1931 Blindback at salvage auction

Looks like they missed the bumperettes and hit the spare tire (which is laying in the background in one picture).

I hope someone gets it that at least can use it for parts. Looks to be ~1 hour north of me...

Hmmm.
55149708573_5b61bcea7e_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
I just don't see a heavily damaged car there.I see a car that the dollar cost to repair it correctly by a shop that does old cars exceeds the insured value.I think I'd strip the interior,straighten out anything that is bent,replace the panels,and hand it to one of the few good metal finish guys I know around here.That wouldn't be cheap.I kind of wish that car was at the Copart near me,that is ******* with a steelback Victoria for my favorite A.
 
duke36 said:
A fellow in Colorado, A Road Less Traveled U tube video, has the skills and lead filler methods to restore to show condition. He did a blue 66A deluxe
pickup.
Click to expand...

Actually, Mark has restored quite a few Model-As including a '29 Town Car that showed at the World Meet back in 2008, a '31 Vic, a Roadster or two, along with other marques including vintage aero projects. He tends to specialize in high-end classics such as Duesenbergs, Packards, Pierces, Cadillacs, etc. His talent is top-notch.


Hitman said:
I think the more important question is, "who here will pay the $20k range people estimate the car to be worth with a salvage title?"

This isn't a $20k anymore. Rare doesn't always mean valuable. It's still a fordor and to most automotive hobbyists, fordors are at the bottom of the desirability list. Now add a salvage title designation to it, and it's worth significantly less. You can't remove the salvage designation from the car, and I'm sure most countries, like Australia or Canada, wouldn't even allow it to be registered.

This is a great candidate for a restoration. Restore another chassis with a clean title, fix the body damage and put the body on the other chassis you just restored. Doing that will give you a great car without the salvage tarnish, but values the auction car as a parts car, which is fair.
Click to expand...

I think if you re-read the comments above, that price range was geared more towards what the value would be repaired.

While you may not associate 'rare' with added value, when you are dealing with items that truly are "rare", they do bring more $$. Yes, this is a Fordor however the 160C is indeed a rare (-and sought after) Bodystyle with less than 800 units ever assembled.

I think you have been mislead about Salvage and its impact on pricing. A huge portion of Model-A restorations completed in the 1960s thru the 90s were assembled vehicles using salvaged parts. Naturally California is different from most other States in their unrealistic ideas, but my state would literally laugh at a title being branded as having Salvage history being of that vintage. Additionally, if someone is truly concerned, a simple engine replacement is all that would be needed, and not the restoration of a different chassis.
 
This may answer some of the questions about CA salvage title.


You have completed your rebuild project but can't drive your car yet as it's still a "Salvaged" or "Totalled" vehicle and holds a Salvage Certificate. A salvage certificate is issued when a vehicle sustains damage to the extent that it's considered a total loss by the insurance company. In most states, including California, it's illegal to operate a salvage car on public roads. However, if you successfully restore and repair the damaged vehicle, you can apply for a rebuilt title. This transition allows the vehicle to become eligible for insurance, and you'll be able to properly register, drive, and even sell it.

Once again, what is the difference between a salvage title and a rebuilt title? A salvage title refers to a vehicle that was once declared a total loss by an insurance company. Conversely, a rebuilt title signifies that the owner has undertaken the necessary repairs to make the vehicle roadworthy again. However, it still bears a record of its past major issues. When you purchase a used car with a rebuilt title, it's typically ready for immediate registration, insurance, and use, causing much less hassle. This convenience is usually not the case with a salvage title.

So, is a rebuilt title as good as a clean title? Obviously not. It still keeps a salvage record on the car's history, which affects its market value, from which you as a buyer can benefit greatly. You may expect a 20% to 25% discount when comparing it to the same year/make/model with a clean title. So, if you do everything right, opting for a vehicle with a rebuilt title comes with significant advantages.
 
All of this talk about titles confuses me. We don't have them. In the case of this car, if whatever title it has would be enough to get an export permit, there would be NO PROBLEM in a country like this. It could go on the road with the usual safety checks - even with the steering wheel where it is.
 
Brent said: "Naturally California is different from most other States in their unrealistic ideas, but my state would literally laugh at a title being branded as having Salvage history being of that vintage. "

Years ago we drove a Saturn from California to North Carolina. The California registration was not valid because it needed to have an inspection. (I forget the details.) When we brought the registration and title to the DMV in North Carolina they said that they did not care what California required and issued us title and registration.
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
I think if you re-read the comments above, that price range was geared more towards what the value would be repaired.

While you may not associate 'rare' with added value, when you are dealing with items that truly are "rare", they do bring more $$. Yes, this is a Fordor however the 160C is indeed a rare (-and sought after) Bodystyle with less than 800 units ever assembled.

I think you have been mislead about Salvage and its impact on pricing. A huge portion of Model-A restorations completed in the 1960s thru the 90s were assembled vehicles using salvaged parts. Naturally California is different from most other States in their unrealistic ideas, but my state would literally laugh at a title being branded as having Salvage history being of that vintage. Additionally, if someone is truly concerned, a simple engine replacement is all that would be needed, and not the restoration of a different chassis.
Click to expand...

We don't know what the comments regarding $20k valuations are about. Just speculation on yours and my part.

Sure a 160C is rare based on production numbers, but it hardly drives the price of the car, as many posters implied. Is a 160A more or less valuable than a 160C? Rare doesn't equate a bump in price; as you're likely aware, the price in parts for rare cars is only that the parts are limited in quantity. That's it. Supply and demand. I own low production cars, and even lower existing current counts today but they aren't worth any more because they're rare. Rare in these only means it's harder to find the parts.

I appreciate that you think I've been mislead in my understanding of salvage titled cars. You seem to overlook the fact that I'm talking about salvage titled cars. Not simply salvage cars. Title designations are completely different, especially in locations outside of Tennessee. I'm not in California. I have no doubt that copart operates in a similar fashion in just about every state in the US. I'm also sure that you may do some salvage work on nearly 100 year old cars, you're not operating in the insurance and title industry either as your primary business. And to clarify, you're not an insurance shop. You're a restoration shop that occasionally does insurance work.
 
regarding salvage titles............
each state and insurance co treats them differently. My wifes 2017 altima was t boned 3 months ago. It was a total loss because of the cost of airbags, despite being a low mileage car. I was told since it was over 8 years old, the title would not be marked at all. So I rebuilt the damage and now have a "clean" car that will only show it was in an accident. They gave it back to me for peanuts.
this model a is obviously over 8 years old, but the title is salvage. go figure?
 
jb-ob said:
Sadly not the first I've seen in a salvage yard.

Let people into the country who don't speak the language and legalize pot, what could possible go wrong ???
Click to expand...

I sell trailer parts everyday to non-English speaking drivers and we do get a whiff of something funny often. Many can not drive well, know nothing about maintaining normal safety items and lack respect for what they are hauling. Nothing racist here, in their country of birth, they might not have driven a vehicle larger than a scooter. Not sure how they get by with it, but many do not have a drivers license, just an ID of some sort.
 
not to pick on russians............. lol


about 12 yrs ago had a 28 phaeton towed from cali to NJ for 900. beans,


great deal you say? well they chained it down by the rear spring and broke it, but they were smart enough to inject a 4 x 4 and make it look level. they drove off and the next day I discovered the problem. you get what you pay for............... too funny!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top