Hey All, First off, my appologies if I'm going about this the wrong way. I understand there can be specific etiquette and a "don't take kindly to you 'round these parts" type attitude on boards. Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone has any pointers when trying to buy a classic custom. Why I ask is when it comes to say a newer used car. I know pretty much what to look for. Mostly, basically, they are all the same (same engines, suspension, etc) and if things are in good mechanical and working order. You should be okay. But when comparing customs everything is different to each other so I haven't quite figured out how to tell if it's a good deal or over priced. Also, what are some good resources you guys use? I have been looking here (obviously) CL and flea bay. And going to the LA Roadster show this weekend. I'd rather pick up something local or semi-local. Thanks again..
Find something you like and PAY an unbiased expert to look at it for you prior to purchase or risk getting burned.
It would be easier to walk into a Super Safeway and ask "what food in here do you recommend?" The question you're asking involves thousands of different cars with thousands of options, millions of aftermarket parts, hundreds of different styles, spans 50+ years...not to mention thousands of different opinions. Find a year, make, model you like and narrow it down.
After you find the car of your dreams, make SURE the paperwork is legitimate. A bad title can be your worst nightmare.
Amen! In my mind mechanical things can always be fixed right, but bad bodywork is the stuff of nightmares. You never know what lurks behind the paint until it's too late.
All good info, ask a friend who knows a bit more to go with you to check it out. Like posted before, it would make a world a difference narrowing down what cars/years you're actually looking for. You could even go as far as taking some pictures, posting it in the message board and asking what peoples think about the price. ( as long as it's not another hamb member who's selling the car). I dont think anyone would post comments about someones for sale car, ya know. Also try Jaxed.com compiles all the craiglist cities within your state, and you can filter to just bring up a specific year or keywork. useful tool.
1. read classifieds 2. make appointment to see car of choice 3. inspect car/paperwork thoroughly; get help if you don't know what to look for 4. if car passes inspection, pay cash, take home. 5. learn how to properly take care of the vehicle -
First let me say that you have a legitimate question. Yes there is some etiquette but you have hit the first rule of it right on the head, polite buys a lot even with this gang of SOBs. Anyway back to your question I keep abreast of pircing by looking in our classifieds. I know that it is not the definative pricing list but if I can buy it from one of these fellas for prioce X and it is higher someplace else I know that I can make my best deal here. Does that make any sense? You never have to make a deal on the spot so if you find something that you like you can always snap a couple of pics post them here and ask, is this a deal or is this guy nutz. There are a lot of fellas here that are local to you they will know what pricing is in your area. My general rule of thumb is that if I have to buy it imedialtly it is a hustle, anything done in haste is a mistake. BTW just incase no one else mentioned it welcome to our nightmare. You will do fine in this little section of the world there is a lot to learn but there are a lot of fellas willing to help you with that. Nothing ever wrong with not knowing just not knowing and not trying to find out. One other thing just like the rest of the web information here is just like eating fish soup, eat the fish and spit out the bones.
Unfortunately, asking prices really don't mean anything. How many times do you see the same car advertised week after week? On-line auctions are even worse. Ebay does allow you to check completed auctions. Depending on what you are looking for, you may be able to find similar vehicles listed there. You will find that the high dollar cars rarely sell and even when they do, the same car often shows up listed for sale again two weeks later. Until cash actually changes hands, asking prices are really meaningless.
BE UNDER THE CAR looking at the quality of the suspension and welding. I've seen some stuff discovered that was not fit to drive. Don't get stuck with the bill to make it roadworthy.
What car to get is a matter of taste....you gotta figure that out yourself. But if you find one you like, post a pic of it here and we won't hesitate to tell you whether or not you have good taste! good luck...
x2 and money helps, if you dont love it, dont buy it! dont just get a classic to just say you have one. its an expensive hobby, but its fun. good luck
Don't bite off more than you can chew. This is very easy to do. Don't take the car apart, especially if you don't have the skill or funds to put it back together. Some of these guys make it look easy, but it ain't!!!!! Get as complete a car as possible. That 59 Caddy with the 9 inch chop may look cooler than a polar bear's butt and only need paint, upholstry, and a windshield to be finished. Be aware it may take 10 years to find a windshield for it, and that is why he sold it so cheap. Buy some thing that you can afford and can afford to drive, or it will quit being fun real fast. Keep learning all you can. Don't be scared to try. Have fun.
look for what you fall in love with, then check paperwork and you said you already know the mechanical side so to me you got it covered.
Once you figure out what you want, buy the best one you can afford. A little more $$ can buy a LOT more car. Have fun, like squirrel said, ask for opinions-you'll get the benefit of all our mistakes as a bonus.
1. Make friends with a couple of guys that have built a car that you like. Meet them at shows or through other people or fellow HAMBers that are in your area. 2. When you find a car that your really interested in buying, invite your new friends to look it over. They won't agree on everything so listen to them yell at each other and pick it apart. They will be pretty convincing. So give a lot of weight to the things that they agree on. If this doesn't work, go back to #1 and repeat. 3. Then take the car to a trusted mechanic (or a local reputable rod shop) to check over the drivetrain and chassis. They should be able to do some basic checks to make sure things are ok. Remember, an engine is an engine..doesn't matter what year it is from, they all work basically the same. Same for the tranny and chassis etc.. 4. Then run a strong refrigerator magnet with a tissue between it and the body of the car. If the magnet doesn't stick then you probably have a good amount of "bondo" filler. Not good. If your uneasy about this, take it to a reputable body man. Every person you meet will be able to point you in the direction of their "go to guy". Listen, be respectful and you will learn a lot. Then when the ride breaks down, you know who to call to help. Buy a lot of beer! Good luck..
look ONLY for that CERTAIN car. You'll know it when you see it. Next thing, and I can't stress this enough.... sit in the damn thing. If you aren't comfortable, or it might be a pain in the ass to drive, you aren't going to enjoy it. Don't buy it thinking you can change those things, because in the long run you can't. Now if your dream car is still in the running, have a buddy with skills check it out. Little things can be fixed, big things are better left to someone else. If the price is what you want to pay, and the seller isn't a complete asshole, try for a little less, just for grins and giggles. If it's a no-go, pay the price, you were going to anyway. Make sure the PAPERWORK is GOOD. And don't really worry about the price to much. If it's what you were willing to pay, then it MUST have been the right price. You'll always have somebody tell you you could have gotten one cheaper...you paid to much..blah,blah. But usually those helpful souls have their pocket bike moped parked behind the porno store and have walked into the show. Bottom line....find what you want, have somebody you trust check it out, and pay what you feel good with. Everything else is bullshit.
the only way to know you got one done right is to build it your self. aside from that, buying used, it's always a gamble. you will get some one elses shortcuts, carelessness, mistakes and workmanship, good or bad. but,, if you can live with what they have done, or fix it your self, you can save big money buying something second hand.
After you follow all the previous information, be SURE you are comfortable driving it. No matter how 'good' it is, if you aren't comfortable driving it, you'll soon tire of the car.
Thanks for the info. That definitely helps get my mind thinking in the right direction. As far as paperwork goes. How would you recognize bad paperwork? Do you mean that it has been stolen or forged paperwork? Or how it's registered? I have what I'm looking for somewhat narrowed down. The problem is I keep finding more and more which I love. And there are many great rides out there. But really the number 1 is a Shoebox (2 door but not the business coupe). Next would be a Customline. Also, I really like the fastback Fleetlines. And then then I found a '41 Chrysler (on here) that I really like. (A bit out of my price range though) The style would be no fancy paint or interior. Love the chopped look and/or bagged. Also, an automatic. Not because I don't mind driving a standard, be on the tree or floor. But actually I'm an amputee and just find it less annoying. I do have a friend that would go with me... But I was trying to do some reconnaissance on my own. Thanks for the Jaxed link. I'll check that out. I was using autotempest. Does about the same thing as you describe. Any Hambers in the LA area want to make a quick buck? Actually went today and will go probably tomorrow AM. Tons of fantastic rods and customs. Should have took more pics though. I did find a shoebox on the completed listings that I really liked. (Can't find it now for some reason) But it was tan primer and pinstriped... can't remember the rest. It sold for somewhere around 10K. Thanks. That's actually something I need to remember (comfort). I have driven plenty of pain in the ass vehicles but out in the country. And It's kind of fun when you really have to drive. But I think around here (city) it's a little different. And thanks for that final thought. Great way to sum it up. Regarding sellers be a-holes. I have called on a few cars but it seems the guy is a bit crazy or a complete flake. I wonder if the wife or gf is making them sell. I would love to do it myself. But I have not the time or space. And that's kind of what I was thinking. I'm really just kidding myself if I think I will ever do it... Might as well just pony up the cash up front and go from there. 1. I'm working on that. and 4. Thanks.. Someone else has told me the magnet trick but I was trying to think of a way not to scratch the paint. Hadn't thought of tissue yet. Is this acceptable to do this while the seller and there? And beer.. not a problem. Cheers and thanks again.
The best indicator I've found is research. First off, try the 2 main socal swap meets, Long Beach and Pomona. Walk around and compare. Then look at ebay and the classified section of hotrodhotline.com.
Remember dreams can turn into nightmares real fast. Don"t buy a car just because it looks good. Have it checked out by someone in the know before buying. And don"t buy any car from anybody that gives you the line of crap that its a clear open title.Then when you look its not in their name.If you buy local have the seller go to the DMV with you to have all the paperwork done. If the seller has problems with that walk away and don"t look back. At a lot of the shows and swapmeets you will find cars for sale,just beware of of car flippers that will tell you just what you want to hear about the car but they just swapped another flipper for the car 30 minutes before you walked up.Good luck finding something.
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