Thread: Where to find the value of a Street Rod

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You've got a lot of research to do if you don't want to end up disappointed. Just to put a finer point on all that's been said before, keep in mind two things. Ebay is based on what people are actually willing to pay, if the auction meets reserve, and most of those cars are bought sight unseen. Also, a moderately high percentage of those deals fall through. The other sources, to which I would add, www.cars-on-line.com, are ASKING prices. There's always room for negotiation.

And as has been said already, but bears emphasis, a list of parts does not a good rod make. What's WAY more important is how it's built. And that takes experience to evaluate. That's what I mean by your needing to get some good learnin'. Fortunately you live in California, so car events happen pretty much all year long. Go to every one you can, learn what you like, ask the owners questions til you're a pain in the butt. If they built the car, ask what they felt was most important, and how they accomplished it. If they bought a car done (the most economical way to get bang for your buck if it's not a blivit) ask them what the pitfalls were, or were not, and learn from that.

Keep certain things in mind. Drive train stuff is usually the most economical part of the car to replace/repair if necessary. Unless you possess the skills to do it yourself (really, not just in your imagination) most other aspects of the car can run into some serious dough. Suspension stuff can be relatively inexpensive unless some bozo really screwed it up, or butchered the frame bigtime. Hiring upholstery can get pricey in a hurry, and it costs the same to replace an interior that's a little worn, the wrong color, or completely shot. Paint is even worse. It costs as much, or more, to replace a bad paint job as to do one from scratch. Of course the owner of the chartreuse car full of fisheye and dirt, with the orange interior, will protest that it's all nearly new! Worse yet is if the body work underneath is a mud biscuit.

Now that I've cheered you up, don't be afraid to get in the pool. Just take the time to learn what sharks look like. If you don't let your "I wants" get ahead of your common sense, you can learn to discriminate between good cars and bad cars. Good cars will always make you happier. It just takes time.............or a good knowledgable buddy you trust to guide you along.