shoebox guys, look what I found.

A friend of mine's grandfather passed away recently and her grandma wants to sell off all of his cars I went out there today to see what all he had and sure enough, there was the 51 crestliner I was told about. There was a 50 crestliner also but it was already sold and gone. Of all the cars out there, this one is in pretty damn good shape for an unrestored origional. Most everything is in tact and she says it will run! The car is very solid and the doors open and shut like a dream. I really want the car but she wont give me a price, just says make an offer. Where would you guys start?

 

Wow, nice find. Sorry, no idea what to offer, but I hope you end up with it.

 

Any way to find out how much the 50 went for? I say that because you have no idea if she thinks it's worth 1K or 10K.

I hope you get it, it really looks great....(because I am in the rust belt....those cars rotted away up here in less than 10 years.)

 

i could be off but 3500- 4500 would probably be a good start of course its hard to tell from pics

 

I think I would start off with telling her that you would LOVE to have the car.

BUT

I'll say 500.00 to a thousand PRICE WISE .

Its in good shape ,

but still needs a lot of work to be done to be road worthy again.

Is the rear bumper their with the car ?

Good luck and hope you get it.

 

She does have the back bumper. I think $1000 is pretty damn cheap for a 51 2door in this kind of shape. I just dont know what the crestliner package is worth. All I really know about them is they were like fords version of the bel air.

 

crestliners are realatively rare

 

I agree i would say 1000 or 1500 if the body is without rust its a great car...good luck let us know if she sells....

 

Nice car hope you get it.

 

Those cars rotted away here by 1970! Cool Find. I say start low, because you cant go backwards........ Good Luck.

James

 

thanks guys!

 

i'd offer $500 cash and show her the money. old folks understand the value of a dollar. if she balks, tell her EVERYTHING that the car will need and how much it's going to cost you to do it. brakes, wheel cyls, tires, battery, interior, paint et........ to her the car is a piece of junk taking up space. remember that......

 

I'd consider it a steal at $2,500 .... but I think it's probably going to cost you 3 or 4 thousand.

 

Her husband was a old school bodyman and a hot rodder. He had many cars and there are still many left in her shop and back yard. She knows they're not junk! If anything, she thinks they are worth more than they are.

 

The steering wheel alone is worth a grand - maybe more.

...x2 on finding out how much the '50 sold for though. That'll give you an idea where she is thinking from.

JH

 

If you take this bit of advice you might be the biggest fool out there. How do you know if the car meant something special to her husband and now that he is gone she might have an atttachment to it that didn't exist before. Just because someone is old doesn't mean they are fools or don't have feelings. REMEMBER THIS~!!!!

Frank

 

Not that steering wheel. It is a stock type. The good one has four spokes.

 

$750 all she say is no

 

Frank is right. Treat her with respect and kindness. Let her know how much you would like to have the car. And how you would cherish it. Ask her how much she would like to have for it and if she says make an offer, offer what you are comfortable with and go from there. If what she wants is too high for you, explain that it's more than you can afford. Be honest with her. Sometimes money isn't everything to us old people. If that doesn't work sit down by the car and start crying, as you tenderly run your hand down the fender. Lippy

 

Old Cars Price Guide for 1951 Crestliner

1. $29,000
2. $20,300
3. $13,050
4. $5,800
5. $3,480
6. $1,160

A #6 car is an unrestorable parts car. A number 5 car is one needing a complete restoration (like this one) but not rusted, stripped, or damaged beyond saving.

I'd offer somewhere between the #6 price and the #5 price.

And then I'd go to Coney I-Lander and eat a half dozen coneys!

lippy posted while I was looking up values in the latest Old Cars Price Guide. I would also agree with what he said.

 

not that steering wheel.that wheel is a standard one found on all 51 fords.

 

You guys are living in a dream world if you think you can buy that car for a grand or less. That is a rare and desirable car and looks to be in great condition. My guess on value is $4K, it'd be worth more if it was cleaned up and the engine was running. She might be willing to cut you a deal on it, doesn't hurt to start low, but if I had that and you offered me $500 for it I'd tell you to fuck right off.

If it was in a barn near me and they wanted me to make an offer I'd probably start at $2K and I'd be willing to go up from there. If it was just a plain old 2 door sedan it wouldn't be nearly as cool or valuable.

 

i think $2000-$2500 is fair. it would be a good deal for you and fair to the seller.

 

This is what the steering wheel would look more like if it was an accessory wheel .

 

Keep in mind that she may very well know approximately what the car is worth. If you low ball her too badly & piss her off she may not sell you the car for any amount of $$ just because you pissed her off. Some folks are like that & get worse the older they get.

As an example: A friend of mine has left a list for his wife of the vehicles and parts that he has just in case shit happens. The list details what stuff is, what it fits, how rare/desirable it is and an approximate value. He figures if he were to kick off then she will be able to sell out without getting ripped off and add to the retirement fund. In her mind the stuff is just junk (sound familiar?) but he wants her to know that it is valuable junk. Pretty well everybody on this board knows that there is a big price difference between a model A coupe & a Deuce 5 window coupe but to her they are both just old cars.

Along with the other info he has also left a list of car guy friends that he trusts to help her out with selling the cars and parts.

He has also left a shorter list of car guys (that he does not trust) that should be escorted off the property at gunpoint if they come around after he is gone.

Keep that in mind if you make an offer. Just be honest with her and ask what she got for the other car. worst case, she does not tell you. You are not any worse off than you are now.

Good luck.

 

So make her an offer you can live with.

How does anyone here know what it's worth to you or her?

Make her a fair offer based on what YOU feel it's worth.

 

Thanks for all the input fellas! Im gunna get the car out of the hole it is in and get a better look at it. It was supposedly running within the last year or so. maybe with some points, a battery, and some fresh gass, itll bust off. Il decide then what Im willing to give for it.

 

Start at $ 2,500.00. This is reasonable for all parties involved. Maybe at that, she'll bite. If not, start negotiating with her and see if she'll give you her "idea" of what it is worth. I had a friend buy a Sun Valley in the same condition and he paid $ 4,000.00. I believe that it is a 1954. That might give you some basis for comparison.

Good Luck.
VR&C.