Imagine cruising with the top down in this old Chevy. Wouldn’t it be grand to finish the restoration of this grand Phaeton? Unfortunately, pre-war cars like this 1931 Chevy are often not worth restoring because a nice example can often be purchased for much less than the cost of restoration. This Chevy listed on craigslist in Los Angeles, California might be an exception even with an asking price of $15,000. Chevy Phaetons are actually quite rare and it is a desirable model. Unfortunately, the ad leaves more questions than answers. The seller doesn’t tell us if the engine runs, what condition the interior is in or the condition of the wood in the body frame. However, if the wood and interior are in good shape and it runs it might be possible to restore this Phaeton to a nice driver quality car for a reasonable amount of money.
The hood vents replaced louvers for 1932 and the chrome vents were a feature of the DeLuxe model. Chevrolet car sales were down, especially for luxury models, by almost half in 1932 due to the depression. The paint, at least on the body, might be OK. Without more details, there’s just not enough information provided to judge this car. The asking price might be reasonable if this car is in good condition. Perhaps all it needs is a bit of mechanical work and paint. It could also need a complete interior, rust repair, wood repair and more. Perhaps the engine is stuck. Maybe the spouse wants it sold, and the seller is not so anxious to part with his project? The ad is archived on adsaver.
While these types of cars are before my time, I always get a kick out of “Deluxe”. What is so deluxe about it? Looks like any other car from this period, although, in all fairness, people from this time didn’t know what a ’58 Buick looked like. THAT was the epitome of deluxe. This, I just don’t know. If I, at 63, have little interest in this car, much less to restore it, what are the chances of someone younger taking this on? Sorry, it doesn’t look good for “full classics”. ’68 Chevelle? No problem,( they’re probably still bidding on that one) ’32 Chevy in need of restoration? I just don’t know.
It is a sad truth that the market is thin [and getting thinner with each tick of the clock] for pre-1940 cars. There are so few folks around that recall these cars from their younger days, and those that are still with us, are either no longer drive, or have the ability to care for such cars. The younger generation is interested in cars that they grew up with.
This Chevy deserves to be on the road again.Hopefully it’s not too far gone for someone to take on this labor of love
I’m definitely not born in an era to remember those cars but spent much of my young years walking car shows with my father looking for parts for our 34 Studebaker coupe. I have a huge love for this era of cars. Truly beautiful pieces of art and engineering to me. I can’t be the only mid 40 year old that feels the same
if this thing has knee action front suspension which chev masters had! they were junk when new ! my father ran a garage ,sold durant, whippit, and star cars, he put straight axles in year old chev masters because the knee action front ends wore tires out and g.m at the time wouldn’t do nothing about it! plus these cars were full of wood holding the body together!
I would prefer this Deluxe for $20K
http://www.allcollectorcars.com/for-sale/1932-Chevrolet-Deluxe-/2157053/
For the $5,000.00 difference in price between these 2 cars, I would take the $20,000.00 one. You would spend at least double that amount getting the BF’s car to anywhere near the condition of the done one.
You can’t really compare the two cars as far as price goes. The one above is a sedan, the subject Chevy is a Phaeton which would sell for over $50,000 restored. I would certainly agree if they were both sedans. Sadly, the sedan will likely sell for closer to 15K than 20. Many of us would choose a restored sedan over an unrestored Phaeton, though.
I had a 1932 Chevy exactly the same as this one but it was known as a Confederate. Before I bought it in South Africa, I read the book “Sixty Years of Chevrolet” and in the book there was a picture of one owned by a Mr. Pinky Randall. I managed to find his details, phoned him in US and was guaranteed that it was indeed a ’32 and only 419 had been made. He also gave me a lot of info on my 1912 Little that I owned at the time as he had also had one that was currently in the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan. As it was near Hershey time I flew out and met him in person for a good old chinwag. Great fellow!
This was the year my Dad was born, even he doesn’t follow these. If my almost 90 year old Father doesn’t lust over this, perhaps there is something to be said about other cars aging past their high values. Watch out E bodies, your time is almost over. A cars value is subjective and needs to be in demand to command high value. 95% of people that wanted one of these prewar cars in high school are floating on clouds paying harp, I see no upside in value.
I agree, there is no upside to the value in these cars as there are so few folks left that remember them. Eventually, the Chevelles, the Cuda’s, etc will suffer the same fate .. they will be forgotten. Time marches on.
Unfortunately the price seems high to me but then again that’s just me. I hope it can be put back on the road and enjoyed for what it is.
I am a huge fan of old black and white movies of the 1930s and love to see these new at the time cars roaring around. But no I would not want to actually own one or have to drive one.
Here’s a 28 running and driving for less:
https://prescott.craigslist.org/cto/d/1928-chevrolet-touring-car/6521831080.html
IDK, these are cool, but mostly a parade car 3-4 times a year…
a 28 is not even in the same league as a 32
Many consider the 32 to be the holy grail as far as year goes … personally I prefer the 34 … but this is still a VERY rare car
I think it would be a great candidate for a hot rod with a small block FORD installed
I bet there’s a good chance that’s what will happen to it, and I guess that’s ok, although, honestly, you don’t see a lot of these resto-modded. A 2 door coupe, different story.
The problem with pre 40’s cars is most won’t keep up to modern traffic. And would get you killed in a crash. I agree sadly a lot of these cars are still going to the scrap heap as time wears on. There will come a time when the few restored ones will only be found in museums. We all hope our children will take an interest in our hobby cars and some will, but most have interests in other areas. I think that if you are going to take this on modernizing it a little is not a bad thing better brakes a new model year 6 L engine, new wire spoked wheels. Not to turn this into a daily driver rather a useable weekender.
I agree that many pre war cars will become museum peices but then again the brass cars that were restored back in the day are still around and seem to be raising in price
I don’t know if the prices of pre-war cars will drop as many have stated. In some ways I hope so, because I have yet to own one.
This is a great body style and looks to have a lot of potential. I would be concerned about the wood body framing but if that checks out it could be a great find. I don’t know about the price. A Ford in similar condition would sell for much more. I hope someone picks this up and returns it to the road.
– John
This is a perfect example of what appears to be an original and unmolested 1932 Chevrolet Phaeton. The only rarer body style would be a Landau convertible , a body style similar to the Model A Ford A-400 with convertible top but solid body around the side windows. This styling later appeared in Nash products in the 1950s. I too hope this survivor has not been “roded” but is being restored. From the looks of the photo images the pleated leather interior is not all that bad. Good for pattern if nothing else. Thanks to barnfinds.com for this interesting post.
These are not the kind of cars that you can drive in day to day traffic. It is so congested and aggressive, and a collision will put you “floating on the clouds playing a harp.” ( That’s a great line Billy!) I’m in my early Sixties and cars earlier than the 1950s don’t have much appeal to me. I would imagine that already restored cars might retain most of their value but a restoration project will languish on the market. If there’s no money to be made, there has to be emotion in the equation.
This auto is not for faint hearted as to restoring, It will take body building, welding. And hardest of all woodworking skills
Throw away Elwood after measuring and drawing percisely, fabricate metal replacements. Sell all under carriage, replace with newer Ford Chevy running gear, and still have only a Sunny day driver rod.
As to original running gear drivability stay on newest paved inner city roads.
AT 40-55. FORGET FASTER. on freeways, hang on as every tar strip, chuckhole pr pebble, grooves in roads, means you better drive the rig , as it wants to wander beteeen lanes.
At 50 the dam top tries to balloon the auto, the wind beats the heck out of you, and after driving 50 miles oneway, you get out all hunched over, looking like a monkey screwing a football.
GET IT RUNNING, SLATHER PAINT AND GLUE IN CHEAP VINYL SEAT AND FLOOR COVERS AND DRIVE IT UNTIL SOME FOOL OFFERS YOU A DECENT FLIP PROFIT.
@EHideBehind.
You obviously have never owned one. I used to rally mine over hundreds of roads of all types, gravel, blacktop and concrete paving and NEVER had any of the problems you state. One of the more comfortable classic cars that I have owned and ten times better than an A Ford in all respects.
When a youth I bought several old as this auto, and drove then over gravel roads and yes wagon wheel rutted farmhouse lanes as well. For old Pizza’s around 50 100 bucks , running driveable, GM and others 50, people just glad to get rid of them. We even raced em on frozen rivers and lakes.
SO yes I have driven them, owned , tuned, and still stand by statements. TIRES were original ,as were wheels, and we did many a change at home and wherever.
Yup some drove better than others. Had a Franklin, 30’s Packards, drove exceptional but any rig from last 40 years drove far better.
My remarks were for those used to todays autos easy drivability who are completely unaware of those early autos needs to be driven,
not just cruising along.
Of course I am not brightest bulb at this site, nor one of world’s best driving experts, and all I have is dumb ass 2 cent opinions,
Went on a two old timers short 250 mile and back three day rally, in restored Packard, good for half addled slow showboats, picnic jaunts of the “Look at Me Types”
I have owned a 1929 Dodge DA sedan for around 14 years, I use it for weddings and as a daily driver in the summer as we use salt in the winter, not so good on motorways but great on A and B roads up to about 50mph, the issue on motorways is trucks are limited to 56mph and for me to keep out of their way I need to do a steady 60 and that is just a bit fast, most I have driven in one day is 220 miles to the Goodwood revival and back……..
Some very different comments, this is the most negativity I have seen on pre-war cars, but it is a sign of the times, and shows how the age of the enthusiast , controls the supply and demand of the cars
P.S. Chevrolet did have knee action suspension ,but not in 1932. It was an option in 1937 and 1938, it might have been available as early as 36, but I am not sure about that
P.S. My first car was a 32 Chev Coupe, I am not sure I have ever seen a Phaeton in person. This is a very rare car!
A very nice 1932 Confederate Phaeton in Australia. I would value it in the region of A$40,000. It’s quite rare, but a very usable and much admired classic.
This is a VERY rare car. It deserves to be saved; restored mechanically with the rest of the car preserved in as much original condition as is possible. Use it and enjoy it for what it is, a very rare old car that has been saved.
There is a 1929 Phaeton for $11K on eBay too… https://www.ebay.com/itm/1929-chevrolet-phaeton/263522675180?hash=item3d5b2ce9ec:g:NKQAAOSws0JaiHi1&vxp=mtr
Funny, I just happen to be googling these cars and ran across this thread because I am making an offer on one of these. I can’t wait to get it and drive it to the bank. They are works of art. So much fun to tinker with and to drive. There is an a hole for every seat out there somewhere.