up, because they have made it a show/circus.  So folks with lots of disposable money do it for the competition and fun.

At some point cars will start to flood market.  Old person with collection unexpectedly passes.  His children not interest, and the wife (maybe second or third) wants to move immediately closer to grandkids and every thing sells well below current market.
Hoarders get eaten alive, there is so much stuff who can even deal with it or knows what it is, guess who gets most of it.  The scrape metal guys.  I have seen this first hand in my area.

So I do not believe the buy and hold applies to the collector market if you looking at investment.  I do believe that period has passed as in many other hobbies.  More losers then winners, other than BJ/Mecum etc...  They get 20% plus coming and going regardless and for about 3-4 minutes of work.

Well stated.  Accurate, too. 
I know guys with pole barns stacked to the rafters with OEM and NOS stuff...   Waiting for... ??
If it all got unleashed across the country, the repop market would collapse!

I'm a little late in replying,as usual
First one  1974,,R4 red
Sec,one 1988   x9-black
Third one     2003  R5
All are still at home.
 

All daytona's                               Iam,, 82 years old

Quote from: 3--Daytona on March 15, 2018, 01:32:51 PM

I'm a little late in replying,as usual
First one  1974,,R4 red
Sec,one 1988   x9-black
Third one     2003  R5
All are still at home.
 

All daytona's                               Iam,, 82 years old

Hi Jim   

I'm 50 and building a clone. Buying an original would have been less expensive :brickwall:

Quote from: Hemi Runner on March 15, 2018, 03:28:15 PM
I'm 50 and building a clone. Buying an original would have been less expensive :brickwall:

yeah but what a clone it will be   :icon_smile_big:   Im 50 also

Quote from: 3--Daytona on March 15, 2018, 01:32:51 PM

I'm a little late in replying,as usual
First one  1974,,R4 red
Sec,one 1988   x9-black
Third one     2003  R5
All are still at home.
 

All daytona's                               Iam,, 82 years old

Hey Jim, Shouldn't this one read like this?

Third one     2003 F5   :scratchchin:

.You are so correct sir,,  I didn't notice it tell after it was posted. F5 is on fender tag.  I will try harder next time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Quote from: 3--Daytona on March 15, 2018, 01:32:51 PM

I'm a little late in replying,as usual
First one  1974,,R4 red
Sec,one 1988   x9-black
Third one     2003  R5
All are still at home.
 

All daytona's                               Iam,, 82 years old

Thanks for posting.

Wow 38 years old when you purchased your first Daytona, I bet it feels like it was yesterday.
Congratulations on 44 plus years of winged car ownership.
If there was an award in this poll or thread, you would take it.

Sincerely Vic  :2thumbs:

I bought my Superbird brand new in 1970 and it was a present to myself for my 23rd birthday. I still have the car and am 71 this year.

Quote from: light man on March 16, 2018, 03:48:10 PM
I bought my Superbird brand new in 1970 and it was a present to myself for my 23rd birthday. I still have the car and am 71 this year.

You paid too much! 

Quote from: light man on March 16, 2018, 03:48:10 PM
I bought my Superbird brand new in 1970 and it was a present to myself for my 23rd birthday. I still have the car and am 71 this year.

Wow. I guess I can say the same thing to you light man.
I bet at times it seams like it was just yesterday that you bought your bird.
Please tell us more about it. Color and spec's.

Sincerely Vic

was 46 when I bought my bird 51 now fired it up yesterday let it run a bit.

Landed Daytona in 1978.  Paid $5400 ( I quite clearly remember that as my initial offer was $5432.10).  Is a Canadian "Beater With a Heater".  Was daily driver.  Drove it in snow and crap, great winter car.  Now heated garage and no runnin' in the winter...    Salt when go Bonneville.
Will crank 62 this year.  You do the math....
Unwind.

    I didn't say what I paid for my  first  Daytona   I was going to parts store early,, was a used car lot next door--some how I saw this Daytona in back lot. Sales man said I'm taking bids,,,I said (just what will it take to buy) I drove it home,,,,,,this was June 1964.
I was so excited I never got to part store..

                                                                                     $967.89     True story

Surely you mean 74? :yesnod:

Quote from: 3--Daytona on March 17, 2018, 07:24:26 PM
    I didn't say what I paid for my  first  Daytona   I was going to parts store early,, was a used car lot next door--some how I saw this Daytona in back lot. Sales man said I'm taking bids,,,I said (just what will it take to buy) I drove it home,,,,,,this was June 1964.
I was so excited I never got to part store..

                                                                                     $967.89     True story

No wonder you got a good deal, you bought a Dayton 5 years prior to production.  :nana:
All kidding aside, I can only imagine how excited you were back in 1974 and purchased your first Daytona.
Keep the stories coming guy's I love hearing the back stories from all of you owners.
Sincerely Vic

Saw my first bird in person in 1978. Although I worked at a Dodge dealer from 1969-1977 we never delivered or saw a wing car, so had only seen them in the magazines at the time. A local cop owned the orange bird in Hanover, Indiana and I pestered him to no avail, always hoping to buy one. Life and kids came along and then the Big "C" that was supposed to be terminal but wasn't. Came out the back side of that, got my financial situation straightened out and by 2008 started trying to buy one. Negotiated on 2 or 3 but they were always just 1 digit too many on the price. By late 2009 things were looking bad healthwise but open heart surgery worked for another miracle of modern medicine. A few months after that I got a call on the Alaska Highway Bird at a price that was still too much, but my wife urged me to 2nd mortgage and get my dream for $60,000. The car barely could drive on the trailer, and a long story involving shotguns, a divorce (not mine), a middle of the night 1,000 mile drive and Georgia Highway Patrol it got home legally mine. Before I could get it where I wanted it another type of the Big "C" came along, but again miracles of modern medicine, and the next thing you know the plan to drive it to Alaska came about from this chemotherapy-addled brain. And now it sits in my garage with it's big yellow Daytona brother and its "mouse retirement home" lime-light green Bird cousin. The rust-ridden mouse mass convention center also cost $60,000.

You think you've had mice in cars? Well this green one had them in the radiator, the carburetor, the seats, the heater box, the headliner, under the intake and best of all, under the valve covers there was a mouse skeleton in a rocker arm! We are throwing out so many mice skeletons that Halloween came early in Indiana this year. We didn't change the oil, we changed the fur. We are replacing the rear tail pipe extensions with tails. The seats are now going to be gray and fuzzy instead of that boring black vinyl, and the horn doesn't go beep-beep, it just squeaks.

39 now. On my third 69 500. This one is a keeper.

Bought first one 15 years ago. Yikes.

Quote from: 69_500 on March 18, 2018, 04:48:12 PM
39 now. On my third 69 500. This one is a keeper.

Bought first one 15 years ago. Yikes.

i bought my 500 in 2008 so i was 40 :)   

i purchased the Black Ice Superbird in 2009. I was 53 years old. I am now 62 years old.

  I bought my 500 when I was 21 in 1970 now I am 68 and still have it.  :Twocents:

Quote from: Highbanked Hauler on March 30, 2018, 02:11:56 PM
  I bought my 500 when I was 21 in 1970 now I am 68 and still have it.  :Twocents:

:2thumbs: :coolgleamA:

:cheers:

1990 36,000 miles

2018   39,172 miles

V-code, Auto, All original

I was 16 when I bought mine.  My mother had to sign the contract as I was too young to legally sign.  I paid 100 dollars a month for 7 months until I save enough to pay it off in full.  $2000.  That was a lot of money in 1981 working for minimum wage.  Especially for a car that was taken apart, didn't run and was missing a ton of parts.  I am 53 now.  I have only put about 6 or 7 thousand miles on the car in almost 40 years.  It's always broken.  I compare owning a Superbird to being married to a supermodel that hates sex....  But, like it or not, I am still obsessed with it.  That's why I chose the screen name Arnie Cunningham lol.

QuoteI compare owning a Superbird to being married to a supermodel that hates sex...

:2thumbs::smilielol: :smilielol:

I'm impressed by the length of ownership. These cars do not turn over much.

I'm 53 now and bought my 500 at 47.

Some people just know what they've got and appreciate them for what they are.
  Unfortunate for me the aero cars have appreciated much faster than my bank account!