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1946-1954 American Cars

56 messages,  Last post on Jul 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM

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Messages Page 3 of 6

#17 of 56 Re: . [texases] by fintail

May 01, 2012 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: texases (May 01, 2012 12:31 pm)
What is happening now with the early postwar cars already happened with common prewar cars - the enthusiasts are dying off. If you remember that 50 Chevy fondly from when you were 22 and saved up to buy a new car, you are now 84 years old. That's a tough market to cater to. Already, a lot of prewar cars were worth more even in raw dollars 25 or 30 years ago than today - and they have no upside. But can be a fun toy at an ever more affordable price, for those with spare money.

#18 of 56 I need some expert opinions here... by isellhondas

Jun 20, 2012 (2:56 pm)

My first car was a dark green 1952 Chevy that I paid 35.00 for. It was a POS but it actually ran quite well. I've always missed that old Chevy!
 
So this pops up on Ebay...
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Bel-Air-150-210-52-chevy-?cmd=ViewItem&- _trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18%26meid%3D5343335- 5273473722%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1008%26rk%3D1%26&_trksid=p5197.m1992&item=3209- 27531015
 
Now, it's a Powerglide while mine was a stick.
 
My questions...Does anyone have any opinion on if the miles stated are correct?
 
The one thing that troubloes me is the fact the engine has been painted black and I sure don't remember any 235's that were black. the underdash shots are amazing along with the interior photos.
 
I did call the guy and he was adement about the miles but I don't think a papertrail exists. It came from Maryland where it sat for many years in a garage. He said it had been painted once, years ago. He said it drives like a dream and has no faults.
 
Yes, he did admit that it drips a bit of old. What old Chevy doesn't?
 
I kinda decided that if I do buy it that I will dismiss the miles and just buy it for what it is.
 
Lots of time left and the bids will probably scare me away.
 
The corker? The car and the owner are in my hometown! He's ten years younger than I am but we know some people in common! Amazing!!
 
Thoughts? You guys are my brain trust!

#19 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [isellhondas] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 20, 2012 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 20, 2012 2:56 pm)
Here's an original 1950 to compare it to:
 
http://www.fastcoolcars.com/1950_Chev_deluxe2.htm
 
It doesn't look like the engine color is correct, no.
 
The car does look very original however. Too bad about the eyebrow over the windshield--I'd take that off and store it.

#20 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [Mr_Shiftright] by isellhondas

Jun 20, 2012 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 20, 2012 5:47 pm)
Well this one is a 1952 and the other one is a 1950 but, still I remember them to be that grey color UNLESS the 235's were a different color than the 216's were.
 
Another thing that kinda makes me believe in those miles is the lack of a radio. You would think someone would have added one.
 
Kind of funny that they would have paid for that stupid visor but passsed on a lousy radio especially on a Powerglide car.
 
Those visors REALLY cut down on visability and to me, make no sense. Trouble is they drill into the car when they install them. When we were kids, I can't tell you how many we yanked off. Today, they are sought after!
 
Add those to Continental Kits, Fender Shirts and Blue Dot tailights to things I detest on an old car!
 
I was hoping you would respond...THANKS!

#21 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [isellhondas] by oldbearcat

Jun 20, 2012 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 20, 2012 2:56 pm)
Isell: I've owned a 48 Fleetmaster that's got 71K on it for a couple of years. Looking at the condition of the 52, it sure looks like a low mileage car - the condition of the wiring and undercarriage, from what I can see in the pictures,is what indicates low mileage and prolonged indoor storage to me. Wish my 48 was in that kind of shape.
 
Regards;
Oldbearcat

#22 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [oldbearcat] by isellhondas

Jun 23, 2012 (8:48 am)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Jun 20, 2012 9:16 pm)
The clock on that Chevy is down to about 11 hours now and it's up to 11,100. The seller has added a "Buy it Now" figure of 15,500.
 
My hand keeps reaching for the mouse to place a bid but I keep getting a nagging feeling that "something" isn't right about that car.
 
For one thing, it appears to have carpeting instead of rubber mats in the front seat and I'm 99% certain they didn't come that way.
 
And that engine should be painted grey and not black. Why would someone feel the need to paint an engine in a 16,000 mile car?
 
And it's been repainted.
 
I wish I lived closer so I could go see it. With my luck, the rods are knocking or something is amiss. Pictures can hide a lot!
 
Oh well...

#23 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [isellhondas] by oldbearcat

Jun 23, 2012 (9:44 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 23, 2012 8:48 am)
Isell:
 
I think you're right about the carpet - if it's like my 48, you have to take out the mat to get to the master cylinder fill plug. It's under the floor. I can understand the rest of your concerns as well. The only way to be sure about this car would be to have someone local inspect it for you. I found my car on Craigslist, and, it was only 15 miles away. I inspected it, explained to the owner the issues I found, and made him an offer I was comfortable with. So far there have been no major surprises with the car. Given the price its up to now, I'd be reluctant to bid on it as well. I saw a car like this one for sale at a cruise-in last weekend. The car looked good from 10 feet away,and it had new chrome. When I took a closer look, I could see that the wiring was all shot, the heater was kaput, the engine was an oily mess, and some body rust had been painted over. The owner wanted $9500 for it. The car was showing 90K on the speedo.
 
Regards:
Oldengineer

#24 of 56 Re: I need some expert opinions here... [oldbearcat] by isellhondas

Jun 24, 2012 (10:53 am)

Replying to: oldbearcat (Jun 23, 2012 9:44 pm)
The Chevy got up to 12,100 and didn't make the reserve. He did add a "Buy it Now" price of 15,500.
 
On the phone, he was pretty vague about a few things. I'm pretty sure he bought it just to flip it. He admitted that it leaked " a bit" of oil.
 
At that age, all of the rubber parts and seals would be shot I would think.
 
Those old Chevies had a closed driveshaft and sometimes the internal seals would go bad, especially on the Powerglides. If you parked them on a steep hill, the transmission fluid would get past those seals and run into the differential overfilling it and making a hell of a mess.
 
They made a "kit" where you pounded a sleeve into the front of that driveshaft. I won't say what they called them as to not insult anyone here who might be from Oklahoma.
 
It was really a mickey mouse quickie way to fix it but they would work for awhile.
 
I never met an old Chevy that didn't leak at least some oil
 
 The thought of jumping into a 60 year old car and driving it 1000 miles home scared me a bit too and shipping was 750.00. To register it, I would have to pay Washington sales tax of 9.5%.
 
Add all of those things up and the uncertainty of buying a car sight unseen gave me cold feet. Just not that much of a risk taker I suppose.

#25 of 56 I was wrong by isellhondas

Jun 24, 2012 (3:47 pm)

That Chevy hit 13,000 and that was short of it's reserve.
 
Today I managed to find the latest Old Cars Price Guide and thye have it peggged in Number 2 condition at 12,200. Giving it a Number 2 rating could have been a stretch too.
 
So, the seller really got all of the money at least in my book he did.

#26 of 56 Re: I was wrong [isellhondas] by texases

Jun 24, 2012 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jun 24, 2012 3:47 pm)
I've been impressed how well many ebay autions reflect the actual market value, rather than sellers' inflated ideas. Inside line recently sold their '85 Porsche 911. They tried ebay, top bid was $17,100, less than their reserve. They then went through many efforts to get a better price, and ended up selling overseas. The final sales price? $17,500, that $400 was hardly worth the effort and time they expended.

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