UPDATE – The seller, Larry, has cut his asking price by $10,000 for this rare and interesting pre-war Chrysler! He’s also added more photos to his classified so that you can get a better idea of the car’s current condition. Be sure to take another look at it and you can make him an offer either via his BF Classified or the form below.
FROM 1/27/2021 – Modern cars feature “cookie-cutter” bodies, with paint and trim being the only changes that can be made to differentiate one vehicle from its siblings. Pre-war vehicles were a very different proposition. Thanks to the enormous number of coach-builders that proliferated during that era, buyers could tailor a car to their specific needs. The result was classics like this 1930 Chrysler Imperial Model 80 Convertible. It is 1-of-15 known to have been built with this body style, and that makes it a rare machine that deserves a closer look. It is partially restored, and what it needs more than anything is a new owner who is willing and able to return it to its former glory. Located in Quincy, Illinois, you will find the Chrysler listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You could park this wonderful old classic in your garage for $35,000.
This photo demonstrates what makes this Chrysler a rarity. The body was produced by Locke & Company, coachbuilders that operated in Rochester, New York. It is 1-of-15 that was built with the optional rumble seat rear door. This feature is in keeping with the Imperial’s luxury credentials because it made accessing the rumble seat a far more elegant affair than most other similar cars. The owner states that the body is sound, which means that there will be no rust issues for the buyer to tackle. I believe that since these photos were taken, the car has received a repaint in its original shade of yellow. The owner has removed all of the exterior chrome and stainless trim, and this has now been replated and polished to show-quality. Apart from the unique rumble seat access door, the Chrysler comes equipped with dual side-mount spare wheels, dual cowl lights, and a crank-out windshield.
There are no engine photos, but we know that a 309ci 6-cylinder engine powers the Chrysler and that a 3-speed manual transmission backs this. This motor should be producing 110hp, which would allow the car to cruise at 80mph. It is from this figure that the Model 80 derived its name. With such a respectable power output, acceleration figures were above average for the era. The Imperial could get from 0-60mph in under 20 seconds, which was not shabby in 1930. The owner says that the vehicle was in good running order before the restoration was commenced. It isn’t clear what it would take to return it to a roadworthy state, but I suspect that it would not be a challenging undertaking.
Interior restoration hasn’t been commenced on this vehicle, but getting it presenting at its best could potentially be undertaken by a competent person in a home workshop. It is complete in there, so the buyer won’t need to source any missing items. The cover on the seat looks okay, but given the relative rarity of the Model 80, I would be inclined to find a competent upholsterer who could reproduce a new cover and door trims in the correct material. The timber on the dash requires restoration, but this and the dash fascia could be a straightforward proposition to whip into shape. A few metal items might need to head to the platers, but overall, the interior shouldn’t represent a significant financial outlay to return to its best.
This 1930 Chrysler Imperial Model 80 Convertible harks back to a more elegant time, and the rare option that this classic features is a perfect embodiment of that era. It seems that this could be a straightforward restoration prospect, and the result would be a car that sparks plenty of interest wherever it goes. Determining its ultimate value is difficult due to its rarity, but I can’t help but feel that it is a project that should make sound financial sense. There is one thing that is a near certainty; If you restore it and park it in your driveway, there’s not a great chance that your neighbor will have an identical example parked in his. That has to make it worth consideration.
I know I’ve been on the hot seat with my pricing views, I’m just saying what I think other people are thinking,,,now take this grand old lady, Joe punch press didn’t drive Imperials. They, along with all the other “full classics” catered to a very small group, probably mostly Hollywood. That golf course pictured isn’t in Indiana. Magnificent automobiles, somewhat modernish, but interest is fading, FAST. I was watching one of the “cook the hobby for the rest of us” auctions, a full classic like this came up,( a Packard, I think) and it BARELY cracked $10g’s. I felt bad for the seller, just nobody bidding on it. That ’69 Mustang Cobra Jet that just preceded it mustered a paltry $150 grand, so the interest lies in those cars, not these. At a local car show, there was 1(one), another Packard, and it drew a lot of curious onlookers, in the sea of musclecars there. I was the only one to ask if we could see the motor, a V12, I think, and people peered in at the fantastic powerplant, but nobody thought of asking to see it themselves,. The owner said, he’s very uncomfortable driving it on todays roads and I don’t blame him. Too bad, this car was the best America had to offer. Shame that doesn’t float anymore. What a beautiful car, even in the shape it’s in. As time passes, like old motorcycles, I don’t think people will care how many are left, it’s just an old jalopy to them.
I agree Howard. I can’t help but wonder if the muscle car boom will bust in 20 years as new cars will be electric and less gas stations will be needed and all the collectors will have passed all those cars into the market. Nice to see a gen-xer like Grant dig this Chrysler. Its a beauty! Imagine cruising in that! Most people have never seen such a thing grace the street!
Think your right! Do you watch Antique Roadshow? Their appraisals are dropping! Younger generation doesn’t want old things anymore!
Howard, no need to any longer pre-empt your comments with quasi-explanations of hot-seat scenarios. Obviously this forum enjoys your comments. No one gets more thumbs up. Don’t stop because of YaHoos who blow their faces off at the expense of their own self respect……they will come and go……….as far as older cars go, I can speak from my own experience, and cars from the 20s and 30s are problematic to drive safely in modern traffic. I have driven them and the only time I’ve enjoyed it is when I’m ALONE on a road going a safe speed for an old car that is generally underpowered with poor braking and NO shocks! It truly is a great experience but extremely limited. That said, owning them is a labor of love and face it we want to drive our cars so more and more folks, including myself, are looking at more modern and drivable cars. e.g. 50s? 60s? 70s? Only my personal opinion of course…..
Everybody who lost their virginity in Model T’s, Model A’s, Deuce Coupes, Finned cars, etc is in the rest home.
Boomers are headed there now, and guess what they like, A LOT….? Muscle. 60’s cars also have the biggest aftermarket, biggest inventory of surviving usable cars, are the most mechanically reliable and are the most mechanically accessible (who likes microchipped cars?).
They will continue to have appeal for a long time, but $150k muscle that was mass produced will go away, just like six figure
(!!) 1957 Chevrolets and 55 T Birds.
Watch prices shrink when everyone who wants whatever has one, and don’t underestimate the demand from overseas, who didn’t get squat back in the 60s.
Just when you can afford what you want, they’ll add $10 per gallon tax to fuel to help people see the light on the benefits of buying electric – you know deep-down that fuel taxation the only practical way out of Internal Combustion….
The golf course was in Compton California, before gentrification ruined the neighborhood.
I was raised in Compton, California until the 8th grade. That is NOT Compton, California! I could go on for several page, but someone is blowing smoke up your kilt. For starters, there are not golf courses in Compton fronting the ocean, or a lake, or a pond, or a ???? Maybe this was Palos Verdes, or Malibu or Big Sur or Monterey or Carmel . . . but it ain’t Compton.
Yes, you are right. It is like today´s golf and tennis, thoroughly corrupted by high-fiving riff-raff and aggresive, fist shaking idiots who dress like gang bangers, throwing themselves on the ground — in victory!. What a shame.
Well, it is just like any other skilled job. There were many people ready to tackle this project. Unfortunately, those are few and far between these days.
Unfortunately Howards, the generation of collector that want these is dying off. We ‘boomers’ are interested in much newer cars of the 50’s-60’s and muscle cars. That’s not to discredit this beautiful classic; it’s just the way things are now. Fully restored this is probably a $90K-$120K jewel that may not ever get bid that high.
I guess I see it differently. Some are still interested in these cars. I’m a gen-xer and would love to have this. But I don’t have 35k in play money. If this was 10k ish it might be doable. I hope to be able to buy a Model A in a few years. I guess it depends on perspective.
Hi grant, that’s refreshing to hear, but therein lies the conundrum. While there may be interest, 5 figures is out of reach for most, and I’m sorry to hear that, but puts a feather in my cap, I’m not so far off as some think, except people that profit by this madness. Years ago, it seemed a couple grand was acceptable for most households for a classic car, and I’d have to think with inflation, $10g’s, like you say, is tops. High prices ( anything over $10g’s) puts the whole hobby in a different group, and that’s what’s shaking up my soda. If it’s any consolation, maybe in a few years, you just might get that full classic for $10g’s,,with an inch of dust on it.
Seller – FYI, the link to additional pictures doesn’t work.
Try this http://collectorcars.fotki.com
The rumble seat side entry door on this car is simply amazing. A wonder more manufacturers didn’t do this.
I agree it is on the back end of the price wave. I have friends (mostly passed now) who were brass era guys and they were very concerned there was no one interested in carrying on. 80s cars are on the rise now.
So many good points made by you and others regarding the direction the hobby is going. But. Here’s a question. I have several years of copies of late forties early fifties AACA club magazines. Almost all the cars in the magazine were brass. Where did they all go? Those guys put a lot of time and money in the restorations of those cars so they didn’t get junked. A rhetorical question I know. Just wondering out loud
I wonder too.
The problem with the asking price is this: That $35k value is based on what a fully restored version, gaining at least 95 points out of 100, would be worth. Problem is, the paint work, while it might be very well done, was not a 90 point example, as it appears from the photos the body was not removed from the chassis, only the ancillary panels like fenders were removed, painted & installed. So at best this car could be expected to bring about 75 to 80 points at a typical national AACA or Mopar club judged show, and probably won’t be invited to places like Pebble Beach.
Sadly, to achieve that higher valuation, will require the recently performed work be re-done. Therefore the car would reasonably be worth less [but not worthless!]. Plus, the new owner is buying a car that MAY or may not run, so the drive train will need to be pulled apart & checked. And what about finding any missing parts? Sometimes when the car owner is doing the restoration, only he will know where he put crucial small parts, in an effort not to lose them! If he has passed away, Murphey’s law says those parts will only resurface once the car is gone.
I’m sure this car is sold as-is, no guarantees or warranty. When that happens, it means settling for less $.
Bill, evidently you must be color blind as the car is yellow with black dual side mounts. The car is 100% complete. I know this for sure as the car is sitting in my climate controlled warehouse. All the parts are on a rack of shelves by the car. It has been re-painted in the original yellow color. The chrome and stainless has been re-plated and polished to show condition. The car was in good running condition before the restoration process began.
Larry, I based my comment on the fact the inner door posts are black as well as the dash. I’ve restored 2 similar vintage Chryslers and both the door posts and dashes were painted the same as the body color. Perhaps this car was painted in a different manner.
It appears this car was not yellow when new, it looks like it was black.
I do love this and would be proud to own it as a running driving car I would use. Never been a fan of concurs.
If this car has been repainted, and other work in progress – photos are needed showing the current state of things, including the engine and other drive-line components. What about the interior? Lots yet to be done here.
Roger, above I provided a link to my website. Here it is again http://collectorcars.fotki.com
I’ve been a member of the Classic Car Club of America since I bought my first Classic (’29 Packard sedan), 20+ years ago. In that period I’ve noticed the market has gotten a little softer for some of the low-end Classics — mostly the sedans, amatuer restorations or “tired” pro-restorations. These are the cars that were considered “entry level” in the Classic Club. They’ve still appreciated in the last 20 years, but the rise is due more to inflation than demand. That puts driveable entry-level classics in the $15-25k range today. I’m referring to capital-C Classics here– high-end luxury cars produced mostly before WWII and recognized as such by the CCCA.
In the Classic market, well-restored open cars on the other hand, and high-end sedans (Packard V-12s, Cadillac 16s, custom bodies, etc.) are still holding their value. These cars are regularly trading in private sale and auctions at prices way out of reach for guys like me. Buyers are not like the hands-on guys who first collected, restored and DROVE classics in the 1950s. Today, these cars are treated like art objects and rarely seen in the wild. Owning a high-end Classic is still a coveted ticket to collector and concours events and demand is still strong.
Despite the talk, I have yet to find any quality Classic formerly valued at $100k+ being sold at a fire-sale price. There seem to be enough buyers to sustain demand. That said, the number of buyers looking to take on the (re)restoration of a Classic-era car seems to be dropping. The cost of having a shop restore any classic to concours quality can easily top $200k, and fewer people are interested in doing it themselves. That may impact the value of “project” high-end Classics in the future but it’s not happening to any significant degree yet. When it does, I’ll be the first in line to pick up a project V12 phaeton for the price of a used Honda.
Yup, and need to be about 5’6″ or so as the seat(s) don’t adjust, I had a 29 Stude Dictator…tight
Rumble seat door would have made access more elegant if it were suicide.
One other issue about restoring older cars down here in Australia, is that house sizes are getting smaller and even houses are disappearing and being replaced by high-rise units. You need a double garage to restore a car. One side for the body and the other side for the chassis. Double garages are disappearing here (even back yards) and if you live near a railway station some developers are being allowed to build new units without a garage. This means you have to restore your car in the lounge room (if you wife will let you).
I tried to buy this same vehicle online about 10 years ago. The ad had all the same pictures. I believe it came out of the Harris Museum collection in Nevada. The seller was somewhere in Washington state. Turned out to be a scam. Not sayin this is a scam but those guys offering to sell this vehicle had all the same pictures. Probably lifted them from someplace and purported them as being their own. It was a classic send the money first THEN we will send you the car. I’m dumb but not that dumb.
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1930/30ImpEbay/index.htm
2012
This car was purchased from a private seller in Oregon. If you would like photos of the car in its present condition and a copy of the title, email me at collectorcarsandparts@yahoo.com
Everyone better read Greg’s comment and then see this from 2012. Does not mean it is not real as may not have made progress since 2012 but these are the same photos used in this 2012 ebay ad it would seem. Actually there are more photos here from Oct 2012 http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1930/30ImpEbay/index.htm
I see the additional photos of how it is now. In the old ebay ad photos it shows the tile as Harrahs so that may help. I love this car
Paul, yes I have the same photos when it was purchased on Ebay back in 2012. I had the car delivered from Oregon to Quincy, IL
Yeah, I kept trying to send over a mechanic to check it out…….kept getting every excuse why that wasn’t possible……
little_shoes,
Call me at 573-541-1970 and you and your mechanic can come here and personally check the car out. There is no excuses here whatsoever. Just plant your butts in your vehicle and make the drive!!!
yep….I was sent a copy of the title also. Sounds like the same scam.
little_shoes,
This is definately not a scam. Come to Quincy, IL 62301 and I will show you the car or you can call me at 573-541-1970 and personally see the car for yourself.
Do a google search on the phone # – Hmmm
Value of car before disassembly: $20,000?
Chrome and Paint DONE. $15,000 value.
Rest of car apart in pieces.
$10k discount for missing items.
$5k discount for being tasked with putting everything back together correctly and driveline a total question mark on reliability/condition.
It’s easy to nit-pick this stuff on the internet from an armchair, and I hope that the car finds a buyer (sure it will! It’s a nice car!). Price seems optimistic to me until I come back later and see that the car sold for list or over and I’m WRONG. GLWTS.
With such a stench of scam in the air and the update today with a $10K price drop, no site administration has bothered to search the provided phone number or website online?
I did. Here’s one result worth reading containing links to others:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/warning-id-strongly-advise-caution-dealing-with-larry-brown.786874/
Be safe, be diligent. Check your seller.
Valentine,
Did you do a thorough investigation to make sure if these claims were true or not before putting up the link?
https://barnfinds.com/this-may-be-the-largest-mg-barn-find-ever/
See this post from 2014 then the posts starting Jan 31, 2021.
Phone number is registered to a Larry Brown.
One BBB review of the Larry Brown Collector Cars tells an interesting story:
“ He is a con artist. My sister paid him four thousand dollars for an MGA body and he has refused to not only deliver the car, but now is not responding to any calls or emails. She has filed complaints with the Consumer Protection Division in both Illinois and Missouri. Google him before dealing with him and you will see many similar complaints.”
Sure smells fishy…
I think one main reason younger folks are deterred from buying these older vehicles is the proliferation of bad reality based car repair shows. Seems those shops view these as some new wave formulaic process. Step 1, remove body from frame and replace w custom built Art Morrison chassis and suspension. Step 2, air bag it. Step 3, drop in an LS engine. Step 4, rework the body and sheet metal with questionable modifications. Step 5, install tacky interior with obnoxious stereo systems. Step 6, finish in one episode so viewers think it’s really that easy. Lastly, never divulge the $150,000 cost for this mess. There is a reason why Senior Classics still command multi million dollar prices. Dynacorn isn’t building Duesenberg replica bodies. You want Clark Gable’s Duesy? Cough up 21 million bucks.
Good Lord, how in hell does he get away with this? If he is as bad as alleged, he should be in the slammer. I would be VERY careful to engage the IRS. They are not a collection agency and I would think even resent the implication. All you do is to attract their attention, not a good idea. If you lost 500 bucks, take your losses and bail. If you feel it is worth it, contact the local DMV with an official complaint against him since he is a dealer THAT should bring some results – but NEVER the IRS..
Gerard Frederick,
The reason that I am not in the slammer as you put it, is because they are all lies. Anyone can put anything on the net whether it is true or not. Think about it!!!
I started selling out the collection of 153 classic cars and pickups about 9 years ago and have about 18 left in my block long warehouse..You are more than welcome to come and check them out. A lot of them were sold right here on Barnfinds without one single complaint plus I have bought a few here as well. Furthermore, I am not a dealer. Check with my local DMV.
Yo Larry! What say you to Neil G’s sister who paid you $4,000 for the MGA body and got no metal?
I told her after she bought the car that I was going to Florida on vacation and not to order a transporter until I got back. I also told her that I would call her upon my return. Well, unfortunately she didn’t listen to me and called a transporter anyway. I could not very well open the doors to my warehouse since I was over 1500 miles away. I called her when I returned and she had a transporter pick the car up.
Send your offer to collectorcarsandparts@yahoo.com
https://barnfinds.com/magnificent-1949-desoto-deluxe-woodie-1/
Larry is right he is selling a few things here on Barnfinds. Here is another on of his . Nice looking
https://barnfinds.com/update-383-equipped-1947-dodge-3-window-business-coupe/
And this. Who knows how many more. Larry if you have sold some here, get references.