Howdy! I've always admired hot rods from a distance. In the back of my head, I always thought I'd build one someday. But I figured it would be down the road and thrown together with parts from CL or something. I've mostly had 60s and 70s cars. Now I've got the opportunity to own a Ford Roadster (kit car) really cheap. It belonged to my father in law who p***ed away in September. He loved this thing and drove the **** out of it. His last big trip in it was out Rt. 66 to CO fall of 2013. Now the MIL has asked me if I want it. According to her it's a "Gl***ic" kit from the 70s. It sits on a 70s IH Scout frame, with a 351W with an FMX transmission, Mustang II front end. I know nothing about Hot Rods other than the basics about engines etc. From what I can tell she only wants about 1/3 of what it's worth, to keep it in the family. I love it, but I'm a bit intimidated. I want it, but don't wanna bite off more than bla bla bla. ANYTHING you guys can tell me about kit cars like this would help. If I buy it, I'd want to make changes to make it a bit more 50s., satin paint and steel wheels type stuff. I don't think cars from this era need the chrome etc....just my opinion, not wanting to make anybody mad. [/URL][/IMG] [/URL][/IMG]
In not wanting to make anyone mad....A Gl***ic is as bad as a Shay,or a Street Beast,,,not very well accepted in hot rod world...BUT its your money...Spend a little time reading the HAMB,see how many are here,,,,my bet is NONE.. Sorry man,,
5ish k...he had it for 25 yrs, and a couple of his buddies told MIL she could get 12-15 for it around here. I have lurked a bit, and I've read some really old posts that mention the gl*** cars. If I was gonna build one, this wouldn't be it. That being said, if I hang out here enough I might be able to figure out how to get some steel on that Scout frame someday. (Don't tell the wife, but there's a 40 Ford cab, fenders and bed on CL right now...not that I was looking or anything) And don't be sorry. I'm asking, honest answers don't hurt my feelings.
For that kind of $$ I'd say buy it & do what you want (bet the wifey kills ya if ya change to much ) ,but what do I know ? jmo .
Does the car HAVE to stay in the family? They were poorly built when new, and don't look anything close to an original 30-31 Ford. It will never be worth more than what you may pay for it. I'd be collecting parts to build what I liked if I were you.
The thought has occurred to me...been eyballin' a $2500 57 Chevy truck too. Wifey really doesn't seem to care about changes. She hates the color and the wheels. Always has. MIL may be a different story.
........................Well said. I believe that the "Street Beast" brand was the evolution of the "Gl***ic" brand. I'm not sure but, I think there were name changes along the way because of licensing disputes with Ford. Their products were a little "crude" including the IH ch***is. Shay was a different company and actually produced a fairly decent looking vehicle. I think most of them were Pinto powered. The Gl***ic and Street Beast cars generally don't garner much respect from die-hard hot-rodders but, for $5k you could have some fun with the car and not spend a bankroll on it. Don't get too deep into it if you do buy it from the MIL 'cause they don't have much in resale value. Hope we're not being too hard on you, just being honest.
Nope, I'd like you guys to tell me what ya think. . And the truth is, I can't tell a 31 ford from a 47 Chevy. Everything pre-55 looks the pretty much the same to me. That's why I'm asking the experts. One of the things that has kept me from jumping on it is that it looks like it would be difficult to modify, or even find parts for. The guts are good, but that fibergl*** makes me nervous. I've never been a fan of gl*** cars of any type. I like looking at them, just never really wanted one myself
Looks to me like you answered your own question...and THAT fibergl*** body is a very poor lookalike for a Model A...I'd even bet that the fenders are all molded with the body and non removable,like Street Beasts and Shay....Steer clear of it...
$$5 grand isn't much for a running driving car let a lone a completed hot rod .. you could start with nothing & spend a whole lot more ..& years in the process (course then you'd have what you wanted ) this $$$ gets ya a rod to have some fun with & see if this is the thing for you ... so what if its gl*** ....( drive it like ya stole it cause ya kinda did at $5 grand ) ...you can always sell it (probably for more) if it doesn't fit ya. but what do I know ... its your decision .. just wondering does the trailer come with it ?
To be honest,5 might be all it's worth,people in the know will avoid it due to the IH ch***is and the mustang II front suspension. If you do by it,please forget about flat black. You can drive it and have fun and see if you really want to build a car while you are playing with it. From the single photo it doesn't look too bad. HRP
It's not a bad little car. Fun regardless, and it's pretty fast. Why is the Scout ch***is and the Mustang suspension bad? Flat black? Nah. dark satin blue maybe. I hate red and most shades of it. Overdone. IF i get it, IF...the gl*** would probably be gone eventually. I've never swapped a whole body onto a frame before, but I have friends with the tools and space to do it. We've done floors, trunks, motor swaps etc. I had a 68 Scout, I could always have another one, with a V8 no less. I guess that's one of the biggest questions I have for ya'll...what else pre 1960 might fit that frame with some tweaking?
Hey, if you like it, buy it. It may not look 100% like a true Model A, but so what? Most people won't know the difference or care anyway. Most cars are modded to their owners desires anyway. If nothing else, it would be a great starter car to see if you like the pre war cars or not.