QuestionI hope this is NOT the wrong forum, but you are the only gentleman I could find that would take a question.
I am looking to restore a car with my son, and came across what a guy told me was a 1956 Ford Hearse. It is 99% complete, (a four door with suicide back doors) and I was told it ran good when parked. (It has 1986 license plates.)
I know you specialize in mech/tech questions, but I could not find any info anywhere on this model.
He is asking 3000.00 dollars, and I would like your input on whether this is WAY too much, or is this a good deal as the car is rare.
I understand what a loaded question that is, but I won't hold you accountable for a good ole fashioned guess!!!
Thank you much in advance for any help you can be.
Bob
AnswerI have not heard of such a vehicle - I assume it is a custom made body on a station wagon chassis. No factory car would have had suicide doors, and since this requires so many different parts than a standard station wagon or sedan chassis to make the doors work that way, I would bet this is a "one off" or at least a very unusual custom body. It is possibly a "backyard" custom - be very cautious of this car.
I think it is a very poor candidate for a restoration project, because replacement body and trim parts are going to be non-existent. You will have to custom make every body or trim part from raw stock - so unless you are a skilled machinist and a skilled sheet metal craftsman, I'd leave this one for someone else to try to rescue.
For a second opinion, I urge you to contact the "Professional Car Society" - they are a club that supports hearses, ambulances and other special bodied cars, and if anyone would know anything about this beast, it would be them. You can find them with a Google search, or I can get the contact info for you if you post a follow-up question to me.
As for the price, no honest person can answer this question without personally inspecting the vehicle. I would comment, though, that unless it is in driving condition, ready for the road, $3000 seems way too much money to pay for it.
I would also point out to you that no matter what car you select to "restore", the price you pay for it is going to be insignifigant when compared to the cost of parts and labor to do a restoration.
The meaning of this comment is that you should buy the very best example you can afford of whatever vehicle you decide on - you will find it much more rewarding to work on a car that is in basically nice condition, reliable and safe, than one that has unknown problems such as hidden mechanical weaknesses, rust, unavailable but needed parts etc. A car that has sat, undriven. for 20 years is going to need a total reconstruction of most mechanical and electrical parts before it can even be test driven safely.
To choose a car to restore is the most important decision you will make before starting on this project. You must chose a car that both of you will want to drive, first. Then you must consider your budget - not only the amount to pay but the ongoing cost of refurbishing the vehicle to your tastes.
In my opinion, the best first project car is one that is currently licensed, running, and in decent shape to begin with. If you have a retirement community in your area, start watching the "Pennysaver" or whatever free weekly classified paper for an old person's car that has become available due to illness or other cause. You will find one owner cars of the 60s and 70s that have been gently driven, well cared for, and kept in service continuously. since new. Some of these cars were exceptionally good cars when new, and will serve for years with style and comfort, with very little reliabilty problems. I particularly recommend the Dodge Darts and Plymouth Valiants, either V8 or Slant 6 powered cars. The Dodge Dart GT is a very attractive car, even today, and will give you a lot of pleasure to drive. Parts are readily available for any of these cars.
Other good choices are the Ford Fairlane of the 60s, the Chevy Malibu or Chevelle.
If you have a particular fondness for the mid-50s Fords, search for a standard body car, not a modified or custom body.
I'll be happy to answer any mechancal questions for you, regardless of what you decide.
Dick
