62Jeff

Agree on all counts. I imagine if you acid-dipped the car as is, you'd get a bunch of fiberglass, glass, stainless, chrome, wiring, and driveline pieces back. It's as if the rust is holding the car together!

Frankie the Fink

I saw this a LOT when doing '65/'66 Mustangs (which are a lot more prone to rust). Some poor fella with good intentions falls in love with a car with rust issues and has no idea what he is in for. He buys the car and then reality sets in and he is in way over his head (and his bank account); marriage is in trouble somtimes and then he is looking for the 'greater fool' to unload the 1/10 completed car on.

Or some guy would have a 6-cyl Stang and be dying to convert it to a V-8 and spent twice the money a driveable V-8 would cost to do the conversion.

Its funny once somebody on here has a decent, driveable car and asks what its worth everybody on the forum says that its all about the enjoyment and pleasure and not about the money. When a member finds a project car its ALL about the money.

1snake

On a car that's a decent driver, it's not too hard to figure out a final dollar investment so the enjoyment and pleasure become more of a factor. On project cars, especially this 58, we try to point out the pitfalls and the enormous costs involved so the person can make an informed decision and won't end up like one of the examples you posted.

Jim

62Jeff

I agree that is annoying, but the difference I believe, is that once someone owns a car, finding out what it's worth is a lot different than someone new to the the hobby asking if they should dig in to a money pit of a project.

Stewart Allison

It kind of looks like the result of the buried car in the Tulsa time capsule. Stewy

corv58

I'd say go for it....It's amazing what a little soap and water will do.....Btw,I'll take the trunk irons off your hands...

INMYBLOOD

Gives me the creeps just looking at stuff that dirty. I think all that cat **** really took it's toll. More like an ammonia capsule

Hey if you plopped the body on another rolling chassis and they are not that uncommon today. Put what ever motor trans you like and slowly redo all the original drive line if you so choose. Perfect body for a modern chassis.

Damm trunk irons spoken for..... Ummm I'll put dibs on the hard top..

jasonsamara

Well I have kept in touch with this lady since I started this thread and have become pretty good friends with her. I try to see her a few times a month and have gotten her to a few cruise nights in town. Sometimes the car is never even brought up in conversation. This past week she asked me if I was ready to buy her car? I kind of laughed because she never gets rid of anything. Then she said her grand daughter needs money. We never talked price over the phone but if she is serious I know it's coming. I know you guys gave me your opinion and they varied. I guess what I'm wondering is if I offered $10k is that a safe price for me? My heart really wants this car because of the relationship I have built and knowing that I could have the car redone and she could ride in it again. However, my brain tells me I can go buy a 58-60 already in good shape for around $40k and I'm sure I would have every bit of that in this car plus headaches. So I'm thinking the smart thing is just tell her to sell to someone else. Agree?

RatDog

Since you have a friendship going on, you could offer her whatever you figure out is a fair price, explaining to her the additional costs you will incur to put it into shape, and tell her if that's not as much as she's looking for that you'd be happy to help her put it on the market at a higher price. She may or may not sell at the higher price in which case she'll come back to you and your offer.

I wouldn't do that for a stranger but I would for a friend.

I'm betting she's going to sell it to you at the price you name which puts a bit of a burden on you to be fair with her, which it sounds like you're doing anyway.

-- Steve

Kerrmudgeon

I'd let her give you a figure she'd be happy with. If you name a too high price, you lose, too low, she'll hate you, so you lose also.(a friend) Ease into the cost and time involved with the build, maybe even bring a few catalogs to show her(seeing is believing), and then put the ball in her court....and of course include some seat time for her.....

vettedreamer50

"Instant Karma's gonna get you, knock you right in the head . You better get yourself together. Pretty soon you're going to be dead.," John Lennon
What I am trying to say is that I think you know that you should advise her to take the 20k from the other guy because you can only afford 10k and it really needs a lot more work than you thought it would. She just might sell it to you for 10k. No matter what she does, you benefit in the end.
By the way, I think its great that you have made friends with this old lady.
John

jasonsamara

I can afford the $20k but it does not make financial sense because I would be upside down when it is done. I will make sure to post what happens in the end. Thanks

vettefred

Maybe bringing her in on the resto costs will get her to see what you are up against. Obviously there is a relationshiip there but I think she is being a bit shrewd by stating someone else is ready to make an offer.

Sit down with her and price out some of the heavy duty stuff. It might open her eyes. Then offer 10k. IMHO.

The car is salvageable but alot of work. Not a quick project either, but I understand your feelings toward the car. Good luck.


Fred

Stewart Allison

There are some motivated sellers out there at the moment. You would be nuts to spend the next 2 years under that ruined car. You can buy a car for way less than that pig is going to owe you ! Get a list together of prices to show her what the car needs. I'm betting the price of the car is negative value ! It needs everything to make it sparkle and that's going to cost you big time ! If she can get 20k tow it to his house and watch it rot for another 50 years ! Sorry for my negative input but these cars are not cheap ! Stewy

jasonsamara

I hear all about all of these motivated sellers but where are they? Everyone I see that is in real good shape is still around 40k. How do you get away from all the dealers? I know this sites for sale section is a good source but I just can't seem to find these motivated sellers.

Stewart Allison

A friend is looking at a ripper 61 today that for 38k original motor 2 tops and in excellent condition. Chrome and interior is like sex ! Yeah I don't know where my mate finds these but he has his ear to the ground he is a real bargain sniffer ! I drove his 65 and it's real clean original trans and donk 28k. He just lives for this stuff ! I cringe every time I speak to him he always has a car that's cheap as chips ! and sexy as hell he shids me when I think what I paid for mine. Stewy

champs65

I would be more than happy to buy this 58 (or any other solid axle that looks this complete) for 10K or 15K....and be more than happy to invest a bunch of sweat equity in it.

vettebuyer6369

I ran my NOM '58 through Mecum a couple months ago and it bid to $45k (another offer @ $46k a few minutes later)- just for reference. I took it home and now a correct #739 283 is going into it.

It wouldnt hurt my feelings to buy that car at $10k. $20k is nuts. I'd tell her I've calculated the cost to repair it and $10k is simply the high end of what you could feel comfortable with. Tell her if someone offered her 20 she should run with it, with no hard feelings.

bcsla

The pictures are great, the car is something. Depending on what you want a driver or not. If the original BW 4 sp trans is in it, and the posi unit. Those are expensive pieces. The shifter does not look original so the trans may be gone. It is a late production car the the earlier trans the more expensive they are.
My point is you may be able to recover a chuck of money, and put in a muncie and a later rear end.

kskid

I was thinking that the Visa card had better have a very high limit on it. Your going to need it for that project.