Looking at a 38 Ford pickup . Older restoration , pretty nice truck but has fiberglass fenders . Wonder how much the value is lowered with fiberglass fenders? In my opinion it is substantial being good solid fenders for the 38- 39 truckare pretty hard to find and quite expensive. I personally would rather have all steel and might pass this truck up.
Glass fenders don’t affect the fun factor when you are out on the highway. If everything else seems in order on the 38 , I would not over think things short term , just keep an eye out for steel fenders long term .
This truck in in Conway SC. The asking price is 17,200.00 . After looking at every 38- 39 Ford truck I possibly can in the last month or so and I think this is the least price one that is ready to drive I have seen. I would prefer something a bit less done because I kinda want t a project but am willing to consider anything. one thing is this place will take a trade in. Not that I need to but I have a 2012 Jeep liberty I bought for 3000.00 last year .It was my Dad's tow vehicle for his motorhome but being he sold me the motorhome he had no need besides the trans went out on him and he didn't want to fool with getting it fixed so I spent 300.00 for a salvage yard trans with less miles than the jeep has ,so I have about 3400.00 total with fluid and filter plus several hours of work. It is a nice car and even if they lowball me I will get more than I paid for the Jeep I am sure. My ideal truck would be something all orig or solid and complete as far as body goes . Not too concerned about the engine , trans because am thinking about a later model flathead or a 50's hemi instead of the old go to Chevy small block. This is a pretty big price for a truck with fiberglass fenders I am thinking but is suppose to be rust free all over . I looked at their pics and can see some questionable spots and know this truck probably looks better in the pic than ot does in person.
It is decent looking in the picture it certainly warrants a closer look over. If a 38 ford truck is what you are really after I wouldn’t let fibreglass fenders be a deciding factor. They aren’t making 38 ford trucks anymore...unfortunately.
As far as fiberglass fenders.....they are not cheap by any means. A pair in hand will cost a grand or more.
99% of the people that'll see it won't have an opinion. It'll be what they "believe" is a cool old truck. "You must start with desire, keeping in mind that with the magic of believing you can obtain what you picture in your minds eye."
The truck is is SC and so are you. Go take a look at it and take a car knowledgeable friend. It has fiberglass fenders because steel originals in decent shape are nearly impossible to find and very expensive. Most of these were "working" trucks and got beat up pretty good. Looks like it has fresh paint. look for botched up, bondo'd body work. Ask if they have (before paint) build photos.
Hey D, Fiberglass fenders will not make the car/truck any less. If that is THE truck you want, it looks pretty good just sitting there. The truck is a starting point and if the rest of the truck is rust free, not much work will be necessary. Drive it the way it is, do your small upkeep items, get it to the point you like, disregarding the fenders for now. With what you have planned, you will have time to search for those fenders old or new. A friend has a sedan with fiberglass fenders. No one knew about them as the car was really nicely finished. It ran well, looked good, sounded great, and he had tons of fun on cruises all over So Cal. Then one day someone was walking by in the drive-in parking lot and "knuckled" several cars' fenders as they were walking back to their own car. (...Like some people do on picket fences with a stick) Of course, the questions started flying about the fit and finish, etc. My friend said he really did not care as those fiberglass fenders made his fast sedan lighter weight in front for racing. (this was in 1961, but, shades of things to come in the drag racing world.) That statement shut the "knuckle" guy up and everyone was just as cool as ever. Who cared what it was, it had a purpose and looked pretty fantastic. No one cared about resale value or originality of the parts. It was a hot rod after all. But, later at the drags, there were plenty of racers with fiberglass front fenders on their dual purpose race/street cars. Jnaki All of these choices, including your selection, are in various stages of completion. You have to decide if the time and money is worth the effort. Partially done, certainly helps in the long run as you can enjoy cool road trips, while doing minor things to make it drive/look better. For example, even if the $22k truck is $4k more than the one you chose, if it has steel fenders, that solves your search for those rare fenders. Plus, this truck looks a little better without much of a re-do coming up. YRMV 1938 Ford Pickup in Cadillac, Michigan $21,995 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1183205/1938-ford-pickup-for-sale-in-cadillac-michigan-49601 for about $4k more, things you have planned are already done for you. Contact the company for the fender situation. This one gives you more for your money and time on the real fender search, if they are fiberglass. Then you have a cool truck to drive all over the place, with the little changes you think you might need as you enjoy your road trips. https://www.carsforsale.com/1938-ford-f-100-for-sale-C1034157 less money, but less of a build components and finish. https://cars.oodle.com/detail/1938-ford-pickup-stepside/5395134854-leggett-ca/ much less money, but a good starting point if you want to do the makeover yourself... The 1938 Ford trucks are out there, including one completely finished for $30k, but it was a little over the top.
I redid a 35 Sedan and the owner insisted on using the steel fenders instead of buying a set of glass fenders . So 3 weeks of metal repair and body work he got his metal fenders. 120 hours times my then shop rate of 45 bucks per hour . Versus 1500 bucks for a set of glass fenders. Was it worth it ? To him it was.
Opinion? really? LOL Ask yourself this question. Are you a restorer or a hot rodder? If you answered restorer then ask yourself this next important question. Why are you on the HAMB?
I've been a specialty appraiser for many yrs. I've never added value for steel or deducted for fiberglass fenders on anything. Original Steel vs Fiberglass bodied 32 Fords, Merc, etc, different story. I'd say if it concerns you that much don't buy it.
Thanks been involved in these ole fat fender friends for 46 or or so years and have plenty of expeirence doing restorations in 25 or so cars but have shyed away from fiberglass replacement fenders . Being a traditionalist I was on the fence. My 2nd restoration or hot rod I should say was a 39 Ford truck back in high school and have been wanting one again for some time. Probably going down to see this on Tuesday
Well I am a bit of both having done some restorations and hot rods. Just haven't ever had anything with fiberglass fenders except a 59 vette.
Thanks, makes me feel better about this if I trade. Btw remember an ole saying steel is real but glass is class.
First of all, that's a lot of truck for $17K. Glass rear fenders fit well. I prefer steel fronts on '38-39 trucks but hard to come by. You're question is immaterial to the modified truck you're considering. Here's one we did with glass fenders. It brought more that $20K.
thanks am planning on going down on tuesday to see it .can tell from blowing up the pics on their web site , the truck isn't show quality but don't do shows anyway and I plan on driving and enjoying but would like something fairly solid.
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