Alright, I'm looking at getting a 28-31 Ford sedan project eventually and have been trying to get an idea of were the prices are on them. I was watching this auction and didn't get a chance to bid on it as I was no were near a computer when it ended, but was wondering if this was good deal, great deal or just the going rate. Your opinions on this would be greatly appreciated. Here is the link to the ended auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4556818017&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:MT:1
Around here that would be a steal. I could easily triple my money on those in a week around our area. maybe not so good a deal on the westcoast.
I would guess that those bodies were pretty rough. So they probably brought the going rate. The guys selling them are dealers, so they wouldn't have sold them for less than what they were worth. If you've never done bodywork, you'd be very wise to save up the cash and buy a $2000 -$3000 body. You'd be money ahead as well as have a nicer overall car. But if you're handy making your own patch panels, and have the time to do it, they probably would have been a decent price.
Unfortunately Model A prices(and pretty much any old tin)have taken a crazy jump in a short amount of time. I'm in SW Florida, and we have NO old tin, so anything for me is a drive. I don't know how your area is for old cars stashed, but you probably may have one within close distance if you look. As with anything, you usually get what you pay for, and as others said, unless you have the tools & skill to repair rust-outs, a solid body will be well worth a little extra $$ up front. In my experience, a solid model a tudor sedan body will start around $1500, and that will still probably need the usual patch panels. I guess figure out what your budget is, and buy the nicest body you can afford. I have also not found eBay to be the cheapest by any means of finding a body. Its convenient cuz you can usually find exactly what you're looking for within a short period of time, but there are few bargains on ebay. And they are usually on the other end of the world when you do find one. I might recommend placing a "want-to-buy" add in the classifieds of the Hamb. Thats how I found my Model A Sedan body, from a fellow Hamb'er, one state away! I WANTED a Tudor, I GOT a Fordor Body, but it was very solid, and a great deal(a fraction of a tudor bodies price). At first I hated the fact that it was a fordor, but now that its chopped 6" and I'm ready to build the frame, I'm actually glad its a fordor, it(to me) looks really cool and will be different. Plus I'll have a rolling chassis/wheels & tires, and a body for what a decent Tudor body would have run. Good luck in whatever you choose!
I paid $900 for mine. sold $250 in parts off it. It needed patch panels on the sides. But complete(garnish mouldings) minus the windsheild frame.
can you do the work? how much $$ to get them to you? the metal looks a little thin, search the southwest for nicer bodies or join a model A club online (do not go to a meeting, they can smell hot rodders!) and cruise the classifieds, those old farts are crapping out daily.
I sold this body only to a ebayer for 1,250.00 several months ago. I wish I'd seen that auction. That was a steal in my opinion.
You stold'um.................saw one go around here a couple of weeks ago that was a lot worse than this, for $1500 and the guy that bought it was tickled shitless to get it.
around here that was a good price...but as told by an old body guy.....don,t start a project with a project
Thanks for the input, I thought that it was a good deal also. I know prices up here in the northland are a bit steeper because of the shitty road salt winters are so tough on cars. I'm just trying to guage prices before I buy something. I'm also not opposed to finding a deal or two that I could resell to help fund the project. Thanks again for all of your input, it helps a ton.
================== You prob. already know about these in your area but thought I'd let you know just in case... http://www.rufusranch.150m.com/Abody.html
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