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Nope, doesn't change my value impression a bit. You could put $100,000 into it, and gold plate it, and it's still a $15,000 car.
And I feel I'm being very generous in the estimate, given what it is and the market we are in right now.
this is really nothing more than a nice old used car. Historically, stylistically, mechanically, it's not significant.
Looks exactly like this (edit, other one didn't show, I like this one better
DeSoto built something like 130,000 cars that year, their second best year ever behind 1950, and something like 64,000 were Firedome 4-door sedans. So my guess is that it's one of those. Nice, roomy, tank-like cars, normally pretty rust resistant. I still see them on occasion at car shows, and my grandparents had one from 1978-86...they got rid of it just before I got my learner's permit, and I believe that played a big role their decision, because I had my eye on that car!
I'd imagine the 2 door hardtop and convertible, as well as the wagon models would bring a nice price, to the right buyer. But, as burdawg mentioned, the market for something like this isn't exactly huge.
You might want to look up the National DeSoto Club on the internet; they might be able to help you out.
The trick with this truck is THE GLASS....if the glass is no good you are going to have a hell of a time restoring this truck.
If the thing is complete, $1000 seems fair enough. Also you're in for a long haul, as parts are not as plentiful as with a Chevy or Ford. But they are sturdy and handsome and a good hobby.
I always thought those old military-looking Dodge Powerwagons were cool.
Actually you're right. I was thinking of the '48 Dodge truck with curved rear windows. But even if it were a '46 with cracked glass, it would all need to be custom made.
There are very few restoration parts for these trucks, so don't LOSE anything!
I always liked these trucks, even when I was a little kid.
Now, here's an unusual Dodge coupe-pickup. I imagine parts for this would be tough to find:
Will Edmunds ever change their 1997-era margins...
As I think it was James Baldwin said: "If 300 businessmen in suits say that it's legal, it's legal".
"NOTHING that glitters is gold".
Rochester Carb #s for Buick
In reality, the yard should give the car away for free.
You should be able to buy this type of car clean and running for around $10,000.
Here's a '56 Monterey 2DHT, a more valuable model, ready to roll, asking $12K:
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/find/vehicle/vehicleDetail.xhtml?adId=161261&c- - - onversationId=20775
Maybe offer him something like a grand tops for it.
You can't build a car that doesn't have "good bones" and this one doesn't seem to have them. Who knows what structure frame issues you'll run into. You may end up having to bolt the body into a jig just to get it straight--and that's seriously hard work.
The car is rare, Bob said.
“The reason is ... it has 4 1/2 nailhead, 425 dual fours with a four-speed behind it,” he said. “The four speed is what makes it so rare.”
Overall, 4,328 Wildcat convertibles were made, nearly all had the automatic and a 401 engine in them. Only seven came out of the factory with four-speeds.
Out of those, only two are registered and licensed, Bob’s and one in Iowa.
“The others are, who knows where,” Bob said.
OK Gents. Here's are two for your consideration. Asking price for the '54 is $31,500. Car isn't perfect, but looks pretty.
I've seen a '53 model for sale at $28,900. http://www.chicagoclassiccars.com/inventory_show.asp?stknum=3233&show=3
Yeah, yeah. I know they both have the Dyna-"slush" transmission. But, what are you going to do? It is what it is. A Dynaflow transmission must've operated fairly well in its day. Otherwise, Buick wouldn't have been so proud of it for so many years. And, it's not like anyone is going to take either of these cars down the dragstrip on a Saturday night.
I'd be curious to hear opinions on the value of both, but specifically the '54 which is my favorite of the two.
Not impressed with this car as per photos. I think it's just been "tarted up" or somebody "gave up" before the finish line. Certainly not a top dollar car and about $10,000 overpriced as is IMO.
I could see where this would be the case. The '53 is a handsomer car. Both cars have about the same production numbers, so rarity is not a factor. It really has to be about the style.
The factory AC is a big deal on value---that's worth $3-4,000 bucks.
I don't dislike the 1953, but it just looks a bit more "dowdy" and more like an upside bathtup compared to the '54. The '54 Roadmaster looks to be the same platform/style as the '53 Skylark which is generally considered to have broken new ground in styling at that time. I'm guessing that in '53, the Roadmaster styling carried over from 1952 and that the Roadmaster didn't catch up to the "new" Buick styling until 1954.
In looking at the link above of the 1953, is the a/c unit in the trunk? Are those cold air ducts that run up the rear window with the resulting cool air coming out of the vents seen in the headliner? I know 1955-56 Chryslers had the a/c coming out of vents on the rear package shelf. Was this fairly prevalent back then?
Lack of AC is actually a big minus on cars like old Cadillacs.