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There is little interest in most models of PreWar cars and prices have really dropped. For example, I wrote up this Ford in May and it still has not sold. It’s listed on eBay and the BIN has been reduced to $14,500. This is a well sorted old car that runs well and is mostly original. It does have a 12 volt conversion with an alternator and all switches and bulbs have been converted. The paint needs attention, especially on the top. It also needs new running board rubber but replacements are inexpensive. This could be a nice driver that could be driven anywhere just as it is or could be really nice with just a little attention. What do you think is a reasonable price for this Ford?
Saw a completed listing that said “best offer accepted”. Must’ve fell through. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Other-Deluxe-/322155173745?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4b01f1d771:g:oAQAAOSwYmZXKgQe&item=322155173745
The buyer was never heard from again, never responded to emails. He was a complete flake.
Here is the facts about the classic collector car market the way I see it. 80% of the people that will buy a vehicle like this today are dealers, flippers, or back yard hustlers. You have to leave room for those guys or your cutting out a large portion of buyers. These old fords are cool but they are not very desirable. The population that likes them are aging rapidly. High retail is 10k so 7-10 is a reasonable asking price. Just an opinion….
I agree Old Man, as it’s the less popular Fordor, now if it was a Tudor, different story.
My next door neighbors had an identical one in the 1970s, Everytime I see one I wonder if that’s the same one..
Rob is correct – Has too many doors
Too many doors and a roof.
If it were a slant back instead of a humpback it would help, even if it has twice the desirable number of doors.
Eventually values of these cars will go up, and probably in a relatively short time. Especially on a car like this that is pretty close to stock. The supply is short compared to other cars, postwar, muscle cars, etc. If I had space to store it indoors I would be considering an offer to the seller. A ’60’s Camaro, Mustang of Corvette in this condition would be a chunk more asking price. I know apples and oranges but eventually someone will want something different and this is a good bang for your buck kinda car.
Most classic cars are bought by people who want to live a boyhood (girlhood) dream. The market for these cars is literally dying out. Only the really interesting cars from the period will appeal to collectors with lots of room and ditto cash. The also rans will continue to drop in price.
It’s true the buyers in the market for this type of car is shrinking everyday. Imagine what it’s going to be like in ten years. I’d wager even less. It’s sad but, some examples of automotive history are becoming less and less of a good investment. You might as well buy a brand new car and have it be worth a third or less in ten years. At least you’d have the daily use of it along the way.
Old man.
So true. But a bit sad.
I agree as well. Just bolsters my point about the younger generation. ( not in a bad way, we weren’t any different) But say 15 years ago, this car would have had a frenzy of bidders, and now, a unique car like this struggles to be sold. Is this car worth the asking price? You bet. Where you going to find a ’37 Ford like this that hasn’t been resto-modded? I believe Matt is correct, the supply of these types of cars will dry up completely soon, in our lifetime, I can’t believe they still surface. Eventually, the price will go up, but not as drivers, more like fixtures, like antique traction engines. Great to look at, but not really to use.
Howard A nails it at the end of his post. On the modern roads, this car has no real world utility. It is not up to the accelerating, braking, top speed, handling, or safety minimums of the highways and roads today. Highly modified, it could get by or better on most of those, but anywhere close to stock, it is more of an artifact than transportation. A few years older or newer, and with 2 doors instead of 4, the value as an artifact goes up a bunch.
30’s cars are going down because people that remember them being on the road are slowly leaving us. But on the contrary brass cars gain popularity again. Looking at that give it another decade or so and the 30’s cars will gain popularity again.
Always loved this body style, the pinnacle of Ford design along with the ’32, ’34 and ’40. Wishing I had a big metal warehouse to put it in along with lots of others. As far as “great to look at, but not to use”, Bonnie and Clyde were pretty happy with the ’33 and got some good use out of it for a while, and this one is even faster. Juice brakes would be mandatory though.
Hit that thumbs down by mistake. Sorry.
In comparing this car to the34 coupe perhaps a cleaning of the eye glasses is necssary When you bought it did you realize it was a different body style and that it was a less desirable model and when you looked at it you wished it was a coupe
One must understand the reality. If you did not grow up with or around these cars there is little sentimental attachment. It will take that special person to step up to be able to enjoy all of it’s original style for it’s time and all the short comings in our time without tearing it apart and making it into something it is not.
I like all cars however although this is nice I couldn’t see myself taking it out on the weekend. I would have to include the wife. What I can imagine is the wife WILL complain that it is hot. It has no A/C. Her hair is blowing around after she just fixed it. Surely then hot/sweaty voids a stop in public unless maybe at the Sonic. Then I complain I don’t want to eat in the car. Then It is slow and the radio if applicable would be an AM and a good chance it isn’t working. If it does then it will be talk radio…..and I would hear about that too.
I had a 66 Mustang in school. About 20 years ago I took a nice original 66 like it on trade for a truck I was selling at the time. I was in heaven. Looking at it I was transformed back in time. That was until I got in and slid the seat back and needed five more inches. The steering wheel seemed huge and no power. Although it didn’t seem like a noticeable change when I saw myself in the mirror. But that day wasn’t enjoyable to learn that I wasn’t that 135 Lb. 16 year old kid anymore! Some things are better left as a memory.
Agreed, AMCFAN. I took an older friend’s 48 Studebaker to a club meet some years ago. A great looking car, restored inside and out, with three speed transmission, surging through interstate traffic and busy suburban shopping areas: Oh. Sweet. Lord. It performed reliably, but with fairly stiff steering and drum brakes that performed best when you stood on the pedal. I’m not so sure that that wasn’t how it originally was. I think it would be fine to cruise around my neighborhood, to the church, and weekend drives, but not really up to the crush of drive time traffic in my boomtown metropolis.
Unfortunately, many individuals getting into car collecting today are influenced by the “fast and loud, gas monkey garage attitude”. They see these old cars as starting points for resto mods conversions. Let’s not forget that the newer generations are fascinated by “self driving ” cars so they can be on their phones more often. The older the car, the more attention and effort necessary to drive them.
“Progress” I guess.
Most cars like this from the 40’s, 30’s and older will do nothing but keep dropping in value due to the sad fact that pretty much anyone who would be interested in them is now dead or in the nursing home. Youngsters of today have no interest in these cars and never will. There are lots more old cars than buyers. If the seller can get $7500 for this he ought to take it and run.
Progress, no. The driver today is completely insulated from the drive. Cars are numb, no feedback from an electric steering rack. Some manufacturers even pump in sound to conter real mechanical noise to create the envoirment they’engineered ‘ for the driver. Self parking, cruise control that paces you with traffic, brakes you can use like a switch… on or off without any personal control of the deceleration rate. Driving is just transportation now, not a sport or a skill to be developed. Youth today are too busy talking on cell phone, or hunting pokemon to actually drive. Really a shame, the thrill is gone. Cars were an artform once, just another appliance now.
Being an owner of a 1937 Oldsmobile and seeing the values dropping makes it very hard to get my interior done . Even though everything else is done and I’m already upside-down. how much deeper in the hole do I go. I do enjoy the car for what it is but it is a handful to drive. I can’t see my son wanting to drive it. If he did he’d probably put me in an old age home . Figuring I don’t know what I’m doing any longer.
That’s a good looking color. Pawn Stars tv show bought a 4 door ’37 Olds, same color, a couple years ago for $15,500
You are in it to have fun! Get the interior done and enjoy it! There are many people who will enjoy it with you! Nice ride, you don’t see many!👍👏
You’re right. I do enjoy enjoy it . It is unique at a show I’ve only seen another at the Hershey fall meet. Plus plenty of thumbs up whenever I take it out for a drive.
Agree with most of the above, but I don’t think we should be surprised: I got my license on my 16th birthday, couldn’t wait. Loaded up my friends, had a great time, going to the drive in, dating, everything. Today kids can’t drive at night, can’t have friends with them for a year or more in most states. Add to that the cost of drivers Ed – mine was free at school – and insurance, and is anyone surprised that lots of kids don’t even want a license anymore?
All sad and true…
i think the cars of the 60’s have hit their high mark[with a few exceptions]
everyone now is looking at the late 60’s and early 70’s as the desirable ones.
as someone said those of us that grew up in the 50’s and 60’s are headed in the wrong direction.