Projects 41 Chevy Sedan Value

Ok guys…I haven’t seen a “What’s it worth” post in a long time. So…now seems like a good time to ask the question. Anyway, this car was a good friend of mine’s that passed away recently. It is now up for auction along with some other stuff. Anyway, I would love to buy the car to help out his young son that he left behind, but his ex-wife will just blow all the money on drugs and alcohol so that won’t actually happen. Long story there, but trust me when I say it. Anyway, it is a neat car that I don’t think he actually had very long and I don’t know much about it. It does run and drive, but needs exhaust, interior, etc. The paint and body are pretty decent and it has a 348 in it. I do know what the 4” wide slots on the front are worth, but past that I am guessing. Not sure if I would keep it long term or not, but just wondering what a reasonable value even is for the car. I’m also cheap and rarely buy something that I can’t make money on if I ever end up in a bind even if I do want to keep it. Anyway, thoughts?

BTW…I’m guessing it is in the $7-$8k range at the top end. But, that is also sort of a guess.

 

Isn't a running 348 worth about what you're speculating? I would guess your top dollar guess is low, maybe half ish.

 

I wouldn’t think a running 348 is worth that kind of money? Oh, it also smokes pretty good from what I remember back when I looked at it in November. And, there is basically no interior other than a couple late model bucket seats that would need to go.

 

I would put it at 5,000 in the current market , at the top end how it sits . any profit would be returned on your sweat equity. A w motor is cool, but is it out of an Impala or a dump truck? So do you pull it and fix it, or drop a small block in it and sell the 348 separate .a smoking core might be 2500 on a good day.

 

So, seems we are somewhere between $5000 and $15,000 or so.

Curious what others might think.

 

Based on the limited pics and info, I would think the $8000-9000 range is fair, assuming a clean title.

 

About 8 years ago I bought a nice, driver quality, 41 Chevy Coupe, nice 350, th350, 10 bolt, m2 front, stock in and out save for gm tilt column and accessory gauges. Sits low on polished 5 spokes. California car. Paid $19k. Tires weren't flat at the bottom though!

Chris

 

Original running sedans with the 6 are in that range. Some a little more.
The engine value is hard to nail down. Around here people ask from just under 1k to 5k for a W.

 

Hey Jeff,
I'm guessing $5000 on the high end. Paint looks pretty decent which is a big number in its self. Looks to need some TLC but that's not a deal breaker. Old smokey 348...ehh. Now I'm starting to think $5000 is to high.

 

Well, it is currently sitting at $900 in the auction...but we also know how that goes. I'll keep watching and you guys will obviously be the first to know if I "accidentally" buy another car...

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

Sell the slots.
Add steelies, a visor and skirts. Lower the rear.

value goes up

these ain’t street rod cars as much as people try

 

We think too much alike... I already have wheels that could work that I saved off a 53 Chevrolet recently. I could definitely see it as a skirted tail dragger. Oh, I might also need blinds for the back window?

 

Jeff i think you are in $8.000 to $10.000 if body is with little or no rust. 41 is not a very popular model.

 

Lowrider guys dig em

 

W motors around here are pretty expensive, maybe they're more plentiful elsewhere.

 

I knew one of those that would FLY! Sammy Swager was a wild one in 1952. The road in front of our house was gravel, left north, right south. Railroad track on the north. Paved road north of the track, level with the track. The gravel road was probably 3 feet lower. Ole Sammy would come south, wound out in second gear, and hit the gravel ten to fifteen past the tracks.

Jeff, considering what you fear would happen to the money, I would not be concerned with being " fair". Be purely business. Just my opinion.

Ben

 

Yep Ben, buying this stuff is only seen as getting good deals if possible. A group of my buddies friends that would like to help his son are more interested in putting money away to give him when he is 18 than handing anything to his mom. Thankfully, a couple of my buddies cars were also still in his own mom’s name so they can go to his son when he is older. There is a 68 Camaro and an immaculate unrestored 55 Chevy hardtop that have been in the family for a long time that should make it to his son someday.

 

I wanted to put a 348 in my '41 Cheebie tudor. I even had one for it but went with a sbc instead. We did take two inches off the top. That was 50 years ago and unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it, so it never happened. Anyhow, my best guess on a price would be $6 to 7,000.

Lee

 

Just remembered, my Cdan had 244 louvers in it, hood, upper front fenders, and deck lid. Anybody seen it?

Lee

 

The body/paint looks pretty decent, so $5K might be a bit low, but I'd be surprised if it hits $10K...

You sure it isn't a 409?...

 

Well, the hood isn't up in the auction pics, so for all most know, it is a 6 cylinder... But, I suppose it could be a 409 which would obviously be a bonus.

 

So with your concerns of where the money is going to wind up with, might be best to walk away and not feed her habit.
Unless you’re doing one of a few things, flipping it, or really wanting it to make a cool car for yourself.
Not to bash it, but yes the paint looks good, but I’m not so sure it’s a color I’d enjoy looking at everyday.
Just my thoughts, but not my $$

 

Understood. I just struggle to walk past what I think might be a good deal on an old car that could be cool with just a little work. I kinda like taking good bones and making them cooler. Anyway, I by no means need another car or project right now, but have also had thoughts that is could be something I get, do some work on, then make some on if I decide to sell it and use that money toward my 56 or Merc... And, it would be something else to drive while I do the rebuild on my 56. I'm afraid I will be down for a bit when it comes to an old car to drive this year...

 

I think it could be a pig in a poke.

I have not looked up 1941 Chevy colors but my first thought of that shade of blue is Tractor Supply. It looks to be well done but.....
OK.... It’s a Chevy. We know V8s are tight in Chevies. How is was that done?
How was the steering done?
I’m trying to figure out the radiator.
Brakes?????
Butted windshield glass? I really don’t like that.
Do you know the car? Was it it rusted out?
What about the rear axle?
How was that done?
Gas tank.... again how was that done?
What’s going on with the grille?
Engine smokes? Assume it’s in need of everything.

It’s a sedan.

This is just me and my personal bias, but I would feel more comfortable if it was on 6 lug wheels, 216 and original/old paint.....

Going by the reflection on the fender......
It looks like there’s some race cars in there and a Model A
What about that one?

 

Well, I don’t think they made a hump back, so at least it has that going for it. The minute you plunk down your hard earned cash something more desirable will fall out of the sky right into your lap. I doubt you have to pay for parking or storage, so if you get it for half of perceived retail you can justify anything.

 

"What's going on with the grille" is all the chromed pot metal trim pieces that surround the grille appear to be missing. Hard to find and pricey.

Lee

 

The pics I took are of it in another buddy of mine's shop and the only other cars available in this auction are for the most part OT for here. I am pretty sure that the car was sub-framed and is running later model front suspension and rearend. I will definitely go see it again on the day that the auction allows that prior to bidding anything just to make sure what all is really there and or been done. The body seems nice and the engine install was at least clean. I don't remember anything seeming cobbled together on the car and more had the thought that the car seemed well built at least as far as the work that was done. The grill is missing the trim around the edge. Anyway, you bring up lots of good questions that I would want to better understand if it stays cheap enough to keep my interest.

Yea, it will have to be half or less of what I think it might be worth to be interested. Oh, and it is sort of what I would consider a humpback? Or, maybe I would consider it somewhere between a slantback and humback at least as compared to mid-30's Ford's.

Yep, missing the grill surround trim.

 

From the looks of that firewall somebody has done some decent work on that car. Smokey, car has been sitting, dried up valve stem seals? Oil change and drive it around, some or all of that smoke might clear up. From what limited amount I can see of the car it sure looks to me it might clean up nice.

 

That’s what I’m thinking too. I’ll look it over closer, but pretty sure it was a real nice car at one point. Interesting that it really isn’t going up much at all at the auction as compared to some other stuff like a back-halved 68 Camaro, a couple early Blazers, etc. My buddy was mostly a race car guy so not sure when or how he ended up with this car. His other cars were typically tube chassis race cars, etc. that thankfully aren’t being auctioned to send the money to his ex…

 

It’s interesting to see how prices very. Just my opinion, but if I had it sitting in my yard, I don’t think I could get $3500 out of it.