What is a fair price for my 1931 Roadster?

[Fairview]

Hi All,

I've got to clear some space in my hangar, so selling either my 1931 Model A Ford Roadster or my 74 Series III Land Rover. I'll sell the first one, keep the other, as I like them both, but for completely different reasons. I need some help on pricing my roadster, would like to price it to "leave some meat on the bone" for the next owner.

The pictures are pitiful, taken with my phone this week, in a dark hangar. The link below has photos of both.

The Model A is a 1931, single sidemount, rumbleseat, that is unrestored. I've owned this car about 10 years, belonged to the same family prior to me since the 1940's. It was painted about 40 years ago and is very flat now. The repaint was green, but the original paint appears to be that beige/tan color- can still see lots of it around the interior. The engine, thanks to guidance on this forum, appears to be a "B" block with an A head. It starts runs etc quite well. In fact, I drove it 200 plus miles each way to Hershey PA a few years back.

This is no show car, I can assure you, but is so much fun as is. It is very solid throughout. I did replace the wiring with a correct harness, complete, when I bought the car as the original wiring was in poor shape. The front seat is original leather in worn out but usuable condition, top is completely shot and not original, bows are nice.

I think it best to leave it just as is and enjoy it. If somebody started a restoration, one thing would lead to another, for sure.

I have lots of records, books, etc, several spare parts that go with it. Sidecurtains are present, as is the hand crank.

If you could let me know what is generally a fair price, that will be a big help to me. Then I'll put together an ad and post on this forum.

I'm in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Thanks, Jeff

Here is a link to the photos:

http://milepost105.smugmug.com/Cars/...15269019_yazxY

[Mike V. Florida]

Did you look at Ebay or Craigslist to get an idea of what they are selling for?

"If you could let me know what is generally a fair price, that will be a big help to me. Then I'll put together an ad and post on this forum."

Asking potential buyers what they think is a fair price will most likley get you a low estimate especially with the limited pictures of the car.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Jeff, to me it is not what it is worth, ...but what someone will give you for it. While I realize that sounds redundant, the truth is no one can know the condition of the mechanicals at present so one should expect the worse. For me as a gambler I would say the engine is OK since it has been changed to a 'B', but then again there is a reason why it was parked. If someone were to ask me professionally what to value the car at, I would tell them think of it as a "molested car" needing a full restoration. Placing a $$ value on something without being able to see the chassis, --or look under the fenders is difficult at best but as an armchair diagnosis I would say between $5k-$8k which should leave something on the bone as you said.

.

[Fairview]

Brent,

I must not have been clear on explaining the mechanical condition. It hasn't been parked, I've been driving it for 8 years. I imagine I've put 3000 miles on it in that period of time. It has had the B engine for several decades best I can tell.

Thanks for your input. I did look on ebay, didn't see a good comparable- most were closed cars.

Thanks, Jeff

[peters180a/170b]

Unrestored , Very Solid thoughout.... $9,500. to $12,500. i would place it. Closer to $12,500. and up if better pictures. Think about what just a repro body cost today. $6,500.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by Fairview

Brent,

I must not have been clear on explaining the mechanical condition. It hasn't been parked, I've been driving it for 8 years. I imagine I've put 3000 miles on it in that period of time. It has had the B engine for several decades best I can tell.

Thanks for your input. I did look on ebay, didn't see a good comparable- most were closed cars.

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff I read that but I guess it just didn't register with me. Sorry!! A running & driving car does add significantly to the value. Yes, ...low to mid 'teens' would be a comfortable place then.

.

[Hotrodster]

I agree with Peters180A, at least $10,000. Bodies alone will bring $4-6,000. To me the B engine raises the value probably at least $1,000.

[Gumpy]

unrestored cars are sometimes bringing a close price to restored these days...I think a new convertible top would help sell it....the car will sell itself it it is all ready to go and surviced on sneez-bay.....sell with no warranty expressed or implied rub it out you may be pleasantly surprized....dont be in a hurry to sell it I had a car sold for a good price and a friend of mine raised the price another 2000. the prospective buyer just didnt like the water stained upholstery...its the little things that make a sale!

[gweilbaker]

Pose this question on the HAMB site to hit a broader response.
GW

[Fairview]

Thanks everybody for the input. I will get some better photos and work up an ad- sounds like $10K or thereabouts is the right number, fair to buyer and seller. Jeff

[Grapejuice]

Originally Posted by Fairview

Thanks everybody for the input. I will get some better photos and work up an ad- sounds like $10K or thereabouts is the right number, fair to buyer and seller. Jeff

I think $10k is a fair asking price. The seller of my '28 Sport Coupe wanted $11k, but took $8k. In the end that was fair for both of us, as it wasn't the car he claimed it was (it belonged to his late Father).

[Mitch//pa]

12-15

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

Unrestored , Very Solid thoughout.... $9,500. to $12,500. i would place it. Closer to $12,500. and up if better pictures. Think about what just a repro body cost today. $6,500.

Yes Pete and that's just the beginning, add a few hundred for transportation then windshield and stanchions and rubber parts and handles and top assembly and seats, upholstery and gas tank and on and on. That doesn't include the chassis and fenders. Sounds like I've been there doesn't it. Happy New Year, Barry

[Fairview]

Hi Fellow Model A Owners,

I sold my 31 Roadster 7 years ago with help from this group. I am resurrecting this thread just to say I never completely got Model A cleansed from my system. There should be a nice little 29 Sport Coupe arriving here in a few days, and I'm right happy to be re-joining you all.

I'll post some photos once it gets here.

Best regards, Jeff

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

They are "habit forming",aren't they?

[pooch]

Thing is with an unrestored car, the new owner must ne happy to leave it unrestored and replace or fix only what is necessary .


If he pays 11K and then goes to pull it right down, he may as well buy an already restored one.

I guess 60 or 70 % of the barners here start off with basket cases and work up.

Once you have the first restored one , you can then sell it for a good price and buy another one you want .

[Kevin in NJ]

Well hold on let us ask some more questions.

Lots of cars still run and drive, but the mechanicals may not be in the best of condition.

Does the car have functioning shocks (how do you know they function?)?

What do you consider the top crusing speed of the car?

When you step on the brakes how well does it stop?

How much play is in the steering wheel?



One way I gauge a car is by how it drives. Properly restored you should be able to hop in the car and run 55 MPH all day long and be comfortable.
If I am told the car does not have shocks and is being driven over 25 MPH then I know the springs are not right and the suspension likely has issues. A car would good springs is a nightmare to drive over 25 MPH.
Play in the wheel, well I have seen a car with half a turn play in the wheel get driven 60 miles to a car show. Yes, the pitman arm was about to fall off the car!!
Then there is the whole brakes thing.

So a running and driving car for 8 years is not a good gauge in my book. There are many other questions that should be asked. It is not hard to come up with $15,000 in work on many cars just trying to make them safe and reliable to drive.

What is the value, that depends on where you live and how much someone decides they want to have your car. I have seen junk sell for gold and really nice sell for junk. Just a matter of luck it seems.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

They are "habit forming",aren't they?

They are an incurable infectious disease!

[WHN]

Driving down a country road, looking over that hood and headlights. Hearing that engine.

Any problems you have are gone. Grand kids in the rumble seat. And the waves!

Life is great.

[Fairview]

Originally Posted by Fairview

Hi Fellow Model A Owners,

I sold my 31 Roadster 7 years ago with help from this group. I am resurrecting this thread just to say I never completely got Model A cleansed from my system. There should be a nice little 29 Sport Coupe arriving here in a few days, and I'm right happy to be re-joining you all.

I'll post some photos once it gets here.

Best regards, Jeff

Thanks for the posts- just to clarify I did sell the 31 roadster almost seven years ago when this thread was started. Now I am back with a 29 sport coupe being delivered this week. This will be my 3rd Model A.....just can't live without one!

I'll start a new thread with pictures if anyone wants to see the 29.

Jeff