Help w/38 stand. coup

Lee Mitch

Senior Member
Model A guy here that ran across a pretty nice 38 coup standard body on original frame but it has been modified a bit. New mustang II clip, all garnish moldings, dash w/instruments, headlights w/trim, extra fiberglass front fenders, but the steels are in good shape. All of this stuff is off the body. Body and fenders are attached and are in very good shape, with only the rear panel under trunk needing replacement. Floorboards in good shape. No rear-end or engine. The question everyone hates: what is this thing worth? Anyone want to go out on a limb? Thanks for your help. Model A guy wanting to go faster....
 
I always liked the 38 std cause it's kind of a rarity in some parts. The 38s in general are just slightly more popular than the 41s when you line up all the pre-war Fords so the price should still be in the affordable range. Coupes are high in the general popularity range so add some for that. Without pictures it would be hard to put an exact price on it but cars in that condition are still findable in the 5000 to 7000 range. Lesser & lesser amount depending on how clean it was picked of its parts. No rear axle makes it hard to move and cuts pretty deep if you have to scrounge up the stuff to get the job done.
 
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Model A guy here that ran across a pretty nice 38 coup standard body on original frame but it has been modified a bit. New mustang II clip, all garnish moldings, dash w/instruments, headlights w/trim, extra fiberglass front fenders, but the steels are in good shape. All of this stuff is off the body. Body and fenders are attached and are in very good shape, with only the rear panel under trunk needing replacement. Floorboards in good shape. No rear-end or engine. The question everyone hates: what is this thing worth? Anyone want to go out on a limb? Thanks for your help. Model A guy wanting to go faster....
I can't see paying more than $1500-2000 at the most.
 
It all depends on how bad you want the car. Good sheetmetal is getting harder and harder to find. The 38 standard is a one of a kind car, so make sure all the parts are there, especially the hood and all the body trim. These are tough items to find if they are not there as the 38 standard was a low production model. If EVERYTHING is there(other than the running gear) I would say it's worth $4000-6000.
 
A lot is going to be determined by the quality of the M2 installation. Is the car a roller on tires? How do the welds look? What is the over all quality of the parts? Is this a car that the previous owner ever finished? Did he let it go because it over came him? And if so what does this work look like? A stocker may have issues as well no doubt, but you want to be sure that you are not paying a premium for parts and components that will end up in the scrap pile. If you have photos of this car post them here, if you can show the M2 set up that would be a plus to you, it may be possible that you would like to restore the original suspension into it. I would say a solid body is easily worth $4 to 6 K as stated above.
 
There have been a lot of coupes on e-bay lately. Thirty five to forty. Some have not received a bid. Some of the nice ones are only bring around $15,000 to $18,000. Most of them do not meet the reserve price.

Like I always say, "If I wanted to drive a Mustang too, I would buy a Mustang too". Most of the Mustang two front ends are not installed correctly. I think this modification would lower the price.
 
Is the interior savable? This can be a fairly costly area if you are trying to stay mainly original looking Deck lids are hard to find so make sure you are getting a decent ,repairable one.With the info you have given I would say 3-5000 dollar range.
Cars in some areas bring more than other areas.
 
Best approach would be to throw away the butchered frame, replace it with an original and then you have something worth 8 to 10. You should be able to get a good running gear for less than 1500. Yes, it is a rare car and I believe original, worth much more than a 41.
 
I second jimTN's advice, unless you have the install of the M2 frontend checked by an alignment shop you could be in for a surprise.
A guy here bought a 34 coupe with a M2 front end, nice looking car, but you can't drive it anywhere.
 
I agree with Sid, Jim and Ralphy boy. It is funny how tastes change. Some cars are not popular and then all of a sudden they bring big money. I do not think you can go wrong with an old Ford for an investment. An old guy told me once to invest in what you enjoy and if the market goes down who cares.

When one of my friends show up in a new car I think God he could have had one or two old Fords for the price of that car.
 
My buddy bought a 38 Deluxe Fordor last year for around 2K, Nice solid car, and complete minus the left rear quarter trim. Had a stuck/rusted flathead, but still a good deal.
Another guy bought a solid and complete 36 Tudor for $1500, as said though, the coupes bring a little higher dollar amount.
 
if you are buying a car that is not complet for an investment don,t .buy one all done belive me it,s cheaper. now if you want what most guys with these old fords want is the enjoyment of bringing a car back to it,s orignal cond or built to your likeing thats a different story many of us enjoy the changle of a restoration .the pride when it,s done. it,s a hobby not a bussenes.if the body is good not a rot box & you like it & want the changle of bringing it back it,s worth what you want to pay for it where i live its worth at least 5.000. if you buy it good luck keep at it & you will finish it & have a lot of enjoyment doing it. there is more to life then watching tv. & an other + you will meet some realy great people along the way.
 
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