53_Suburban Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 (edited) Hello. I need some advice on what my '53 Surburban (base model) wagon is worth. The other evening someone knocked on my door and asked me if I wanted to sell my wagon, Since I'm not getting any younger or richer I'm actually considering letting her go. I would like to get an idea of how much the old girl is actually worth. Brief history of the car: Purchased in fair condition in 1976. Body a little rough and needed u-joints. Replaced the u-joints and got a tune up right away. Car had a rebuilt motor with about 30,000 miles when I bought it. Completed all the bodywork, and did a complete acrylic lacquer paint job circa 1982. Also had the front and rear bumpers, hood ornaments, turnsignal bezels and horn ring rechromed. Complete new interior installed about 1984. Re-did the entire brake system including new emergency brake lining and master cylinder. replaced all four shocks, 4 tires, and rear trans seal about 3 years ago. Had front bumper and guards replated again. Installed Langdon headers and complete new exhaust. New outside mirrors installed left and right. To the best of my knowledge this has always been a California car. I have always kept it in a garage or carport since 1982. Current condition: Paintwise it's a "10 footer". Paint chipping and lacquer checking in some areas. Lots of chips touched up. Rear bumper and guards have some minor blistering and light surface rust. Some rust starting to appear at the bottoms of the doors. There are a few rust spots in the front floorpan but could be repaired with patch panels, complete floorpan replacement would not be required. The old cardboard heater duct has decomposed and I rigged it with duct tape. I also had to bypass the heater because the grommet to the heater control unit on the firewall started leaking into the passenger compartment. All the original old cloth covered wiring is deteriorating. I was having a great time driving her until one night last summer I went to use the turnsignals and they didn't work, the ammeter went crazy, and I noticed some smoke coming from the back of the hood. I pulled over, opened the hood and saw the flasher unit smoking. So currently rear brake lamps and turnsignals aren't working. I have checked/repaired all the accessable wiring to the rear lamps . Suspect a short somewhere in the pillar or behind the headliner. Tailamps, headlamps and parklamps are working fine. This is the only reason I am considering letting her go. Just don't have enough money or time to deal with it anymore. So I'm hoping to get some input on the value from fellow members here. Photos can be viewed in my "IndividualMembers" album. http://p15-d24.com/gallery/album/256-53-suburban/ Edited April 28, 2014 by 53_Suburban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtfercomfort Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 If you could get the wiring sorted out it would be worth much more. Someone could drive it then. A wiring kit is under $200, but the time & hassle of installing it when your interior is done makes it time - consuming. Try eBay search of completed auctions of similar vehicles - remember Mopars cost less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobT-47P15 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I think it's Hemmings Motor News who puts out an old car price guide book. Also NADA has an online antique auto value section. Might get a current copy of the regular Hemmings to see what people are asking for similar.....also do check on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopt50wgn Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 After looking at the pics ,I would put it up for low 6K, high 8k. If you have someone meet you in the middle, then 7k . I would also tell them everything especially the immediate problem with the wiring. Being honest will get you points with a buyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I do not have any substantive material but I have observed the following: (1) There is a high interest in these old suburbans, (2) my thread now has over 21,000 looks which is indicative the interest of Mopar folk, (3) they make great surfer wagons, (4) while they are not rare but they are scarce yet if one has the shell, all the chassis parts from a sedan will fit. In short, I would not give it away! It does everything a sedan will do and more: i.e., the popularity of the modern suburban and now the cross overs. JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
53_Suburban Posted May 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Thanks for the replies. I have decided to have the wiring repaired and drive the hell out of it at least thru the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertKB Posted May 1, 2014 Report Share Posted May 1, 2014 Good choice. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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