Bel Air Barn find

[Mary K]

I found it at the local Metal shop. The owner "might" be will to sell it. With TLC, it could be stying pulling the TD huh??


I have no Idea if it runs, but can anyone offer a ball park figure on what it would go for....I know you need more info... Just a general idea...if its like it a high value collector item, even in this condition like 10k, I wont even bother with it.

Thanks Mk

[Mary K]

Looks to be a 1954 model.....Gosh it could Be Sweet!!!!!



Mk

[halfdome, Danny]

Mary, here's one (2 door) cherried out with a teardrop . Danny

[Podunkfla]

MaryK... Here's one place to look: http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.html
Although I think their prices are kinda high for down here in the south... AKA, known as rustville!
I prolly wouldn't give over a grand for it unless I could drive it home (as in good running condition).
The 4 door sedans aren't worth near as much as the hard tops & convertables. I've seen rusty old converts go for 10 grand+.

What the Gold Book said for a 53 Chevy Bel Air: (it could be a 54)

[Mary K]

See, They were meant to pull Teardrops!! That is nice, Thanks Danny!

Mk

[Creamcracker]

Check this one out --- don't even bother with a restoration .....
http://www.cars-on-line.com/31948.html

Philip

[MOKI SEAKER]

Hard to tell with out seeing the lights, but my guess is a 53. Jim G

[Mary K]

MaryK... Here's one place to look: http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.html
Although I think their prices are kinda high for down here in the south... AKA, known as rustville!
I prolly wouldn't give over a grand for it unless I could drive it home (as in good running condition).
The 4 door sedans aren't worth near as much as the hard tops & convertables. I've seen rusty old converts go for 10 grand+.

What the Gold Book said for a 53 Chevy Bel Air:

OH THAT is COOL Brick!!! YOU are ALWAYS there for me!!!
It is a good thing, I guess, that it is a 4 door then.



Looking at it, it had all the hardware on the outside, lights, grill all the trim...it was just rusty. I was at the guys shop on business so I couldn't really change the subject to the car...nor did I get to open a door. I could peak through the dusty window and I saw that the interior was intact just dusty too. It looks like its just been sitting and rusting.

OH great, I am just finishing the TD and now I'm getting another Bee in my Bonnet.....Ya know what I mean?

MK

[Mary K]

Check this one out --- don't even bother with a restoration .....
http://www.cars-on-line.com/31948.html

Philip

Yeah, its got the same hubcaps...I bet ya this baby is ALL original....

Thanks for the link Philip but I need (almost) another project.

Mk

[Podunkfla]

Check this one out --- don't even bother with a restoration .....
http://www.cars-on-line.com/31948.html

Philip

Yep Philip... That's a good deal! I doubt you could restore it for that today even doing a lot of the work yourself. I would recomend buying something like that too... It ain't going anywhere bu up in value.

[Podunkfla]

As an example of values... I have a 73 Olds Delta 88 Convertable. Engine and tranny rebuilt, New AC pump & reciever/dryer, 5 yo top... It needs serious rust repair, paint and interior. As it sits I doubt I'll get much over a grand for it.

[dguff]

Hi Spanky,

I am a certified car nut so I googled collector car prices and found that the Bel Air 4 door sedan ranges from about $750 for a number 5 to $2075 for a number 4. That car looks to be no better than a weak #4 so I would think something in the $1000 range to maybe $1500 if it is easy to get running. Depending on how long it has been sitting it would need all new fluids at a minimum, maybe seals and repairs to the mechanicals. Paint would be a minimum of about $4000, interior? With just a wild guess at the total you could easily spend $10k to $15k to get it into nice condition and would have a car that would be worth about $8k in the collector car market.
It would increase in value over time and if a person really likes the style they should not just consider the numbers. It could be a great project for someone!

Jerome

[Podunkfla]

MaryK... A new project is one thing... But, it's best to know what you getting into. Some typical prices around here on a decent fixer upper oldie:

Body work & rust repair: $2000. - $3500. (they ALWAYS have rust issues. floorboards etc)
Rebuild engine, tranny, brakes, etc: $3000. - $5000. (original... prolly wore out?)
Interior: $2000.up
Re-chrome bumpers & grill: $3500. up
Paint: $2000. up

Plus, I haven't mentioned old cloth wiring is prolly bad? tires & wheels, CD player, glass, car alarm, fuzzy dice... and plenty of other thing that add up fast!

[apratt]

Check this one out --- don't even bother with a restoration .....
http://www.cars-on-line.com/31948.html

Philip

Yep Philip... That's a good deal! I doubt you could restore it for that today even doing a lot of the work yourself. I would recomend buying something like that too... It ain't going anywhere bu up in value.

Even if you did all the work yourself you be hard pressed to beat that price. That looks like a good deal. Just doing all the rechrome work would cost a pretty penny.

[Creamcracker]

Check this one out --- don't even bother with a restoration .....
http://www.cars-on-line.com/31948.html

Philip

Yep Philip... That's a good deal! I doubt you could restore it for that today even doing a lot of the work yourself. I would recomend buying something like that too... It ain't going anywhere bu up in value.

Even if you did all the work yourself you be hard pressed to beat that price. That looks like a good deal. Just doing all the rechrome work would cost a pretty penny.

That was my first thought when I found it --- I've restored a few cars over the years (and my daughter -- get this --- has a degree in "Antique Automotive Restoration" from McPherson College Kansas ---yes its a legitmate degree she's even been out to do odds and ends with Jay Leno's collection) ----anyway it would cost way more than that to restore. Whenever I've restored a car its always sold for less that the amount of money in the restoration! That's just the way it works.
Philip