47 Plymouth, sell or fix??

[OVRPWRD]

I got this cheap due to someone owed me money. It is very solid ,  and from what I can tell is only missing the trunk lid. It is been completely disassembled down to the frame, frame was blasted and painted,it just needs to be reassembled. I have the original transmission and a flathead six motor that is not original to the car( runs but rough)

 I really hate to sell it because it is in such solid shape, but I really know nothing about these old cars and I've had it for three years and I've not touched it.

In all honesty guys what do you think this is worth?

 

Because if it is not worth much, I'm probably going to end up making it some sort of rat Rod/Hot Rod (12 volt, V8 swap, customize interior, etc)

I do not know enough about the Flathead six to keep it original

[casper50]

your car.  Do what makes you happy.  IMO you'd get more value building something than selling it as is.

[Silverdome]

Have you tried to sell it for what you believe you have in it? If it's solid then it would be a shame to butcher it up. The flat head six is a pretty simple engine so if you have any mechanical inclination then you should be able to figure out how to repair it to run properly. It will never be a big powerhouse unless you put thousands of dollars into it. It's value is variable depending upon the condition of the car when you sell it and who the buyer is.

The real questions are. Do you want to fix it up? If so, how much time and money are you willing to spend on it? Are you going to try to sell it when your finished?

From my experiences and most of what I've heard and read you will not be able to sell it for the amount of time you have in it and sometimes not even for the amount of money you put in it. So in conclusion if you want to fix it up go for it. Make it your car or if your fixing it up to sell it then figure out how much money you are willing to spend and how much profit you expect to make.

[Plymouthy Adams]

by coming here I sort of get the idea that he is not quite got his heart into the  long term project and the manner in which he got the car, more than not the only way he would see return for money owed to him...to continue to build this car would put him further from his end goal of recouping his original monies due. 

condition location and ability to deliver the inventoried parts when advertised will enhance his ability to sell...you only need one buyer...cars already disassembled usually scare many new guys coming in..an old hatter may not care...

[wayfarer]

Unless you actually like/love the car then you will probably never convince yourself to get started on a rebuild (three years all ready...) and all of the money that will be required will always be spent on a more favorable endeavor.

There is always a buyer, you will just have to find him.   What do you consider the value to be?

[bob westphal]

OVRPWRD    0   ,

Since you haven't done anything with the car in 3 years, what makes you think you would do anything with it in the future? I suggest you sell it the way it is and hope you can recover the amount owed to you.

[linus6948]

You could always try to sell it on ebay with a reserve price of what you need to get out of it, it might sell and you would be out from under it. Of course if you have the passion, time and thousands of dollars to spend build a car that fits your needs. I personally go both ways, love them antique and hot-rodded, but could never destroy a good original car to make a hot rod out of it. Good luck with it.

[OVRPWRD]

2 hours ago, bob westphal said:

OVRPWRD    0   ,

Since you haven't done anything with the car in 3 years, what makes you think you would do anything with it in the future? I suggest you sell it the way it is and hope you can recover the amount owed to you.

I have since moved a few cars and actually have the money AND space now to do something with it. I have a lot of time off work in the winter here (I work construction) so I am already thinking about a winter project 

[OVRPWRD]

2 hours ago, wayfarer said:

Unless you actually like/love the car then you will probably never convince yourself to get started on a rebuild (three years all ready...) and all of the money that will be required will always be spent on a more favorable endeavor.

There is always a buyer, you will just have to find him.   What do you consider the value to be?

I tried to sell a couple of years back at $1800 with no takers. Best offer I had was $700. For that cheap I'll cut it up and make it a rat rod. All the feed back I got was" if it was a ford or Chevy, I'd be all over it"

[Plymouthy Adams]

1 minute ago, OVRPWRD said:

I have since moved a few cars and actually have the money AND space now to do something with it. I have a lot of time off work in the winter here (I work construction) so I am already thinking about a winter project 

so the question of WORTH is now a moot point.....

[OVRPWRD]

36 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

so the question of WORTH is now a moot point.....

I guess no, I was really just wondering how much people thought it was worth because I was surprised it didn't draw any interest when I had it for sale. Wondering if I overpriced it or there is just no market for a Plymouth in this condition. I could always assemble what I can( for next to no money invested) and hopefully it may sell easier if it is more complete

[William Davey]

The easiest way out it to assemble everything you have to the best of your ability. You may want to check the compression on the engine and do a minor tune up (points, plugs, condenser, rotor and cap - prolly wires too).  A running moving (even though not street ready) car is much more marketable than a pile-o-parts. My $0.02.

[rb1949]

You're in a position to chop it up and modify. Then try to sell a converted bunch of parts? Your money. Have fun.

[dale]

Being a two door it shouldnt be hard to sell.  Solid as it is with all the parts should bring a couple thousand.  Lots of trunks around like that.

[austinsailor]

I bought a never disassembled, unrusted 42 Plymouth 2 door a few years back for $1500. Non running, no interior, with a title. Right guy should pay the same for yours. 

 

Appears to to not have rust or dents, that is worth a lot.

No title  would make it harder to sell.

i can't imagine starting a car project "because I couldn't find a buyer".  You'd be far better off to just take it to the crusher and you've had a better offer than that already. You will NEVER recover all the money you put into it, not even counting for your time. And with the interest level you have it won't get far.

[Plymouthy Adams]

it is quite evident that you are being pulled both ways on this...to eliminate further problems such as that and to free your mind and driveway, take a trip to Disney World....yes go see Mickey and on your way drop that car off at my place...I am just 4 miles off I-75 on your way to Florida..I may even spring for MickeyRat tee-shirts for the family....

[austinsailor]

I looked to see where he is. About 5 hours away. Briefly thought about making an offer. Then I remembered - I'm trying to get rid of projects I'll never have time for, not add to the list!

[Dave72dt]

About 5 hours from me too.  If I had a couple of my own projects done, I'd jump on it myself.  With 3 projects in storage, 1 on a trailer and one in the garage, there's no room for another.

[OVRPWRD]

I've decided to just take the advice from William Davey and try to assemble what I have to get it as close to running as possible. I am very mechanically inclined, mostly with 12v v8 cars but hopefully with this forum and Google, it will look different come spring! 

Here are a few more pics:

[OVRPWRD]

[Eneto-55]

AustinSailor already hit on what may end up being the most important point - Is there a title?  It is not unsurmountable, but can be a deal breaker for many folks.

[OVRPWRD]

3 minutes ago, Eneto-55 said:

AustinSailor already hit on what may end up being the most important point - Is there a title?  It is not unsurmountable, but can be a deal breaker for many folks.

Yes. I have the clean, clear Illinois title in hand

[Plymouthy Adams]

ok...still plan for Disney World....keep the engine and tranny, I will still spring for Tee-shirts and up that with an autographed picture of myself and my dog...

[Silverdome]

If you get it assembled and able to move under its own power you might just find that you enjoy having it around. These things have a way of getting under your skin. Good luck and keep the pictures coming.