Hot Rods What would you have done?

Let's say hypothetically a guy I know, we'll call him Phil, saw a pretty clean, driver quality 62 Biscayne stripper for sale, with a not-original-to-the-car 409 with dual edelbrocks, long tube headers, 4 speed and 4.11 posi for $14.5k. Say Phil owned a 55 Chevy 210, 60's shaker/street machine style, fairly quick, hot small-block, but needs a little work (rear is noisy, floors and driver's side rocker could stand to be replaced, wiring is a mess), and Phil has a standing offer from a guy to buy his 55 for more than enough to cover the 62 Biscayne. Phil loves his 55 and had wanted one since he was a kid, but Phil also really digs the early 60's 409 cars, especially the Po' Boy stuff like the Biscayne.
What would you have done if you were Phil? Phil isn't looking for approval for his actions (or inaction), he's just curious what you would have done.

 

I would make up my mind.

 

If i were phil I would quit worring about the biscayne and finish what you started..er what "phil" started

 

You know you want it "Phil", just go for it or you wouldn't be asking

 

I'd sell the 55 and buy another 49-50 Chevy.

 

I would make a deal that got me otta da 55 and put me in dat 409 car.

 

Phil made up his mind, that's why he still has his 55.

Phil looked at it like this: Does he keep the fairly common, but still well loved by it's owner car he'd spent countless hours, dollars and poured literal blood and sweat into, or basically trade it for a fairly rare (at least in comparison to a 55 Chevy) factory racer, even though it's not original?

 

Phil does want it, but does he want it more than what he already has? That's the question.
Phil would be in heaven if he could have both, but that's not in the cards.

 

If ya can't finish what ya started what ya going to do with the other one.

if Phil loves the 55, Is the 62 just lust?

 

You spend too much time in the sun this winter Bob?

 

That very well could be. Phil just can't quite seem to get it out of his head.

The 62 is done, though. With nothing left to do on it, Phil finds a car becomes boring.

 

I'd sell the 55 and get the 62

 

I'm glad Phil kept the 55. But who will he take to the prom? Tune in next week....

 

It might not the the smartest thing Phil has ever done but he needs to go to the bank and float a loan,,then he can have both until it's time to make payments,, HRP

 

well if I was "Phil" it would be pretty easy for me. Ive seen and driven enough tri fives to last a life time. Nice cars and fun they are.
But how often do you see or drive a biscayne with a 409?

 

The Dubutante? The Head Cheerleader?? The girl Phil's mother warned him about???

 

Well I'm not "Phil" and not deep into tri-five chebbys so you should take this with a grain of salt.

If the Bisquit is at all solid and it is really a 409 and not a 348 with 409 valve covers my five-five would be hunting a new owner sooner than later. I had a factory 409 buisquit in the early '70s and loved the devil out of it.

 

Phil's dilemma, summed up. Maybe the owner would let Phil test drive it? The only problem for Phil is how do you then tell the owner that after driving a 409 Biscayne with a 4 speed and a 4.11 posi, that you DON'T want it?????

 

Phil should forget about those late models and build an early Ford coupe

 

Phil though about that, too. It's solid for sure, but Phil can't really tell a dressed up 348 from a honest-to-goodness 409 just eyeballing them. Phil knows what he has with his 55, and there's always the uncertainty with buying a car from someone else. I'm sure a good kick in the pants on a test drive will either confirm or deny the 409's standing.
FWIW, Phil's wife loves his 55 and thinks he should keep it. Phil thinks his wife maybe needs a 62 Biscayne with a 409.........

 

What's wrong with having both?

 

Strangely enough, Phil was just saying this the other day. Phil said it would have to be in addition to his 55, not in place of. He likes early Ford coupes, just not more than 55 Chevys.

 

Phil's bank account, or it would have been bought on the spot on Saturday when Phil saw it.

 

I think "Phil" should tell "travj31" where a 62, 409 Biscayne is for 14.5k so Phil doesn't have to worry about it anymore...

 

Phil should dump the 55' and snatch that 409! If Phil wasn't ready to lose the 55' for something else he would have presented the question! Besides 55's are a dime a dozen (very nice but, you see 10 at any show you go to).

 

Phil should get a look at the casting numbers on the "409" and check them ot of ask on the HAMB from the number guys what he needs to look for number wise. Then when he goes to look at the car check and see if it is a 409 or not.

Then test drive it and when he gets back say "naw, I didn't like it."

The wife and I did that on a '68 Road Runner once. The fella was a little intense for a minute but he got over it.

 

Phil's goal for his 55 is to have a built, blown 409 in his 55, so maybe he's just got engine envy.

 

PM sent

 

If you are like me (a 55 freak) You would be back on the chase for another 55 if you traded your identity off.....oops....I mean your 55 off.
Ive had a few 55s and feel lost if I dont have one

 

You mean Phil, of course.

Phil does have a bond with the car, no doubt. It's like they say, you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

I mean Phil doesn't know what he's got. I meant Phil. I'd never give my 55 up.