Well, I know you expect to buy a car for less than what it cost to build but from the builders point of view the present owner tends to add up the cost of the parts. It is of course buying a pig-in-a-poke on e-Bay and I would like to look it over closely. I do not like the look of the firewall mount for the master cylinder on fiberglass but I note a gas tank in place and instruments. What is the story on the 350 engine, out of a wreck or rebuilt? So let's add up a few parts.

350 SBC worth $500 running (smoke?)

350 trans worth $300 ( ? )

rear worth maybe $200

'glass body worth $2500 ( ? )

steering column worth $50

wiring worth $100

used alternator $50

4 good tires worth $200

radiator worth $100

Early Ford front end $300

Etc. Etc. Etc.

If this were four years ago before I started my '29 buildup I would have laid $5000 on the table and showed the guy cash and be glad I had a good start on a running roadster. Factor into this that I have previously brought back a '70 MG Midget from a field where I had to cut down a small tree growing up through the floor and put out about $15K to get a 90+ point restoration. I do wonder why the pictures do not show the usual rear fender indents in the body? Who made the body? What is the history of the engine and trans? Still I would be thrilled to start such a car after looking at my $20K heap of expensive parts that still does not run and I am tired of paying $50 to a tow truck every time I need to move the car to the next shop. The next move will be to install an H-pipe exhaust system and that will involve perhaps two $50 flatbed trips to and from a muffler shop. Compared to a shop which can do all those things in house an amateur build up is hassled by the need for towing to and from many shops and that in itself makes me appreciate a car that might be brought to a inspectable/driveable condition to save on these multiple tow expenses. A home builder may have a different point of view than a pro shop.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder