| 39Fordfan | -- 05-18-2021 @ 3:18 PM |
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What would you do with this if it just showed up at your doorstep? I was so surprised, I didn't realize it was for sale until the guy was leaving. He is offering it for a fair price, but... It's a long story, but a friend of a neighbor of mine who knows I have a restored '39 Ford literally out of the blue just dragged this one to my house today. It was owned by my neighbor's brother and was in his barn for decades. The last registration sticker on the plates on the car are from 1970, it's been sitting for a long time. It does not have the hood and I forgot to look at the grille so all I know for sure at the moment is that is it a '37 Ford 2 door. I don't know my '37's well enough to say which one it is? The motor is frozen up, it looks like the original that came with the car. It doesn't have a title, but it does have a Bill of Sale. I think I can massage a title out of the State because this new owner who is offering it to me is a cop and I have connection to the original owner so I think it can be done. I'm assuming the frame is rotted out, but not sure. The body is rough and has rust but I'd have to look closer. Not sure if it's worth looking into restoring? I'm going to have another look at it with an eye for buying it, or not. If so, what would you do with it? Or am I better off just buying a car instead of a project like this? Any thoughts? Thanks!
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| kubes40 | -- 05-18-2021 @ 4:33 PM |
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If it's super solid and CHEAP, maybe buy it IF you want it. Don't plan on making any real money on this parts car. Looks like rod material at best. Mike "Kube" Kubarth This message was edited by kubes40 on 5-19-21 @ 8:31 AM
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| 1937sedandelivery | -- 05-18-2021 @ 6:57 PM |
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Wow, I like it. Think it would make a great restoration project. Can you share more details and what the asking price is? Thanks, gregg
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 05-19-2021 @ 6:35 AM |
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1937 FORD this could be a 60 hp car, tires would be 5.50 x16 , 85 would have a 600x16 tires, I assume it is a flat back sedan, check to make sure if it is a 85 OR 60 the 60 engine trans frame wheels are different by the pictures it looks like a restorable car, but do a complete assessment before buying, engine, tires, interior paint body work glass, it all depends on your ability to restore a car, figure 2 -3 years, it might be cheaper to buy one restored , my 2 cents 37 Ragtopman
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| trjford8 | -- 05-19-2021 @ 7:52 AM |
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Looks like a parts car at best or a long term expensive project. Not sure of your age, but if you are 60 or older buy one already done. Out here on the "left " coast of California there's a couple of '37 sedans for sale on Craigslist for a lot less money than it would take to restore that one. Both are ready to drive now , not 5 years and a lot of money from now.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-19-2021 @ 3:51 PM |
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Hi Mike, That's kind of what I was thinking too. I could add value by getting a title for it. Maybe hang on long enough to find a chassis for it. But I didn't want to say the dreaded "R" word (Rod.) He was going to power wash it down for me and then I can see what's really going on underneath of it.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-19-2021 @ 4:05 PM |
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Hi Gregg, He's asking $1500. He doesn't have a title, but does have a Bill of Sale. I've been through the hoops with the State of Minnesota with missing titles, etc. and while they are slow, they don't seem too bad to work with generally. There is no hood, but it does have a grille. I would say except for that and no hubcaps, it is a complete car. The motor is intact, but is seized up. Not sure about the transmission or drivetrain. It's possible the motor could be unseized and then gone through, but unknown at this point. I don't know how bad the rust is. It's possible it just needs some body work and the frame rails touched up. I was just assuming the worst, that everything underneath is junk. But I don't know for sure. I'm thinking I am going to go over and look at it again, but I didn't want to get the guy's hopes up. This message was edited by 39Fordfan on 5-19-21 @ 4:09 PM
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-19-2021 @ 4:30 PM |
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'37 Ragtopman, Thanks! That's really good feedback. That's a lot of stuff I didn't know. I'm not sure if there is anything left on those tires to see if it is a 60 hp car? Yes it is a 2 door flat back sedan. Not the humpback. I don't have the greatest car skills, I don't weld or paint (though I am one the world's best airbrush artist's) I'm a good parts finder and changer. And as a former General Contractor I'm good at finding people and at getting projects finished as seen with my '39 Deluxe. I was sort of thinking of getting a title for it, and then seeing if I can find a chassis for it and then see where I'm at. I've already got 3 classic cars, two that are complete but always want attention, and one that is in need of a body off. But like you say, it might be cheaper to just go out and buy one of these. I don't need more things to do, but it's not everyday that a '37 Ford comes knocking at your front door either...
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-19-2021 @ 4:49 PM |
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Hi trjford8, Yes that Age 60 Rule seems to be a good one. My Dad was told of that Rule back in the 80's when he started the project on his '39 Deluxe that he'd owned since he was 16. He would've gotten away with bucking the Rule by starting the project when he was 65, except he had an excellent painter who pulled the body off to paint it, but it turns out he was a cr*ppy mechanic when it came to putting it back together again and ran the clock out on my Dad. Now I'm getting close to the same boat, heehee. I had a look on the California Craigslist Ads and couldn't find the Ads you mentioned. Is it possible for you to post the links? I'd love to look at them, if possible. I found a really nice '39 pick up truck in Los Angeles for $19,000.
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| trjford8 | -- 05-19-2021 @ 5:14 PM |
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39fordfan, I just checked and both cars are gone. One was a tudor flatback and the other was a 4 door flatback. Both were less than . The 4 door was $14,000 and the tudor was $15,000.They were nice cars with good paint and upholstery and mostly stock. I saw them about 5 days ago. I have a friend who may be selling his 37 tudor. It's a flathead car with a C-4 automatic behind the flathead. Let me know if you are interested and I'll check for sure.
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| 1937sedandelivery | -- 05-19-2021 @ 7:47 PM |
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Wow, $1500 is a gonga in my thinking. I would snap it up if someone was offering it to me. But, realize that I am a 37 addict and not always thinking straight! For sure, do what is best for you and your ambitions. gregg
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| kubes40 | -- 05-20-2021 @ 6:40 AM |
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$1500 sounds about right for an asking price. I trust he expects to get that negotiated down. These cars do not realize a lot of money and in my opinion, you're best to spend a bit more up front and get a decent driver quality car. Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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| TomO | -- 05-20-2021 @ 8:46 AM |
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All I have to say is that any project car will cost more to restore than you can sell it for. The cost of metal OR paint work will be more than you can sell a car for in this market, if you are not a good metal man and painter. Tom
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-20-2021 @ 11:47 AM |
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trjford8, Thanks so much for looking for those listings. Maybe it's a good sign for the market that they were gone? I haven't heard of a flathead with C-4 automatic. I guess I need to get out more, heehee. I might have interest in it? I was mostly interested in the '37 because one came knocking at my front door. But you never know, right?
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-20-2021 @ 11:55 AM |
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1937sedandelivery, Hi Gregg. I know! Me too. I was thinking people spent more than that on lawn ornaments. Which is probably what it would be, at least for awhile. I wasn't so worried about the cost to acquire it, it's just how much value can I add and at what cost both money and timewise? I've already got so many projects that I am behind on, I'm probably regrettably going to have to pass on it.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-20-2021 @ 12:07 PM |
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kubes40. Hi Mike, I was thinking he may have gotten paid by the farmer to get it out of the barn for him, heehee - And $1500 would be a great payday for him to haul it out. But given he is a cop, I didn't want to go too hard on him with a lowball offer. I certainly wasn't looking for another car or project, I've already got 5 cars and I am remodeling my basement and I'd have to keep this one on the driveway as a glorified lawn ornament for awhile. You are of course correct. What got to me was the pitch, a '37 knocking at my front door. I never had that happen before. The other projects have been calling and demanding more money and time, so I am regrettably going to pass on this one. Thanks for helping to talk me off the ledge, heehee.
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| 39Fordfan | -- 05-20-2021 @ 12:16 PM |
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TomO, I totally agree. I've already been on the receiving end of finishing the restoration of my Dad's '39 fourteen years ago. In that case, I'm glad I did it as it was a dying man's wish. But I much prefer driving these cars to being a resto-mechanic on them.
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