Hi, a long time ago I bought a 1929 Chevy truck from the states and brought it to the Netherlands where I live. Due to unforeseen cir***stances, I had to sell the project. Next summer (2024), I will be doing a round-trip of the south west of the US, with my wife and kids, as a holiday. I would like to source a new project car, then, and bring it home. Wishes have changed, though, and I would like some ***istance on what to look for and where to look for it. I am looking for something pre or just post ww2. It needs to be a convertible and have a useable rear seat. Automatic transmission is preferred as my wife has trouble with her arm joints. And I want her to drive it, too. Engine-wise all will do, as long as it is not seized up and has reasonable parts availability. If you look at my avatar, the truck I bought, you can see I'm not afraid of a project. A complete car is preffered, since souring parts from here is a costly affair. In my dream, I do a haul from a junkyard, getting it to run and drive together with my son. Like some YouTubers do. I don't think that will happen, but I can dream... Any input is welcome, Cheers, Hugo
What area of expense are you willing to invest not including shipping?? 41-48 ford convertibles are a good choice if your looking for something more reasonable. 49-51 fords are too. I’d advise staying away from early chevys. Wood body structure is expensive to work on and replace.
Anything Ford from the 40’s forward has good parts availability, most engine and transmission swaps have been covered and there is kits and or knowledge on how to do this stuff . Chryslers , Dodge have good parts availability for engines , suspension brakes etc , body , trim and interior not so much . Buick , Oldsmobile , while i think are gorgeous , can be pricey and difficult to find parts for . Same for Cadillac and Lincoln . chevy and Pontiac are other good options . My vote would be something as complete as you can find , body , trim and interior wise . Swapping an engine and trans is one of the easier things to do on a project . I would stay away from the orphan brands ( Nash , Hudson , Edsel etc) while cool cars are difficult to source parts and the aftermarket is almost nonexistent
To dream the impossible dream. Your best option would be to find a finished car from one of us old farts with health issues. Otherwise, getting a basket case convertible and rebuilding it while your kids are still young isn't going to happen; especially if you have to import everything. Convertibles don't age well exposed to the elements for decades. Look at the convertible build threads here to give you a better idea.
Despite what certain TV shows portray, there aren't thousands of cars in western s****yards waiting to be rescued with a few days' wrenching (particularly the pre-'55 cars you are looking for). With a finished car you might be able to drive it to the dock to ship it home. One other option would be to buy someone's abandoned project. In either case, you may need to swap in the automatic. You will probably have to add power steering if she needs that too. Many cars you will find for sale elsewhere have HAMB-unfriendly parts, particularly Mustang II front suspension, so you might not be able to discuss them here. These aren't from the area you plan to vacation in, but a quick scan of the HAMB cl***ifieds shows a couple of candidates (I don't know anything about them beside what the ad says, so this isn't an endor*****t): 1949 Oldsmobile, $34,500 (doesn't mention which transmission) 1951 Ford, $29,500 (has a C4 auto) Project 1939 Ford, $14,000 (Comes with an SBC, but doesn't mention which transmission it has. Also, this is a rumbleseat car. I don't know what you think about that) Let us know what you do. And post pictures. We love pictures.
Dude-buy what you like, and buy the most complete and finished one you can afford. Decide if you like bolt on or integral fenders and go from there. Early 50 chevs and up to 54 fords seem to give good value.
Start watching the cl***ifieds on here for a beginning point, post a wanted . Have a $$ figure in mind. Preferably have something lined up before you head off , the ideal car probably wont fall in your lap in your short time frame . There is a couple of 40 converts on here.
Probably best to find something on the east coast so you will be closer to the port you'll be shipping the car from. JMO
Wasn’t there a reasonable deal on like a 48 Ford convertible in the cl***ifieds recently even on the east coast?
Not the one I was thinking about, but maybe a candidate? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1946-ford-convertible-10-500.1290118/
This is the one I was thinking of but it sold. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1946-ford-convertible-sold.1281285/
Just my thoughts, but if it’s a project you’re looking for, get real familiar with it and make sure it’s as complete as possible, I’d ***ume shipping tonthe Netherlands would get expensive when chasing parts. As mentioned, it would be tough to find a complete car in a wrecking yard, best bet (imo) is start looking at the cl***ifieds here, the area you plan on being and searching through FB Marketplace, etc. You might get lucky and find a member who can give the vehicle a once over for you, you could then secure it with the seller, and make arrangements for transport. I say look for “the one” now, or you vacation could become more of a job trying to figure everything out while here. Ofcourse if a running, drivable vehicle is the priority, then that would make it easier on you.
My suggestion is to schedule your trip for the first of August next year and attend the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville Ky. There will be about 10,000 cars there and if 10% of them are for sale, you have a 1,000 cars in one spot. Reserve some scooters (ahead of time)from the vendor who rents them at the Nationals. You will get to see more hot rods in 4 days than you probably have seen in your lifetime. You need the scooter because its impossible to view all the cars while walking. Given that you have a short timeframe and don't want to limit yourself to maybe some overpriced non-running (immovable) or misrepresented vehicles.......this gives you the best chance to find a decent vehicle for a reasonable price. Not all of the cars there are show quality cars, there are lots of "projects" that are driveable or still need sufficient work that you and your son can still work on it together. A few from 2022 Nats........ Even if they aren't "for sale", you can always ask.... View attachment 5782781
& there's even less junkyards w/whole cars in the RustBelt, think top 1/3(or more) of the entire US. & they rarely will be nowhere near complete, so that gets to be troublesome & expensive. You could also stop in at the Backtothe50's, @ St. Paul, MN, ~10,000 cars +/- in mid June(supposed to be all pre-'65.). A lot are for sale, most are drivers. You get to decide on the quality you need. Sunday swapmeet usually has some projects, but that *is* what they are... Maybe make a few contacts, hit the various NSRA meets incl the main Nats like elky mentioned, also Goodguys. Most of the meets have gotten smaller, but nice stuff shows up. Depends on what you like... Before you leave the States, you could make a deal. Betting you'd have to back-track abit chasing "the one", but may be worth it. Or if you decide on a particular make, find the club that supports it. Should be a decent choice in the want ads, over a bit of time. Most club members are pretty good to deal with, but there's always the few... Another source is Hemmings Motor News. Monthly for-sale bible, ~ 1'+ thick w/mice-type, covering almost every make you can think of. Most of them are good too, but... & a lot of them are not on the web, by choice. They also have an online deal too, but I haven't looked at that - yet. While it is true that most "Orphans" are harder to get parts for, it depends on the Orphan & also the model. If you're looking for a hot rod/street rod, then originality & oem parts availability doesn't mean as much. Again, the "marque" clubs can help here. I do know Stude, via the SDC & its' excellent monthly mag, has members all over Europe. Good luck. Marcus...
Get on the local Facebook Marketplace listings in the Las Vegas, Phoenix, Yuma, and Mohave County Az areas. Look for older restorations.. Lake Havasu is sort of a hot rod town with a lot of retired car guys, and, as such, a lot of cars available, because age catches up with us all.
You said in your post that you were doing a round trip of the Southwest. That's quite an expanse so what areas specifically? There may be HAMBers in those areas who might know something you might be interested in. I tend to agree with the opinions of those who have already posted, buy something complete and running that still has parts available. By the time you get a project done, you'll find that parts have gotten rarer and more expensive.
Oh,............remember to bring a small magnet with you. Not familiar with overseas shipping, so how will the vehicle be moved from place to place in order to accomodate getting it to a shipper and their abilty to move the vehicle as needed? Could you buy a used shipping container and put whatever you buy inside it .....or is that how they do it anyway. What I'm getting at is the costs that might be involved in moving an incomplete car may outweigh just getting a more complete car thats easily movable. How does the overseas shipping stuff work?
Hi all, I'm on holiday with louzy internet connection in the mountains of Austria, will be back later to read and reply! Hugo
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