Advice on New Project (53 Belair)

New to HAMB, but not entirely new to loving old cars. Anyways, I've been looking for a 53 or 54 chevy for off and on the last few years and finally found one but would like some advice. Its a 53 Belair, only surface rust and basically completely stock (235 Babbitt and powerglide). I'm just wondering if the deal is good b/c it seems like maybe there are some better deals out there. The body is straight with some minor small dents here and there and the trim is banged up in some spots. I realize that just about any old vehicle will have issues. He said the motor ran strong but the ****** was leaking fluid just about as fast as he was putting it in. I like the idea of keeping a 235 but possible switching for a full pressure and possibly even a SMC setup with ******. Anyways he wants $3,500 and I have posted a few pics of it. I want it but wanted to make sure that its a good buy before doing so. Any help would be appreciated. Also Interior seats are there and have been redone but basically everything else needs to be redone as usual. The dash is cherry though.
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It's up to you what its worthyou want to start with a clean body unless your a body man thats half the battle. just because hes asking 3500 dosent mean he wont take less haggle with him try to get it cheaper and 3500 dosent seam like a bad price if its all there just my 2cents good luck.

 

my thoughts too, the body is great few small dents but no rust issues. I took three grand cash today and he said "NO" won't go under 3500. thanks for the advice. i sound like such a cheap *** when 500 is all thats holding me back. just wanted to make sure i wasn't overpaying and that i can find something similar for 2,000

 

There are lots of these around cheaper, but they're rusty or they're 4 doors (or both) plus this one is a Belair and has all of the side trim on it yet. If it really is rust free, $3500 seems reasonable. I wouldn't say it's the steal of the decade, but it's a good price, especially if you're not a good bodyman/welder.

 

Grab $500 and dont miss out you will kick yourself it looks clean it will be hard to find something for 2000.

 

From a distance that looks pretty clean.

 

Spend the $500 bucks, body work ****s. And paying someone ****s more. The price seems very reasonable.

 

53 glide = no babbit does it not ??????????

 

If its really that solid as it looks from a picture taken 30 feet away, I would totaly buy it for 3,500 in a heartbeat.

But is that ever really the case?

 

really appreciate the extra kick in the ***...really want the car but was dragging my feet on the price. sure wish i had taken more pics of it up close for everyone. thanks for the responses

 

I paid slightly more for my '53 and I never regret it one second. The 53 and 54 chevy's are really hot right now, and there are a LOT of parts for them. Plus, when you get down to customizing and putting your own little touches you can really make them look pretty slick. Not to mention you want to be a "rockstar" anyways.

 

Don't be a "TIGHTWAD". That's a BelAir with all the t*******s. Heck, if you have a Wife or GF throw her in too as part of the deal.

 

send somebody else in with $3k "in hand" and i do mean "holding it in their hand" it's called "combat buying!" but first you go back in and listen to it run and see if you can go for a drive and if it kinda falls short shake the dudes hand and thank him for his time and walk away. take my word for it this method works.

 

Doesn't the 53 with PG come with the full oiler? I have to say that it's certainly a fair price for one in that condition.

Heck, the skirts would run you an extra $100.

 

That's a great car! I would pay $3500 for sure.

 

Can't believe what a great response I got on here...HAMB is the SH**!!!!

 

Wish i knew more about the motor...i have alot to learn still..all i know is the current owner said it was a babbitt with a powerglide but the ****** is leaking anyways and i was gonna just find a rebuilt ****** and 10inch rear end anyways. I really like the idea of keeping teh 235 in it.

 

Post pics when you get her home.

The 235 is a nice motor and pretty hard to kill, but its never gunna be a racecar.

Put some headers on it and enjoy the rapping goodness of the stovebolt.

Sure its a 53? I'da thought those were 54 taillights.

 

I'd say that is a very good price. Around here you can get them that cheap, but they don't come with floors or the bottom 6 inches of sheet metal. Grab it!

 

Snag it! Especialy being what you want.

 

As noted above, looking again, those do appear to be 54 taillights.

 

NO! The 53 had the 235 splash oiler. The full pressure 235 was "NEW" for the 54 models.

 

For 1953, Chevrolet introduced an improved version of its venerable six again in Powerglide-equipped cars and featured pressure-lubricated rod bearings.

http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/howto/engineswaps.htm

 

Good eye Chebby, yep he put 54 tailights on it, which is what i wanted anyways. As for the motor again, i did notice that it had a stick shift once but was now an automatic on the column. I'm hoping its there this weekend when i get off work. Gonna take the trailer with me. Can't believe i was even debating on not getting it now considering its the car I've been looking for and my cheap *** was trying to save on 500 bucks.

 

a 53 chevy thats that good looking, with skirts and all the chrome for $$3500!! if the interior is half as good looking as the rest of the car then i need to go clean my pants!!

BUY THAT CAR!!!!!!!

 

There are lots of threads about putting T5 trannies in these babies. Mebbe consider that?

 

Many I've gotten some good laughs and appreciate the motivation to quit being a cheap ***. Gonna get it this weekend. Gonna look at the T5 set up..thanks again everyone for the replies...this site kicks ***

 

if theres one thing that i like to comment on in the hot rod community its the willingness to help each other out. we cant personally own every cool car in the world but we can be friends with those that do!