Ok i have a 1935 Plymouth kinda in between a rat rod and street rod. The car has been in the family since it was new. But i got an offer from friend to trade for a 1950 Merc with with a 5" chopped top and all the metal work done. But the car needs a drive train and all the glass and all the interior, and it has no title. Otherwise he wants 10.5k for the car outright.So i am at ta crossroad in my decision making because i have two little kids and they cant ride in the plymouth. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675802&highlight=bbf+plymouth
The merc doesn't sound like it is worth 10.5K. No title, no glass...a lot depends on the quality of the chop.
no title, no deal. You can get bonded or special construct, but it always sounds like a pain in the butt and besides, an 80 year old heirloom? How do you replace that? Pretty sure you can't
I'd keep the Plymouth. I think it's cool, and given the family history, sounds like a no brainer. Find a seat for the back, and you've got room for two adults, let alone two kids. I'd keep the Plymouth. I am a Ford guy, but I have an o/t chevy nova that my Mom bbought new in late 1971 in my garage. I came home from the hospital in that car, went to school everyday for years in that car, I watched Star Wars at the drive-in in that car, learned to drive in that car, went on my first date in that car, etc., etc. No way that car will ever leave my family, not after all these years, even if it means I have to live in it some day. My kids will all come home from the hospital in that car, and probably learn to drive in it too. Not quite the same, but hey, that Plymouth has been in your family twice as long. Pass it down through the family so your grandkids can enjoy it too. 10K for a total project with no title doesn't sound like any kind of a deal to me. Even if it is a 50 merc. There are better deals out there.
I don't think that I could part with that considering your family history with it. As said it's a sedan. Put a seat back there! Bill
If I had a 1935 car that had been in my family from when it was new, I would not get rid of it. No matter what...
Why can't they ride in the Plymouth? You have done some job so far and a great history. Maybe your kids will enjoy taking the car to school someday. In my opinion its a no brainer. The family car. Pat
Keep the Plymouth! I had a 36 Plymouth 2 door sedan and it fit 4 people fine. So there is plenty of room for your honey and 2 kids. Heres a few more reasons to keep it: It was your great Grampa's Trading for a car with no title can be a nightmare You got the drivetrain in the Plymouth, I would rather see a early Hemi in that Mopar but the 460 is fine. The photo's of the car with that giant tree in the engine bay are priceless, especially when you get it on the road. before & after photos. etc, etc Good luck!
10.5k for a project, and no title, and a car that has been in the family since new. It's a given keep our car and finish it up for the kids they will enjoy it more then the merc.
go trade the man before he changes his mind! your mostly just going to get opinions according what kind cars people like. the title thing is state to state as far ass pain in the ass goes, here in kentucky it's not too bad. as for the merc, check the chop out good. not all chops are created equal. a bad job on the chop can ruin a car. the lower you go the tougher it gets. 5 inches in the front is a pretty hard chop. check things like window openings, make sure they look aligned. check the side to side measurement to see if the roof is centered. check the corners of the windows, are they curved around like they should be or botched up? is the body work "finished"? body filler can hide alot of bad workmanship. check the inner rockers and floors for rust that inner rocker runs the length of the car. i looked at your plymouth pics. looks like you have the skills for the drive train so thats not a problem. as far as trading a 35 plymouth for a 50 merc goes, seems like a no brainer to me if the roof checks out, but i think the 49 to 51 merc is the coolest car on the planet. see what i mean about opinions?
Never buy a chopped car without glass. It takes planning to chop a car and have glass that will fit. A guess is the roof just came down with no planing and no way to put glass in it without starting over. Keep your car unless you want a never ending project.
I agree with Andy, without glass you don't know if fitting it was even considered. PLUS NO TITLE is a warning sign, pass on it.
keep the plymouth.the merc is not worth anywhere near 10 in that condition.Having history and a real story behind a vintage car means everything.hold on to it,or you will regret it.I have a 36 ford with a great history,will never sell it.
Don't know But I think gramps just rolled over........ Save your time and just do what metalshaper says, he always knows best.(saved me once-thanks)
Keep the "family car" in the FAMILY.. How many people can say that a car has been in their family that long? No brainer to me.......
Don't think twice about trading the Plymouth . Keep it. The Merc just sounds like somebodys basket case project,overpriced and you would have to put 10 thousand more in it just to drive the thing. Sure Mercurys are cool cars,but not a hull with no glass,interior,drivetrain,wiring and with no title who knows whose name the cars in. Post some pictures of the Plymouth so we can see why the youngins can't ride in it.
I'd keep the Plymouth. How many others will you see at shows? Now how many chopped Mercs will you see at shows? Many more, I'd say. The Plymouth is unique. The Merc isn't.
Kids cant ride in the Plymouth? Oh Poop! When I was a kid, we had a '38 Desoto Coupe, Dad drove, Mom rode shotgun Sister sat in the middle and I rode in the hat shelf, Twice from So. California to Missouri and back on Rt. 66. I still have a great tan from the experience.
No brainer. Keep the family toy. Add a small seat for the kids, fix it up into a real rod, without the rat part, and go cruisin. Had a friend here with a 35 Plymouth chopped coupe. Only one around. Have lots of friends with 49-51 Merc chopped top coupes. Must be a million of those around here. I envy and admire people who get handed down family vehicles. It happens. But it ain't gonna happen to you again!