I have been coming across some old racers from the past. I did find one that I am interested in, but not sure on buying it. Maybe I can get some advice. The car is a chopped/channeled steel 32, raced in the 1970s. No famous car here, just a guys weekend toy. Same current owner that raced it. It has a 454 BBC, 400 trans, Pontiac rear, old Speedway tank, finished interior, small cage, slicks on old Halibrands, runs good. Paint is original good, wheels are dusted, musty from sitting, no dents or dings, a little surface rust on suspension parts. No title, Bill of Sale. Pictures from it's race days show it with the same paint scheme and wheels (only polished). So what is the market on old 32 drag cars? Are they desirable or is interest dropping? I see a bunch of 32s for sale online, not too many sold. 32 classic steel hot rods are pretty expensive, 60K, 70K, 80K... This is no show car, rather a real racer and a bunch cheaper. It does have the "cool effect". The stance is good and the looks is 70s. It might be streetable with a little work. How tough would it be to get a 32 Coupe title for the car? Any thoughts? Value?
The interest isn't dropping. Is it a 5 window coupe or 3 window? There are a lot of obvious variables that are going to contribute to the value of this car. The main value is the body. It has been chopped and channeled, so It's literally been cut from top to bottom. That isn't a bad thing if it was done right, but it does affect the value. The drive train really isn't worth much at all in general if it's is just a "run of the mill" 454/400 combo. The wheels are going hold some value, probably 2-4k depending on what they look like. Some key things to look for are garnish moldings, subrail condition, dash, glove box (3 window), frame rails, hood sides, hood top, grill shell, grill insert, tack strip, original seat frame, k-member, headlights, head light bar, front axle, rear springs. rear tail light stands, drip rails, top insert, body wood, frame horns, splash pan, window regulators, body braces, cowl panel, firewall, gas tank, radiator, header panel, trunk lid, fenders, arm rest,and gauges. There is no really no solid advise to give you without seeing pictures of the car or knowing the price that you can buy it for. -Charlie
More info before pictures. So this is more of a drag car than hot rod. Fenderless, no front lights, interior is one old leather covered racing seat that sits on the floor, old racing gauges in dash, wheels are far from polished. Some of the better aspects, the guy was into making show cars, so the frame is boxed, filled, and painted. Underside was painted. Chop and stance look real good. Drop axle. Interior was custom, including paint matching door panels, interior panels, and carpet. Even the roll bar was painted to match. It could have been an Autorama car in its day. The price, looks like, 25K.
32 frame. With the chop and channel, you are sitting on the floor driving. Probably not that comfortable.
that's two questions..... are they worth buying - most would say yes will they keep their value - depends on what you pay versus - when the interest/demand peaks....and when one plans the sale....
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