1954 Customline 2door - $$$ Thoughts?

B

BobKnake

New member
Hi... I'm Bob from IL.
I've had several vehicles over the years. By nature I am a FORD guy but I did have a 60 Impala (sweet car, just not me)... sold it last year. Now i've got the classic car bug again.
I've got a buddy with a couple 4 doors that needs lots of work (2 to make 1), 1 is solid, but not running and the other is rusty but running and the price is cheap.
The other car I have to travel for, about 3 hours, but its a 2 door and a V-8, but it's not cheap. I am assured that I could drive the 2 door home.

I don't mind the extra doors, nor the work.


4 door 6cyl car 3 speed.
other
2 door v-s 3 speed

I'm pretty set on the 2 door, but i'm wondering what kind of price should be fair. I've only seen pics. But i'm assured that the car is solid and drives great. it's been converted to 12 volt in the past.
The paint is older and the interior appears original but very good. The chrome appears good. The owner assured me that i wouldn't be disappointed. The guy is retired and has owned it for 10 years, he just doesn't drive it anymore.

What do you guys think would be a good fair price on the 2 door?
 
picture.php
I bought this car last year for $8k
Its got 20,000 miles all original 6 cylinder 3 speed with over drive.
This was a summer car here last used in 2001
 
Just my two cents; I would look in Kelly Bluebook at value of that car in mint condition (Customline probably around $6000 maximum). Then work back from there. In other words, how much would it cost you to get it in the condition you really want it. Subtract from bluebook value as you see flaws in cars current condition.
 
The current issue of the Old Car Report Price Guide lists the '54 Crestline 2dr at #5, $2,160.. #4 $4,100. and a #3 $9,230.. All of the prices are for well equipped V8's, deduct 5% for a 6 cylinder..
OCPG rates a #5 as complete, needing a complete restoration. Number 4 is A good drivable vehicle needing only minor repairs to be functional. A number 3 is very good, original or "older restoration".. The classification is generally a "20 footer" as seen at car shows.
If I was going to arrive at a prices for a nice driver, that needs a lot of work to really make nice I would take the #4 price, add the #3, i'e., $4,100. + $9,230 = $13,330. divide by 2 = $6,665... Somewhere around that price would be pretty close to what the car is worth.. You must keep in mind that the #1 price for a '54 2dr is $20,500..
Of course if the man has receipts for tons of work then the price could rise.. No receipts, his claims are smoke screens..
You should keep in mind that the '54 Y blocks were not the best engines, in some respects the '54 6 cyln engine was a better engine.. A big plus would be if the engine has been replaced with a 292 or 312.. Painted the correct color, very few people would know the difference.
When the '54 Y block came out I wanted one sooo bad, the local dealer had a dark green 2dr with the V8, 3spd w/OD.. The dealer was very proud of the car, I could not make a deal on it.. One of my friends settled for a similar car with a six.. Saved $50. A weeks wages in '54 for the average man..
I opted for a '50 Olds 88 2 dr fst back... Smart move, my Olds would run off an hide from all of the '54 Fords. It would also out run any '55 Chevy when they came out a few months later..
 
Test drive it and if ok, buy it right away!
Go to the Ford Barn's home page, scroll down four times and you'll have your disclosure.
 
George/Maine said:
picture.php
I bought this car last year for $8k
Its got 20,000 miles all original 6 cylinder 3 speed with over drive.
This was a summer car here last used in 2001
Click to expand...


Nice car at one heck of a price.

BobKnake, I tend to look at the good and the bad about a car and how much it would cost me in time and money to get it to the point I want. Around my area most '50s or '60s cars will have rust through in the expected areas and then some. That being said, if I find something I like and has little rust I don't mind paying a little over for the time and money I save.

Hard to say what the car is worth without photos.
 
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