Ok so heres the deal, when i got my exhaust done on the vic, i spied a 53 ford customline 4door across the street with the original flathead in it, it was the owner of the business's first car. Well he recently p***ed away and the daughter is trying to sell the car. it has some surface rust but not bad, the engine runs but not great, the inside is a mess, the body is totally straight, its all original/stock off the lot and all there. I know i dont "need" another car to work on, but im in love with my vic and working on it and thought that since this is just four door version of it, i could have some custom fun after i finish my vic and not have to worry too much about it being perfect ya know? She is asking $1500. does this sound like a good deal? is this something i should go for? what would you guys do??? thanks!
I have a 53 4door mild custom. There is so much you can do to them and have a lot of fun at the same time! Go for it!!!!
I think you can guess what my answer would be. Sounds like a great deal if you can get the engine running right.
ill get a picture up as soon as i can figure out how to get it off my phone, it will need alot of work, do you think 1500 is too much or a good deal??
I guess if I really wanted a car to restore it's not too bad, and if 4 doors are your thing. There's been a lot of great bargains in the market lately and this '53 sounds pretty good. Seems to be a matter of personal taste whether or not it's worth the asking price. Around here (Michigan) most cars that age are rustbuckets so being it's from CA, it's probably more solid than I'm used to seeing. My son got his stock and complete '47 Fordor last year - a very solid non-running project car (worst is the rusted-out trunk floor) - for $400. Unknown engine condition is the biggy for him. Flattie rolls over but we haven't fiddled with it yet. If it's bad he has a 351Windsor sitting in the garage that might go in it. Yeah, post some pics, I'd like to see it. Ron
Well, I hate to be the one who throws a wet blanket on the idea, but I think you'll soon suffer a case of "buyer's remorse" if you buy it. First, the 4-door will eat up the $1500 it will cost you, which could be better spent upgrading your Victoria and will be lost to your Vicky project altogether if you piss it away on the 4-door. And second, the 4-door will just sit and deteriorate while you finish the Vicky...or, the Vicky will just sit while you fiddle with the 4-door. In any case, if you are like most of us and progress on your project only as fast as your available money will allow, both projects will take twice as long to complete. There will be another really great deal along later, once you've got the Vicky finished and have become a more experienced car builder and can do more of the work yourself. I should know...I'm as guilty of making myself "car-poor" as anybody on this site. I'm a damn expert at it...so listen to what I say, and don't do what I do! Give your decision some time...
Thanks guys! this is why i ask. Well when it comes to funds, by parents said they would help out with buying it and a slightly late xmas present. But like you said missysdad, it will take twice as long to finish both projects or it will just sit in my shop for awhile. IM just gonna give it some time and think. who knows it might have sold by now.
Looking at the cars history,since it is basicly a one owner and has a running flat head I can't see it as a losing proposition even if you decide later not to keep it.As far as the running goes you probably have bad old gas in the tank and the rings may be stuck from sitting put some Marvel Mystery Oil in the crankcase and let it run and change oil and filter.If you remove the inspection plate in the trunk you can take out the sending unit and inspect the tank for gunk,if it looks nasty a radiator shop can boil it out.
I agree with Jeff. If you have the funds available for both projects, pick up the 4dr. If worse comes to worse, you can sell the ride later and get your $ back. If it's still there, offer a grand and see what happens.
well i got a 4 door and nothing wrong with it , lol .give 2800 for mine and thought it was a good deal for around here . with a running 302 and aod . like has been stated it will detour your original build . i know i got 3 . but i have to say . buy it , get it running right and drive it while working on your other one . and you might just find while driving it someone wants it more then you do . its got to be worth abot 2 times you total cost if they do . then you got more build money for your other one . but i do things a little diffrent . i work my normal job for what i call household money . then i fool with buying and selling car related stuff for car money . but thats me .
Well, here is how the story ends... Me and my grandma went to offer the lady selling it $1000 for it, right as we were pulling up, it was just being put on a new owner's trailer... =( Should have acted quicker.. oh well, more will come!
I would guess around 1000 or so. Not too sure tho. The lady was flexible with price so i would guess 1000. Sorry i couldnt figure out how to get the pictures off my phone.
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