Long story short word of mouth led my to a phone number of a older gentleman wanting to sell his 442 convertible thats been sitting for many years but didn't want to deal with the tire kickers assosiated with advertising a car. I called him got a brief desciption of the car along with the asking price. Had the car been like he was describing the deal was more than fair so I loaded up the trailer and drove a couple hours to go see it. I am not accusing him of lieing about the car but more of being ignorant of what to really look for.

I was on a very tight schedule to be some where else so I was planning on just loading it up and heading home but when I arrived the car was not near as nice as I had hoped. I am 95 % sure it is a real 442 but it had what I am pretty sure is a late 350 since it had #8 heads. The rest looks to be there and there is some rust in the car but not a whole lot. It was originally white with red interior and the car needs everything. I looked it over for a few short minutes and politly said we were going to be too far apart and got back on the road.

Once I got home I sent him a text explaining why I had to leave so fast and explained with the car in its current condition I would not be willing to give more than "X" and thanked him for showing me the car. My "X" was about 1/2 of what he was asking. That was a couple days ago and I didn't even expect to ever hear back. Well today he just sent me a message if I want to come get it I can have it at not a whole lot more than I offered.

I know its a vague description but what a ballpark a car like that might bring on the national market? I am thinking about rolling the dice and see what it will bring. I need every dollar I car scrape up to build my 54.

 

FWIW, a guy near me is having a slow time selling a '67 442 convertible with a nom 455, car is rough but deal includes a '67 Cutlass convertible donor car in pretty good shape. He's asking $2750.

I know these cars have a following, but IMO the 64-67 GM BPO A-bodies are harder to sell and generally get lower prices than 68-72.

I hope this helps.

Steve

 

BTW, I love your concept for the '54

 

I would gauge the price on if it is a real 442, 4spd or turbo 400, posi rear. Is the frame solid? My 67 sport coupe cost me 3500 and it was basically a shell. Since the E block is gone that means a lot. I would guess a value at around 4000 since it is a conv but has to be a real 442.

 

Richard, did you by any chance snap some pics? Is it an auto or manual? Any redeeming qualities?

 

I didn't take any pics. Car is an auto with buckets and console. If it was a 4-speed I would already own it.


thanks

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/3734627937.html

I know what its not worth...this guy has been trying to sell this for at least 1.5 years. To his credit he did drop the price once....not nearly enough IMHO

 

On a 1-10 scale thats a 2.5 and am looking at a 4.5

 

If it's not what you were expecting, and your financial situation is tight, I'd say stay focused on the one you already own.

 

I don't own any with now. I sold the 68 last weekend so I have some money in my pocket that I want to make more money with.

 

The 67's are not bringing much right now Richard, especially without an original engine, I'd pass.

 

Sorry, I assumed you had a 54 you were working on.

 

I do have a 54' but its going to take a lot of dough to build it like I want to. I can save a little each month in my day job but fixing and flipping cars is faster way to build up the fund.

 

It often works out, but every once in a while you get burned. I just lost $1000 on the Corvette I sold last month, and I stand to lose between 7-8 thousand on my 79 Mercedes SLC.
Even with the best of intentions, they don't always become winners !!
Usually fun trying , though.

 

It will probably part out for 2500.

 

I hate to tell him, but I have doubts that is a 442.