Thread: Gibbon or Wescott 32 3 window

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So far you've been getting a real dose of reality and some good, sound advice. Fortunately it seems you've been listening, good on you. There's one piece of advice though that seems to have gone unresponded to. That is, look at the resale market. It's a buyers market out there, and could be that way for quite a while given market uncertainty. Now that may sound strange given the accurate observation that Brookville is still working at long lead times on the most high end of the pricing range. But don't be fooled. Probably the single most luxurious and desired American made automobile is the Duesenberg. When were those made? During the Great Depression, well, the early part of it anyway. They also went bust during the later part of the prolonged depression. I'll stop there because it would take a textbook long discussion to cover all the reasons. Let's just say that, so far, government practices today are very similar to then.

Back to the car thing. One example, and I know lots of folks squak about ebay, but it's an openly observable market.....we can learn from that. Just this past weekend an original '32 5 window coupe sold for just over $22k. Yes, it needed work, but it was mostly there, including full fenders and mostly original chassis. It's still not going to be a cheap date to finish, but as you've already seen, neither is the glass car. And it sounds like you've got expensive (so far) tastes in "accessories". Another example, there's a guy in Simi Valley Ca. who's got a stalled project for sale.....not exactly what you're looking for, but it serves to make a point. It's a '34 roadster, Wescott (quality) body, has a full rolling chassis with quick change, has gauges, steering column, grille, hood, top bows, wheels, tires, and a bunch of parts. What some would call a complete roller. He's been trying for MONTHS to sell it at $25k, even BEGS in his latest ad to bring ALL OFFERS......which means he's screaming "I'll take less". And he's not alone. Sure there are guys asking 3-4 year ago money, but unless there's something special about what they've got, it ain't movin' for that.

Don (da34guy) just sold a roadster he built a few years ago for a guy who got in a position where he had to sell, and based on what Don posted it went at a price WELL below what it cost just a few short years back.

You sound like someone who is willing to ask and learn. Impatience will be your enemy though if you get the "I gotta haves" before your education is more substantial (I can't use the word complete.....education is never complete). There's lots to be wary of in the resale market, but to the informed buyer it's a gold mine right now. Your choice.

BTW, here's a pic of my old Gibbon 3 window...................I've documented here, along with Jack (henry rifle), the amount of rework that had to go into the body to make it presentable.