Technical Does a Hamb build Increase a cars value?

In my case, I was thinking it might do just the opposite.

Damning evidence.

 

In a word! In this day and age NO!

 

As a buyer from the HAMB a few times I would say yes but only that I can have a look at the workmanship, make an informed decsion as to the character of the seller sometimes and confirm ownership. I couldnt put a % increase but it sure helps swing a sale in my case.

 

Next time I drive across the scales, I’ll turn on the HAMB and see if my truck weighs more.

about the only scientific way to test the theory.

 

"It's a HAMB rod."

"Really?"

"Yup."

 

There are several builders on the HAMB who if documented their HAMB build would greatly increase the value based on their skill level. You would know what's under that paint job for example.
Others, not so much.

 

We don't do this for value. We do it for cool. We do it for nostalgia. We do it to be different. We do it with a nod of respect for all the guys that came before us. If we did it for value, we would put LS motors and full independent suspensions in them all and take them to BJ. Screw that!

 

When it comes to the question of car value... I look at it this way:

Some of the builders on here have people jumping on them the second they are done with a build. Folks are lined up saying "if you ever sell it call me". You know exactly which cars I'm talking about. And those cars are not necessarily more expensive than others to build, just done with more taste, more patience, or more commitment. I've heard it so many times - "Screw everybody, build what you want" and then they complain about not getting top dollar. There is an area where you can build what you want and still be tastefully done, if you're willing to evolve.

I dunno.

In any case, if its tasteful, well-built, and well documented, It could only help the value.

If it's popular- via magazine, video, or well followed build thread. It helps get to that top dollar, but probably not much over.

 

Well, a true HAMB built will increase the cost of the build for sure.

I suspect to the general public, a HAMB build won't mean a thing, and it may truly be detrimental.. "Why did you use those old parts instead of new stuff?"

To a********** HAMB guy, it may increase the value, if he likes what you like. But if he doesn't like the same HAMB era you like, its probably not going to help with the value, and may reduce it because he will want to change what you did.

I'm looking at two strikes as possible decreases in value, the odds are not looking good for an increase in value.

 

It would depend on how well the build was photographed and explained, and certainly the quality of construction, and finished product.

 

I think this is a good answer. While I doubt its going to skyrocket a price, I do think a well done build that is documented would be a good selling point and help to get the price you want. On the other hand, if the work done and the solutions to problems along the way are documented with less than quality work.......then its there for any buyer to see.

 

As far as a certain builder goes... a friend took me to a local shop (in FL where we winter), to introduce me to this guy. As soon as he saw my car (and without asking), he wanted to give me an estimate to re-do it!

Of course, he started off with an LS and an automatic, then paint it red and new leather interior. Then he went for the MII front end and disc brakes all around, 20" wheels, and in between breaths, he'd shout out a price! It was going to be upwards of 100 grand!

I tried to be nice, so I just told him I'd been working 15 years on this car, just to get it to look this good, and he walked away. Kinda pee'd me off, so we loaded up and went home.

They just don't get it... These cars don't bring that kind of money and besides, who would want what he was offering?

 

I built a car, did a build thread in great detail over 4 years, and it sold in the classifieds in a week. I thought I put a high price on it, but not high enough I guess. So, for me, in my specific situation. Yes.

 

I suspect the value increase if any would be from the documenting of the quality of the parts used, the work done,
and the same would be true for documenting it in other ways. The value to the Hambers would be seeing how you
solved the problems that came up, the back stories on parts etc.

 

I bought my Model A partly because I liked what I saw in the build thread. So I would say yes.

Of course, I also made a trip to look it over in person first.

 

ALWAYS GO LOOK AT IT!
I have a friend who bought a mild custom '49 Chevy Fleetline off Sleze-Bay a few years ago. It looked good in the pictures and had all the right words in the ad and the price was OK, so he decided to get it. I told him to take a trailer and go look at it and take it for a drive. It was only a few hundred miles away.

He thought it would be OK to have it shipped. When it came, it looked good, but it was a piece of junk mechanically! I spent a couple of summers trying to straighten it out for him, and it still ain't right. About the only good thing was it has a near perfect original body, but all the workmanship was junk.

I tried to tell him, but...

 

Hello,

For all of the great builds and hot rods here on the HAMB, some are good, have good build photos and certainly would command a higher price than most. But, is anyone looking to sell their hard fought, time consuming, meticulous build while you are building it? If you are, you are not doing it for commercial purposes, so, perhaps someone else mentioned the cost of a similar build sold recently at an auction or online.

Hot rods are a way to express yourselves. The better you do, the better the results. Like most TV shows that take months, but is finished in one hour, edited, they do meticulous work. It is their name on the product should they sell it. Not all agree that the old car rebuild is completed in the way you would do it and sometimes, the product appeals to some, while not to others.

Jnaki

We built and made changes to our hot rods as teenagers. Mainly due to peer pressure and the desire to have a fast car for the drags. For those that did not compete, a fast car for the street encounters, late at night. Mostly, we did not have money to do the top dollar rebuild of motors and custom accessories like superchargers, chrome, etc. Some of did minimal cost work with what we had or could afford. But, that was a separate build for a specific purpose. Was is going to be a daily driver? Hopefully, so we could each have a teenager car... but, things work our the way they normally do for most of us.

With the advance of technology, the current crop of teenagers just want to move along to get to the next class in college from their apartments or go to the job secured with good pay. A reliable car takes precedence. As parents or grandparents, we see our old efforts and want the young to have similar good times with a reliable car. So, it is instant gratification to get a good quality car for the first car experience.

The new generation does not want to spend time building one or buy a questionable one from a place like the HAMB. As good as Ryan and the mods make this place, it is after all, a website with a good focus, but not the end to all goals + builds. Some of the best writing comes from stories in the Jalopy Journal section, as there are some good researching topics that holds most everyone's interests. Yea!

Individual ideas for all parts of our lives is a constant. If it is hot rods, just because it is shown on the HAMB does not necessarily mean it is top notch or command a higher price when for sale. For those that like a particular build, then by all means, keep in touch and buy it when it becomes for sale. Being an individual has played a part in everyone’s lives from a toddler to an adult.

The choices we make don’t always have to agree with the masses on places like the HAMB. We are all individuals and have individual tastes from past experiences or personal preferences. Then, it becomes a thing to say I bought a hot rod for a project and not necessarily a HAMB project. Most forum websites are shaky for facts or information passed on from Pinterest or copy/paste people from the websites and the questionable histories. IOHO/YRMV

 

For the last 16 years, every project I have done has been well documented along with a build video. Buyers will see the components used and the skills demonstrated in the construction. It's very close to being in the shop and watching it built. Does it increase the value? I don't know but it does make a buyer more confident in purchasing. As far as listing it on any particular forum, the jury is out on that one. But if a like minded buyer is watching your build on that kind of forum, it is of benefit. All most all of my builds have been sold either across the country or to another country. I don't think any of that would have been possible without the build videos and now that driving videos have become popular as well. When you start asking serious money, people need to have confidence in what they are seeing. Just my exp. Because the HAMB has an auction site, go check out Bring A Trailer and see what sellers do and see the results. In the back of my mind is also the thought that many never intend to sell their car so it's immaterial to them.