YELLAHEEP
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Littleton, Colorado
Re: The Colorado BS thread
A 4dr classic is worth about half of a 2dr in the real collector's market. And in this economy, NO ONE is really buying these old classics except at seriously depreciated prices.
Unless that Olds was a car you REALLY wanted, you're on the losing end of that trade deal - it gonna be a money pit for a while just to get it reliably driveable. Parts for 'em are getting super hard to find and expensive.
The guy that owns it would be making out like a bandit if you traded him - he'd be getting something MUCH easier to sell.
I'm betting it's been re-painted at least once. The paint looks too good in relation to the bumpers. Not that the re-paint is a bad thing...... but I'd be leary of it being represented as totally original.
In checking the condition, definitely give the mechanicals a thorough looking over. Brakes are nothing to mess around with - be sure they function well and check the rubber hoses before driving it....... Not sure exactly when they went to DOT blend brake fluid, but I made the mistake of putting DOT 3 fluid in my '46 Olds and now all the seals have been eaten away and I have NO brakes.
I'd be a little concerned about the auto trans as well depending on how long it's been sitting since driven. Those clutch packs don't fare well to long periods sitting and drying out.
The radiator is likely a full brass unit and those don't do well sitting for long periods of time - particularly if the current owner ever filled it with tap water. Mineral corrosion is a big problem in 'em.
Another thing to consider.......... those cars in stock form SUCK to drive. Unless it's got radials, power brakes and power steering...... it's a physical work out to park 'em....
That's why my '46 Olds sits. OEM parts are stupid-expensive for what they are, it drives like crap and it doesn't have PS/PB........ my Grandpa always used to say the Olds was equipped with "Armstrong power steering" :laugh:
A 4dr classic is worth about half of a 2dr in the real collector's market. And in this economy, NO ONE is really buying these old classics except at seriously depreciated prices.
Unless that Olds was a car you REALLY wanted, you're on the losing end of that trade deal - it gonna be a money pit for a while just to get it reliably driveable. Parts for 'em are getting super hard to find and expensive.
The guy that owns it would be making out like a bandit if you traded him - he'd be getting something MUCH easier to sell.
I'm betting it's been re-painted at least once. The paint looks too good in relation to the bumpers. Not that the re-paint is a bad thing...... but I'd be leary of it being represented as totally original.
In checking the condition, definitely give the mechanicals a thorough looking over. Brakes are nothing to mess around with - be sure they function well and check the rubber hoses before driving it....... Not sure exactly when they went to DOT blend brake fluid, but I made the mistake of putting DOT 3 fluid in my '46 Olds and now all the seals have been eaten away and I have NO brakes.
I'd be a little concerned about the auto trans as well depending on how long it's been sitting since driven. Those clutch packs don't fare well to long periods sitting and drying out.
The radiator is likely a full brass unit and those don't do well sitting for long periods of time - particularly if the current owner ever filled it with tap water. Mineral corrosion is a big problem in 'em.
Another thing to consider.......... those cars in stock form SUCK to drive. Unless it's got radials, power brakes and power steering...... it's a physical work out to park 'em....

That's why my '46 Olds sits. OEM parts are stupid-expensive for what they are, it drives like crap and it doesn't have PS/PB........ my Grandpa always used to say the Olds was equipped with "Armstrong power steering" :laugh:
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