Don't know about Cali, but here in Illinois, if it doesn't have a title, its just scrap metal. Guys will tell you that it's easy to get a title. So, tell them you'll buy it as soon as they get that 'easy' title. Cosmo
looks to be alot coming from me. mine looked like that ...ive seen better for cheaper with papers, id wait and find something a little bit more reasonable the parts list adds up very fast ...take it from me im still putting mine back together
Anything without a title is going to be a hassle. Is the VIN number on the A pillar? There should be a stainless plate with the vin numbers stamped on it on the drivers side. Ask your dad for advice, if he has 30 years experience turning wrenches he will help you make good decisions. If you buy a car without a title, and can't get one, who are you going to lean on for help. You are right to pass, but looking doesn't hurt. You can learn alot just looking at some of these cars.
The only point I was making is, its for you to deside as to what type vehicle you what and not to settle for a pick up because there a deal.
Yeah, I definitely wouldn't buy a car just because it was a deal, otherwise id be driving some shitty asian import.
do as you may ...if its a tri 5 you want ...just look for something a little more complete for the same price ....it will save you headaches in the end ...
as anybody with a tri five will tell you there not cheap to work on anymore the price of these damn cars have gone thru the roof. its worth the price on the west coast but to someone that has parts or a driver in bad shape to part out for a first car. its a reach. but I also think its cool your looking at a Icon made here not a ricer. keep looking theres one for you around the block I beleave that.
I bought my 56 for $2500 in about the same shape. I did all the work myself and with some buddies and I got at least $5,000 into it on top of the purchase price and its barely back on the road. Still needs rockers inner and outer, floors, interior, paint etc... I would get something you can drive outta the gate becasue that will take you at least two years to get back on the road and thats if you have the money.
wow just looked at the rest of the pics..he should sell you the glass clip for $500 and throw in that heap.
That thing would last a couple hours max if it were for sale here in Wisconsin for $1500. The rear inner fenders look solid, that's where they usually go bad. A couple floor pans are no big deal. Can you really buy running, tri-5 Chevy cars in California for $1500? You can't even get a 4 door with a 6 that's driveable around here for that kind of coin. I can certainly see the lack of a title being a turnoff, and this car would be a big project for a first timer, so the OP might be wise to pass on this one. But I'm really, legitimately shocked at how many people think this car isn't worth $1500. Some of you guys talking about $500-$800 for this car, I want to come live in your world.
I bought a running four door 56 with the v8 in it for $500 last year. Okay so I had to put points in it to get it to run The only reason I bought it is becasue it came with an extra set of clean fenders I needed and he wouldnt sell them without me buying the car... So I gues I paid $500 for some clean fenders and got the car for free.
Hands down, I would take a solid 4 door shell for a track car. Get glass doors and make a two door out of it.
I really appriciate all the input guys, this website is great. I am just going to keep looking. On another note, Anyone have a 49-51 merc they wanna sell?
I don't know much and I wish you all the best but you're looking at the wrong cars if you're on a budget.
If theres a will theres a way. I can guarantee you no one will ever see me driving some POS import as long as i live. I may only be 16, but im a hot rodder at heart.
Realistically, for a tri 5 Chevy 2 door in your price range, that's about all you're going to find. The guys telling you to find something more complete for your money have not been shopping for tri 5 chevy's much. I spent several months looking for a nearly complete 2 door 55 or 56, and rarley looked at anything even close to running condition priced below 7 grand. (And, I'm in Kansas, the home of the dirt cheap cars....although, I looked all over the country ) Then you ask about a 49-51 Merc.....good luck kid.... Now comes the part where I try to be nice, and give out what I consider to be good advice, If you have a continuing source of income, and you are ready to devote your time and money to a long term project, see if you can get the guy down to $1000, with the clip, then you have some cash for parts now, and maybe talk your Dad out of that drive train.....Or, look for a running old car in your price range, which will most likely be a four door. Nothing wrong with that, if you want an old car, and have only $1500 to spend, you can buy a not so sought after running 4 door that will need some work, or you can buy a long term project high value (popular) 2 door that will need most everything....again, good luck kid, and I mean it in a good way.
Its not to bad just depends on how bad you want a 56 chevy. I think one more complete would be better. keep lookin your on the right path. good luck
Where I'm at that car is worth the $2000 he's asking, but not where you are. Again, it is supply and demand. By the way, I picked up a glass clip in really good shape for $150.
There are Henry J's around here for $1500, the bodies don't seem to be too expensive. But keep in mind, to build a hot rod out of one, you basically only use the shell, you'll have to build a custom frame and drivetrain for it if you want to do much with it. It's not the kind of car you can "hop up" a stocker. If you really want a Tri-5 Chevy, buy a running 4 door and convert it into a 2 door post. It's not that hard, that's how I'm doing my '57 (I'm on a budget, just like you). I did my '60 Fury that way too. Around here, 4 doors are pretty much all that's left. Here's my '60 Fury conversion http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78120 There's updated pics of the car with the conversion finished a couple pages in. And here's another thread showing the conversion on a '55 Chevy. This one is really well done. http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350312 It's worth the effort and can get you into the car you really want for a fraction of the cost. You seem like you're willing to put in the effort so you really should consider this. Guys do it with 49-51 Mercurys all the time too, although the doors/quarters for the Merc are a lot harder to find.
Actually the HenryJ frame is pretty stout. The one I had in HS I was building with a 4 bar rear end out of a Volvo (tough, narrow and cheap) and the front suspension was rebuilt (same as Shoebox Ford righ tdown to the cast Ford Script. )
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