I turned down a deal on a car that I have been hunting for now for about 6 months. (I want a 46-48 Dodge or Chrysler 5 window coupe.) I found one locally on Craigslist, and it was like the one I want. $1200. I was excited and called the guy. He was honest in saying the car was definately a project. ( I am looking for project status for $ reasons and I also want to re-do it to my tastes.) I know you don't get much of anything for $1200 anyhow. So, I get off work early, go to the bank and make a $1200 withdrawl, just in case... I can;t wait to get there and see the car finally and I had it in my head that it would be coming home with its new "daddy".
Did you ever want to buy something so badly, only to be devistated when you actually see the car? I did today. He lifted the cover off, and he was right..... it needed lots and lots of body work. 2 front fenders, 1 door, 2 rear fenders, and a floor. ( He told me about the floor, and I was prepared for it. He said the rest of the body was repairable.) Not in my eyes. I still looked at it considering the fact that all of the chrome was ther or at least present in the trunk. It was all very decent condition. I tried to talk my self into it by thinking..." Fenders and a door can't be that bad to get." Not it needed a total interior. The motor was locked up, but it would disappear anyhow. I went to shut the door, and the whole rear fender shook!!! The inside of the rear body where the back fender bolts onto the tub was gone. Talk about structral rust. I took a few pictures of it. Tell me honestly, if I did the right thing by turning it down. The price wasn't at all an issue with me on it, it was the amount of bodywork and level of skill it would take to finish it. Here are picts!!!

here is another.

another one

Post deleted by ramman16248

try it again

Here in NM that car would be solid. That car is repairable but you obviously know what you wanted and passed on that car... don't second guess yourself. Even if it were free it would not make up for the time/ money require to fix that rust

What he said.

Fenders are not real hard to find for that era, doors may be a different story, they will be specific to the body style (2 door, 4 door, Business coupe, club coupe.) Finding that year mopar with good floors would be a suprise to me, not sure I ever saw real Mopar made floors in the 40s cars. You have to use your judgement, you are the guy that has to deal with the rust and body work.

Back when junk cars were worth $100, that would have been a $500 car, but these days these things are disapearing real fast. That said, if I had $1200 I think I would keep looking. I do rust repair for a living, I will tell you to buy the very best body you can afford, it doesn't take long to add up to a couple grand doing structual work to repair rust. Good luck. Gene

Don't second guess yourself. I think you made the right decision for you. Fact is, the chances are good that if you found a donor car with better body pieces, it'd likely be a better place to start anyhow.

unless you have super skills, that one is a donor.
I know guys fix worse, but you should be able to find one in better shape for around the same money.

Heres an NM example of a 50 Vert http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/car/692309172.html

47 pick up OOPS EDIT http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/car/690126326.html

55 Lancer http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/car/679521501.html

more money, but you would put more into the one you skipped.
http://peoria.craigslist.org/car/679220251.html

Thanks guys for the replies. I guess I feel better about my decision. Deep down I knew it wasn't the "right one", but I tried to make it be. The good thing is that the hunt continues which is the fun part anyhow!!

Never second guess yourself. You know what you want. I just paid 2K for a 38 business coupe. There is a solid body 38 here for $1200, body only but rust free. I think something your looking for near me is in the 2k range and would rust free or very very minimal like mine.

Dave

Id say you did. I have a '48 4 dr. thats rustier than that but it was only $200. I'll make a rat rod out of it and then enjoy cruising it

I agree with never second guessing yourself. Something will come along

If I'm not mistaken, Big Dad has a 48 for sale and it's nice. It's more than $1200 but it's so much more. The old addage that you get what you pay for is true. It'd be less $$ in the long run. I'm on a budget too so I understand how it works though. Good luck.