Found! 34 3w Coupe... Whats it worth?

Went and looked at a car advertised in the classifieds that turned out to be a steel 34 3 window coupe. Car has been stored for nearly 40 yrs. Looks to be an old 60's hot rod that was never finished. The lady tells me the motor is a 409, but I cant tell it from a 348. It is backed up by a hydromatic trans. The car is all STEEL and in Excellent condition. It has not been chopped or screwed with except for a flat alum firewall. It has no fenders and no title. Looks like the guy was going for a drag car as it has a single hoop roll bar in it and some old firestone pie crust slicks on ET 5 spokes. Car is in primer and has only one spot of rust on the deck lid. Very solid unboxed frame, and looked to have maybe a 40 ford front axle. Comes w/ 2 decent grilles. No fenders, and No title.
She has apparently been watching too much Barrett Jackson b/c she has advertised the car for $10g or best offer, and now the best offer is over 10 grand. She said she has had over 15 people come look at it. I made my offer on the car, which feels like a lot to me... but hey it is a 34 3 window. I took some pics of the car, but I'm having a bitch of a time getting them out of my camera.
Just curious what the going rate is on a car like this.

 

A solid 34 3 window is worth wayyyyy more than 10 g's..(FORD that is)
I know of many project's that have passed hands in the 20,000 and up..for car's that were more than likely not even close to where that one is parts wise..
IF it's got a 409, that alone is worth a fairly hefty dollar..

I'd say now day's under 20,000 is a steel for a tin 3 window ford, even if it's a roller..

This olmost sounds too good to be true..with all the parts listed etc..

i'd suggest if you have the money to go get it before someone else does..and they will..

 

Sounds like the body alone would go for 20k easy. I recently saw someone offer 15k for one that was body only, full of rust, and appeared to be rolled down a mountain at one point.

 

33-4 all steel 3 window coupe in turlock ,cal this weekend there was one for $ 26,000.00 that is 26 k no motor, trans or all steel

 

Without a doubt it is worth much more than 10 grand. Act fast if you want it and try to lock it up with cash that beats the best offer she has gotten so far. I agree that it could bring at least $18000-$22000. Cars like this don't come up very often and half the buyers out there are resellers that know the score and they won't wait.

 

25-35thousand without even seein it.

 

She called me back tonight... Seems I'm the 2nd highest bidder. She said my bid wasnt very far off, but she wanted to be fair and not get into a bidding war. So she wouldnt tell me what the other guy's bid was. My bid was $12,800... Looks like someone got a smoking deal on a 34 Ford. She is supposed to call me if the guy dont have the money by tomorrow, so i'll keep my fingers crossed. But for now it looks like this one slipped away. I'll post some pics tomorrow..

 

OUCH!
with garnish mouldings, dash, 2 grills, & a decent unrusted bod on a nice chassis that sounds like atleast 25k all day long!
probably some other parts hidden up in the attic or layin out back too?!

dont quit so easy! get right over there & get it.
NO MERCY & YOU ARENT OUT TO MAKE FRIENDS WHEN A NICE 3 WINDOW IS INVOLVED!
where you gonna get another for that cheap?

 

Tell her you have 15.........and go get it.......
34 3W's are a lot like 32's

You never pay too much.......just buy a little too soon...

You know you want it.......and when do you think another one will surface ??

 

Make sure ya' follow-up on this deal, 'cause #1 guy might bail out (like what happens around here on some of these parts sales).

She tries to call ya' but can't get ya', and #3 guy is ready to jump, you're screwed.

Also, make sure ya' find out who #1 guy is. Why? Because#1 guy might be spreading himself thin to make the deal, can't keep the car, you give him a couple of grand to get him outa' the picture. Just depends upon how bad ya' want the car.

I had this happen when I bought one of my '40 coupes.

From your description, given the bidding situation, it would be tough to get a killer deal on a car like that.

 

there was one at the turlock swaps all stock right hand drive unrestored for 26k and I feel it was worth every penny and if I had the cheese would have bought it. It'll be worth 50 k in 5 yrs

 

Go get that fucker! Borrow the cash if you must. Tell her you will give her 2k over the highest bidder! Explain that the other guys are trying to pull one over on her, and you want to give her a fair price.

Worst case scenario, you end up selling it for 30K.

 

I agree with repoman

 

If this was a 5 window, how would it effect the price in your collective opinion? I know that ever since 'California Kid' the 3W has been the hot ticket, but 5W's are more common.

I have a line on a stock but complete '34 5W project, and I need some motivation for the spouse!

Steve

 

By ,motivation, do you mean her Ok? LoL

 

You hit the nail on the head with that last paragraph $$$$$$$ They just see $ in their eyes, not good OLD cars.

 

20 g's easy. Go buy it with all the cash in hand if ya got it. The one at Turlock was overpriced by about 5 grand. If it was such a good deal it would have had a sold sign on it early on Friday night. I looked at it closely.

 

FWIW; I bought my 1st 34 3W coupe in 1987 for $6700.00,complete steel car,the second, body only $4k, body(glass) only in 1989, 3rd in 1996, in May, $2400.00 (body steel only) and the 4th in Aug 96=Complete steel car.- won't say how much, but well under the $20k mark. These cars have always been real expensive-since 74, and the stuff I bought wasn't "Choice" but doable. Neither was the CA, kid when Peter bought for $200.00 on New Years days 1972. In fact this car had a full race 3/8 by 3/8's between its rails. I know that we probably wouldn't have updated it like that but it needed a sh*tload of work when he brought home. Try to put a # on that one! In fact the guy bought the whole company in order to get the car & it's made him money ever since, so much so that he was able to buy the other 3W coupe that was involved in the company.I answered an ad for 34 3w body & parts in the L.A. times in April of 95I called the guy up (that call changed my life forever) He said that there wasn't a body there or frame but parts. I inquired as to what kind?He said grille,rad,windsheild,window frames,gauges,various mechanical parts &so on. He said that another guy was on way & that I better hurry!, this guy was clear over a mtn. That guy described exactly what it was that he was selling & I heard that this was an old hot rod. I got there 1st & right behind me was a guy that I knew as a dealer. not a very reputable one mind you. Since I was there 1st I got to make the 1st bid. The other guy insulted the seller & I now had to come up wiyh the cash.-This was a whole garage full of parts that his dad had bought in the late 40's early 50's.In this deal was a set of NOS Cyclone 24 Stud Heads & Polished intake with 3 chromed unused 97's. I wanted to use the heads, but they were way too nice! Went over to Cook's & asked them to make me a pair, Said "no dice! "They said to make them myself. Well, I got to know them pretty well & we agreed on making them but I'd incur the retooling cost as well as the machining labor ,advertising costs & the like. Best damn buy that I have ever made in my life! 34 stuff & speed equip to boot! Yeah buddy!How much is that 34 worth? It's loaded with History as well as some cool components that make a whole, Don't sweat the price, bid higher than the guy did, that's probably why the lady called you back? 15k wouldn't be a stretch if you have it-which I personaly don't, but I keep my credit real clean for times just like this. Do whatever you have to do to get that car. It may open up a whole new world to you.My $.02cts.

 

If it is uncut and in good rust free condition and is complete (fenders, interior, engine, trans, etc.), it should be worth the same money or even more because its all there and original. Anymore the main thing is its a steel '34 Ford Coupe, and the nice thing about a 5W is most people will know that its steel because there are very few glass ones made. Educate your wife on what these cars have done in value the last 10 years and that they are a great investment for your retirement or for your kids because they will never lose their value. Don't buy anything new for your daily drivers because they lose their value before you get them paid for anyway. That old Ford will never do that. Henry only made so many of them. Sometimes my wife worries that they won't be worth much when all of us geezers that are now in the 55-65 age check out but I doubt that, especially seeing the passion of the younger guys here on the Hamb. I would rather be able to go out to my garage and see my old Fords, work on them and drive them than have money in the bank anyday. If you have the hot rod habit, nothing else seems that important. Steve, don't walk, RUN over and buy that 5W before someone else does. Same advice for Dan on the 3W, if its not too late. Good luck!

 

Here are the pics of the car... it was tough getting any b/c it was buried under 40 yrs of Junk.
I plan on calling her back tonight and seeing if it is signed sealed and delivered.

 

Based on dip stick location it's a 348......... but pans can get changed.

If you were 2nd at 12,800, whoever's getting it is getting a steal. I'd suggest another run at her with more green.

 

Say hello to buyer #1


























































just kiddin. But the reality is I FUCKIN EH WOULD BE!!! She sez yer close. If there's no deposit go buy it. 1st come 1st served when it comes to deals. The "golden rule" is the one with the gold wins. You need to show up with dead presidents and a trailer. Elvis is DEAD!! Cash is king.

And so ends my fucked up brand of motivation. Good luck dude, I hope you get it.

 

neat story kevin.

as my friend put it, "welcome to the world of The Gentlemans Hotrod" ... it was funny to hear.

 

In 1960 I bought a 34 3-W. It was painted purple and had a columbia in the back. Dropped in front. No engine or trans. Came with two new old stock grills still in the boxes. Gave a used Clay Smith cam and a dual point dist. for it. I had it chained to a tree at my boarding house untill they found out who it belonged to. Sold it for $65. Everybody told me it was worthless and I was lucky to get anything. I was thrilled to have it the short time I did have it. I've got a pic somewhere. I might find it and post later.

 

Yeah....I can relate. I was offered a nice, chopped '34 3W roller in 1974 by a fellow servicemen who just got his orders to Vietnam. He wanted only $100 for it if I would move it out of the garage at his Mountain Home Air Force Base housing unit that very day, because he had to vacate. I didn't know where I would put the 3W (having no garage and also living on the airbase) so i delayed. Next day I went back and he and the coupe were gone. I

 

holy steel is real batman, that is gold. Throw more cash at her - fast.

I reckon at 15K - 20K USD you'd never lose money. Hopefully the other party will opt out and you'll come out on top.

 

Damn! Why doesn't this ever happen to me?

Hindsight prophet says "Shoulda gave her 10K on the spot..."

 

I can remember reading an article in Rod & Custom from about a 1972 issue where they had about three of them planning to maybe make one out of them. All three were rollers with complete bodies if not outright drivable. I think the total outlay was under $1500 and they were saying how one was priced pretty high at $600 or $800.


What's it worth? Well, what's it weigh - maybe 2500 lbs? Figure that out by the current price of gold - if it's not worth that now, it will be.



This stuff is out there if you look. I spotted a couple derelicts 100 yards from a busy interstate; the closer one looked to be maybe a '32 Ford tudor but it was hard to tell. From a distance with no nose, the Ford and Chevy look a lot alike to me. Going to go back and check it out before too much longer. Fully expect to get blown off by owners tho.. lol.. going to borrow a car that gets decent gas milage for that trip.

 

Last spring a guy here dragged a rust bucket 34 3 window out of a barn, the bottom 18" was gone, no grille, locked up engine. He sold it for $5,000 within an hour. The next day it sold again for $7,800. The third guy sold it the next week for $15,000.