I have a chance to trade my 53 5window truck for a 30 A sedan on a brand new 32 chassis(I know, I know, but I can't fabricate like most of you!) Its not done, rearend needs hung, frontend needs hung, its chopped and most bodywork done including wood and floors etc. has 32 grillshell, stainless grill, rad., lots of other pcs/parts and a****le. He wants 10K I'll try to post a pic, if no worky, if you'd like, go to www.streetrodding.com and look for 30 A sedan in canada in classifieds. Be honest, I don't have alot of experience with Model A's, but I love A's on 32 frames. Well?
what's your truck look like? it might be a good deal, though i think i'd like the A to have a little more out of the roof what kind of other stuff does it come with? front and rear end there, just not hung? engine,*******? sedans are cool. rough decision.
comes with dropped "tube" axle, and all brackets. everything but brakes. comes with 9in. rearend, sans stock brackets, blasted/painted and all triangulated brackets and everyones favorite--coilovers! no motor/tranny, setup for sbc/TH350 hmmm...more I'm forgetting I know!
I think he's a little prood of it. Don't know about your truck and it s value. Lots of work and money to be spent on the A.
When confronted with a decision like this I usually like to ask this. What would I take for my vehicle(truck in your case) and what would it take in cash to purchase his car? Now compare the two figures. Are they close enough to make you happy with the trade or are you having to give too much VALUE to make the deal? If this comparison shows you are making out like a bandit all you have to do is say YES. If on the other hand the comparison shows you are coming out on the short end then you have to decide how badly you want the other vehicle. Frank
I'd swap in a heartbeat -- but after re-reading your post, you need to do some soul searching. That A is a long way from being a driver -- and if you're not much of a fabricator you gotta ask yourself how all that fabricatin' is gonna get done. Looking at your photo the project looks pretty crisp, and certainly worth the 10K if it's all done right. But if you've got to pay someone to help finish it -- finish it right -- start thinking about a second mortage. I haven't seen your truck, but that model is generally pretty******en. So if you like driving, maybe you ought to hang onto it. Just my 2¢.
ok, as far as me doing alot of fab. no, I cannot. I admit. I can watch, ask, learn.... Has anyone seen the new American Rodder? the little chopped/channeled 30 A sedan in the big middle spread? that's one of my best friends, and the ringleader of our club, so I have lots of experience around me. and, if you'd like to see my truck, my pics are too big, so go to http://photo.starblvd.net/grumpy its on page 3 if I were to sell my truck, I'd like 10K also. its a 53 GMC 5window, rebuilt 396, TH350, 9in. all newly painted(but not a great showcar deal)Torq-Thrust D's, clean and detailed pretty nice. needs interior, and bed floor. oh, and nova subframed... does any of this help? I'm truely confused on what to do..
In my opinion I do not think it is a good deal. Your truck looks good and you can drive it. Like others have said the A is a long way from being done. If you really want an A sedan, I would try and sell your truck for 10K and then go shopping. But the 10K he wants for what is in the pic seems high to me, but i am penny pincher. thats my 1 cent.
I'd keep the truck. But that's just me. At least it runs and drives...and looks CLEAN...given what you've said thus far...
I'd do the trade. Finish the A and you've really got something. You can always replace the pickup. Mostly rust free 49-54 Chevy pickups are all over the southwest and not too expensive. Dan
I wouldnt do it your truck is done and like it was said earlier you can drive now and looks good. If you want an A shop around his price seams high. My 2 1/2 cents worth...Danny
I'd keep the truck and look for an A project that's a little farther along. Personally, I rather get a running/driving A sedan that needs work/updates than to get a basket full of parts... even if this means that the running/driving car is not as nice as the parts in the basket. At least I could enjoy the car while I'm working on it. Also... seems to me that if you're asking for our input you already have some doubts yourself. Go with your gut, and good luck either way.
Since you have friends that can help, you like the A, go for it. I see way more than 10 grand there in the A, body looks solid, lots of expensive parts already there. It is a shame to get rid of the truck but seems like always gotta get rid of 1 toy to get another. Let us know what you decide to do.
An A project in that shape should be around $5000-7500. Then you have the expense of picking it up. I think you would have another $5000 to $10,000 to finish it. Depends on how bad you want this particular car, but I think there are better deals to be had.
if =mike='s merc is worth 15, running, driving and looking sweet, that thing CAN'T be worth 10, can it!?
I'd ask myself "what type of hot rod would it take me to sell the jimmy?" when you find the answer - then you act on it. don't fall for the first car that comes along that available, UNLESS its the type of car that you always wanted, AND it gets your juices going!! 25 years ago, bought the first car I could afford to hot rod, built the chassis two or three times, almost finished the body, stored it, sold it 8 years later. 20 years ago I swapped my daily driver for a 54 Chev, registered and only just going. WHY? 'cause I wanted something to drive to rod runs! Spent the next 11 years keping it going, doing some upgrades, then got pissed off with it, and sold it!! (I drive a new car 600 miles in a day, and felt fresh as a daisy - not totally*****ged from wrestling with the 54 to keep it on the road) WHAT happened after that was I searched out the car that I really wanted to build, and got it!!! Its not finished yet, but i still have it. Moral of the story - Go where you heart is. If you want a 31 Sedan, and like the work this it done to it, and have the time, the skills and/or the $ to complete the car, and its enough to make you get rid of the truck - then go for it!!! Cheers
He only wants twice what it's worth. A sedans are cheap. For 10 grand you ought to be able to get a running stocker with good paint to start with.
Check out Hemming to see what a complete running car of that vintage can be had for. You'll see that he's a bit high on his price. You can do better. r
[ QUOTE ] He only wants twice what it's worth. A sedans are cheap. For 10 grand you ought to be able to get a running stocker with good paint to start with. [/ QUOTE ] what Smokin Joe said I have a 2 dr A sedan body 95% of the metal there needs lower cowls and wood kit that I picked up for $2k. I would say that A sedan would be worth maybe $5K on the high side, depends on how much filler is in it. My buddy sold his A sedan Tudor with rolling windows working doors and original paint with a A frame & same package he has for $2500 to fund his willy's project. Just my .02
DO NOT TRADE! Smokin' Joe is right. Here is what you can get for $10.5K or UNDER on ebay, the land of the extreme overpriced hot rod gear. $10,500 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39405&item=2450561405 $9,800 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6234&item=2449183368 $9,500 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6234&item=2451539731 $8,500 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39405&item=2451023343 $6,800 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6234&item=2449168131 $5,600 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6234&item=2449416997 And the list goes on and on for stock, running, restored Model A's....... Sell the truck and turn around and purchase a running Model A.
I would go with someone else mentioned sell your truck and go shopping. That sedan doesn't seem to be worth 10k
Grumpy........I sent you a PM this morning. I live in Ont and I know the prices of stuff up here. He would be hard pressed to get $10k Cdn for the A. A friend of mine just sold a beautiful A 5 window (complete but not****embled for a little over $10k CDN. It had EVERYTHING to****emble it. Sedans aren't worth as much here. I'd batter him down substantially in the price. I'd keep the truck.
KEEP THE TRUCK!!! You will regret getting rid of it... It's all part of the 3 step Master plan: -******in Hot Rod - shop truck - tasty motorsickle You are already one step ahead, dont ruin your chance whizzerick
Grumpy, Just took a couple of minutes to check out the pictures of your truck. In my opinion you have one sweet ride there and with the conditions you are under now I WOULD NOT TRADE. There is no comaprison between your truck and the A you are thinking of trading for. It seems that you are SOOOOO close to having that thing FINFISHED I'd take my time and do just that. Maybe its that I've always lusted after a PU like yours but I think, under the circumstances you would be coming out on the short end of the stick if you were to trade. Frank
Thanks everyone. I was having doubts, but the thought of a "A" on 32 rails makes me warm and fuzzy. I decided to bail on the deal. Especially since the guy wants me to pay $500 for him to bring it 342 miles. So, I told him no dice. My truck is rustfree, newly painted, fresh BBC, subframed, etc.etc..so, its gotta have a descent market value. Thanks again to everyone. that's why this place ROCKS!!!
Looks like a good trade, BUT Does it have a legit****le? I hear Ohio is hell on****le history on cars. It might be just a lawn ornament without one... check first! That's all
The A for 10k? Lotta money for what's pictured, does it have a****le?. What's your truck worth? Keep the motor / trans from the truck and make the trade.