Re: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want/can afford. I don't possess the skill set or $$$ to do 'high quality' restorations, but I can /have in the past done nice driver quality 'cruise night' cars that I'm not afraid to drive long distances and enjoy out on the road. I've brought back some dead puppies that are still on the road today in the hands of new/different owners. I'm not sure I could enjoy owning a car that I was afraid to approach or have others approach at a public cruise night. I generally arrive at a show/cruise and get out of my car, lift the hood, and walk away to go look at all the other cars. I wouldn't want to have to 'stand guard' all night protecting my car from potential finger prints. I fully appreciate a high quality restoration and the skill and time involved. That last 20% takes as much time and money as the first 80%, but that's about the time I choose to get in and drive as opposed to chasing down the very last details. I have also gone another route, which is to buy low mileage and original condition cars that have never been apart/restored and simply maintained/preserved them as needed, which is also rewarding in its own way. Plenty of room in the hobby for a wide spectrum of owners. To each his own.

On Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 3:28 PM Bob Podstawski <bobp8@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Always buy one “done” with minor issues to be corrected otherwise you’re really perfecting the car for the next owner at your expense

On Dec 23, 2022, at 2:12 PM, 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Ron,

I would say that 90% of the people who buy such a car and buying it as they “think” they can do it cheaper than just going out and buying one done. It is not about making money. It is about not wasting money.

One can go find a good, not restored, unit for something like $25K to $35K that is all there. If one looks really hard they may find one that has never been messed with much. If the point is to do a restoration and enjoy the pride of ownership, then start with a much better and cost-effective core.

I do not buy cars for their future sales value, but I also do not want to waste money either.

Case in point. I went looking for a 1958 to 1959 Chrysler or Desoto 4 door hard top or a 1958 to 1952 Imperial. I spent 24 months looking. I must have looked at a dozen cars. Most were either junk or overpriced for what was there. Many had recent, last 10 years, paint jobs with zero documentation as to the body condition. People just asked that I take on faith what was under it. In the camera age that is crap.

I looked and passed and looked and pasted. The recent ’64 300K purchase is a case in point. If one is willing to wait and very good core can be found at a fair price. Instead of a 4 door hard top, I ended up with a 2-door hardtop. Flexibility on year make and model for the right car is not a bad thing.

Cars like the one in the link are as I said honey pots. They look good to people who have never done a car, but they are bad values in both time and money.

I spent about 5 years, around 3000-man hours, restoring my ’49 Desoto convertible. It will never be worth what I spent on it. But since it has a connection to my childhood, I did not care. But even doing all the work myself, a true down to the smallest part restoration, I have about $60K to $80K into it not including my labor. Just the cost of materials, machine shop, paint and upholstery. I have several friends who has have the same experiences in the last 10 years. We joke that a desirable convertible to a grocery 4 door sedan all cost the same to a restoration on. Better to spend the time and money on a convertible…

If someone does not have the resources and want a car to tinker with, then a car such as the one in the link is fine. But anyone going down thar path should not kid themselves on the time and money involved if they want a true restoration.

James

From: Ron Waters <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2022 10:52
To: James Douglas <jdd@xxxxxxxxxx>; 'jwheath68' <jwheath68@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

>Given the fact that the average selling price of a 300B is about $50K and a concourse on is up for auction for $100K, why would anyone bother?

Well, for some people this is a hobby. So they don't care if the car is worth 50K, 75K or 99¢. It's pride of workmanship. And as a bonus, when you're finished, you can drive it around town or cross country.

If people are looking for a profitable investment, buy real estate.

Happy Holidays,

Ron

From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International [mailto:chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2022 1:35 PM
To: jwheath68; Chrysler 300 Club International
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

I really wonder about cars like this.

It has been so taken apart that just finding all the correct nuts and bolts may become an issue. Very few people actually bag and tag everything. Even those that do still inevitable loose a few things.

Even if 90% of the chrome has been redone, and who knows if it was done well, that last 10% can cost a lot to find and then plate and then the plating may not match.

The body has primer and has sat for years meaning that rust can get under the primer. The entire car has to be blasted to bare metal just to see what is under it.

There is no way to restore this car for less than about $75K and that is if one does all the work except the final paint and upholstery themselves.

Given the fact that the average selling price of a 300B is about $50K and a concourse on is up for auction for $100K, why would anyone bother?

Cars like this are honey traps for people who do not know any better.

My 2 cents worth.

James

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of jwheath68
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2022 10:55
To: Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/7565451242.html

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