grandpa has a 56 buick thats been sitting in his shope over 35yrs. just woundering what its worth. he keep telling me hell take 8k bt wants 10k from any 1 else. think its a century riv but not 100%. original motor is complet but pulled out about 25 yrs ago to rebuild but never reinstalled. may need to be regone through. has original tranny also. interior needs a little love. has original Ca plates and registered as he was thinking of restoring it. any insite would help. would like to keep it since its it grandpas although its never been driven in my 35yr life time do to always being in his shop.
It's unfortunately a typical story. I'm sorry but I'm going to be the bearer of bad news. I do not mean this personally, nor do I want to offend anyone. Dear old Gramps either thinks it's worth a million dollars or he tells his family it's worth a million to avoid getting in trouble with Gramma for spending money or looking like an idiot for hanging on to the wreck for the past few decades. It eventually gets told so many times that the family eventually believes it. Oh yeah, it has "potential". But here's the low-down on these cars from the 50s, be careful with what you're looking at. These cars are starting to peak in value and interest. The amount of people who know how to restore these things are beginning to dwindle, and most who own these things are getting old and looking to liquidate. OK; the car is not common, a 56 Century hardtop is a sweet car, - completed. They're worth quite a bit when running and complete, not unusual to see $25K- plus for a good one. That one in the pictures needs everything done to it, motor, tranny, electrical and interior. Oh yeah, and paint. So the true value would be about 3-4 tops; depending on how much rust there is under that paint, maybe even less. Ask him why he never finished it. For that same $8K, you could still find one that runs and drives that needs a little less work. If your grandfather feels he can get 10 for it, he's going to be hanging on to it for another 35 years. At 8 he's soaking his grandson. Sorry...
For someone looking for an excellent candidate for a restoration it looks like an excellent starting point, I would agree with Marc's thoughts totally
Cool old car, ass looks like a 57 Chevy. I too think that is more money than its worth. It would be nice to see it restored to original, but that would cost a lot, probably more that than you could ever sell it for. Maybe tell Grandpa that if he doesn't let you have it cheap, some yahoo will end up lowering it, putting 25-inch wheels and an LS engine in it, and painting it purple.... unless those are your plans, then that may be the reason he wants to charge you so much.
yea i was thinkin 4500 top doller. new to the board and have only had 2 buick gs so not to shure oon pricing for these things. just wanted to get some more input from the board. thanks fellas. gona put my $ into a new 68 gs convrt project im picking up from a new friend soon
No offense ... Tell " Grandpa " to go try to start his $8000 car to begin his Hike .... I just picked up a Model T for a customer in Arizona where I ran across this 1950 Nash Ambassador Airflyte. I can get in it & drive home. I am seriously considering buying it - but really don't have the time to drive it or a place to store it. I can buy it for less than Grandpa's Family Discount Price .... Jim
dan, just do a cost if your buick was in shape of grandpa's car and triple it. days of cheap money are long gone. john
I also agree with Marc. $8-$10 grand is way too much. Hagerty has a #4 Century 2 dr HT at $8,400, but as that car is not a driver (a #4 "fair" car in Hagertyspeak is a "daily driver" quality car). You can and will spend a pantload of money just on the engine and transmission. Without the engine and transmission installed and running decently, I'd say no more then about $3 grand., and I wouldn't go that high. BTW: That car is a '55 and that's what I looked up.
My family ridiculed me in the late 80s when I was saying my GSX that I bought for $1800 in 1978 would be worth $50K by 2000. Sold it due to divorce in 1996 for $19K....market took off after that and my $50K was not far off the mark.
I agree with what Marc says. My Roadmaster might be worth $25,000. There cost of restoration was a bit more than that. It's cheaper to buy them already done.
