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What's it worth? 1954 Chevy Hardtop

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HUSSEY, Oct 5, 2012.

  1. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    In advance, sorry for being a little long winded here.

    I created a post a couple of weeks asking what people thought it was worth. It was a 1954 Chevy Hardtop at a farm auction. It has 78k miles, and family owned since new. Some had asked me to repsond what it ended up going for. It's being auctioned tomorrow but I went to take a look at it today.

    It was definitly a decent car but just didn't get me real excited since I learned about the reserve when I got there. The reserve was set at $9,000. The owner had changed it from $7,500 to $9,000 the day before, I don't think that made the auctioneer very happy.

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    It was very solid, no real cancer, just surface rust on the under side and some rust starting to bleed throught the paint.

    However, it was by far no means perfect. It had quite a few inperfections. Bent front bumber and front splash pan. Several pieces of trim were bent up. A crease on a rear fender, a rear fender was also pushed in a little on the under side. The interrior was all original and starting to fall appart, needed all new interrior. An a few other items, though I'm not trying to pick it apart, it is 58 year old car.

    The most fun I had was playing along with another guy there looking at it trying his hardesr to blow smoke up my *** tell me all what was wrong with it and how much work it needed. Most of what he was pointing out was b.s. and just flat out lies. He even had the nerve to tell my wife the reserve was set at $15k. I guaranttee he'll be there tomorrow bidding on it.
    I might go and check out the auction tomorrow so I'll report then what it went for but I don't think I could go as high as $9k, it just didn't excite me enough. It's a bit of a drive but there a nice shooting range not too far from there and I've got a new rifle I've been wanting to shoot for the longest time.

    I think the family had regrets at the last minute so they raised the reserve. I'd like to pick it up for less but I'd also like to see them keep in and enjoy it. My wife enjoyed meeting them, talking to them, and learning about the history of the car. Not many can say they own their Grandpas all origainl 54 Hardtop.
     
  2. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,496

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Looks good in the photos, times are hard, if the right people are there it may top $12,000 IMO. Bob
     
  3. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    It probably could go over $9k. If someone was looking for an un-molested car to restore this would be a great candidate. I guess my problem is I've watched these for the past year or so and I have seen nicer ones go for less, and ones much much nice in the $5-6k more. I've also looked at past eBay, Me***, and other auctions and have seen some really nice ones in the mid-teens.
     
  4. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,607

    manyolcars

    According to some of you guys I must be a multi millionaire. I dont think that car is worth $12000.
    Please tell us what it goes for
     
  5. oakhill
    Joined: Apr 1, 2012
    Posts: 214

    oakhill
    Member

    Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't even go the reserve on it.
     
  6. TULSA
    Joined: Sep 27, 2008
    Posts: 659

    TULSA
    Member
    from Tulsa

    Hard to tell but nothing fancy about it. From what I see. I'd say $6k.

    Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
     
  7. leadfootloon
    Joined: Dec 1, 2007
    Posts: 1,773

    leadfootloon
    Member

    Looks cool but I really won't one so my opinion is very bias.
     
  8. $9,000 is high according to my book. For that money you should be able to clean it up and drive it to a car show.
     
  9. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    I was hoping that there wouldn't be a reserve and I could pick it up for around $6,000. You don't see a ton of 53/54 Chevy Hardops for sale. More I think about it, I really can't see it going for the reserve, not at some rural farm auction. Though if someone has to have it and has the money then it's a different story.
     
  10. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 32,496

    The37Kid
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    About 200,000 people know about it now. Bob :rolleyes:
     
  11. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,802

    arkiehotrods
    Member

    Price guide prices for '54 Bel-Air hardtop
    1. $35,000
    2. $24,500
    3. $15,750
    4. $7,000
    5. $4,200
    6. $1,400
     
  12. CBennett1
    Joined: Feb 21, 2011
    Posts: 29

    CBennett1
    Member
    from Sek

    Sold for 10,000.
     
  13. A Rodder
    Joined: Jul 13, 2008
    Posts: 2,474

    A Rodder
    Member

    Did you buy it?
     
  14. CBennett1
    Joined: Feb 21, 2011
    Posts: 29

    CBennett1
    Member
    from Sek

    No not at that price!
     
  15. A Rodder
    Joined: Jul 13, 2008
    Posts: 2,474

    A Rodder
    Member

    For a Hardtop on this area, for yhe described conditioned $5-7K is what it would go for.
     
  16. bobss396
    Joined: Aug 27, 2008
    Posts: 18,739

    bobss396
    Member

    $5-6K looks about right to me.

    Bob
     
  17. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    Were you there? Did you happen to see or know of who bought it? I really liked it but I couldn't have paid over $7,000 for it.

    I've met two different guys who live the the region that own car dealerships who are big into collecting original 50's Chevys. I wouldn't be supprised if someone like them bought it. I figured if a guy really wanted it, had the money, and was going to restore it and put some serious cash into it then then paying 10k would really be no big deal to them.

    I don't have that kind of money to play around with so I could only pay what I thought I could get out of it if I had to sell it the next day. Maybe in the futre I'll have an opportunity to buy it again for about 50-75 percent of what they have in it after being fixed up.
     
  18. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    For 10k, I would pick up a 49-51 Merc. I love LOVE 53-54 chevys, but damn.
     
  19. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    My dads first love was a 50 Merc four door. I went with him to look at this car:

    http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/3293467242.html

    A bit too much work for him. The folks selling it wern't exactly truthfull of it's overall condition and drivability. We had fun going and looking at it though, the biggest laugh was seeing it round the bend being pulled by an old tractor with them trying to pull start it when we got there. It has a flat head V8, overdrive, and factor power windows and seats. It needs a ton of work, its pretty solid though.

    By the way, I still have the lowering blocks you set me up with, if you want them I can bring them by sometime.
     
  20. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    What were they asking?
     
  21. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    Asking $6,000. They said they were offered $5,000 a month ago, pretty sure that was B.S. I would offer $2,500 cash in person and go from there, I bet you wouldn't be too far off.
     
  22. CBennett1
    Joined: Feb 21, 2011
    Posts: 29

    CBennett1
    Member
    from Sek



    I was there. Standing a couple guys away from the guy that won it. I, like you, thought a guy would have been able to take it home for under 8000. Anything higher than that was out of my reach. Couldn't believe it brought 10,000. They sold the shell gas pump for 5400! Didn't know the guy that bought the car but sounded like he was a local guy.

    I guess we'll keep looking!





    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  23. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    You need to get out of the city more often.
     
  24. HUSSEY
    Joined: Feb 16, 2010
    Posts: 628

    HUSSEY
    Member

    Check out these, not too far of a drive, one was for sale on here several months back.
    http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/3293868277.html
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=670707&highlight=1953+chevy+hardtop
    http://desmoines.craigslist.org/cto/3203336331.html

    I little bit higher but nice looking cars from the pics:
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=669151&highlight=1953+chevy+hardtop
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735467&highlight=1953+chevy+hardtop

    I really liked this one, you can find it by searchging for completed listings on eBay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953...0983052?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a234ea50c
     
  25. 54LedSled
    Joined: Mar 11, 2011
    Posts: 362

    54LedSled
    Member

    Any luck come your way man?
     

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