There are many old cars just sitting in peoples yards in my neighborhood, some Mustangs, 50's cars, model a's, t's, vw bugs, a cadillac limo thing, 30s to 50s trucks including studebaker, and many more cars. I want to get into the hobby, I'm 16 and live in arizona. I want my first car to be something cl***ic. What are the steps I should take to convince someone to sell me their car for a reasonable price, and also to see if it's too much of a project for me or not. Let me know what you guys thinks. Oh and there is a 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT that is pretty much totaled, but my favorite of all is a guy who has a bunch of Chrysler imperials, a 1970 camaro z28, and the car I want from him the most just been sitting there since 83 when the tags expired. A 1967 or maybe 1968 Camaro Rally Sport. No one lives at this property, all the cars are just stored there so I don't know how I would contact the guy. What suggestions or tips do you guys have for someone like me or someone trying to buy an unadvertised car in someones yard that may or may not be for sale?
The price you pay to buy the project is the least of your concerns..... I think my best advice to you is to get someone older involved in your project with you and let them mentor you, otherwise I can see a "project" just moving from his yard to yours when you lose interest in it. Secondly, you need to start doing some planning and budgeting. Do you have a place to work? Is it available for a long period of time? What sort of hand tools, welding equipment, grinders, engine lifts, hoists etc are available to you to use? Do you know how to use any of it? What's your budget? Do you have twice that amount available "in case" - because you will need it - probably twice again that amount depending on the project. Bottom line, your skills, abilities, facilities and total budget will help you determine what kind of project you CAN do, then you need to find one that will hold your interest till the end and will fit your critieria. I think your best bet would be to find something that already runs and drives while you learn the skills needed to work on it, one small project at a time. Good luck, and don't be discouraged - you didn't learn to run overnight, first you had to learn to stand, then toddle, then walk - it's the same with any skill.
Start reading this site carefully and you will quickly discover that it is not about late model Camaros here......do some homework and try to figure out what *traditional* rods and kustoms are all about..... Welcome to the HAMB..... CB
I start by knocking on the door and telling them who you are and where you live. You have been saving for a car ( so they don't think your some some knucklehead kid) and wonder if they consider selling one. That might get you in the door.
Your profile stars that you already have a car and a truck. Maybe start with those ot projects and get some experience. Everybody has to start somewhere, good luck with your current projects.
I used to get a lot of cars by knocking on doors. I've sold some that way too. The best way to do it would be wait till most folks get home from work (5-6ish) or wait till the weekend. The worst thing they can do is get ornery and tell you the car isn't for sale. Sometimes I'd meet some real cool people that way. One guy had a huge collection of 30s-60s cars. I've bought a few vehicles from him and parts. Another guy's place I stopped at I wound up working for a few months during the summer. You never know what will happen.
Anything built after 1964 is not "cl***ic"...especially a '68 Merc. Altho, I'm sure there are others that would disagree with my perception. R-
solidaxle pretty much nailed it. Be nice but don't be pushy. They have probably had other visitors inquiring about their cars, so maybe being a neighbor may help you. Also, make sure that you can get the proper paperwork to get the car into your name. Don't be discouraged when they tell you that they are going to restore them all some day-and a few years from now you see them all on a flatbed going to s****. I can't even count the times I've had that happen. Jim
Sounds like an interesting neighborhood! You say the owner doesn't live there. I strongly suggest you don't go snooping around without the owner's permission. One of the neighbors probably knows who owns the place. You might also find that info on the internet. See if your county has a website. When you do visit the owner take an adult along. You can do most of the talking but having an adult there will make the owner know you're a serious buyer, plus the adult can help keep you from making a bad deal. Start with a simple project....a car that's complete and running. Once you're done with that you can take on a more complex project. Don't be surprised if your first project ends up costing twice as much as you first thought, and will likely take 3 times longer to complete than you figure it will take.
Go to your county ***essor website, look up the address, and it will provide information, such as parcel number, owner, taxes paid, etc. Good luck with your car search, whatever your interests are.
If the neighbor is an older couple, offer up some services like maintain their yard or chores That they can't physically do, be neighborly, a lot of that has to do if the people would consider selling- if you live on the same street. Ask your parents is they know any of these neighbors. Or if you ever see them at the store introduce yourself. but don't be pushy. Mention your interest in cl***ics cars, nevermind what people say here if you can't get the part at a dealer it most likely a cl***ic, in fact I think anything oer 25 years is a cl***ic. If you your really like a particular make, find the forum for just that make and learn all about the car.. If you want to build hotrods that is a different story altogether.
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