The 32 body market is in a tizzy right now. The repro bodies from ASC and Brookville (and RodBods) established the value of a roadster. Now, Brookville is releasing their 32 coupe body. So, a metal repro coupe body is going to be available for just over $20K. These repros cover a lot of demand coming from the "no fiberglass" side of the hobby. However, the market for original coupes seems to still be going strong. I didnt make the LA Roadster show but was told that 3 window bodies sold for stupid money....more than a Brookville! Unless you have the original stuff (frame, title, etc), there is little to gain in buying an old body and trying to make it right. (If you already have one, the situation is different). If the original car has a documented history that has some interest, the price goes even higher.

In the end, when the car is done, people ask "is it steel or fiberglass?" (for some reason) They dont ask "is it old steel or new steel?" Therefore, the answer is uncertain.....evaluate what it takes to make it right. If the thing needs a bunch of body work, estimate the cost or get someone to help you estimate the cost. Then compare the cost of buying the older car and repairing it vs. the cost of a B'ville clone. If you pay $10K for a shot body and have to dump $15K to get it right, it aint worth it. Explain that to the seller, if he has any brain, he will realize that his project isnt Barrett-Jackson material and will be closer to realistic. Slap him upside the head if he isnt that sharp. An old body is ......well, old.