Henry J gasser questions?

[chad]

I was talking to a old freind tonight that know where there is a Henry J gasser that has been parked since the late 60's.The body is perfect with the exception of the radiused rear quarters.The floors are mint door fenders are all mint.The car has a stright axle out of an 53 ford f-100.It has ansun wheels.The mill is a 283 over .60 with dual tunnel ram.It hasn't ran in the last 20 years.The catch is the old fella wants to sell it but wont put a price on it.I dont know what they are worth.Anyone have any idea what something like this would be worth?Any one have any good pics of "J" gassers?

[chad]

Anyone? I dont have any clue to what these things are worth.

[Roothawg]

Does tha car have any history? That makes a difference.
I always tell guys that I don't price another man's stuff. If they won't price it....offer em what you think it's worth to you. If they get mad....they shoulda priced it.

[fab32]

I agree with Root on this one. The owner should have some sort of idea what it would take for him to part with it. I get the feeling that when someone wants you to make an offer their just fishing hoping to score a big pile of cash. Usually when you make an offer they will tell you about the ------------ that went for $$$$$$$$ and their car is soooooo much better than the POS being mentioned.
IMO the only time you should fall prey for this line is when you've come accross the ONE car you've always wanted and don't want to take a chance on it getting away.

Frank

[chad]

I dont think the car has real great history by the sounds of it.The guy built raced it for 2 years and then went bankrupt and it hasnt seen the light of day since.My wife really likes the "J's".I just wondered what a ball park figure would be....I'm gonna go look at it tomorrow. I have been bitten by the gasser bug lately.I am gonna straight axle my 56 ford soon......

[weekender]

Chad, find out what he is now interested in. Talk about it for a while just to get to know him better. After an hour or so, pop the question. "Sooo what's it take to take that old car home today?" Tell him how it's for your wife. He will come aruond.

Btw, I happen to think Henry J's are the most beautiful car made, of course I'm blind in one eye and can't see out of the other.

Look at Flexicoker's post of the HAMB drags for a picture of mine.

McCray

[SamIyam]

Whoever says the first amount in ANY negotiation LOSES!

So, tell him politely that you don't want to insult him, and that if what he thinks it is worth is reasonable, you'll buy it... if not, you'll walk.

If he still insists on you naming the price first, you can politely ask him if he really wants to sell it... or if he is just "wondering what it is worth".

If you want it bad, and it truly is for sale, and you got the money... take pics of it, post them here... and I'm sure a half dozen guys will give you a ball-park figure.

Sam.

[Smokin Joe]

Point out that the 60 over engine can't be bored again and will probably have to be replaced after sitting that long. Don't remind him that you can use a lot of the parts when you build the new block. Then give him your number and ask him to call you when he's decided what he wants for it. Don't act like you'll wait forever. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Mojo]

If it were me (and I wish it was buying a J), i'd imagine if I saw it at a local show with a for sale sign and a price. If the car looks like it's worth a grand, i'd offer a grand. Same token, if he says five grand... i'd imagine it with that sign on it, and either laugh or start handing over the benjamins.. Follow your gut, not what ebays says. Something is only worth what the buyer and the seller agree it's worth.

[JOECOOL]

I have had some luck playing a little game with them .I tell them I'll write a number on a paper and then he can give me his price and see how close we are. It doesn't really accomplish much but gets them talking #'s.
It is my opinion that someone who won't put a price on a car usually is way high on what they think it is worth.
If you really want it estimate what it will cost you to fix it like you want it and what it is worth when it's done . The difference is what it's worth right now.

[kustombuilder]

don't act like you want it all that bad. thats the first thing to rememeber. if he won't set a price offer him $100. if he laughs and says "i don't think so" then say "well, how much do you want?". i'm a cheap/poor SOB so i'd try to get it CHEAP!!