The cost of older cars

It's like any other hobby, stuff ebbs and flows.

Will you be able to buy a bare bones rod for under 10K any time soon?
Only if the cost of everything else skyrockets and all the other guys that would buy-in at that price are not in the market. Think Mopar clones in the past 10 years. Only now can you touch one for less than it took to build.

Are they at a peak now?
They are still near cost of materials without scrounging. That's typically the price modified cars sell for, except race cars, which are almost always pennies on the dollar. They may come down some more as the next big thing hits, but won't be as popular. Consider the typical 80's dechromed pastel painted rod. They look funny in today's scene and are worth less than a more traditional car that was built at the same time.
One of those would be a cheap way to get into the rodding world, if you can live with that look.

Just wait 10 years and they will be MUCH cheaper, that is when I am going to buy one... Plus I will be old enough by then to look like I built it!

Any Ford coupe between 1928 and 1939 is going to bring big money unless its junk. Fords are generally 2x to 3x as high as a comparable "other" car. That said, nothing built in the late 20s or through the 30s is going to be cheap unless it has issues or the owner is in a bind. On the rare occasions something decent at a good price shows up, you have to jump on it fast or someone with money will buy it to flip for fast cash, at the going rate.

Most of the decent stuff showing up these days is something someone saved a long time ago and has decided to sell it off for whatever reason. Often the first guy to "find it" gets a deal, and the price progresses with each sale until someone actually buys it to build.

The cheapest way to buy into pre 50 something cars is to buy an unfinished project, all you have to do is be the first guy to stumble onto it. Gene

Still can't get over how much people want for this stuff!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=723406

I'd love to find an early dodge runner somewhere.

Well, '34 Fords are always gonna be WAY expensive. Right there with the '32s. That's the way that's always been...

Yep 32-34 Fords are top of the food chain.
If you want to freak, price out OE steel 40-41 Willys coupes.
These were cheap economy cars.

A good way to gauge what OE stuff is valuable is what is available aftermarket.
Poor patch panels? not so much.
'glass fenders? a bit better.
complete 'glass bodies? pretty popular.
multiple sources of glass bodies? Big time!
new steel bodies? Top shelf!

http://www.brookvilleroadster.com/

http://www.realsteel.com/about/

How much is something like this worth? A little earlier...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/3188965648.html

1. that's not a roadster, it's a coupe with the roof cut off, often called a coupester.
As a basic car, it's probably not a big difference, but it will be noticed by the guys in the know, and if your future plans are to keep it forever and keep making it better, it will top out on value much quicker than a true roadster.
2. No mention on the frame. Looks like it's all scratch-built. Not a bad thing, the OE would need major work to handle the power and to be Z'ed like this one is. You will want someone who is very familiar with these to check for integrity!!!
3. I don't know how the cops in your area treat such cars, but no wipers, no horn, speedo?, open exhaust. Will you be able to go to the local cruise night and back without a hassle?
4. It looks like a nice, decent build, but they probably want 15-18K at least for it. It really should have some of the stuff changed for the right vintage look. Valve covers, billet air filter and lokar shifter base and trans dipstick stick out like sore thumbs on it. the rubber hose from pump to carb is another minor ding. I'd also check the body structure. It could be braced with metal tubing and decent stiffness, or it could just be bolted down and flop around in the breeze.
5. On any of these, make sure you will be able to title and register it where you live. A lot of these guys are pretty cavalier about gathering a bunch of parts, doing all the work and then adding whatever #s are the cheapest, easiest way to get a title on it - IF they do that much. Check with your insurance agent too BEFORE handing over the cash.

Wish this one had pics...

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/cto/3191069335.html

Steel is real, but I believe there is NO difference in the finished asking price between fiberglas and steel in something as highly sought-after as a 32-34 Ford. Also, be aware there are people making new bodies out of steel for these cars. If you have the $$$$$ this is probably the way to go.

R.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1923-FORD...=item2320cdc4a2

my cousin just sold this car at the york nats in june for $25k. glass body,LT1/700R4,m2ft,etc. the car runs out great,[including cold ac] and in the 6-8 years since it was done he had zero problems with it. it is way nicer in person than the pic shows and it was built correctly with no mousey hacks of any kind.