Thread: Is this car worth $35,950?

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I am looking at a car that now boasts 4-wheel power drum brakes (1940 Ford) with a power-brake setup installed. I haven't driven the car yet since it is on the east coast and I live in California. The car features a small-block OHV Ford V-8, C4 automatic tranny and 9-inch Ford rear end. Power brakes and power steering with apparentlly no other mechanical mods.

I have no idea as to whether or not the car advertised is worth the asking price, but since it may be fairly unique, what with its resto-rod features, it would be right down my alley. I like the car, plain-and-simple, but I have no idea what these cars are selling for today and negotiating with a car company, instead of an individual, may prove to be a challenge.

1940 Ford Deluxe for sale at Streetside Classics

Picture Gallery - 1940 Ford Deluxe at Streetside Classics

Sooo....since all of you have had the "pleasure" of building these types of cars, you must be far more qualified than I to have some idea of what I might offer the selling company that wouldn't be considered as "low-ball."

What do you think of the car and the asking price?

Thanks,

Barry

Look closer to home, lotsa nice cars 4 sale in the bay area.

I agree for that kind of money you can find plenty closer to you

Here's one in KC that's close to the same but with the top chopped for $27,900 - 1940 Ford Sedan Vintage Hot Rod V-8 Automatic 40 , and I know the collector that has this one for sale, bone stock, nice sedan, $21,500 - 1940 FORD 2 DOOR DELUXE black You decide, is the SBF, C4 and 9" rear end worth $14,000?

DA34GUY is right! Here is one close to home;
40 Ford Tudor Deluxe Hot Rod

And here is another;
1939 Ford Deluxe - Specialty Sales Classics

Placing a value on any car is very subjective, but personally, since it's a sedan, it is way over priced...............that's coupe money. To me (important qualifier) a sedan would need to be very strong on a whole bunch of features to be worth anything over $20k. Otherwise, there are a ton of other choices out there............and as stated, many much closer to you. Sure, you can hire a "pro" to inspect a long distance buy for you (highly recommended, but more cost to the formula), but he still doesn't look with "your eyes". Just one example after a very quick look at the pics you linked. Here's a car that is showing mostly a resto theme, yet it's got a billet dash. What?? And there may be other "oddities". The late drive train in a stockish car is a very acceptable old "trick", but those smaller more visual ques are important to the overall theme and should be to the buying decision formulation.

Before getting scorchie drawers too quick (and maybe getting your ass burned instead of your rocks hot), spend a couple months researching, you'll probably be amazed at what your options are.

Look Harder! You can do a ton better on price. Watch the drive train carefully if you really intend to put coast to coast miles on it. If all you do is take it to the local show and park yourself in a lawn chair, any running motor will get you there. All depends on your point of view of a Hot Rod.

When I was searching for a car, I found that pictures are very deceptive....just like pics of women, pics of cars are taken with the intent of showing the vehicle's best features. One 39 coupe that I found had really nice pictures so I drove 100 miles to touch it in person. Well, the pics were nice but the body had newspapers stuffed into the qtr panels with bondo applied over the paper. The tool box area couldnt hold tools because the wrench would fall thru the rust holes. No way would I ever buy a car sight unseen....unless it was so cheap as to be worth the risk.

In my experience, I found a car across the country. Just so happened that I had a friend who owned the same model car and lived nearby....he took over 100 pictures for me and judged the car relative to his. Since I trusted his inspection, it was a low risk deal.

In summary, DONT buy something unless you touch it OR someone you trust touches it. Like the others say, there are lots of cars closer to you. It may take a year but when you find the right one, you will know it. Decide what you want BEFORE you search.....for instance, the sedan is really contradictory with a fat column and funny dash clashing with a stock exterior and interior.....is that your "style"? If so, put it on your list for consideration. Start a spreadsheet of potential cars and list their pros and cons and price.

I have a dear friend in Puyallup, Washington who last year bought a bone stock 40 Ford sedan much like this one - all steel and in great shape with a perfect flat head V8 - but with no mods (except for a decent real leather interior) for $15K with a ton of extra parts... You could do a lot with the difference!

As a side note - the one you're looking at doesn't have a heater which in no problem if you never want to drive in cool weather or defrost - just sayin.

Let us know what you decide
Glenn