First project decision

Well, I might be getting ahead of myself abit but I am moving into a place with a garage by the end of december at the latest, but I dont want to try and search for a good project car here in 3 feet of snow.

I have a line on a '28 A Sedan or a 54 Buick 2 door hardtop. I dont really know which one to go for.
The A is started. Has most of the welding done (new cowl, patch panels, ect) its in epoxy primer and comes with a frame. It still needs a top but I was thinking sliding ragtop (Always wanted one). I would chop and channel it and probly put in a SBC with the drop axel suspension.
The 54 Buick is pretty much original, Hasnt been touched, but I would chop the roof and air bag it (for getting really low).I can get both for probly close to the same price and I like both.

Now the problem is deciding. I will have help for both (my boss is teaching me on mine so I gain experiance to work on customers cars). He did bring up a good point though, everyone has done an A, but I want to be able to sell it afterwards.

Any thoughts?

 

Spotty,
Good choice for cars. Keep in mind that a well done car that is not over priced is never hard to sell. Parts availability can be a big key. There is an unlimited amount of parts available for an A. Not as many for the Buick and they are more expensive. If you need room, the Buick is BIG. It also has an excellent motor - not such a hot auto trans, lots of chrome and knee action shocks.
I owned a 54 Buick Riviera 2 door hardtop many years ago and it was a great car.
I think you need to decide if you want a rod or a custom - sounds like a good idea for a magazine...Tom - restorit

 

Want a cushy ride, low slung and custom? The Booick! The A is a Hot Rod underconstruction. Can't loose with either ride. Deep down one has to weigh heavy in the balance.

 

Interesting thoughts......I think I'd buy both and just lower the Buick and drive it while building the Model A. If I had to choose?...........prolly the model A. More fun to build and more fun to drive afterward, IMHO.
........and you'll always be able to get your money back outa the model A if you need quick cash. May take longer to sell the big Bu..........

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

I think after looking at alot of pics its proby gonna be the A (I think I knew that all along, just needed a push ) And it will sell really quick when the time comes. Also, a metal A in good shape is probly gonna get rare someday so this way I can atleast say I had one

Idealy I would buy both but the Buick needs work (lots) before its road legal. Plus, I want to section the buick and I think that might be past my first car abilities.

Thanks again!

 

As a first project...do the Buick..get it running and DRIVE IT...then do the mods as you continue to DRIVE IT...how many thousands of projects never see the light of day 'cuz the owners loose interest WHEN THEY CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR!!! Chop the top in January...DRIVE IT 9 months outta the year...

 

Dont worry, the A will not stall. It will be my first custom after being into cars for about 10 years (I have never had the money to do one). And, my boss will be helping me. He is using it as a tool so I can get into building cars for a living. I have talked to alot of employers and they all say "If you show up in a car you built and it looks good, you get a job regardless of education". So this car will be my resume.

I thought about the buick and how cool it would be but I have really wanted an A for a long time.

Thanks again for the advice guys, its your experiance that helps newbies like myself.

 

If you do some research and scrounging, plus a good bit of ingenuity, the model A can be built for chump change compared to other cars. I am building mine with the "use what I find cheap" mentality. I had projected yo have it on the road for under $2500 and right now I think it will come in under that with used tires and depending on what I find for a radiator. If I have to buy a new one I may be close. The guys here on the HAMB have been great help too. Decent A sedan bodys are still cheap as are the frames. I have my eye on a decent chopped sedan body for $500, then a couple hundred more for a real nice frame and everything else is what you find cheap at the junkyard