Looking at a '29 hi boy roadster a friend wants to sell. Currently has a '62 sbc 283 that is in need of a rebuild and a decent powerglide transmission. Has the original gas tank in the cowl and the body is very solid with door patch panels that were very well done , and has an older flat black paint job.Has rumble deck lid, basically no interior except for a cloth covered bench seat of unknown origin and no top. Frame is well done with split bones , very heavy dropped axle and disc brakes up front and an 8" rear end out back with coil overs. Has older bias ply wide whites with painted steel wheels. Car was built around 25 years ago.Looking for opinions on the value with the tired engine or without the engine and transmission. Want to be fair on my offer but also don't want to over pay so looking for some opinions. Thanks
Check prices in the classifieds and other "for sale" sites. Then deduct for the $ it needs to get it up to par. I'm think the prices run any where from 12g up. Needing at least an engine and trans would be at least a 2-3g deduct for "new" parts. This is just a place to start the thinking process. Tim
That sounds like you'd be tearing completely apart and redoing everything. I'd consider it a pile of parts and give fair offer for that. I'm not trying to be a smartass, its just that once you pull the motor for freshen up then you'd want to change the tranny and might as well pull the body for new brakelines and better suspension stuff then you'd do a build thread and those new wilson welding brakes you've always....see what I mean?
Tim & oj thanks for your responses. Have been looking at the classified ads and trying to figure what my future expenses would come to vs what a finished car is selling for. I agree that if/when I pull the engine it will be the beginning of a major project.
Pictures definitely help, BUT---Got a title with it? Very important in some states (Mass. for one) not so much in others. If it's ALL there and the body is SOLID, it's got upgraded brakes and the work is clean and well done, for a ballpark I'd say you're in the 7 -10 grand range. Everything might not work, but it's a lot of parts and its all layed out already. If you bought it re-done, it might be in the 14-18 grand range. A Brookville "body only" will set you back 7 grand + these days. This is the real deal. They squeak and shake and are a little scarey, but that's what makes them COOL; a real hot rod. And they made LOTS of them, so parts are around. BUT WE NEED PICTURES!!! This is like trying to guess what the girl on the other end of a phone conversation looks like based on her voice!!
Without seeing it,hearing it,touching it, its all guess work. A lot also depends on your local market. Sounds like its really a project car more or less. Around here something like that may be any where from 10k to 16ish.
Where to start,no photos so it just boils down to what we have been told. The engine needs rebuilding,it has a power glide which is good for racing but probably needs updating. Original cowl gas tank,so it 87 years old and just waiting to spring a leak, has been built 25 years ago,no top or interior. $2,300 is top dollar. HRP
I'd agree with Ghost28 in that if it has a clear title and current registration 5 to 6 K sounds like a reasonable starting point but may be a tad light with the parts involved. . Clear title with current registration is a plus as it is a hassle reducer. Old title in someone else's beside the current owner's name and no registration may not be a real deduct but don't add much value. In Pa I'd think a clear and correct PA title and current registration is probably worth around a K over a similar car without those being up to date. You have to figure that the body by it's self will bring between 3 and 6 K in different areas of the country and a rolling Chassis with those pieces probably goes for at least 2 K and maybe more. Probably best to ask what figure he has in mind and go from there though. He may think either way in that to him it could still be that cool roadster with a 283 and what not that is worth far more than what it is or he could see it as a tired rod that needs a full redo before it can go again and just want to unload it and move on.
Thanks for all the replies. Going to see the owner and the car Tuesday. Will get some pics then. Thanks again
I totally disagree, mon ami. Around here any complete Model A "BODY ONLY" goes for 2 grand if it's in the "normal" condition ( lower 6" GONZO) He's talking "roadster" too- if it's complete and solid, and the money's right, it's a no brainer. (Model A roadster DOORS are 5-600 bucks a pair ( or MORE). Judging by his avatar, which is a pisser little coupe, this ain't his first rodeo. Unless you buy something all gussied up for 25 grand, you're going to spend money on it; it's part of the fun. ( and we all need some of that- life's too short)
yep.....show me where there's some $2500 roadsters that just need engine/trannie work.........if it's a nice car $5 grand would be good.....drive train's are easy....
Well, one guy said " $2300. top dollar", another "wouldn't pay over 4 grand", I'd say if you got it for under 15 grand, ya done good. Looks pretty COOL. Seat looks like a Dodge Caravan unit- get a Mexican blanket, and done. Congratulations either way- have fun, drive safe!
I'm w/Mike, try to find anything close to this for under ten grand. NO F-ING WAY Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Dunno about how well it is done but it photographs very nice and 12ish would be a good buy. But I'm a cheap prick, 15ish might be a fair price.
No fair now. These guys told you what they thought it was worth. Now you gotta tell us what you thought it was worth.
Turns out the motor is good. He put in new lifters and valve seals since last I saw it and it's running very well no smoke or ticking. Extra engine work and new windshield with stainless stanchions took the price just north of 15k but also included a fiberglass roof and new wide white rear tires and a box of misc parts. Took it onto the highway and it handles even better than my coupe which handles pretty well so I'm pretty happy.
I like it, too...very clean build, all the 'right stuff' for a driver that is dependable, and very SHARP!!!
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