Projects The long process of finding a project car and adventures of the new guy.

I like the 58 Chevy choice, my all time favorite car also. You seem to have a good idea about what it will take to buy and build a classic car. It will indeed take 5 years to build any project car that you choose, if you don't have a lot of time and money to throw at it, but it will feel like it takes all your time and money anyway. I have over 1,500 man hours in my project at this time, and 3 years working on it approximately 10 hours every week. If you really enjoy working on old cars it will be rewarding to accomplish all the little tasks as you go. In hindsight I could have gotten a part time job and bought one already done for that kind of labor, but I would have missed out on the experience and reward of building the car for myself the way I want. It can be done a lot easier if you know these facts going into the project at the beginning. Good luck with your project, and have fun.

 

I always opt for as little rust as possible. I bought this 2 years ago fro $2500 and now it runs and drives pretty well, still working the bugs out of it. Very glad I waited for the right car to come along.

 

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5670239786.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5670239786.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/5670239786.html
You might be able to negotiate a better price on these if interested???
The 55 doesn't look bad to me if you can get a title and don't mind 4 doors, I like em.

 

All the cars from up in your part of the world are rust buckets. My brother in law has a 55 chevy from Rockford. He has been fighting rust for over 50 years.

 

Great plans. You will search forever for exactly what you want. Get what you think is close and start.
I recently watched all of restdan's youtube videos. If you haven't watched them or don't know of him, he gets cars that are almost ready for the junkyard and try's to get them running and driving for $500 or less. Here is a link to a 56 chevy where he starts at the catwash. This will give a link to watch all the videos for that car. Dan is an experienced car guy. You will learn a lot of how to from him to do things on the cheap.
There are other guys on youtube that also video stuf they do on the cheap. You will enjoy.

 

Great plans. You will search forever for exactly what you want. Get what you think is close and start.
I recently watched all of restdan's youtube videos. If you haven't watched them or don't know of him, he gets cars that are almost ready for the junkyard and try's to get them running and driving for $500 or less. Here is a link to a 56 chevy where he starts at the catwash. This will give a link to watch all the videos for that car. Dan is an experienced car guy. You will learn a lot of how to from him to do things on the cheap.
There are other guys on youtube that also video stuf they do on the cheap. You will enjoy.

 

Well i know all of the advice about buying a better more complete car is meant well, but im a student and i wont be able to spend that much money at one time for at least 4 years probably longer


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

Then don't buy one now. Save and go to school. That is important than getting an old car. (I have a doctorate, a chopped Model A coupe, a 55 2 door sedan, a 59 Apache, and a 48 fleetline coupe, and I assure you, I didn't get them or fix them up while I was going to school). The old cars aren't all going to be gone in 4 years. Use this time to learn some welding, body work, make some car-guy friends, network. It's an investment that can pay off handsomely (in terms of friendships and stuff besides finding a car) in a few years. You're a student-look up "deferred gratification". Good luck-you're a big boy, so do what you want.

 

Judging by the amount of posts saying to wait and that those cars will still be there in 4 years must have an excess of 58 chevys in their part of the country. I've seen 2 or 3 for sale here in the past 5 or so years


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

No waiting allowed. Believe me, in short order you will spend decades denying yourself. The only old cars or motorcycles I regret buying are the ones I didn't. Live now.

 

Well folks, just shook hands on the 58 biscayne. Very rough but its in otherwise decent shape. It had a set of rallies on it and i told the guy i didnt want them and he knocked 300 bucks off. Id rather use the original steelies


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I like it! Weigh the cost of body work / repair against finding one that's in better shape.

 

The car is actually not too bad from what i can tell. The engine although its only a straight 6 cranked over so im going to put gas and a battery in it and see if i can get it running and driving before anything. Only 2 options that this car has are radio and powerglide tranny.


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

what it would have looked like in 58


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I remember when I was your age, I would ask for advice but then wind up doing whatever I wanted
Ya gotta start somewhere living and learning and whatever you have done is done so go for it! Congrats and Good luck! (Make sure you get the title transferred before handing over any cash if you are gonna do this, I got burned a few times making a trade then had trouble getting a title)
Here in Ky you can do a title only transfer without having insurance tags etc. not sure about Illinois???

 

A 90 percent car...only the bottom 10 percent is missing!

Looks like fun, like he said get the paperwork squared away first, then let us see just how nice it is. Being able to get it running (and stopping) is always a bonus

 

I wish you good success. Begin with the end in mind - make a list of what you want it to be when you are done, and then do a plan to achieve it. Theres no money in changing your mind 6 times as you build anything, theres no money in pulling it to bits and then deciding you really want the next good deal you see on the roadside.

How are you going to handle its storage till you get it mobile?

 

I guarantee you will find a better car for less money very soon. Thats the way the universe works! Haha good luck with your new old car. I mentioned this earlier in the thread but do a ton of research before you spend money or cut anything. This website is an archive of valuable info so take advantage of it. Ill be following along to see your progress!

 

Congratulations and good luck with your project.

 

Give Em Hell

 

I think since im in illinois and the car is in missouri i just need to have him sign the title and then bring it to the dmv in illinois


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I plan on picking up the car Tuesday. Im actually pretty impressed with how well the doors close on it. The other 58 they were completely separated and i had to left them up to close them


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

Also anyone have tips for dried out vinyl? the seats are original but very dry. And if i sit on them they will crack


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

Better check with your DMV to see what you need to do especially since its an out of state title, They have to inspect a out of state car here in Ky and no one gets by with just signing the title anymore without it being notarized and Im not sure that would fly on a out of state title anyway. You might take that signed title to the court house only to find out its been junked etc.deeming the peice of paper you have invalid, (Ive done that too)Dont want to sound negative here, just trying to save you a lot of hassle later.....Make sure its transferred through the DMV now

 

Get video of the cracking sound. Yeah, old cars are like that, they need everything to be fixed. You have to prioritize. Crunchy seats usually go down pretty far on my list, after things like title, brakes, engine running, transmission working, cooling system working, etc.

 

On the title...each state is different, for example if I sign a title on my AZ car over to you, I need to get my signature notarized. If a fellow in Nevada signs a Nevada title over to me, he can just sign it, no notary required. Read the title carefully, see what it says is required. BEFORE he signs it, before you pay money.

 

Alright ill make sure the title transfer is legit before i give him the money. Should i also have him give me a bill of sale? Just in case something goes wrong with the title?


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

YES
More documentation is always better

 

I've used baby oil to soften up old vinyl, saddle soap is supposed to work too but I haven't tried. Nothing will save it forever but it'll last a bit longer with care. New stuffing in the seat to keep the covers stretched tight also helps keep old upholstery together.