Projects The long process of finding a project car and adventures of the new guy.

The frame: check where the body mounts to the frame. Those mounts sometimes are pretty crispy. Over the rear wheels and all the way in the back behind the bumper. I have seem the rear x-member rusted out. Bring a screwdriver and stab at any suspect areas. My 57 sat on dirt in New England for 15yrs before I bought it, the frame was/is mint so sometimes you get lucky

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If it's not to bad, and it was me, I would snap up the 57, scrub it up, maybe throw a coat of primer on it, and throw inn a cheap runner engine, then flip it.
Be true to yourself, and aim for what you really want. A 58.
By saving more cash, you will be closer to getting what you want.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Theres a decent 58 on my craigslist right now for $5800 its just too bad i dont have the cash.


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I don't know what your financial picture is, and I'm not asking... but... call the guy on the '58 you mention. I've heard a alot of interesting stories over the years about the right buyer meeting the right seller. I think something that some sellers can relate to is finding someone that may love their car and treat it how they would maybe want it treated. You've got nothing to lose in talking to the '58 owner and even looking at it. Don't snow the guy, and be honest about your finances and love for a '58 - showing him you're not just a tire kicker.

When I sold my '64 Impala convertible in '91, I was looking for the right buyer. I found him, and gave him some latitude in the time needed to buy the car, cuz I knew he was the guy to get it. It's been about five years ago, now, but he still had and drives the car. He also put it in much better condition than I could have at that time. He was the right buyer.

Nuff said - good luck

 

Well, the guy didnt have a phone number listed and he said no low ballers serious buyers only but i went ahead and sent him an email told him my situation that im a full time student and a $5800 car is out of my price range but ive really been looking for a 58 and i made an offer quite q bit lower than $5800. Doubt he'll even think about it but i guess its worth a shot. The car is awesome. It already has blue dot tail lenses and it has a name painted on the trunk. Running and driving with a 283. The perfect car for me


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I guess i could also offer that vortec my buddy has as a partial trade lol


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

He may just be interested in the money, and doesn't have time for any BS, etc - lots of sellers out there like that. You've got nothing to lose by trying, so... good luck.

 

yeah, i haven't heard from him so i'm assuming that's the case. oh well.

 

how much would the 57 be flip-able for? im not sure if trying to flip it when i'm already 2 grand in will work.

 

If it is for sale for "x", you would like to sell it for "x+y", what are you going to do it that adds "y" to the value?

 

We haven't seen enough pix of it for that. If it looks like the trunk and the frame is good, 5k wouldn't be out of reach. It's rare.

 

Illinois temporary plates, so he recently bought it. Either he's flipping it, or there's potentially a problem he doesn't want to or can't deal with.

 

Plate has been expired for 2 years


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A friend bought one up here that had no running gear, needed floors, trunk, quarters and rockers. There was no interior, and missing much of the trim. He paid 5k because there was a good frame and clear registration. He found almost all the missing body and trim parts needed for about 2000 bucks from several guys restoration leftovers. Because it had been cleaned, all of the rotted parts removed and the parts were all there, he sold it for 8500. when he found a different project.
In your case, I think if you cleaned all of the dirt, got rid of old carpet and upholstery so it looks/ smells better, you should be able double your money. If you got a running small block from a wreck installed and running, I would think you could triple your money.

 

Also, i need to make sure my truck could actually pull it home. Its a v6 s10, the 4x4 version. Since the car is basically just body and frame, im guessing it weighs maybe 2500 lbs. i can always rent a truck but it would be easier if i could just use my own. What do you think?


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I think you should stop talking about it and go get it! At least buy it, and arrange to pick it up as soon as you can. I'm betting this car isn't going to sit around long.

 

I dont think buying a car to flip is the avenue for you, Im not sure you even need to buy a car at all rite now while trying to go to school etc. wait til you come across what is more suiting to your budget and a decent car that is the kind of car you actually want.

 

Yeah, hard to flip a car that needs a lot of work. I had someone on FB (showed my Ford there) pumping me to tell him everything I learned about cars in 45 years so he can make a living flipping hot rods. He knows nothing about cars and has no day job....

 

If only it were that easy I can safely say no one on this site would ever say "good morning" to a boss again for the rest of our lives.

 

Do you have a trailer?

 

Well the reason i havent went and gotten it is i was on vacation and now the seller is on vacation. He told me to call him on the 7th so i can look at it next week


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I freakin love this thread
and I love you PineApple
but you are driving us nuts!

Seriously though, rock on and keep us posted, can't get enough.

 

Will do and thanks!

 

Here's one in Mountain Home, Arkansas, south of Springfield, MO
http://springfield.craigslist.org/cto/5699320323.html

 

Ive seen that one but it's wayyyy too nice to be in my budget. I think im going to buy this 57 and make it a driver then see if i can trade it for a 58.


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

Well the seller of that blue 58 lowered the price due to trunk rust but i can't even get a response from him...


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

I also might go pick up a 283 with power glide tomorrow to either throw in the 57 or use for parts


What'cha got in there, kid?

 

here's something for you guys. So the owner of the 58 finally emailed me back and i'm looking at the car tomorrow. he said he'd take quite a bit less than his asking price and while that might not seem like it's expensive to begin with, thats all i have saved in my spending money account right now so if i end up getting it, i won't be able to do much for a while. i figure its better to spend more on something that runs and drives though instead of those $2000 wrecks i've been finding that i'd pour a lot more than 1500 into. I'll just have to take the girlfriend to MacDonalds for dates the next month or so

 

i'm wondering when the car was built. I'm guessing 70s or 80s since it has a name painted on it but the steel wheels and blue dot lights have me thinking.