QuestionMy friend wants to sell me his 1957 for $15,000. I looked up information and this is the least desirable of all 210 models. He put in a new engine (a 350 hp trubo something), I am not a mechanic. The car is in good condition. He restored the outside, inside, added a/c and power locks. It is a nice looking car, but has some defects, such as, cracked windows, needs new chrome, but overall a nice car. I looked up vlaues of $7300 to 7400 and one site (NADA) said up to $20,000. I can't figure out if I deduct for not having a original engine restored, or if the aded 350 hp is a bonus.
AnswerI answered this the same day, but it got lost somehow.
I wrote a small book and don't have time now to do it again, so here is the Readers Digest version.
The modifications are worth what they are worth to you. STock cars are where the money is usually, but street rods and customs are very personal and you have to decide what they are worth. The 350 as a regular engine (not supercharged or super high HP) is not going to add value, the price guides for top condition assume a good engine to begin with. I would rather have an original engine, but not everyone feels that way.
on this model, some things like the windows and trim are unique and may not be available like they are on the sedans and coupes/convertibles. Maybe that is why they weren't fixed in the first place. If you can live with those problems, then fine, but if they bother you do some homework and see if the parts are available. A good source is Danchuk (just google them).
If the work on the car so far is superb, then it might be worth up to $15,000, but if the work is average to poor, then the value drops to $7000 or less.
Wagons are not a hot item usually unless they are real special with lots of options.
Don
