Not much demand for Model As at any price or is it antique cars in general?

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Terry mentioned street rod values...... although I don't follow them a buddy that does told me once that you can really take a 'bath' on selling a street rod, that you can and will loose a ton of cash.

You see it in Hemmings and other markets all the time:

"Have over $80,000 in receipts, Just finished it. $45,000 or make offer."

I just don't understand how these street rod guys spend all that time and money to build a street rod and then sell it just a few months after completing the project. They need the money for next street rod build. The cycle continues.

[burner31]

Originally Posted by TonyM

You see it in Hemmings and other markets all the time:

"Have over $80,000 in receipts, Just finished it. $45,000 or make offer."

I just don't understand how these street rod guys spend all that time and money to build a street rod and then sell it just a few months after completing the project. They need the money for next street rod build. The cycle continues.

Easy to explain..."It's a mental disorder"
You don't have to take an original car and "hack n hue", "chop n channel" it to make a rod, you can do the same thing with fiberglass and it looks just the same.

But there is help...For just $19.95 a month you can help these poor souls overcome this debilitating condition.

So please give generously to the:

"Right the Rodder's Back to Reality Campaign"
Together...We can find a cure

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I, personally, would NEVER buy or sell another car on the Internet. I even received a $22,000.00 COUNTERFEIT check!! Read about it on MAFCA's SCAMS page! Also, when buying local, you can easily find out all the history of the car.
Bill W.

[ronn]

dig your heels in and be patient. Rod

patience is a virtue that I just dont have and am not planning on "learning"..........

[Sunnybrook Farm]

If one looks at some real new sources rather than the ones that read what the government issues, we and the world have just entered a recession and the graphs look very much like they did just prior to 2008. Most people have become scared to put out a lot of money, things are not good just look at Caterpillar which is a good global indicator.
I am fixing up an A to drive as I can't afford to buy another car and I need something I can work on rather than pay a mechanic. I don't have a clue how to work on my 10 year old car that is starting to fail. Luckily I live in a rural area where I can drive at Model A speeds to get to town.

[Pinesdune]

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It seems things are about the same up here, most cars that are bringing the buck$ are the ones that the baby boomer generation dreamed of owning/driving. Solid classics left original or restored just don't have much demand as most people don't have the common sense/knowhow to make an old car run and keep it maintained. The saddest point I've noticed is that due to the lowering of interest (and dollar value) in model A's and cars like her, is that way too often, good original cars are getting bought and chopped into hotrods because it's the "in" thing. If they're in the right hands and get completed, is one thing, but way too often it's some weekend warrior who tears them apart/chops them up and leaves them for dead and to me, that's sacrilegious!

[Oldbluoval]

I used to feel the same way about modificaton and I am purist....but not interested in putting them on a show field. Don't care what a "judge" thinks of them.
But, I had rather see someone rod something than for it to sit is a dark basement never finished, never seeing daylight.
The thing with the hobby is that is should be activity-based. I am a huge culprit of not being a joiner-inner!
If they make it run and enjoy it, that's the hobby part.
There have been many posts about being up-side-down, losing money, can't get out of it and on and on. You don't join a golf or tennis club to make money.
If you are in this to make money....you're a dealer not a hobbyist. And you should evaluate a market according to demand (and supply) and be able to purchase "right".
I know this is a bit off subject of the original post. My comment to that is that you do have to stick with the more desirable, rarer cars. You will be up-side-down in a tudor, fordor or coupe just because of the cost of any restoration part of the process versus market.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

I used to feel the same way about modificaton and I am purist....but not interested in putting them on a show field. Don't care what a "judge" thinks of them.
But, I had rather see someone rod something than for it to sit is a dark basement never finished, never seeing daylight.
The thing with the hobby is that is should be activity-based. I am a huge culprit of not being a joiner-inner!
If they make it run and enjoy it, that's the hobby part.

this exactly, i dont care what it is but as long as it gets out of the garage and driven more than 10 miles a year im happy! i may only get to go to a handful of cruise ins a year but just driving around is my enjoyment.

[denis4x4]

Recently sold a '31 ccpu at a bargain price. Had three confirmed buyers until they got the transport price. Sold it to a gentleman that had a private party pick it up and deliver it. Never lost a dime buying and selling woodies.

[ian Simpson]

The cost of the restoration is the price you pay for participating in a very engrossing hobby.

The cash you get when you sell is what somebody else values the car at.

There is no correlation between the two.

[mike657894]

Originally Posted by ian Simpson

The cost of the restoration is the price you pay for participating in a very engrossing hobby.

The cash you get when you sell is what somebody else values the car at.

There is no correlation between the two.

something is only worth what the buyer will pay. if something has no price is it priceless or worthless?

[mister32]

Originally Posted by ian Simpson

The cost of the restoration is the price you pay for participating in a very engrossing hobby.

The cash you get when you sell is what somebody else values the car at.

There is no correlation between the two.

I guess I need to tell the construction company building a house... "The cost for you to build the house is the price you pay for participating in a very engrossing hobby."


Why is it that skilled labor and time when applied to a car is worthless?


Everyone that says "This is meant to be a hobby only"... Anything you have ever bought for your car has been because someone was willing to dedicate a good portion of their life to bringing you products for it. Including the car itself. Model A's were not produced as a hobby and given away for free?

The next time you buy oil or spark plugs you will be paying someone a profit....That's the only reason the product is available for you to buy.

[1930marie]

For me, restoring cars has always been a constructive and rewarding way to spend a bit of my spare time. My wife loves to travel and there are several places on my "bucket-list!" However, there is something about an early morning Sunday drive in a 1912 Ford Touring or a 1930 deluxe roadster that makes me feel more alive. Probably the pride I've earned knowing I can put one of these things together and make them purr! Now ask yourself, don't we all have this pride with our cars? I have never thought of putting a price on it, it's just my entertainment and how I prefer to spend my time and money.

[1930marie]

uh-oh. I guess I forgot to mention I also have six ex- wifes! Just kidding!

[mike657894]

my car was given to me with the understanding that i would never sell it. so monetary value means little to me. I had looked at the car for 31 years before it became mine.

[inex01]

Originally Posted by 1930marie

For me, restoring cars has always been a constructive and rewarding way to spend a bit of my spare time. My wife loves to travel and there are several places on my "bucket-list!" However, there is something about an early morning Sunday drive in a 1912 Ford Touring or a 1930 deluxe roadster that makes me feel more alive. Probably the pride I've earned knowing I can put one of these things together and make them purr! Now ask yourself, don't we all have this pride with our cars? I have never thought of putting a price on it, it's just my entertainment and how I prefer to spend my time and money.

My feelings and situation are exactly the same as you have described. I have a 31 Roadster & a 31 Sedan and get so much enjoyment in driving and maintaining both of these fine cars. I start my day around 3:30 and at times am in the garage with my cars at 4AM doing some maintenance or adjustments that may be needed. Definitely not a money maker but definitely offers lots of interesting entertainment .

[Tomy Turbos]

A comment on 'asking prices':

More often than one might think, the ask is deliberately too high because the guy doesn't really want to sell it. But he has to keep the Missus happy when she says 'Honey, you need to sell that thing'.

[A Rookie]

As to the market- Its in the toilet for project cars, done cars or gennie drivers its still pretty good but not great..
My take on asking prices is simply that no one will pay it as a rule. They balk at FIRM and run when not accepting trades. So I jack everything 20% and will accept 1/2 in trade IF full price is accepted. IF it meets my interest areas.
My rules on trades are simple
1. No title NO deal
2. NO back 40 rust bucket escapees Unless its a Duzzie, pre 35 classic era Packard/Caddy etc. , GT 40 ,pre 68 'Vette, or complete driving titled pre 40 Ford 2dr or cpe. I am NOT interested
3. Get it HERE, I do not have the means to travel and PU a shoebox much less a car.
That's pretty much it.

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Tomy Turbos, that, or "maybe I will get lucky" - had a friend quote a ridicules price for a "resto rod" caddy he had and the car actually sold - for probably $25K over what he might have listed it for had he not been approached, he was not even planning to sell at the time.

Anyone who follows the buy sell section of the AACA web site on Fordbarn? What about the REO sedan @ $19K - seen a few of these cars this year, non-Ford, non-Full Classics at bargain prices.

We are lucky that a LOT of people like the security of the strong following/parts and knowledge network/club support and ready market the Model A enjoys.

[Tomy Turbos]

Yeah, Steve. It takes all kinds.

I know of many instances where a car didn't sell until AFTER the price was raised. I never did get my wits fully wrapped around the precise mechanisms of this other than knowing that there are some people out there who perceive value purely in dollar signs. You know, the kind of person whose dog can jump higher than yours.

And then there's simply waiting for the right buyer. For years I had the mistaken notion that you can't sell a convertible after October, so I wasn't even offering them. A friend disabused me of the notion and since then the two of the last three drop-tops I've sold were in December and January. The take home is that the people who want convertibles, want convertibles. And that's what they buy.

Antique vehicles have always had and will continue to have a much more narrow market, and the reasons for this are numerous. Financing is high on the list, and it ties in strongly to the overall economy. I think this is more significant than desirability or fashion trend, though it is true that "reliving one's childhood" is a factor. A guy who Graduated in 1970 can now get that '69 Camaro SS he so desperately wanted back then.

My mother (born in 1930) stopped by the other day and I showed her the '29 I have in here. Her eyes lit up and she began to recount stories of her and her little sister all bundled up in the rumble seat on the long, perilous trip from East Cleveland to Euclid on the way to Aunt Margaret's for Christmas, etc.
Etc...
Etc...
Seeing the Old Gal turn into a little girl again through her memories -- Priceless!