All Right, I have been reading these forums for some time now and have decided to possiblly let go of a project I have never had time to do much with. I have 1938 Dodge Sedan Delivery (20" factory extended) that is just the body and chassis, with a clean title. The body and chassis has had the rear axle moved back 20" to make it look better than when it was factory new (great for a street rod, bad for a restore). The truck has been setting outside now for about 4 years and is starting to show some rust. Body is solid and the chassis is also in good shape, it still has the straight axle front suppension and a 8 3/4 rearend. From what I can find, there were only 7 of the extended models made in '38, as they were only used for either a hearse or ambulance. My question is what would a good ball park guess be as to what the resale value would be. Thanks Steve
Jesus, everybody knows it's "HURST. LOL! It's "hearse", actually. Most hearse people just stay silent and laugh, very few of us will actually correct folks. You're a cool guy, and have an awfully rare piece of tin though, and I'd hate for 'em to make fun of you, so heads up. ~Jason
Hey Abomination, thanks for the heads-up, I never have said that I know how to spell. I thought that a few pictures would help to determine a value. I just went out to the barn and took a few, as can be seen it is starting to deteriorate, but still has a lot of potential. Thanks, Steve
If you had the runnning boards, I'd start the price at 7500.00, not a lot of them old Dodges left and yuor's look like it's n fine shape.
I do have the original running boards that were on the truck before the rear axle was relocated back 20" for a better looking vechile. If the rear axle was still located in the factory position they would work. An original '38 Sedan Delivery factory stretched had the axle at the same position as a none stretched and the extra length was place behind the axle, making the truck look a little weird. The previous owner paid approximately $6,000.00 to have the axle relocated back 20" and to have all the bodywork done to accommodate the relocated axle. This makes for a really better looking truck then was made at the factory as you can see in the photos. Thanks for the reply's Steve
My guess is ambulance. It looks like an old "meat wagon". The US Navy liked to use lwb sedan delivery type vehicles. Have you checked for old markings, lettering, insignia, body tags, or telltale paint colors?
After reading your explanation of the previous owners elongation plan I changed my mind. I think its just a long wheel base sedan/panel truck. It's tough to put a hard value on an unfinished project but this could be worth something to the right person. It's all negotiable.
Benzine440, I don't think anything would be found on the body in the way of lettering, insignia, body tags, or telltale paint colors, because before the change in the body the truck was stripped to bare metal. The only thing that says anything about it is the original dataplate on the firewall, which has the vehicle ID number which identifies the truck as a factory extended sedan delivery. Thanks for the reply, Steve
Here's one for the FWIW column...It'd been worth more shortened to standard length. The stretched wheel base adds to the ambulance look. Standard sedan deliveries are rare and expensive to the right ppl. Like Elcaminos they're not for everyone. Start for price at what you have in it adjusted for inflation and prepare to take offers.
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