I have a chance to acquire a Model A 2 door tudor body. I was approached yesterday to see if I was interested in it. Of course I said yes. He said throw him a number. I want to be fair about it and would like to see what you all think would be a decent offer. The building is falling down around it and I was not able to get outside pictures of the drivers side quarter panel. The body was chopped some time back, but the door have not yet been chopped. It looks to have rust threw on the bottoms of the quarters and the doors. The body is on little bricks and not actually sitting in the mud. Enjoy the pictures and look forward to your guys help.
It's a little rough but if you really want a Model A and you have the metal skills then maybe offer $1000.
Looks like a fairly decent body but hard to tell the quality from a picture. I don't like to price other peoples stuff, puts you in the position of buying and selling at the same time.
If you just want some old Model A rusty sheet metal to "play with" I wouldn't offer more than $ 100 to $200. Not a penny more. If you want it to restore, I would "Pass". There are plenty of complete Model A's in much better condition at reasonable prices. You will have to spend more money on that than it would ever be worth. It's a money pit looking to swallow your hard earned dough. But, then again, I don't know your intentions.
The seller asked if you were interested. Your response should have been: "Yes I am interested. Just how much are you asking for it". If he approached you looking to sell it, then he should have had some sort of asking price in mind. I never play that game, I always insist they start off with an asking price when something is posted for sale, I never offer up a number out of the blue. He should give you his $ number, before you counter with your $ number.
Doesnt look too bad to me. The roof has been filled and it looks like about a 3" chop. The doors have not been chopped yet. The sub rails dont look to be in to bad of shape either. Is there a gas tank with it? I wouldnt offer more than $300-400 for it.
Good info. I was under the impression that the 2 door tudor bodies were a little spendy. As for intent, I have added a picture of what I would like to due with it. I like to find a stock chassis with a banger in it.
How much would this be priced at a swap meet? More than we are talking here. I'd be comfy offering $500 and see what happens. Go as far as you feel good about.
Sitting on bricks or 3 foot off the ground those sub rails on lower portion of the body are going to have rust issues. I don't see any garnish moldings or the gas tank. I think 500 bucks would be generous if the all important garnish moldings and gas tank are included. HRP
I'd sure like to find one of those 200.00 Model A two door bodies that some of these guys think are so available. I got asked 800 for a chopped 2 door body that you could see through the quarters 4 years ago. I ended up buying a 31 Victoria body and frame that makes the one you are looking at look pretty good. I'd say if you really want it figure out what you are willing to pay and hope for a price that is a bit less. A "Well what were you thinking you might need out of it?" might get a better price than throwing out and offer or tell you that the prospective seller is way out of the ball park on price. That said there are a few folks that sell in the classifieds here all the time that wouldn't bat an eye at paying between 5oo and 1000 for it, fitting the doors and doing a little cleanup and asking 3K for it.
Correct. If he's selling, he starts with a price. Sellers should have selling prices, otherwise it's an auction with an unknown opening bid and unknown reserve. As a buyer, you should never be under the pressure of making the first move and insulting someone to the point he won't work with you at all. If you offer $100 or $1000, he'll laugh and say no way. He'll figure no matter what you offer, it's a low ball and that you'll go higher. He may play the game of getting your best offer, say he'll think it over, then send you away and tell the next guy "the last guy here offered"... You said you were "approached" to see if you were interested. Is he an acquaintance? If so, all BS should be off. I'd start at $400 or so. It needs a lot of work, but is a good start. Lower patch panels are straight forward and usually required on a build. I'd be most concerned about the filled roof possibly needing to be completely redone as it looks like it has a negative crown (would collect water). Measure the chop to make sure it's symmetrical.
I've done lots of A's, and stuff adds up quick- I am seeing punky sub-rails ( 5-$600 if you need the rear x-member), and a lot of heavy surface rust. Doors don't look too bad- bottoms are probably shot but you can get sheet metal to fix them pretty cheap. A set of good doors is worth 300 to 500 bucks. Needs a gas tank ( 2-$300) or a top only (1-$150). Top wood kit is $400, interior wood kit is another $400. Also looks like the "chop" never got finished. Not trying to bum you out, but it's going to take some dough (and time and patience!) How are your metal working skills? If you can use a Mig welder you can do most of the stuff yourself. Bottom line, ask HIM what he wants for it ( like others have suggested), don't get forced into making an offer till you know where he stands price wise. Personally, someplace between $500. and $750. would be a fair price I think ( but push for the low end- you gotta learn to play the game!) Good luck with it! Mike from Mass.
$600 USD, the fact its in your neck of the woods already adds to the appeal. Location is a price factor.
I like these discussions. The range of prices always amazes me. I am from the camp that feels the body is worth scrap metal price. My reasoning is that you will buy that car done for way less then the cost of parts to put it together.. BUT! There is a big BUT involved here. If I was a Model A guy with a bunch of parts laying around, then it would start to have value. If you have a rough 4-door that you can start switching things with, it has value. How much then becomes your desire. Around here in eastern Pennsylvania during the first week of October that body would be priced as much as $3k. Why the specific time? Hershey week which is right after Carlisle and Charlotte. Crazy season here.
I was going to suggest the same thing ^^^^ anything is worth a grand these days and if the guy that has it isn't going to do anything with it then a grand is 1,000 dollars more then he already has.
Well guys, we came to an agreement we both are happy with. I should be picking it up either this weekend or the next. I'll start a new thread for it. Thanks everyone for their input.
The agreement was for 5. I have already lined up a complete chassis too. I also plan on going full fender
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