Young Ed Posted January 22, 2007 Report Posted January 22, 2007 The shop would probably do what you asked and paid them to do. I would certainly want them to check and see if the bolt was truly just missing or if the bottom 1/2 of it was still there. If its just missing thats an easy fix but if its broken off like it most likely is thats harder but certainly not impossible. Quote
Guest mike_D24 Posted January 22, 2007 Report Posted January 22, 2007 The shop would probably do what you asked and paid them to do. I would certainly want them to check and see if the bolt was truly just missing or if the bottom 1/2 of it was still there. If its just missing thats an easy fix but if its broken off like it most likely is thats harder but certainly not impossible. Thanks. Then I'd probably want them to do a full check, but it's also customary to pay for the pre-purchase insp, and I don't want to end up spending $200 to find that the car has extensive damage unless the seller will actually come down. Also, the guy says the car runs like a top, which would lead me to believe (based on the info offered here) that the bolt must still be in there otherwise the engine would run bone dry and end up overheating. So it looks like one of two (maybe three) things: 1) Bolt is in there acting as a water plug, and gasket or head may be warped or damaged (guy says it's a daily driver) 2) Bolt is not in there and somehow the guy has been running the engine without a secured head and with leaking fluids 3) Bolt is not in there, he hasn't run it, is completely lying, and has invited me to come take a test drive. I'm thinking 1) is the most probable, but still not the nicest situation for the engine. I'm pretty close to just dropping the whole thing depending on just how sketchy the situation becomes. I don't know if I want a vehicle from a guy who claims not to know how to contact the previous owner. I'll keep everyone posted as this saga unfolds. Mike Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 22, 2007 Report Posted January 22, 2007 Some sellers might go along with the inspection thing.....and some might not...especially if you ask to have the head removed. Some would say to heck with you, you're way too much trouble.....and then wait for the next guy to come along who either does not notice the problem, or does not think something is a problem. It looks as if at least the front seat has been replaced with a late model pickup seat (witness the ram's head insignia).....or, as Tim points out in the next post......maybe the originals re-upholstered. And, he might or might not think any potential shortcomings or problems warrant reducing his price. So - give all this stuff a try, but if it doesn't get the desired result, don't be too surprised.....and simply wait for the next thing to come along. The car does not look too bad in the picture. My observation is that coupes, convertibles and two doors are more sought after than 4 door sedans. However, some like the roominess of a sedan to take along family and friends. And you seem to like the look and style of the car......so ya gotta weigh all these things along with costs involved. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 22, 2007 Report Posted January 22, 2007 Actually Bob I think both seats have been recovered in a custom fashion and the guy was pretty good with the sewing machine..kinda hard to say without seeing the entire base of the seat...but the side looks right. Seems pretty much complete except for a fender brow and a lens..the air vent knob..now where did that come from?? You can talk and talk about this car but go over with a fresh battery, get the key and really check this puppy out..if that is not workable then the guy is not out to sell a car..but to unload a monster...yet..even at that if the price is right, you may still do wise with it if solid. You be the guy who knows what he can or cannot do..or can or cannot afford...plus your locale plays a role in price..chances are if he does not have a line around the block kicking the tires..you got leeway for negotiating... Quote
Guest mike_D24 Posted January 22, 2007 Report Posted January 22, 2007 Actually Bob I think both seats have been recovered in a custom fashion and the guy was pretty good with the sewing machine..kinda hard to say without seeing the entire base of the seat...but the side looks right. Seems pretty much complete except for a fender brow and a lens..the air vent knob..now where did that come from?? He said it cost 2200 for the seats to be done. I bet he's going to want to recover it and then some. Anyway, you're right, Tim. I can be blue in the face talking about the pictures. Fact is, I still don't know how much he's asking, I haven't seen the car, and he hasn't given me any info about prior ownership. We'll see if I can resolve these. If not, forget it. He lives an hour away from me. I'm just going to go and see. Why not, right? I'll have other business up there in the meantime, so no real loss. I hope I can find something similar in area when this one doesn't pan out. Thanks, Tim, everyone, for all your help. Mike Quote
Lou Earle Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 If I were closer and had no car I would jump on this in a hearbeat- you cannot go wrong here if under 5 grand. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/48-DeSoto-Suburban-RARE-EARLY-WAGON-LOOK_W0QQitemZ330078989487QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6190QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Quote
Lou Earle Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 Hobbyist and I bet you can rely onwhat hes says about a car-read his ads very candid Quote
AJ Johnson Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 You and I are in similar boats. I have been working on bikes for some time. Sold a 1995 Honda VFR750 just before Thanksgiving & ended up buying my 1954 Coronet with the money I made. Plus I had an extra grand to put into the car. This is what I have learned in the past couple of months. 1) If this is "THE" car for you, price is secondary. What I mean is, if you really like the car & plan on keeping it for sometime, price is not super important. 2) For the most part, my Dodge is a much simpler machine than a modern sportbike. My Aprilia V-twin seems much more complicated to work on. 3) 1/4 of all bolts you try to remove will snap. My car was pretty well maintained. No rust in the floors etc. But time & water make simple maintainance a little more complicated. 4) Parts really aren't too difficult to come by. The hardest things to find are what seem to be the simplest parts. (ie tail light lens for a 54 Coronet) 5) This forum & it's members are an AMAZING source of information, hints, tips, and banter. 6) Everywhere you drive, random people will ask "What kinda car is that?". Three people asked me that question in the Wendy's drive-thru yesterday. If the car is something that you find "irresistable" buy it. There are a lot of other cars out there at a good price. I know of a running 1955 Chevy for $2500 about 100 miles away from me. I just need another garage. AJ Quote
Guest mike_D24 Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 You're right about the price thing, but then again I need a Ducati 999, but that price tag is keeping me hesitant at best. I need to just go and see the car. And yeah, as a beginner motorhead I figure I wanted to sink my hands into something that doesn't have EFI, VVTI, and other baubles I should not be allowed near. Thanks for the encouragement. I hope it works out. This particular car may not be mine (though it would be nice), but the D24 struck a chord with me, for some reason. I will keep looking until my car finally shows up. Mike Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 Mike..it is going to be hard to find a car with a more impressive dash than that D24...I like it so well that I am putting it in my 41 Dodge..The 41 dash in there is so-so..even harder to find a replacement part for compared to the 46-48 plus the 46-48 lends itself to late model speedo's without any problems at all. Shop around..I can tell you where a business coupe is that is in very good shape...I think it is still available..saw it just a couple weeks ago. If I had the spare change laying about I honestly think it would be at my house now. Of course I'd have to lose them red wheels before I got home with it...deduct 500.00 just for them alone.... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2006_0816Image0002.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2006_0816Image0003.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2006_0816Image0004.jpg Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 If I were closer and had no car I would jump on this in a hearbeat- you cannot go wrong here if under 5 grand. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/48-DeSoto-Suburban-RARE-EARLY-WAGON-LOOK_W0QQitemZ330078989487QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6190QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Uh Oh ! Quote
Guest mike_D24 Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 Tim, Great looking car, but I'm hoping to spend no more than $3000. I can justify expenses to repair the vehicle. And there is something incredibly rewarding about getting a diamond in the rough of spit shining it until it's ready to paint the town. If that one's 3gs, I'll make the call today, but I bet it's closer to 8, huh? Yup. It's partially the dash. That's a classic style, elements of which seemed to pioneer their way into cars all the way into the early 60s. Just beautiful. Also, I like the lines of that car. Even as a hot rod, it's still just so modest and classy. Mike Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 I am thinking the man quoted me 7500.00 price on that car......it is one clean machine..of course I did not do anything but the casual walk-around and snap these picture through the fence for someone else a few days later. The man is selling these from his fathers collection and this guy had some of the sweetest rebuilt cars in the area. Here is the one I got for my 41... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/NCcp1.jpg This is it cleaned up and the metal dash in primer... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2008_0101Image0005.jpg No finished pic of install...YET...clock is finished http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2005_1122Image0003.jpg can run other makes speedo.... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2006_1029Image0002.jpg other gauges cleaned up nice also... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/bigaadams/2006_1026Image0018.jpg Look around..one will come up..this one may yet be available to you..the cost of the seats could break the deal though if the owner just has to have his cash back out that...farmed out items of this nature make re-coup very hard.. Quote
Guest mike_D24 Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 Out of sight, Tim. Those cleaned up great. It really gives me inspiration. That's what I want to do. I want to strip the thing down, tape it up, paint it, refurb all the inards, and put it all back together. I like the idea of engine stuff, too, but nothing like a bottom end rebuild or anything. That's a bit much for me right now. I'd just like to clean everything up under the hood and make it shine and do some basic maintenance until rework is warranted. Brakes are a given, but that I can handle. 7500 is actually probably a great price for a car in that condition if it runs and has no rust-through spots. If I had the disposable income right now, I'd be all over it. Mike Quote
1just4don Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 How much are they asking for that red wheeled coupe?? I suppose its a Georgia car. Is it good enough to drive half way across the nation?? AS IS?? Like me fly there, me drive home?? Any front pics? (dont go out of your way to get them,just wonderin). Would those red wheels hold up fer this trip?? d ; ) . Is that a fluid drive?? Any more 'ticulars?? THX--don-- Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 As I said in the above..was thinking the window sticker siad 7500.00....I have never heard it run though the man offered to start the car. I informed him I was just kicking tires and as such would be wasting the man's time. The comment on the wheels I made is purely one of my own preference for cosmetics and no way reflect the condition of the wheel/tire. I just do not like red wheels..point blank ..case closed...I will never change my mind on that unless the car body color is red. It is an IMHO statement. I have no clue as to the road worthiness of the car...most are driven back and forth ocassionally between the town he has his business and the community he has his home..a distance of 12 miles approximately. I think I may have his number at the house yet...he also had a gorgeous 41 DeSoto for sale. Quote
1just4don Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 When I read the thread YOUR post didnt appear. Now I see my new reply is farther down the list than your info,,,dunno what I did but NOW it makes tons of sense, that I read the whole line again. i was just kidding on the red wheels,,,I dont think they look too good either. Thats one place a pair of slot chrome mags or regular mags would look even better than THOSE!!! I like stock, but that was a BIG deal back when I was a kid,,,guess it stuck!!! Sorry I interrupted the thread, didnt mean to,,,if only I could have seen what was already written,,my thread stopped at #39 back then!! THX--don-- Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 Out of sight, Tim.B][/b Those cleaned up great. It really gives me inspiration. That's what I want to do. I want to strip the thing down, tape it up, paint it, refurb all the inards, and put it all back together. I like the idea of engine stuff, too, but nothing like a bottom end rebuild or anything. That's a bit much for me right now. I'd just like to clean everything up under the hood and make it shine and do some basic maintenance until rework is warranted. Brakes are a given, but that I can handle. 7500 is actually probably a great price for a car in that condition if it runs and has no rust-through spots. If I had the disposable income right now, I'd be all over it. Mike Mike..while back I posted some pictures of the gauges as I was cleaning them up....the one shown was taken apart, then sandblasted..painted inside white..outside got a cold galvanize finish..new homemade gaskets and then back together again..if interested in the pics..I could find them and e-mail you at home. Though not finished yet I do have the new donor thermo-bulb for the temp sender and it has been already prepped for cut and install..just not done as of yet...I will be sleeving the union and using solder.. CORRECTION..THE DESOTO IS A 1940 MODEL IN CASE ANYONE WAS INTERESTED Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2007 Report Posted January 23, 2007 How much are they asking for that red wheeled coupe?? I suppose its a Georgia car. Is it good enough to drive half way across the nation?? AS IS?? Like me fly there, me drive home?? Any front pics? (dont go out of your way to get them,just wonderin). Would those red wheels hold up fer this trip?? d ; ) . Is that a fluid drive?? Any more 'ticulars?? THX--don-- Hey..not a prob...I had to go back and see if I had indeed listed it to begin with..lol..anyway sent PM with phone number so as to give you first crack..let me know if you call the man...may can arrange a closer inspection in your behalf. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.