If you’re like me, the sight of a old car poking out of a garage is extremely intriguing. This is especially true if, as in this case (look closely at the picture) there’s a for sale sign on it! This 1953 Pontiac Chieftain (and I think it’s even a Deluxe model) fits the bill, despite being a little damaged in the rear. It’s for sale here on eBay and is located in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. If you’re like me, the thought of a family vacation with an empty trailer going down just popped into your head. Not only that, but the buy it now is a low $1,200 and the seller is entertaining even lower offers.
Here’s what it looks like pulled out of the garage. Certainly there’s some corrosion…ok, genuine rust to repair. And those rockers look a wee bit perforated. But I’ve certainly seen worse. Besides, your arms can get a great workout pounding the dents out of the driver’s side rear fender, right? Now we have vacation and exercise!
Captain, we have a problem, there’s a slight list to starboard! Perhaps it’s just a low or flat tire. I hope so. The way the hood is partially closed (or tweaked) just makes it look worse. Importantly, I don’t see anything missing.
Remember that work out? Here’s the reason for it. I’ve seen miracles pulled at good chrome platers with bent bumpers, so don’t count that one out just yet. However, you will be repairing some more rust (but if I’m right on the fender contour, it gives you a nice pattern to shoot for while hammering and the fender will eventually hide your welds (always good in my case).
The seller doesn’t tell us much about the interior, but I think it’s safe to assume it’s original. At least it doesn’t look like it’s been torn up by rodents or even gotten moldy. You can see at least one hole in the floor, but again, the carpet will hide your welding. I can’t be the only person who seems to spend more time grinding than welding–but at least my welds are solid. The seller didn’t include any pictures of the straight eight, 113 horsepower engine, but this is what it looks like. So what do you think–would it be worth $1,200 to you? You might even be able to get it for less!
GOODDEAL!! That’s cheap for a complete 50s car. And on top of all that, Its a 2 door Pontiac.
I am working on a deal with a old farm,17 acres,big nice barn and more. I would buy this stuff for these prices and store them inside (even has concrete floors) work on them a bit but try to presearve them since they are only going to get harder to get for this kind of $$.
Wish me luck !
Good luck! And someday we will see the barn-find estate sale with this same Pontiac looking just like this again.
That would make such an excellent—and somewhat unusual—hot rod. And since it already seems to need a lot of work, there’s less guilt about losing originality. $1,200 seems like a steal.
Parts car to my way of thinking. Well priced for what it is.
My dad had one of these in the late 50’s. I’d love to just set behind the wheel for awhile and see what memories pop up.
Dan, Yes it would most likely not get a lot better since I only have so much time to put into each project I have. But I would love to just be able to walk into my barn shop and look at it along with all my other cool stuff.
The good part for this car is that it would be in a good dry area and if I didn’t get much more done to it I saved it from being parts only or worst and if the time came to have a sale of what-ever I,m sure the value would still be there and probly worth more.
I hope people like you try to save cars like this, Good luck in your adventures.
I’d rather spend five times more for a driver with no rust or major body damage. Especially with the whole summer ahead of us, wouldn’t most buyers rather be out cruising to the ice cream stand on a warm Saturday night?