50's hotrod found......what would you do?

With all the old race cars, hot rods, etc. that a lot of HAMB'ers, myself included have been looking for latelty I had a close friend ask me today whay he should do. He has a 33 ford roadster that he bought from me many years ago. I knew of some of the history, but not full details...until now. I knew the car was at one time at the Ferris State College automotive tech department, what I didn't know was why or who's it was.
Now I do, and it seems that the guy who had if there, was going to the colege and it was his car they used as a shop project. It was a 3 window coupe originally, but in the cl*** they removed the top making it a roadster. they had a 56 lincoln motor in it, and it was fenderless.

To make this a lot shorter, and get to my question....the original builder and his son have tracked the car down and want to buy it. Larry, my friend, has had the car for close to 25 years and is not sure if he wants to sell it or not. He knows I'm looking for my dads old drag car, and asked me what I'd do if I found it but the person who owned it wasn't sure if he wanted to sell. Myself, my dads car was a 55 chevy D/gas drag car..I'd offer to trade them another 55 for it, either a g***er style car or an original one, whatever they'd prefere as long as I could get my dad's original back.

So, I'm asking the HAMB'ers out there, what would you do if you had an old hot rod or racer whatever and the original owner had wanted to buy it back? What would you do if you were looking for your old car, and the person who had it wasn't sure about letting it go...what would you offer? I know this is a loaded question, but just looking for other opinions. I know it is his car, he doesn't have to sell....

 

Everthing is always for sale, if the pricwe is right!

 

This is a real tough one. I guess it depends a bit on what you are doing with the it. If it is going to sit under a tarp for another 25 years your friend should at least consider selling it back to the builder. What you said about replacing a 5 window with a 5 window, etc, is not a bad idea ***uming your friend does not have an emotional attachment to the car.

 

If I wasn't actively trying to sell the car, and the previous owner wanted it (because of sentimental attachments), I would be more inclined to give it serious thought, more so then just someone else. I would price it at fair market value, not taking advantage of the situation. I would not under any cir***stance be influenced to sell a car, I didn't really want to sell though.

 

If they really want it they will replace it with a comparable car..That is what I would ask for If I were the current owner.
but finding a comparable 33 3W? thats not going to be easy!

 

two thoughts on this one.
1. I hate to sell stuff that is mine.
2. I hate to see things not used.

A hard working average guy i know whom is probaly close to 70 now has 3 0r 4 buildings full of diffrent cars he owns some finished some not. He even has a Franklin that is so far gone from a former leak in the celling Most of theses cars are old hotrods and customs. NOTHING IS FOR SALE. atleast nothing in those buildings. His REASON! This is my golf course and i would hate to quit playing!

 

Hey, if they're going to build it and their offer is reasonable, let it go. I wouldn't try to **** them on the price, but as long as they're not expecting you to practically give it to them, why let it sit? I have cars I like more than others, but you wave the cash at me, everything's for sale. I can always go find more toys.

 

Would be a shame to deny someone the chance to rebuild their old car, but I also understand not wanting to get rid of it. Sell it for market value, or maybe trade for something he wants more.

I mean, if you've had something for 25 years and haven't done anything with it, maybe it's time to "**** or get off the pot."

 

If they really wanted it, I'd figure out how to make the deal work. I imagine that your friend could be just as happy with another car, considering that he did not do the original work on this one. They just need to hunt him down a good trade.

 

I've had my '58 Bonneville for 25 years, and "haven't really done anything with it" but I would still hate to sell it. If however, the original builder wanted it, I would sell at market value. Anyone else has to pay way over market value. Just my thoughts.

 

Your friend should take the builder's number and tell him he'll get the first call if he ever decides to sell.

 

I'd tell him to find me a 33 3w WITH a top and he could have his old one!

 

Mine was built in the late 70's and sold it in 84 or so. Knowing where it was all these years, i knew i didn't have the coin to buy it back. One day thou, i approached him about buying it. He wanted me to have it back and even at a low market price, it was still too much for me. I did eventually took the plunge thou. He was happy and i was beside myself. Can't wait for spring. It's been over 25 yrs since i drove it.
He could have sold it for alot more. He's a cl*** guy in my book.

 

Hard to say but I would talk with the people for a while to find out all I could about it and if they were really the owners from way back when .
I myself wouldn't do what many people would do and try to take them for everything they own to buy it back . I myself would tell them find me something like this one or something I would like and just trade them for it . That way I am not putting a price on it since i had it for so long .
I truly believe that would be the best way to go about it .

On the other hand a big wad of cash works too !
Money talks , every time !

RetroJim

 

If I owned the car and an owner that had to have it back wanted it, I would definately work out a deal with him. I tried to buy my high school car back and couldnt, even offered to trade him a MUCH nicer version of it. I think the ideas of market value or the I'll trade you a similar car is a great idea and very helpful to someone that has way more sentimental value in the vehicle...both parties win!!!

 

it's been said before - your (I'm) not doing it any good - it's rotting away...sell it back to them - damit.....wonder how it would work out if I "actually" found my uncle's Bonnieville roadster...

 

Well, your buddy has had that car for a quarter century now. That's 1/3 of it's existance. He obviously has some attachment to it himself or he wouldn't have kept it that long. He may not have originally built it but he's alot of it's history too. If he does sell it, he'll likely regret it one day himself. If I owned it, they would really have to make it worth my while to cut it loose.

 

For the guy that built it there is DNA involved, to me a comparable car would be just as good, I'd do a fair trade.

 

I know what you guys are saying, and a lot of it does make sence. I'll try and fill in more of this story for you guys, but still try to make a long story short. My dad was owed a fair amount of money and took this car for payment. My dad had no interest or use for it, but I thought it was cool so I ended up working for it. I was 14 and working at my dads full service gas station. Well I took it all apart...hey it is what dumb kids do. So, a couple years p***...I never got it together and needed money this is where Larry came in. He took a basically stripped, thanks to me!!, car and put it back together using the original drivetrain and what parts I had kept. The grill shell was gone, as well as the windshield frame etc. So Larry does have his own BS&T in this car. He has not driven it since early 2005. It still runs and would drive without any problems I'd think. He has met and talked with the original builder and his son. They have pics of the car from the beginning so Larry is sure they are the real deal.

This is really kind of a dilema when it comes down to it. I know Larry loves the car...yet I know how the original builder must feel knowing he found his old car. I myself think he should let it go back to them. but man I know that it must be hard for him to think about letting it go. I never really thought about this type of a situation before, but now that I have it really is a tough one. Thanks for all your input, suggestions, and ideas. Al.

 

That changes everything, now all of you have some skin into it, it's down to $.

 

i say sell it back to em! theres nothing in the world that feels better than to be reunited with your old flame you built 30-40+ years ago personally id say bring me another 3 window in equal condition and we'll call it a day

 

You know this is pretty cool.I've been reading stuff here for a while now and I see a change in the HAMB .I have seen much more realistic responses and much less
"Ball Busting" There hasn't been one person say anything like "Screw em to death ,or any **** like that .
I am not as trusting as I used to be .Before I would actually sell I would make Damn sure that these folks are lagit and really want to do right by the car and not just screw you out of the thing and flip it because of your generousity . If that happened that would be more than I could take .And it happens ! Good Luck !

 

I personally would sell it back to them. But it would have to be for enough to replace it with another 33-34 coupe that was either a driver or a really good builder.

 

If Larry hasn't finished the car in 25 years and hasn't driven it in 5, then maybe it's time for a change?
Maybe Larry needs a hammered Merc or something else? If the garage burned to the ground and he was standing there with cash in hand shopping, what kind of car would he be searching for?

I'd trade them for a really solid builder 33/4 coupe, or at least enough cash to turn over and buy a solid car.
Has the potential buyer made an offer and is he in tune with what the going price for the car would be?
Post some pics for us.

 

Personally I would not be willing to give the car up unless it were replaced with one similar or another that I would be more interested in. This is one of the reasons I never sell a car I would ever want back or at least sell it to someone far enough away that i will never see it again.

Frank

 

Just because he hasn't driven it in 5 years doesn't necessarily mean he should sell it. I have a '29 Coupe that I've maybe put 50 miles on in the past 5 years. I've owned it since 1985 and know the guys who owned it since 1959. If they came knocking on my door wanting to buy it I'd have to say no. If they still wanted it, they never should have sold it in the first place.

If this thread was about a woman, I wonder what the responses would be like.

 

Put the number on it that fits you, and let the games begin.

 

I'd work out a deal with them. Make me feel good about the guy and his son working on it and creating some good memories. It's kind of special to you and Larry, but I'm sure it's really special to the other guy. He might have time invested in that car with his father or someone who meant alot to him. Yep, I'd let'm have it back for sure if their intentions were good!

 

Why hasn't he driven it since 2005? I'd let it go if I wan't able to drive it. If I was, it would be tougher... glad I don't have to make the choice!