Sign of the times.
 

I put my 1940 coupe up for-sale. Nothing, no activity. Years ago, my email and home phone would be constantly notifying me of activity. Not this time. I think folks are scared to buy with world events and economy on Shakey ground. Just like new car sales.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Truth is (as has been said by a noted 40 Ford restorer) younger buyers today desire older cars that have been updated with modern convenience features for easy, dependable driving.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Oldredford,

I took a look at your post. Your '40 looks like a nice car at and at a fair price. Curious if you posted it anywhere else?

If I may offer a suggestion. Try to get some more pictures on a sunny day from both sides. This will showcase the overall condition of the car. It looks black in the pictures, so if it's a straight body, showcase that.


Things have changed quite a bit as well. Instragram & Facebook Marketplace have taken over as the preferred method of internet traffic when trying to sell something.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Where is it listed ?

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Swap meet
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346775

Re: Sign of the times.
 

You may not want to hear this but Facebook Marketplace or Bring a Trailer are much better choices.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

From what I've seen, I agree.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Posted on Market Place.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

The cost of living expenses (my homeowner's/property insurance "tripled" this year) have far out paced the "earnings" side of the accounting ledger SO......Us younger folks have less "travelin' change" for 40 Ford Coupes, or two like in the 60's and early 70's......By the time Carter came around.....the tide started turning for the worse!!!!! ONE of several factors

Re: Sign of the times.
 

The market for pre-war cars is softer than it was. Just a fact. My guess is waning interest in these cars. Also, the economy is in terrible shape right now. I work in finance, take my word for it. The real estate market has tanked in just a couple of years and getting worse. Rockfla has it correct on the cost of living expenses as well.

I'll give you an example; it would cost over $600,000 to build a 2,500 sq ft home with an unfinished basement in the mid-west. That's not a brick home either.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...6&d=1740350095

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1740350154

Re: Sign of the times.
 

That is a nice little '40 coupe.
As many know, I keep a very watchful eye on all things "40".
Sadly, value is probably near high 20's, maybe $30k.
Yep, things have changed.
It is not going to get better...

Re: Sign of the times.
 

I see guys buying cars like yours and updating them to be more comfortable for long trips. I have 4 deuces in the garage but for long distance drives I always choose the 40 standard coupe. Lots of luggage & tool space plus my Travel Scoot easily fits in the trunk when knocked down.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

The value of these cars in original spec has dropped. You need to reach the right audience and maximize exposure. Maybe look to having a reputable vintage car broker handle the sale for you. I did that and got a higher price than I expected. The good brokers are experienced in exposing the vehicle in the right markets and will help advise/validated what you might expect to get price wise. It will cost something, but they handle the payment process, registration and can help with transportation if the vehicle is sold outside your area. Ask anyone who has sold in today's environment, these added services can be invaluable.

Unfortunately, as membership in vintage car clubs will attest, there are few if any young people getting into the hobby.

How can we change this? Always looking for ideas.

First of all, drive what you have, take it to swap meets, Cars and Coffee events, cruises, shows, whatever. If you see any young people looking at your car, engage with them. We are killing our own market if we can't bring in new blood.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

I'll be 75 next week i can afford to play somewhat, but when 35 no way a 35 grand toy and now it is worse for the younger guys .

Re: Sign of the times.
 

Good post: As someone who is turning 55 this year, one way is to be more accepting of hot rodders, customizers or the hop up crowds.

The guys in my circle who are around my age or younger love old Fords as much as the stocker guys do, but traditional hot rods, hopped up flatheads or period engine swaps are what gets us going.

Plus, most of the hop up crowd wants to drive them long distance, daily or at modern highway speeds. Some guys want to enter their cars in incredible events like TROG, Pine Tree Jamboree, etc. Sometimes do this requires mods that may turn a restorer-type of person off.

The mindset of us vs. them or those greasy hot rodders are going to chop it up needs to end. I'm of the belief as long as they are out still out there on the road is what anybody should care about.

If you have time, take a look at @NealinCA's '32 five window build on the HAMB. He is also a member of Fordbarn. The level of craftsmanship displayed in his build rivals any top level restoration. In my opinion, he made an already incredible looking car look even better with his tasteful and well executed body mods.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...#post-15499766

He took a body that would have been overlooked by the restorer crowd and turned it into one of the nicest '32's hot rods I've seen in a long time.

That's my two cents.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

It definitely takes patience when selling a car, there are a lot of 40's on FB right now but that is where I sold my almost stock 40. Your car looks real good with a beautiful interior, it should be the one picked in my book.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

I think Flathead cars with o-drive trannies, better braking, and components that make them more reliable (new wiring, sealed bearing water pumps, electronic ignitions inside our old distributors m) seem to sell stronger - another thing you might not want to hear - because they can maintain higher speeds with less problems. Just tooling around town and an occasional long 50 mph drive is not the norm anymore - they want to jump in them and maintain 65-75 mph like their DDs but do it in style. Jmho ….

Re: Sign of the times.
 

a 1940 model year car is now 85 years old. if i had bought an 85 year old car when i bought my first car it would have had to have been made in 1885. ...that explains a lot to me as there probably were 85 year old used cars out there when i was buying my first car (maybe), but rest assured, i wasn't in them, or 75 year old cars, or 65, or 55, or 45, or even 35. even a 20 year old car was too old.

Re: Sign of the times.
 

you can try Hemmings auctions.