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Telibyte

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,
I am new here... First post..

Anyways.
My father left me a complete all original 1957 4 door wagon with the 283 engine including spare heads, carb, radio, new emblems, hood orniments, radiator, hub caps, and other misc parts that were from other original 57s. We had 3 of these when I was growing up. 1 that ran(this one) and 2 for parts. Everything is 100% original.

Unfortunately the body has cancer, straight, but rusting in a few areas...
The floor board has almost rusted through(The only really BAD rust spot on the car)...
The engine is froze..

This is the first time I have looked into possibly restoring or selling this car...

I would like to restore it, but I am not looking to spend 20k to restore it.
All mechanical work I can do myself(Engine, brakes, etc...) But everything else I would have to pay someone.

1. Is this something that can be done for say 10k?
Or should I sell it?

2. If I sold it what would it be worth?


Thanks
Teli
 
#2 ·
Welcome to Tri Five Teli. I see that you are from Ca. From what i have read about paint and body work in Ca. 10k probably wouldn`t even cover that.
Terry
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks...

Well paint is not my main concern. I am mostly worried about the rust.. The floor board is BAD, and while the other rust spots are not bad I am still concerned about them.. I do not know much about body work or restoration.
I am an engine kind of guy :) ... I would like to keep it, but I can't afford to dump a a lot of money into it, but I have no idea what kind of money it would take to get this thing drivable. I could get the engine running for under $50 but the rest is a different story.

Is it worth it to keep it, or should I sell it?
Thanks
Teli
 
#4 ·
To me it would be totally worth it to keep it, but ultimately you have to make the decision. You could make it a nice runner for 10k, but no where near restored. You can do some of the panel work your self, cut out old and pay someone to weld in new. It all depends on the routes you choose and how nice you want it.
 
#5 ·
You're asking a rather subjective question. How attached are you to the car? It it has a lot of sentimental attachment, then don't sell it. As for the floorboard corrosion, there are sponsors on this board who sell replacement sheet metal. If you're good at mechanics, you might be able to remove door sill plates, carpet, seats, etc. and get the car down to exposed floorboards and find a friend or someone you can swap services with who could weld new floorboards into the car for you.

I have a '65 Chevy Bel Air 2 door post that my mother bought new and in which I got my driver's license in 1969. By market standards, it's not that valuable of a car but no amount of money could buy it. Rational? No, but I think that could be said about most of us lovers of old iron!
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
Yes I am at the decision stage now. I have had this for 8 years now(well in my name) and it's time for me do something so I am checking into everything now.

Is there a place I can look up the rough value of this? Like parts or complete car?

To: whjco

Yes it has sentimental value, but the money issue trumps the sentimental value.

Not looking to dump a bunch of money into it, or to get a bunch of money out of it.

If I sold it, it would only be to use the money and buy old type car 60's mustang or camaro and fix it up with my son... So the sentimental value would still be there for me...


Thanks
Teli
 
#9 ·
If you're an engine guy, I think you have friends that are car guys. Some of them have the skills you need. You have the skills they probably need. Or, ask and learn from them what needs to be done and ask questions here or from them as you progress. Even if you sell it to buy another project, your still in the same boat. But, to me, you've lost the sentimenatal value if the original car your pa left you is gone. Have your son help you build grandpa's old car. Sentimental value to him too! These only continue to increase in value and demand. You're son may never have the chance to work, ride or play with one again!
 
#10 ·
Teli,
Being a lover of station wagons and owning 3 at the moment, I can speak with some knowledge about them. Unfortunately, there is a bias against 4 dr cars and the prices people will pay for them doesn;t come even close to what a 2dr vehicle brings. I think over time, that will change as we old farts, who grew up with them die off, but thats how it is presently. You don;t see the that sort of price variation in model A's or other early cars.

I recently sold a pretty nice 56 4dr wagon for under 7K and probably didn;t cover my costs, and definitely didn;t get anything for my labor, but having said that, if you intend to keep it, Its worth it.

You said you are a motor guy, well if you can do the motor things you can also pick up a die grinder cut off wheel and some pop rivits and replace the front floor panels. If you look in the metal fab section, there are some excellent photos of how its done, and you can always ask questions here.

The work is pretty straight forward. You can always have them welded in later or pick up a inexpensive wire welder and drill out the pop rivits and spot weld it in place. The thing is you don't have to do it all at once and you don't have to do a frame off restoration to enjoy it. Mater of fact, Try to do the work so you can keep driving the vehicle. Its no fun looking at it in the shop.
I believe in the kiss principle Keep it simple. Don't fix things that arn't broke, There is a tendancy to want to "improve" all sorts of things. The only thing that definitely needs to be improved is the single master cylinder. Its a safety issue. 6 ft of 1/4 inch brake line and a couple fittings along with a master cylinder from a 67 Camero with drum brakes takes care of that problem. You have a dual master cylinder brake system. Total cost about 50 bucks. I could go on longer but I have probably bored you already. I hope you keep it and enjoy the memorys it brings. My 2 cents.
 
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#12 ·
:hello: hi teli and welcome! it always costs more than we think. my sig. tells how i feel. you wll have to make up your own mind and :anim_25:
 
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#13 · (Edited)
I have a bone-stock original 57 9P wagon. Its only modifications have been a motor/transmission swap and an upgrade to front disc brakes.

It doesn't really matter whether you plan to restore it to be a driver or whether you plan to restore it to be a show car -- No matter how much you spend, you will never get the money back when it comes time to sell.

The only rational way to go into a project like this one is to commit to spending the money because you are paying for the privilege of enjoying the car. Classic cars are expensive luxury items. In the end you may get SOME of your money back but you will never get ALL of your money back. The car is NOT an investment and it will never be an profitable investment. Its a liability. As long as you go into the project knowing that its going to be a money loser, you can limit your losses to and amount that you're willing to spend for enjoyment and you'll come out OK.

About your budget -- You can accomplish A LOT in making the car a nice driver for $10k. But after spending $10k the only way you'll get your money's worth will be to drive it until the wheels fall off.
 
Discussion starter · #15 · (Edited)
bob p said:
No matter how much you spend, you will never get the money back when it comes time to sell.

In the end you may get SOME of your money back but you will never get ALL of your money back. The car is NOT an investment and it will never be an profitable investment.
About your budget -- You can accomplish A LOT in making the car a nice driver for $10k. But after spending $10k the only way you'll get your money's worth will be to drive it until the wheels fall off.
Click to expand...
I am not going to ever sell it if I fix it up. It will be with me for ever at that point:)
The decision is:
Sell it now before I put money into it?
or
Make a leap, fix it up and keep it...

The only reason I have no sold it yet is because it was my dads and he always dreamed of restoring it, but that's not my dream... I am a classic muscle car person(I love acceleration G's), especially 64-69, but I have this classic car already, and it's in good shape except the floor board...
But after a decent inspection it needs ALOT of work just to fix the floor. I am afraid of what it will cost just to get it drivable, and it would be diving into a realm of unknowns for me dealing with body and upolstry work..

Unfortunately engines are a hobby and I don't have any contacts in the body business..

Yes the body is VERY straight, and actually I don't remember seeing any dent at all.... It's a diamond in the rough, but it's a tough decision for me..

I will take some more pics tomorrow when I have time.

Thanks
Teli
 
#16 ·
4 doors

Teli, Some of the guys have touched on the fact of it was in your family and that it is a four door. I'm in the same boat right now but wgon is a two door. I have to find some someons in south Florida to weld me floo and some 1/4 work. It is worth it if you have a LOVE for the car. Plain and simple now a days it cost a lot of money and time. Most of the cars with the exception of a few models will never be worth what we put it in them. That why its play while you pay unless its a one off. It's all about the love of the Chevy. Fins up
 
#17 · (Edited)
Telibyte;292207 The only reason I have no sold it yet is because it was my dads and he always dreamed of restoring it said:
Teli, the most telling statement to me is "It was my dad's and he always dreamed of restoringt it, BUT THAT'S NOT MY DREAM. Get rid of it to someone that really cares and will cherish it for what it is. That is not disrespecting your Dad. Really beleive your Dad would want you to FOLLOW YOUR OWN DREAM. That was serious, now, will give $25 cash money for it right now. :) Lloyd

PS Darn it. Fins up said it better.
Click to expand...
 
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#18 ·
Teli, You said you could probably get the engine running for $50. Start there and do it. Drive it, you may want to keep it. It looks a lot different from the outside looking in. But from the inside looking out driving down the road with all the thumbs up. I think then you'll feel your dad's dream and presence as you drive it. :anim_25: at whatever you decide. But PLEASE don't go F@#D!!
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Will said:
Teli, You said you could probably get the engine running for $50. Start there and do it. Drive it, you may want to keep it. It looks a lot different from the outside looking in. But from the inside looking out driving down the road with all the thumbs up. I think then you'll feel your dad's dream and presence as you drive it. :anim_25: at whatever you decide. But PLEASE don't go F@#D!!
Click to expand...
Thanks guys...
$50 I meant the engine running. By no means will it be drivable at that point... Gotta go through the wiring(But the headlights work :), brakes, transmission, diff, basically everything. And i gotta fix the floor board before it can be driven or I'll be doing a Flinstone :)

Too late I grew up with mustangs 1984,1998, and my 1999 :).. My dad loved the 57 chevy, but yet he was also a mustang fan :)

You know out of all the forums I am members of this one has to be the most friendliest, most helpful, and most active..
Thanks guys for all the help...

I am going to tear into it in a couple of weeks( I have to finish putting the engine back in my mustang first), and see just how bad the damage is... Then I will make a decision.... I'll get some pictures too so IF you guys want you can help me out again :)

Teli
 
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bob p
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