How long did you look?

[thehazmatguy]

I have been looking for my 55 Sedan so long that I am on the verge of giving up. At least for the short term.

I started saving money last August, and I have been living on Top Ramen and sugar packets since. I had enough saved in February to start looking seriously, and have been looking since then.

Every day I check eBay, probably 5 or six times a day. I also check the various online sales books like deals on wheels, collector car trader, craigslist, cars.com, etc. By 10 a.m. this morning I had checked eBay twice. I check the local news papers when I am at work or the coffee shop. (This is better than getting the paper at home, the coffee shop gets 3-4 local news papers and my work gets 2)

I go to the various weekly car shows, talking to guys with tri-fives and checking to see if they know anything. I even printed a shirt that says, “Wanted, 55 sedan” that I wear to the car shows!

I really expected to find something in the Phoenix area. I think that Phoenix is the 5th largest metro area in the U.S., so I should be able to find something… right?? Nope. Not even close.

My questions for you guys:

How long did you look?

How selective where you about the condition of your car?

Did you just fall into a trifive, or is that what you had been looking for?

In retrospect, would you have spent more and got less of a project?

[thehazmatguy]

Seriously! :)

[MikeKy55]

Well, I always watched for one for about 15 years. I really wanted a 2 door sedan regardless of trim level. Then one day I got a call from my brother who just bought one sight unseen. It was a total basket case and lots of stuff was missing. I looked at it told him if he decided not to build it to give me a call. A couple months later he called. I paid what he did for it.
It was pretty much what I want since I know even if I bought a good driver, I would have it completely apart inside of 6 months. Things may not necessarily be wrong, but not my way.
I'm the rare bird who enjoys building them more than driving them.

[dseale4888]

It was 4 or 5 months to find my '56 210 2dr sedan. I could not afford a driver. I found a rolling chassis. No drivetrain or interior. I've got the body off and am repairing the chassis. Road salt eats up these cars in the northeast. I'm replacing all the front end bushings and ball joints. I've got a power disc brake set up going in and am planning on a power rack and pinion set up also. I've repositioned the rear springs inboard so I can run wider tires. I'll have to do the floors and supports in the body after the chassis is done. I'll be looking for a 350 engine and 350 trans to put in the car also.
Dave

[1957chevy]

Once I decided to get a 57, I looked for a couple months...I knew exactly what I wanted and knew how much I could afford. I stuck to my plan and when I found one advertised, although it was over 1500 miles away, I went for it. I've had it a year now and still smile like the cat who ate the tweety bird when I think of it!

[CLSSY56]

I didn't really look.... My first 56, I came across at a customer's rental house. Struck a deal and bought it. My second (parts car) I searched for a little bit on ebay and bought it in Iowa. Sold the parts car and was kinda in the mood for a daily driver. A internet buddy of mine, his wife was being shipped to germany soon and he didn't want to take it with him. Well I traded my 95 jeep wrangler straight across. Brought it home, fixed it and got it driving as my daily. Then sold my first 56 on ebay.

[dseale4888]

http://www.shakervalleyauto.net/item162156.ctlg
http://www.gotexasexports.com/
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/classifieds/classifieds.php?a=5&b=162

http://www.oldride.com/classic_cars/chevrolet.html

I know that the first site is in New Hampshire, but he had a '56 last year for$9000. Check out these others too.
Dave

[thehazmatguy]

thanks!

[SIDKELLY1]

I had been 'looking' for several months but couldn't decide on Mopar or Tri-Five------had seen some good 'drivers' (lots of money) and some 'basketcases' (still lots of money)--my oldest son came over Labor Day Sunday and said 'Dad, all I heard when I was growing up was how your mother had screwed you out of your '57 when you had to go into the Army and you'd best get another one.'-- Got on the internet Auto trader that night-called a guy in Augusta Ga, he e-mailed me photos--I called my youngest son and we drove to Augusta the next morning (Monday)--drove the car and got the guy down from $17500.00 to $15,000.00 and he even accepted checks. Drove her home--------was llove at first sight!!!!! Even though my wife has named her "Christine', I wouldn't trade her for the world---was meant to be!!

[56nomad]

I had been looking for a 56 Nomad for about 5 years but most were junk or too far away or way too expensive. I decided to buy a 56 Belair Beauville that was close to home. 2 days later, I found the Nomad I wanted so I ended up with 2 56 wagons in a very short period of time....

I was very particular about the condition of the Nomad I was looking for but not so much on the 9-passenger Beauville. The Nomad is now almost finished and the Beauville is just getting started. It took me 5 years to get this far, after purchasing them both. I made the mistake of buying a 56 Suburban and a 59 suburban. You only have so much time and money...

I did a lot of searching so it did not fall into my lap....

It all depends on how much money you have to start with... Get the most (and nicest) you can for the money you have or can borrow.

[SIDKELLY1]

Love that Signal corps!!

[56nomad]

Got that right! My Dad was Signal Corps so I did it to honor him. The Signal Corp Regiment Association did a nice story on the truck in their newspaper and the Fort Riley Newspaper did a 2 page story on it (Old soldier returns home). Not many of them left. They were either crushed or hot-rodded. This one will go to my son when I am gone.... He goes with me to all the Veterans events and is just as proud as I am.

[BLK55CHEVY]

It Took Me About 30 Years To Get What I Really Wanted. I Had 3 Before The Right One Came Along. You Learn About Them As You Work On Each One. They Were Rust Buckets. I Got A Calf. Car Out Of Kentucky On E-Bay. Site Unseen. Just A Pic. Took A Chance. Shipped To Va And Was Very Suprized. Got My Dream Car. Its Hard Work, Worth The Wait. Good Luck. It Will Come. ....Doug