This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:33 pm

DenverWarbirdFan wrote:
warbird1 wrote: When I was in your position 30 years ago, Mustangs were only about $ 150,000.


It's amazing how quickly warbirds have skyrocketed in price in what seems to be a fairly short time frame. If it were 1960 and I was in the position I am today, I'd have one in my hangar. Heck, I could have two! :lol:


Here is something that makes me sick. My Dad was offered a flying P-51 in great shape back in 1960 for $ 25,000. At the time, my Dad thought it was way too much money to spend on an "old W.W.II airplane". Obviously, he didn't buy it. :(

Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:38 pm

Ugh.... I'm sure this topic has come up on WIX before. Does anyone else have any stories like this?
Last edited by DenverWarbirdFan on Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:55 pm

1960 $25,000 would have bought you a hangar full of P-51s. The RCAF sold them out in 1957 or at about $1700 each (needing minor work).

In 1965 my father passed on N988C (currently N51KB) for $4500 with a new engine in it........ Too much....

Mark H

Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:07 pm

In 1976 when I was 8 I BEGGED my Dad to buy 988C. It was for sale in Cape May for, I think, $60k. My Dad said "what the he!! do I need a G-d fighterplane for?
In 1977 I again BEGGED my Dad to buy 988C. It was again for sale in Cape May, this time for $75k. He said the same thing. I was becoming a neurotic 9 year old.
In 1978 we stumbled across N51JB and the third time was the charm. $140k with a spare engine. Way too much at the time. If course it took another $100k to "1980ize" it at Bruce Goessling's Unlimited Aircraft Ltd in Chino. I think it was the N number that made it happen.

Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:27 pm

1969 $25,000 bought a flying Mustang.

Sully

Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:37 pm

If course it took another $100k to "1980ize" it at Bruce Goessling's Unlimited Aircraft Ltd in Chino. I think it was the N number that made it happen.


Heres a pic I took in 1983 at Unlimited Aircraft...pretty sure it N51JB

Image

Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:40 pm

that's her likely getting ready for Reno 83

Heres a pic I took in 1983 at Unlimited Aircraft...pretty sure it N51JB

Image[/quote]

Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:20 pm

According to the ad,

1964 Cavalier Mustang w/00:00 SMOH: $32,500.00

Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:23 pm

I think it was in 1965 but might be the year after, I was training at Addison airport, just north of Dallas, and there was a really nice (to my eyes) P-51D for sale on the ramp for an asking price of $30K, drop tanks and all in civilian paint. No, I don't know the N-number, sorry. A bit later, I heard from a "reliable source" on the airport that it sold for only $17K. My 2 cents.

Randy

Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:39 pm

Our mustang (51HY) was origianlly N5071K out of McClellan AFB in cali, its sales ticket that we still have is $857 sold to Nicholas Beivers, he sold it to Norton Smith for $10!!! No kidding (tax reasons)

Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:53 pm

Hi Bill

remember the NP-1?? glad you finally got your mustang up and going. i tried to bring a mustang to the roundup but couldn't get the prop finished in time...

Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:04 am

Seems a former owner may be interested. Hmmmm.......
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