What is this thing worth?

Mr_Shiftright

Thank you for posting those pix.

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.

texases

I guess I just have a soft spot for big old Mopars. I just got back from seeing my dad and driving his '63 Polara (w/383 4bbl, 3sp mt), that thing still gets up and goes!
Looks exactly like this (edit, other one didn't show, I like this one better ):

Mr_Shiftright

Nothing wrong with having a soft spot for a car!! Just don't pay more for it than it's worth :P

ctrain

Need some advice on what this is actually worth. It runs well and is all original motor and transmission. It has 3 on a tree. The biggest flaw is that its exterior has some pretty serious rust and the paint needs some attention as well.

burdawg

The market for DeSoto's is very narrow, plus serious rust, I would think the value would be minimal at best.

andre1969

the biggest variables would be what body style it is, and how bad the rust truly is. Also, DeSoto didn't have an automatic transmission until 1954, so for '53 all they had was a 3-on-the-tree, and a "Fluid Drive" semi-automatic, which still had a clutch pedal, so at a quick glance, the setup might look like a 3-on-the-tree.

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.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes the body style would make a big difference in value. On the face of the limited description, I'd say the convertible and the wagon would be the only ones worth saving. The 4D and 2DHT could be used for parts for better cars. If you posted a photo, I think we could nail the value down quite precisely.

montanapaul

I'm looking at a '46 Dodge pickup as a possible restoration project. Although the paint is faded, there is no rust or rot. The doors, roof, engine cover, bed side panels and fenders are dent free, save one small dent on the left rear fender. The sale is part of an estate liquidation and the seller is asking $1000.00. Does this sound like a good deal? Feels right to me! Your thoughts?

Mr_Shiftright

Oh man you NEED to read a book called "TRUCK" by John Jerome. All about restoring a 40s Dodge pickup truck. Very funny book.

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.

andre1969

just out of curiosity, why would the glass be such a big deal? Didn't they use flat panes back in those days? Wouldn't it be fairly easy to just cut some new glass? At least, I'm sure it must be easier than trying to reproduce a compound-wraparound windshield!

I always thought those old military-looking Dodge Powerwagons were cool.

Mr_Shiftright

Well there's glass and there's GLASS!!

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!

lemko

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:

fintail

An Aussie Ute...Oz is the most American place outside of the US, even though many there would be loath to admit it.

Will Edmunds ever change their 1997-era margins...

british_rover

NO then they think they would lose add space although they could do like other forums do and just slide them in between posts.

fintail

I still have maybe 10% of my screen grey, more on a modern computer with a large desktop. This seems to be made for 640x480 or something.

papasam1

I believe those were F-85, I have friend working on one right now here at a Marine base in SoCal it's all black and the rocket 350 and it's wild.

papasam1

I am into the classic Mustang secene and many are being sold outside the US for big dollars along with the camero.

Mr_Shiftright

Where outside the US is this happening? My impression was that it's pretty flat out there all over the world. Interestingly, Scandinavia has been a pretty strong market for Mustangs as of last year, but I don't know about now. I know that the Japan and Australia market seems to have dried up. Maybe Middle East is still okay, but they seem to like exotics, not Mustangs.

british_rover

The Middle East and Russia still love big black SUVs. Only black though so you can have two identical X5s, Escalades, or Range Rovers and the black one is worth thousands more.

fintail

Organized crime has money in any economy :shades:

british_rover

Yeah sometimes they have more.

Mr_Shiftright

Sometimes they ARE the economy. :surprise:

As I think it was James Baldwin said: "If 300 businessmen in suits say that it's legal, it's legal".

lemko

I believe Mark Twain once said, "If you steal a little bit of money, you're a common thief. If you steal a whole lot of money, you're a successful businessman."

Mr_Shiftright

My favorite Twain, and sort of related to value, is:

"NOTHING that glitters is gold".

hpmctorque

I didn't know James Baldwin said that, but I sure enjoyed his books.

hpmctorque

Sad but true.

farnsworth99

I have a 67 430 cu. in. Riviera and the original carb. is missing. How do I find the factory part number for the correct 4 barrel rochester quadrajet carb? Thanks, James

Mr_Shiftright

Here you go:

Rochester Carb #s for Buick

Kirksjohnson

I found a 56 merc two door hard top at a salvage yard localy and I feel the price is a little high but I was looking to see what you guys thought. A little about the car. 1956 mercury custom two door hard top. 312 3 speed mercomatic no carb engine locked up. No floor boards no trunk no rockers rear fenders are rusted up to the trim that seporates the two tone. Back window was out for three years but has one now. White and camen pink with blue interior that is rotted to about nothing. the price is 2500.00 with a good title. So what do you think?

Mr_Shiftright

I'd say it's just a parts car, maybe $300--$500.

fintail

Way way way way overpriced, Shifty is correct in his estimate, maybe even generous.

Mr_Shiftright

Well there may be dashboard bits, instrument faces, steering wheel, seat frames, some rare interior trim pieces---those can be worth a couple hundred bucks because no one is ever going to reproduce them.

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

Kirksjohnson

I knew it was to much, I have seen a 4dr hardtop for sale around hear running and driving with little to no rust for 1600.00. Its just that some times there is just one car out there that calls your name and I hear this one. It has some options that are pretty rare for a custom like a continental kit, factory ac. I am not a purist by any means. I am going to chop the top and run air ride, I just don't feel right cutting up a car that I paid 12000.00 for. I have priced out the floor trunk rockers and rear fenders and all that is up to 1750.00 so I think I will call him every day untill he lets it go cheap. haha Thanks for the input! Has anybody ever seen one of these cars at a car show or dirving around? This is the 3rd one I have ever seen I think that is where he is getting his pricing from.

fintail

You're right there, if you are going to chop it up past the point of no return and modify it to your liking, it's a big waste to spend the money on an already perfectly good car.

Maybe offer him something like a grand tops for it.

Mr_Shiftright

If you aren't a purist, then just buy a running '56 and add all the mods you want. You can get vintage AC, which will actually WORK, and fabricate a conti kit. I wouldn't touch such a rust bucket for anything. Rust never sleeps.

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.

euphonium

Their wheels: A 1965 Buick Wildcat convertible that began its life with the Heaton family Feb. 2, 1965.

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.

parm

http://www.fastlanecars.com/public/Vehicle_Detail.aspx?vehicle=a9b846e0-4123-488- 7-95cb-77eb2ea49f85

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.

Mr_Shiftright

I'd say $18,000 to $22,000 is all the money here. What we have is a paint job over an old chassis and suspension. This is therefore a "cosmetic restoration", about a #3 in grade. Also there's lots of Mickey Mouse things in the engine bay, including wrong battery, wrong cables, electronic cooling fan, and various non-stock wiring going to god knows what.

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.

parm

Would the $18,000 to $22,000 range apply to the '53 also?

Mr_Shiftright

Can't really say without seeing the engine and undercarriage. My feeling is that if there's no photo of either, the seller doesn't want you to see it. The '53 should be worth a bit more in comparable condition.

parm

Really? Is that because 1953 is considered a milestone year in terms of GM styling - particularly for Buick?

Mr_Shiftright

I wouldn't read that much into it---it's priced higher because that's what buyers want....they want more '53s than 54s, and they set the pricing, not history, or books, or appraisers.

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.

parm

I guess I'm not very representative of the market as I rather prefer the styling of the 1954 - which, while it'll never win a bikini contest, is more slim and clean to my eye. Perhaps since it sits lower.

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.

parm

When describing the '53, I meant to say "upside down bathtub". Guess I should actually read what I write. :P

Mr_Shiftright

'55 is the real winner I think, a 55 Century, white with red leather---oh yeah.

texases

I'm with you Parm, I'm partial to the '54, looks several years newer than the '53.

burdawg

I had a 55 Century for years. Of the two cars you show I prefer the 54, I was always partial to 54's because of the rear end styling with the two small tail lights. I agree with shifty though, it's a cosmetic restoration only, very evident in the engine bay pictures where it's evident the fenders weren't painted under the hood. Without seeing the actual car it's hard to say what it's worth. Rust was a big concern, in the usual spots, plus around the back window also, where it's hard to repair, and around the corners of the wrap around windshield. The weather stripping on these cars was complicated and was prone to leaks, they're best kept in dry conditions. Also, I see this a lot, the large snorkel on the air cleaner (it was meant to be a silencer on the 4 barrel engine) is supposed to sit straight forward on a bracket mounted to the same bolts that hold the thermostat housing down, and bolt up to it with from underneath. If it's left to the side with no support the weight tends to put stress on the threaded rod that hold the air cleaner down and it can eventually strip out or weaken the air horn on the carburetor.

parm

http://www.chicagoclassiccars.com/inventory_show.asp?stknum=3233&show=5

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?

texases

Yes, you can just make out 'Frigidaire' on the box in the trunk. GM used to own Frigidaire until the 70s.

Mr_Shiftright

Working factory AC is a big plus these days in the American collector car market. It's mostly a liability with European cars (ironically) as it often doesn't work well and only gets in the way (e.g., older Porsche 911s, 70s and 80s Benz, etc.)

Lack of AC is actually a big minus on cars like old Cadillacs.