I'm trying to get into rodding a early 30's car on a limited budget It's rough, frame looks ok.Engine froze. No Papers.Wood is gone.No floors,has trunk lid, body corners of trunk are gone,maybe workable radiator, hood and sides.I have no idea what is a reasonable price?Just wondering what people on this site say about the value.
Thank you all.Your experience and knowledge is much appreciated.I know it's also how bad one wants it and location. I really like it and there is nothing around here anymore for 30's.This may be the last 30's car around here. I thought maybe I could put this body on a frame all ready for a sbc and get going in a year or two.
Just curious, what did it sell for? Was there a price batted around? Be honest, if it was something like $800 be prepared for some heat.
I didn't ask.he was asking 4000.If it was 800 I would not have stalled on it. I offered up to 2500.he said no way. So I guess it was more than 2500.These rusted hulks are going crazy on prices. I bought a 31 coupe, 10 years ago in better shape for 1500 with 10 bolt and stang 2 front end already on it! Oh well, There will be another. In the meantime I'm getting my drive train together.
You pretty much answer you question with your statement above. It was worth $2500. I would ***ume you offered him close to your best price so you shouldn't have any second thoughts about it. Personally, to me, it wasn't worth $1000 but that's just me. I don't have desire for something like that. I'd rather spend the money on a more complete car I can drive.
No papers may have been a problem in NJ anyway. Don't be depressed. Regardless of what someone paid for it, there are other deals out there. I'm sure someone here has a better deal, with papers for less dinero.
Those are some wags but without photos it's hard for anyone to really give an accurate estimate. A rusty hulk in New York might be worth a couple thousand to guys there while a similar one in Arizona might only be worth a few hundred to guys who live there. The main thing is that are either your skills or your wallet up to the task of getting into the shape you want it to be in when you are done. Sometimes it is more prudent to spend more money at the outlay to make things easier and less expensive at the end. A 30/31 Brookville roadster body is 6500 on their website. That's 100 hrs of body work at 65.00 an hr in a shop which equals 2-1/2 40 hr weeks of someone hitting it full time. If you can do all the work yourself you would only be out your time and the cost of the patch panels but then it comes down to how fast you plan on getting it in shape and how much time each week you can allot to it.
I've seen a few early 30s A's in similar shape to what you described, mostly in the $800-$2000 range. I've also known people who just pull them out of some guy's woods for near nothing.
Here's a good deal 2 Ford Model A's for $1450 for the two of them. http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/2632579751.html Different parts of the country different prices I guess. I do think 2500 is a little on the high side for what the OP described.
Old Chevy's, I just did a quick check on eBay and the prices are high. But there are several A-Bones listed in varying degrees of condition. Some have started as a project and a lot of the hard work has been done. It has been my experience to pay more for something better than buying a rust bucket as you call it. Rust is difficult and expensive to work with and the first thing you know you have more time and money in it than if you had bought a better car. Good luck on a very worthwhile and learning experience. Bud Reynolds
The Jalopy Journal
