Hot Rods Living in Hot Rod Darkages

what has happened to fridges??? they used to be the "ugly duckling" of 50s trucks that no one really wanted unless they were a ford guy. now they are just as valuable, hopefully its like the Corvairs and they have a "pandemic bubble" where they shot up in value.

(a 57 ford truck car hauler with a 4 speed, 3.10s and a 390 does sound nice to me)

 

My favorite 50s ford designs. I’d walk across a field of 56s to get to one.

 

Even if it’s not HAMB friendly spill the beans just don’t post a picture

 

I believe the hobby makes changes that happen slow and we tend not to notice. I’ll use a popular 50’s car as an example. The 55-57 Chevrolet is without a doubt the most popular and usually over priced because of its popularity with any model or condition some basic rusted out hulks that are for sale high. Where are the other 55-57’s? For the most part crushed and gone.

Fords for those 3 years were more popular and I believe more were made, the 2 brands were very very close. Because of that more are left and being found at a cheaper price. If you have noticed they are coming out of the “woodwork” as they say. Body repair parts and floor pans are available and guys and shops are fixing them. If you don’t believe me look a the thread about finding and saving of the 57 Ford convertible.

When I’m out with mine 90% of those who talk to me have 55-57 Ford stories of owning them and wish they had them back. Not everyone hated the YBlock or raced from light to light.

Super nice frame off 56 Victoria’s can be bought for $35K with a repower and modern stuff folks want and non-frame offs in the 20’s. Try that with an equal 56 Bel Air Hardtop. Perfect 55 and 57 Fords are less while the Chevrolets are more, taking many out of the market.

Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Plymouths, Dodges, Mercurys are all less and there are fewer for the most part and cost more to restore because of it.

With the pickups of the era it’s closer with Fords up to 56 and Chevrolet thru 57. But Dodges are way way behind the curve.

Anyway if it’s not a popular car or model they seem more to restore and modernize and bring less in the long run. It your choice…

 

One of the signs of growing old. The price of cars/trucks is higher than your first house. For some of us it's multiples.

 

Hell think of all the (too rough) vehicles that were parted or crushed over the last 30 years and now those would now fetch high price tags.

Benefit of todays day and age... Forums Like The HAMB... and another year we didn't take a dirt nap.

 

This is not a new thing. In 1986 I had cash in hand after selling my first car. Having been inspired by Greg Fleury's AD I was on the hunt for one. Even with a couple grand in my pocket I could not find an affordable one. I have since realized most were probably still being used on the farms and ranches. They sure seem easier to find these days.

 

Scrap steel price is extremely high right now, and I know of 5 local yards that are actively being crushed out right now. I'm saving all I can but there's only so much I can do.

I think there are a lot of people here who are betting on the prices of projects and parts coming way down in the near future but I'd bet they are going to be really disappointed, those sources are drying up, fast.

 

I bought my 52 in the mid 80s for $2000 and it had a 351 Windsor with and automatic in it. It was my daily driver back and forth to work, 50 miles round trip for about a year. Then I got a free winter beater, so I prettied it up a bit, but it was still a daily driver. I had less than $3000 in it but of course that's not counting my labor lol. I traded it off a couple years later for a 49 Olds that they were asking around $3500 for. I guess I should have kept it.

 

solid looking panel. Has a 350. Appears not to be subframed.
But the extra window sux.

 

My $300 investment must now be worth 3K after seeing that

 

Always been a pickup guy over a car guy. Always seems to sell them a few years too early.

But I agree, prices on trucks are high.

Quick? Story…in the early 90’s I wanted a pu for use around the place. I put my ‘59 Chevy together thinking I could paint it and sell it, buy something “fresh and new”. Well, trucks that were a few years old with 100+k miles on them were going for 8/9k and up.

Heck, I primed the ‘59 and drove it for years and saved a bunch of dollars.

Not your typical Bay Area commute car

 

I bet OP wants full current price for everything he sells

 

Here’s one for you:
Neil Springer, sorry about the no contact information this was just put up on Facebook.


$24,900
Located near Boise, Idaho.
1937 Ford Pickup. Very recent complete refurbish. Runs, drives and stops as you would expect.
350/350
Disc brakes
Replaced both rockers
Rebuilt steering box
Pete and Jake front shock kit
New 16 gal fuel tank
Cowl lace
Grill lace
Hood bumpers
Radiator expansion tank
All new gauges and switches
New rear fiberglass fenders
Painless wiring kit installed
Turn signals
Electric fan
New 40 Ford steering wheel
New door handles inside and out
New window crank handles
Seat recovered
New headliner, door cards and kick panels
New exhaust

 

I can’t believe no one likes this 37 Ford truck.
I certainly do however I’m not in the market for one at the moment.

 

I would! Spot me 24k? I’ll cover the rest
But seems OP found something, but won’t share. Maybe later?

 

The OP has spent his money, so is no longer in the market.

 

That’s too bad, sounds to me like acting prematurely and makes me wonder if you really wanted something older and vintage to begin with.

 

Chalk it up to Elderly Impatience!

 

I still see em dirt cheap but they need work. Gets a little better for the 60s, picked up a 67 f100 for 700 bucks the other day. It takes looking not like the 90s

 

At 25k you’d have to love it.
Wheels, tires and stance all need corrected.

 

Can’t find one…build one. That’s what I did…