How to determine car value?

OldDad, that is the perfect example of my confusion on this. The NADA says for "This vehicle would be in mechanically functional condition, needing only minor reconditioning. The exterior paint, trim, and interior would show normal wear, needing only minor reconditioning. May also be a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration. Most usable "as-is"." the car is worth $8,920. This is similar to what I saw when I researched it prior to buying it. Since then I have seen several instances where the body alone is worth twice that. The value isn't that important to me as I intend to own it till they strap me to the bumper and take me to the grave yard. I am just trying to learn about the car community and was looking for accurate sources of info.

My plan was to make it nice and enjoy driving it on weekends but, I didn't want to go somewhere and find out I had screwed up a $30k car by ripping out the old interior. It goes to the decision (if I do decide the interior is too bad to keep) over whether I put the interior in myself or if I need to get it done by a pro. If it isn't going to have that much effect on the value of the car, I am going to do it myself. Id rather have it a little off and have done it myself. So based on the input I am going ot look at it again and determine if I can live with it the way it is. If not, I will do the kit myself, but keep my eye out for an original interior.

Thanks for all the input. I am not going to get near it till Christmas but will post photos then.
 
I think I figured out how to post the pics. I think you can see why I an thinking I need to replace things
 

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Huh! Most of us are lifers. We have been doing this since we could tie our shoes next to dad or gramps, we equate this to fun, not profit, loss and value. I don't think there is a way that in a bean counter or an investors eyes you could justify owning or operating an 80 year old car. You seem impatient and rather terse with us for not exactly answering your question per your exact and specific view point, again sorry Jim, we love old cars, we can't truly see the world in a dollar, penny and common sense perspective. If you have to justify every penny spent you will not enjoy this hobby. Is it acceptable to you to drive it with a ripped door panel? If not fix it. We really don't care that much, and to be honest it will not matter in the scope of value with the current mind set, could that mindset change, most certainly, but as of today at 12;19 it's not really going to value up or down the price of the car, it's strictly for you. Or do you some how think you can out smart a money pit, not gonna happen.
 
NADA values are certainly open to interpretation, and no vehicle will exactly conform to their descriptions, but it gives a ballpark figure. Something more substantial than "I saw one on Epay for $XX.XXX" It was interesting to peruse the "completed listings" on Epay before they started curtailing access to older listings -- most cars listed there failed to sell unless they had a realistic starting bid or reserve figure.
 
If I sounded terse I am very sorry, not trying to be. Sometimes I get a concept and don't know when to let it go. I am very grateful for all the advice.

Trust me I know the concept that you don't do hobbies for profit....my daughter rides horses....maybe the only hobby worse than cars for eating up money....LOL
 
Hoop, Thanks, we will check it all out. My dad is 73 and has been mechanic of sorts all his life and has worked on a lot of old motors. His neighbor has done several old plymouths and an old firetruck. I am at least mechanically inclined. We will certainly do all the mechanicals first. I am not itching to get the interior done, just itching to lay out a plan. I am asking about it because it is the one area none of us know anything about. It will likely be Spring before I get to the interior. When we start getting into the car in about a month all my questions will be mechanical I am sure.
 
Your original interior is not a valuable item in its current condition. Have the shreds of mine as well. Hope you won't take offense at this statement, but we aren't talking about the value of an original finish on a Rhode Island highboy from 1720 -- something I don't agree with, and believe that the people who built this furniture would be aghast at if they knew how their furniture was presented in the 21st Century. The comments about the importance of mechanical issues first are very to the point. With that, I surrender the soapbox. . .
 
OLd dad....you and I are on the same page. as long as I am not chopping up the bopdy or frame I can't mess up too much and it is all for my enjoyment anyway. the mechanical is first and I can figure that out OK, interior is second and i am not sure if I can do it myself or not. Fortunately the body is solid because I can't do that at all....
 
Determining a real value of any old car is difficult----ultimately the market determines the value, how much someone is willing to pay for the car.

I have just gone through this with two licensed appraisers at the insistence of my insurance company. One appraiser was very informative and verbally walked me through the appraisal process.

His first step was to determine the value of the basic body; IE, 32 vickies are rarer thus more valuable than basic sedans, roadster are worth even more, etc. Then he looked at the condition of the body panels, how much filler was used(using his neat sonic thickness equipment). Then he looked at the condition of the frame, suspension, etc. Then came the evaluation of the paint, upholstery---then in my case(resto street rod), he valued the value of the custom upholstery. Finally, he looked at the fit of the body panels(1940 sedan)----I was astonished at the difference in value between poor fit, moderate fit and precise fit of the hood, fenders, trunk, doors, etc.

I was very surprised at the appraised value, but I have had unsolicited offers in the last three months that were close to the appraisal----the car is not for sale but it gives a warm, fuzzy feeling when the offers came.

I guess what I am trying to say is the "street" value on two identical cars can vary widely depending on the factors described above.

Closer to your exact question, a friend bought a 32 five window coupe about four years ago, in driveable condition, with some rust, upholstery basically gone, paint very old-----for $15,000 cash. He was pleased with his purchase. From the pictures, your car looks in better condition. What I don't know is the market difference between a coupe and sedan.
 
OK, in the interest of going back to my original question, I have a perfect example of what I am struggling with. In the last couple of weeks there were 2 auctions on Epay offered by the SAME seller (ie location of item is not a dterminant nor is feedback). One is a 1932 2 door sedan body with no frame at all and fiberglass fendors currently at 5,900 with bids on it. He also had a complete 2 door sedan with running v8 motor in it (although from a few years later) that ended a couple of weeks ago at 8,300 (and neither car have hit a reserve). The seller is 1alst (180587752344). Is all the frame, running drive train, wheels seats and stuff really only worth $2k more? Like I said I just don't get why the bodies alone go for so much compared to the price of a complete car. Am I missing something? Is it that the hot rodders don't want all the other stuff so the body is really what people are usually paying for?
 
jim1932 said:
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Yes.

You can't build market value for a whole car totaling up piece parts. If you want to blow your mind, go price out your daily driver in over the parts counter. A $30k sedan would probably total close to $80k in pieces.

A brief story. A couple years ago I had a '40 Deluxe sedan project with lots of nice parts, all cataloged on a spread sheet. Would be easy for a knowledgable Ford guy to see the value. Went months trying to sell it as a whold package with nothing but tire kickers. I needed the space so parted it out. What I couldn't sell in total for $9k ended bringing in $13k+ in pieces. Stop knocking yourself out with the way you've been trying to do this.
 
JIM, keep ONE thing in mind. It is a 32. It is desireable. It is valuable. I, for one, believe that if you can do the work necessary, you will always be ahead of the financial game. If, on the other hand, you pay someone to do the work, well----, But, it's still a 32.
Have a great time and enjoy it
Jim
 
I do get that parting a car out brings more, just in my uneducated way of looking I am surprised at how much the bodies go for.

I really am not all about the money, I am just trying to learn about the hobby and what things cost.

This is certainly not about selling mine, I wanted to own my uncle's car for 35 years, it's not going anywhere. I want to thank people for thier frank discussions as it does help get me away from worrying about whether I got agood deal and what it will be worth restored. It isn't some rare vehicle that I need to restore to exact standards. I just need to decide what I need to do to have a vehicle I like and enjoy.
 
In running and driving condition it is worth around $25,000 to $30,000. I sold a v8 one in that condition last spring for $30.000 running and driving with clean title.
 
Shifting gears based on a comment in the 32 fordor thread. What are the rare or unusual items from this year that people should know about. For example, on that thread I just learned that a 25 louvre hood is valuable. I know there is winter grill that is valuable. Any other unigue items that a novice might not realize they have. I'd hate to replace something and find out I just tossed a valuable part....then again I probably won't throw anything away.

Oh I posted it on the other thread but I just found that my uncle owned the car for 50 years! he paid $40 in 1959.
 
not sure if anyone has mentioned you buying the '32 ford book from the early V8 club....probably has all the answers you want....except of pricing....good luck with your project and i hope you get lots of enjoyment out of the car....Mike
 
I do have the 1932 ford book and it is a great reference. However it only mentions that certain items as being rarer. The 25 louvre hood for example is simply mentioned a a late change. Another example is it mentions that the earlier adjustable shocks are rare. Does this mean they are valuable? Or just that there aren't many around. Perfect example....if I have them and put new ones on, do I pitch the old ones?
 
Nothing but experience with these cars can tell you the value, the market goes up and down, I have sold 32 tudors from 12,000 to 60,000, right now your car would sell for about 18 to 25000 to the right person, the most for it all restored would be in the 25 to 38 range, and not an easy sell, and it would cost a lot more to restore it.. If it was mine and I wanted to keep it, I would put an interior in it, clean up the rest of it and enjoy it! If I wanted to sell it, I would not touch it, just list it for 22 and hope for 20. The true value is what it will bring on the present maket. Just my opinion.
 
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