How sharp is your crystal ball? (’55 Chevy Project Potential)

theres nothing better then making money with what you love but you need to get the right car at the right price as was said in other words you cant do what my brother in law tried to do with a 68 camaro ..... bought it for 3500 needed 1/4's , and other body work , paint . engine work , trans work

(he bought it just to flip to make money)


had some shop do it all its just aplain camaro no Z or RS or SS doesnt have the original engine etc he has more init then a low-mile unrestored correct 69 z/28 sells for at barret-jackson and he thinks he got a good deal and will make money on it

i tried to tell him just to just have the 1/4's put on it throw it in primer and sell it for 4500 or obo he didnt listen now it just sits in the garage all done because his wife wont let him drive it because he has too much money in it

 

this is one of those things where if you have to ask, you probably can't do it.

make a profit that is, not that you couldn't restore an old car.

the best way to make money on cars is to buy them cheap and re-sell without doing any work. I have a buddy who got a great deal on a 70 or so Vette. he had it painted, and did a bunch of other things and ended up making less profit than he would have if he had just re-sold it the way it was when he got it.

 

I personally think there are ALOT of restored cars out in the market that are being bought for between 30%-50% of the restoration cost. Add the inital purchase price and it is not paying to restore. The execptions are the cars that have a certain rarity or desireability. I think at this time If you have $20,000 to invest, buying a car that was restored 15 years ago and giving it a freshen up could net you more money per hour invested than a complete restoration of a virgin. The people who have had cars setting for years, never for sale because they are going to restore it "someday" are losing money really fast.

 

6 k to rebuilt a 6 cyl and trans, thats sounds high to me, get a crate v 8

 

Yah, get rich like this guy!!!!!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955..._Cars_Trucks&hash=item27c4ea6523#ht_500wt_978


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Here are the walk around pics.

It looks like it would cost-a-plenty!

Told everything still works and driven in/out the garage daily.

 

now thats what id call a solid original of course thats going off these pics and not seeing what the floors and chassis looks like

id own it

 

Yeah, for a car here in the North East that looks solid as hell! I mean come on, it still has rocker panels!!! I still don't think its worth his asking price.

 

Just some perspective on pricing... I looked through my clubs latest magazines', MSRA's Lincechaser, classified section. I found 2 '55 Chevy, 2 doors and 1 '56 Chevy 2 door. They all 'needed work', had 'some rust', were 'solid originals' and they were all missing something like a seat or an engine. One claimed to be a Kansas car. All 3 were priced between $4ooo-45oo in a magazine where items are traditionally over priced. Just some food for thought on pricing...

 

There may be a project car out there to turn a quick profit, but I’m convinced this ’55 isn’t it!

Thanks to everyone who replied to this post, and you all may of prevented a terrible mistake!

 

You can turn a quick profit if you buy it cheap, and do a quick crappy "restoration" and sell high.

Sounds to me like you're not that kind of guy....which is a compliment

 

Squirrel:

Gallons of bond-o, duct-tape by the bundle, bailing-wire, muffler tape, countless cans of spray paint, Wally-World seat-covers and globs of glue?

I suppose, everyone has a given right to think of everyone else on earth as dirt and to be taken advantage of, but yes, most try not to be so unscrupulous, and I thank you for the compliment!

[I hate to say it, but my very first (‘65 Ply Fury III) was held together that way near the end. (Dirt-broke 16 y.o. with brow raising RMV safety-stickers.) Bought it well-maintained by elderly-couple who drove it Boston/New-Jersey weekly. I put 25K+ torturous miles on it and sold it for scrap the following summer! Different time….different world…]

 

Restoring a 6 car to OG seems like a risky investment since a large percent of guys wanting a 55 Chevy are looking for polished wheels, Big block, digital dash, tweed seats, and Bush can blue paint. Just my worthless thoughts.

Since its a heap right now buy it and do something cool, could be fun and maybe make a buck or two.



Just saying

 

That is a rust free car around here lol!

 

pass it along to someone who can do the work themselves. it is definiatly saveable.

 

Doc: Awesome! I love it! One of those real-nice what is it’s! But I think there are prospect “starter cars” for less money than this particular ’55. What is the side molding from on your creation? I can’t seem to find it anywhere? But I does look familiar?

KoolKemp: You’re not kidding! Wow! Gee…I wish I had your body-work and sheet-metal skills! I just subscribed to your thread, I can’t wait to see it complete! Again, probably not a “quick turnaround” profit maker, but it’s still fantastic!

Biscaynes: Yeh… a guy with the right skills could probably pull it off. And I offered to bring a friend to look at it who has them. But, even eBay has better ‘55’s to start with for about the same price.

bryan6902: Yes you’re right, there are far better prospects.

Hillbilly and 57Ford: I suppose your right, but I don’t have the experience to know. I had a Ford escort once that ran like a champ until the doors literally rotted and fell off! New England road salt is like acid!

To everyone else: great advise and observations! You got to love the HAMB!

Thnx!

 

That's not a Bel Air either, it's a 210 2 door post.

I can think of a few cars that can be bought and restored for a profit..... But that's if you do the work yourself, start with a solid car and basically swipe it when ya buy it.

 

Not my car, side trim looks like Buick side trim. I don't know just a guess