I'm having a hard time with the asking price. Stock front suspension. Said he thought a Volare rear. Said engine wasn't really worth much. What do you think? http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/3279139376.html
"short block is rebuilt, heads need valve job" Why would someone put a motor back together completely in that condition??
I'm thinking maybe whoever rebuilt the short block screwed it up, like maybe the heads were done but it still has issues. They might be hoping that somebody will buy it thinking it's just the heads that need doing. It makes NO sense to rebuild the block, put it all back together knowing the heads have not been done. Looks like a great start but 16k?? I dunno
Somewhere I recently read that a new 1940 Ford body with doors costs $15,000+. That's not including tax and shipping. That's only the body. I have a low mileage 39 Ford deluxe coupe just sitting and rotting with a 283, powerglide, was running till I parked it with bad radiator. Wouldn't take one dollar under $25,000 for it. I just don't get it. Guys will pay big bucks for repo bodies to build a car but think clean originals are not worth much. That's why us stuborn old fools keep our junk till we die. I'm going to fix it someday. And if I don't i can think I will. But it could be forsale for $25,000. That one is worth every penny they are asking. As for heads, we've all got extra Chevy heads.
Just back from Hershey Swap meet. Seems cheap ( in Hershey). Here in northeast PA that is about the asking price for a 30-40 Ford coupe in that shape. $12K it would never have lasted the day. If the body repairs are correctly done. It is in the ball park.
There was a '39 and a '40 at an auction on Saturday. Both needed everything, the '40 was in pieces, very rough, no drivetrain. The '39 had a Mustang II front and was painted but there were all kinds of deep sand scratches where the bondo was and it was purple, no drivetrain but setup for SBC, no interior, no wheels. The '40 sold for $4700.00, the '39 sold for $9500.00 and both had a 10% buyers fee plus tax.
This is what makes me scratch my head---***. Then how do these companies make new bodies and expect to get $15,000+ for them. Even if those two cars have rust that's a lotof patch panels and bodywork that can be done with the difference. Plus new fenders, trunk, hoods, dashes, etc ain't cheap.
Maybe the short block was rebuild for a reason, ie: bad rod bearing or the like and the heads were reused without thinking there was a problem with them. Either way I'd say if it's as straight and clean as it appears it's worth the price.
Personally, I thought both sold for way too much. However I've been told the purple one was somewhat of a deal. I still don't think so.
Being old poor and cheep, I feel the car needs to much, the grill is a cheep repro 40, no trim, etc. etc. The engine condition is not importaint as you can get a crate motor for less than $2000.00 its all the little parts needed to make a good looking car that add up. Offer $8,000.00 and go home if he says no. Also the Street Rod "Smoothie" look is outdated, you will spend big $$$ to look like 100 others on the Fairground.
Price is good starting point, maybe you can get a little break on price, most price a little wiggle room. Car seems to have a lot going for. It's worth it.
Do your homework,ask him who done the bodywork and engine ,talk to them ,if he gets all''i'm not sure'' walk away coz he's fulla****!
I'm with you brother. I was thinking 6-6.5K would be top dollar for one in that condition. But I have been known to be outta touch at times. 48 Poncho
The above coupe SOLD ( in less than a week ) for between 21 thousand and 25 thousand dollars eight years ago. I know the exact $$$ ... but the owner MAY not want to broadcast his business . Nothing special ... just a 283 ( fresh ) adapted to the stock driveline. Has a dropped axle. Decent interior. I believe the 39 in question ... is very close to the market value.
We have a '39 in the shop, stone stock with a V8-60, getting the stock frame replaced. I'll spend some quality time under that one before letting 16k go. I'd also want to see before photos of the body, along with shots during the pre primer work. Bob
I sold my '39 for 25K two years ago. This was a fresh car (with a big t******* Pontiac motor) and needed nothing. That car is DEFINATELY more of a project than the seller wants to admit...the body condition is the deal breaker..If the car was a nice solid original car, that is one thing, but if it was a rotten old body with some ****ty chicken wire and bondo, that is another. Check the body out closely, if it is decent, offer 8K and see what happens, but expect to put some work into it. I like it...but not for 16K.. Good luck. -Abone.
Just shows ya they're worth what the buyer and seller agree on. I was gonna say they don't make them anymore. But sadly they do and the repos get more than the originals because people are worried about hidden bodywork. Which is often there and poor. Buying any old car is a gamble. But this is a hobby. If you don't want to take a chance buy a Prius. I wrote that?
Man, I don't know....the more I look at that car, the more I like it.... If the bodywork is decent, you could ditch the street rod firewall, the gay *** steering column and the sissy Chevvie motor and have a decent little car. If you could score it for, say 12 grand, you could spend maybe 5K on fixing all the goofy stuff and have nice little grey primer with Moon disks driver for well under 20K. All that would depend on your skill level and budget. Good luck, -Abone. PS. If that thing has a dropped I beam, that would help alot. A dumb *** subframe would be a deal breaker. For me, a Mustang II would also be a no-no...
Just went to "cars on line " to check pricing on 39-40 coupes ......low of $28,500 up to around $35,000 gets you a nicely FINISHED car , sbc , A/C etc . I dunno , this one here seems to need a lot ..... T
Asking price and dead Presidents in hand are two totally different things. Look at what flamedabone sold. That was a turn key deal on a *****in' ride.
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