Hot Rods 1951 Chevy Deluxe 2-door fastback restored FOUND. Value?

I found a 1951 Chevy 2-door fastback that I am looking to purchase. I am a complete noob on these old cars, I am more into 60's-70's muscle cars and newer corvettes so I am coming to you guys for some help.

The car is advertised as fully restored with alot of updated parts like disc brakes, updated suspension (multi leafs), TH350 trans (mated to original engine), & 10 bolt rear end. There are definitely some things I would change on it but the bones are great, its the color I want and the bodystyle I want (2-door fastback). Paint & interior look great in the photos but I am execpting the car to be an average quality driver. Price is $13K does this sound too high? I was really thinking it should be priced between 8-10K. Also is there anything I should look for or inquire about before purchasing the car?

Pics:

 

Was the car clipped? Maybe its the picture but the front track width looks a little too wide...

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It does not say the car is clipped but here is a picture of the underside, Doesnt look like a newer sub frame but it does look like late 60's K-member, control arms and steering. IDK what the 50's cars look like stock...

 

That front suspension does not look stock

 

is that a problem? I would think that is a plus??

 

The price might be a tad low for California, but still a tad high for Georgia.

The front suspension reminds me of my '89 Caddy.

 

Whatever it is, it pushed the wheels out a bit. Possibly GM Nova arms, or Impala?

 

It's probably fine, just worth noting. Check the graft to make sure it's sound. That steering wheel is hideous.

 

Yeah, my '74 Caprice had the same a-arms. Shared ch***is & parts with the Caddys those years.

 

Yes the steering wheel is terrible, so is the green carpet.. both of those items will be changed quickly. I am also planning to slam it on some 17/18 wheels I already have here at the shop so the wider track width is worrying me a little bit for clearance issues.

 

Further inspection the tires are definitely inside the fender, maybe it was the other angle that made it look wider than it is?

 

Here's a pic that is at a roughly similar angle. Looking at the tire placement at the bottom of the fender opening I'd say the clip is about 1 1/2" wide per side. Depending on the wheel offset you've already got that will be a consideration.

 

Yes, stock, the tires don't stick out past the rockers.

 

looking at that pictue this cars front track is definitely wider. Luckily I do not have tires on the wheels I have so maybe I can adjust the tire size to make everything work correctly. What would I do about lowering the car if it has a different front suspension?

Really curious what everyone thinks about the car overall & the pricing? I am the kind of person that keeps a car for a year and gets bored and gets into something different so I want to get back as much $ as possible on the future sale, meaning I have to buy for a good price.

 

i just vomited when i saw the steering wheel hahahahahah. wtf were they thinking?

 

It looks nice, but my opinion is don't buy it unless you're in love with the car.

Unless you're in the business of buying & selling cars, and then I won't try to tell you your business.

 

Its not just a diffrent wheel its the whole column and all thats been changed, It and the floor shift looks tacky and out of place, I wonder if the ignition switch, that will still be on that column is functional.
The original switch would be on the dash.
I like the color and that style chevy but I bet it wont be as nice as the pics look,they usually never are and I couldnt tell you for sure what its worth but one thing is for sure, I would definately be more comfortable at the 8k you suggest than the 13k they are asking wheather its worth it or not.

 

Be sure to try dying the carpet before you replace it.

Charlie Stephens

 

Look at the door gaps especially towards the back...
Color is off...
Too much stuff has been done to it, I would be wary....looks to me it was real rough before this restmod.

Note the angles of the photos. No side profile view, like maybe they do not want the rear wheel alignment seen clearly..could be a frame swap.

For the same money you could find a nicer car IMHO maybe an older stock Rocket 88 restoration if you are in to factory muscle.

 

This car definitely has a later model suspension under it. 1949-54 Chevrolet's had a crossmember in front that housed upper and lower control arms. You could unbolt it from the frame as a complete ***embly. On this car, the lower control arms are welded to the frame. And the steering linkage is also from some other car.

Their asking price seems steep. I would negotiate closer to the $8K level.

Good luck.

 

definite front clip of some sort, then the guy totally cuts out the original cross member and replaces it with a transmission cross member from some other car. that is the work of someone who does not know what they are doing. you can not remove the factory crossmembers and bolt something in as a replacement. no telling what else he did half ***ed. in my world front clips are not a "plus" 9 times out of 10.

one thing for certain, do not buy it without a personal inspection either up on a lift or at least jackstands.

 

It seems the car has a lot of "updates".
The QUALITY of those updates MUST be determined by someone who understands what he is looking at.
Don't know what others are buying for 8K out there, I'm seeing bags of **** with 8K attached.
My thinking ........ "IF" the quality of work is good and not butchered, and that is a BIG "IF", the car is worth more than the 8 K suggested by OP and others.

 

The photos aren't good enough to tell anything about the paint color and body alignment.

Anyhow, around here $13k doesn't buy much.

 

I didnt say it was worth only 8k, I just said I would feel more comfortable at 8k than I would 13k

.......but then again I wouldnt give 8k even tho I like it because Im not in the market for one and I cant see a guarantee of any money to be made over 8k.

 

LOL, If you were selling that car, I'll bet here and now that you wouldn't settle for 8K.

 

Same here it seems $8K does not buy much, I really would like to find one of these cars and this car is set up just how I would want & I would be willing to spend 10K on this one. The bigger issue that is worrying me now is I just realized there is a video attached, watched the video & the paint looks like a single stage job, Not very much reflection as the camera pans around the car. This is a big turn-off for me.

Here is a link the the actual cars for sale add, there are plenty of pictures and you can click below the picture gallery to watch the video.

http://www.streetsidecl***ics.com/showcar.php/cha/2495/1951-Chevrolet-Deluxe

 

You might be able to find some aftermarket narrowed control arms if, that's the only thing you see wrong with it.


Dustin

 

You say it has TH350 mounted to the ORIGINAL ENGINE???!! At the best that would be a babbit-bearing 235 I-6 - that is a strange match-up.

Edit:

Iwent and looked at the ad, here is a quote:
"This car keeps to its origins with a 250 cubic inch inline-six under the hood, just as it was when it was new." Somebody doesn't know WTF they are talking about.

 

If you look at the pix in the link, that engine looks like a later model six to me, not the original six...note the PVC grommet in the valve cover...it could be a 250" six...

R-

 

The text of the ad states it's a 250.
Since this is at a consignment dealer there's likely $2-4K of dealer profit in that price, so the owner likely wants $10k for himself, which is probably closer to a realistic "street" price. If you're going to dump it in a year or so you'll be hard pressed to come out even much less ahead......................unless you're especially skilled at finding that "just right buyer". If both the owner and dealer want it to move they each may be willing to take a cut in expectations...............the old adage, "offer low, you can always come up some..." still applies.