How much should I pay for this 1950 Buick Sedanette?

Hey guys. I need your help. I'm meeting the owner of this car to buy it & I want to get an idea of what I should be paying for this car. He said its been sitting outside in the same spot for 5 years. He said it did run when he parked it. I haven't been inside the car or even up close to it because its parked behind a bob wire fence. Any help or info would be great.
Thanks,
Josh

 

Hard to tell without photos of the car.
But let the seller talk first, so your opening bid is not above his asking price :TU:

Is it a Special Jetback Sedanet, a Special DeLuxe Jetback Sedanet or a Super Jetback Sedanet ?
(As you can see, I always thought that it's Sedanet instead of "Sedanette")

Edit:

From the 1950 Buick brochure:

 

I agree with Erik.
The seller should tell you how much he wants for the car.
And, you start your negotiation from there.

Before you counter-offer on his price,
Tell him you would like to take some photos. And, you'll get back with him.
Post those photos here, and get the board's input......

 

Here are some comparisons

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=664145&highlight=1950+buick
here is one for $13000

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=731673&highlight=1950+buick
1950 4 door $2800

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=765403&highlight=1950+buick
another 4 door $1500

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=781469&highlight=1950+buick
1950 Super hardtop $3000

 

Dynaflow or Standard shift? If it is a Dynaflow, the potential for high-dollar repairs is higher.

 

Here are some pics. Best I could do from behind the fence. I'm meeting with him tomorrow. Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks,
Josh

 

The body of that car looks pretty straight! I see why you are interested.

 

There was a 48 jetback 2dr for sale out here a couple years back.Simaler condition to yours,running driver.Forgot the price but was under $3K & it sold right away.

 

that does indeed look like a nice car!!

Although I do NOT believe it is a 46S (46D) Sedanet

from the photos I believe It's a 46 Business coupe

EDIT: after looking more photos, I say it IS a Sedanet


from Buick.net
http://www.buicks.net/index.php

<center style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">[TABLE]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]1950 Buick Production Figures[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SPECIAL SERIES
Model 41-four-door Touring sedan ..............................1,141
Model 41D-four-door Touring Deluxe Seda..............141,396
Model 43-four-door Sedan...........................................58,700
Model 43-four-door Sedan Delux................................14,355
Model 46 Business Coupe............................................2,500
Model 46s Sedanet.......................................................42,935
Model 46d Sedanet Delux............................................76,902
Model 410-stripped chassis..................................................1
Model 411D-stripped chassis...........................................422
Model 430-stripped chassis..................................................1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]SUPER SERIES

Model 51-four-door Touring Sedan..............................55,672
Model 52-four-door Riviera.......................................114,745
Model 56C-convertible coupe......................................12,259
Model 56R-two-door Riviera......................................56,030
Model 56s-Sedanet......................................................10,697
Model 59-Estate Wagon................................................2,480
Model 510-stripped chassis.................................................7
Model 511-stripped chassis..........................................1,296
Model 513-stripped chassis.............................................165
Model 520-stripped chassis.................................................1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]ROADMASTER SERIES 152 hp!

Model 71-four door Touring Sedan................................6,738
Model 72-four door delux Riviera................................54,212
Model 75R-two door Riviera.........................................2,300
Model 76C-convertible coupe........................................2,964
Model 76R-two door delux Riviera...............................8,432
Model 76S-Sedanet........................................................2,968
Model 79-Estate Wagon....................................................420
Model 710-stripped chassis..................................................1
Model 711-stripped chassis..............................................300
Model 713-stripped chassis..............................................237
Model 720-stripped chassis..................................................1[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
</center><center style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Total Production........................................670,25</center>

 

This is a Sedanet:

 

It looks nice and appears to be all there. Trying to find 65-year-old make and model-specific pieces can be a PIA. There's no such thing as an "easy" restoration, but that car looks like a very good starting point. Do remember however, that if you do purchase and restore that car - I mean really restore it - you will have no chance of getting your money back. Restore it because you love it.

 

Hey guys. Here's some more pics of the car. Thanks for all the help & info. Any other advice would be great.
Thanks,
Josh

 

I can not tell from your pictures if this is a Super or a Special. I drove a Special like this for many years. This one has a clutch, which is better than a Dynaflow.

Plan to do a head gasket if it has been sitting all this time with coolant in the engine. You can dress up the valve surfaces while the head is off. Plan on redoing all the brakes. I recommend putting in a dual master cylinder (it is under the floor).

The starter switch was on the carb originally. Many failed and were replaced by a push button inside the car. I put a push button switch in parallel with the carb switch because it was too easy to flood the engine when hot when you had to step on the gas to crank the engine.

For a not running car, I'd say $1800. If the current owner takes time and money to get it running and driving, then the price goes up.

 

Let me ask you guys this. Being that all the 1950 Buicks I've seen listed on Craigslist & eBay aren't nearly as complete & this one is less than an hour frim my house would I be stupid to pass on this car if I can't get it for less than $3000?
Thanks,
Josh

 

Less than $3,000 is a DEAL !!

But, buy it because you like it..... not to make money on it....

(after looking more photos I say it IS a Sedanet)

 

I want it because I love it. This car is awesome. At what point am I paying too much for this car?

 

I was prepared to pay $7500 for a 49 Super Sedanette 3speed car that needed a bit more work than this 50 does but it was a running, driving car and was plated and insured , that being said I would say $5000-5500 should be the limit

 

That car does not need to be restored. Just clean it up, get it running right, and repair any upholstery that is worn out and enjoy it that way.

Caps for emphasis:


IT IS ONLY ORIGINAL ONCE!

And keep the OE oil-bath air cleaner. They work great.

 

You can't go wrong at 3k. Very nice looking car.

 

I don't know where you are, but if that car was within 10 miles of my house, for under $3,000 it would be in my backyard now. I wonder why the 12V alternator? Those cars didn't have any significant electrical issues with the factory 6V system. The original Delco generator and regulator setup was extremely reliable. I would switch it back to original.