A rare find, '80 convertible (not Intermeccanica)

[TuxStang]

Never ever heard about this one.
It's a 1980 convertible made by Tomaso USA, #026.

Interior is Ghia with white leather seats and door inserts, blue dashboard/console.
Different from the Intermeccanica one, this one still has its back seats.
Top looks like from a Mercerdes 450.

Options are Power Brakes, Power steering, Cruise Control, SelectAire.
Engine is the cool old 200ci with automatic trans.

Car was found in Paris (yes, there are Mustangs in France ;)). I was about to buy it but it's too bad shape for the price asked (lot of structural rust under paint, top to be changed, no rear on trans).

http://www.mustangpassion.com/Forum/download.php?id=2929
http://www.mustangpassion.com/Forum/download.php?id=2951
http://www.mustangpassion.com/Forum/download.php?id=2924
http://www.mustangpassion.com/Forum/download.php?id=2923
http://www.mustangpassion.com/Forum/download.php?id=2922

[negusm]

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ascmclaren/message/4963

That is a pretty comprehensive writeup on all pre asc verts.

In a prior note, I mentioned the "Swift Edition by Tomaso" as well as
an "American Pullman" Edition. Since that time, I have learned
exactly what this was. Neither company had anything to do with the
making of these cars. They were mearly middle-men or thinly
disguised vendors masquerading as manufacturers. They, (probably
along with many others that I have not found) were merely fronting
for a company called "Classic Coachworks, Inc." of Orlando
Florida. "C.C." was the actual manufacturer of this product that went
by whatever name the vendor decided to call it. Tomaso of America
(11125 Arcade / {POB # 5692} of Little Rock, Ark 72216 (501) 227-0284
was one of the dealers down south. The President at the time was a
Russell E. Swift as well his brother Tom Swift. Therefore they
called theirs the "Swift~Edition".

-Mike

[TuxStang]

Thanks for the link, wasn't aware of this group.
This write up is very interesting, there's not so much litterature on those pre-83 convertibles. The only one a knew before the McLaren was the Intermeccanica.

Always time to learn something.

[negusm]

Thanks for the link, wasn't aware of this group.
This write up is very interesting, there's not so much litterature on those pre-83 convertibles. The only one a knew before the McLaren was the Intermeccanica.

Always time to learn something.

Hardly any. You have pictures of the only swift I have seen.

-Mike

[Sandy]

I have 2 press release 8x10 black & white glossys issued from Swift. Sadly, I paid ALOT for them. Swift sold the rights to SELL the car to any number of companies. Don't be surprised one day to find another company, located in Manhattan, NYC who also sold them, under yet another name, that I right now forget. It all instantly dropped dead in September of 1982 when Ford brought back its own convertible Mustang. These Mustang customs began in 1980, hit a high water mark in 1981 & 1982 and crashed like the stock market in 1983.

[TurboCobra]

Found this on the "Swift"...but it is a 1979.

http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B25418.jpg

[anthonydalrymple]

Found this on the "Swift"...but it is a 1979.

http://mclellansautomotive.com/photos/B25418.jpg

Whoa! That looks just like the one i saw in the junkyard a couple months ago. Door tag was for an '80. Unusual cast aluminum pieces on top of the cut(rather sloppily I might add)rear quarter panels. I'd have seriously thought about "saving" it if it wern't for all the unusual "one-off" parts that were damaged & probably close to impossible to replace.....

[racingpenguin]

Hi I am new the site and I came across this forum. I recently aquired a 1980 mustang convertible from my father in law. he bought from a guy back in 1991 and it has been sitting since. he was the second owner of the car and it has been sitting in the garage all this time. I came across the intermeccina websit and they had a illustration of the support braces as same as i have on the car. I was wondering what type of car value these car are worth. The car is in fair to good condition with no rust on the car. The car is in pieces as he was putting a 5.0 in it to replace the 4 banger. If the value is good I might tackle the job providing I can find all of the parts. Any info on helping me decide on this job.(Time factor and a place to work on it not a problem for me)

[negusm]

Hi I am new the site and I came across this forum. I recently aquired a 1980 mustang convertible from my father in law. he bought from a guy back in 1991 and it has been sitting since. he was the second owner of the car and it has been sitting in the garage all this time. I came across the intermeccina websit and they had a illustration of the support braces as same as i have on the car. I was wondering what type of car value these car are worth. The car is in fair to good condition with no rust on the car. The car is in pieces as he was putting a 5.0 in it to replace the 4 banger. If the value is good I might tackle the job providing I can find all of the parts. Any info on helping me decide on this job.(Time factor and a place to work on it not a problem for me)

They get a bit more than your average Mustang. Because they weren't that well known and popular...and not really Ford approved, they simply don't get the bump in price you would think.

Plus anything before 85 (save the 79 pace car or 82GT) doesn't seem to get much action compared to the 85-86 cars where HP became king again....and those are the cars people want.

If it was 100% original and PERFECT, with rasonably low miles, you would get the most out of it maybe $6k give or take.

If it's in OK shape and modified, maybe 2500-3k to the right person. If it's highly modifed like you spent 8k on quality upgrades and another 4k body and paint job...and the car looked perfect...mayb 4-5k tops.

Mostly guessing on my part. There are so few to judge values by, but that is the feeling I get from what currently sells.

-Mike

[anthonydalrymple]

I think Mike nailed the value(s) of these rare car's & the reasons for why they don't command good money pretty well
.
They are pretty much only valued by foxbody fanatic's; like ourselves on this wonderful site. It's neat to see them at a car show or going down the street. Swift ownership would make for an interesting conversation topic at a car show & turn heads on the street with the top up(most identifing characteristic of those Swifts are thier top). I have never seen one yet at a show or on the street & I live in a car nut state like California(no rust problems either to destroy them). I have seen only 1 or maybe 2 in the junkyards in my entire life. So, if you have the time, the money, want something nobody else has, the only unique vehicle at a car gathering or show? Then you definetly found the right car to restore & enjoy....

[negusm]

I think there was one really sweet low mileage one on ebay. It was red, nearly 100% original and was an original v8 car.

I think it was pushing over $6k in price....but struggling to get much higher.

I think the v8 helped it immensely. Unfortunately, v8s are VERY rare in these cars....a converted fully loaded v8 car was simply too costly to sell. SO they used mostly 6cylinder cars to shave some money off.

-Mike