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

Given the disparity of skills, expectation and capital between us there is no right answer here. But there is in my view an inarguable maxim. You will always make a better business deal buying a car in the best possible condition you can afford.

This is inescapable when you consider that unless you do the work yourself you will have to pay the retail value of the work and materials. When buying a finished car you pay the market value - which is almost always less.

A better example is a new home. Build one and you will pay the market value of the labor and lumber to put it up. Even today that is usually more than the price of an existing home.

The problem comes when those who know little about restoration nevertheless elect to participate and quickly find it is usually not the best way to go.

On the other hand are those of us who perform body work routinely and would not think of paying someone else.

A poorly restored car is easy to spot. I spot them all the time, I expect I will see my fill next month at Kissimmee. People who do lousy work always leave clues, small things that portend of larger ones that lurk beneath. Few perform brilliant restorations for immediate sale, they will have their warts and your job will be to find them.

Best cars to buy are the ones we own, cars in collections owned by students and not necessarily for sale.

-----Original Message-----
From: "Ron Waters" <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2022 11:46am
To: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

Well, the problem with buying one 'done' is that you don't know the quality of workmanship that went into the car. Sure, it has nice, shiny paint. But what's underneath the paint ? Do the brakes squeal and pull every time you step on the pedal ? Will the car accelerate smoothly or bog down ? Is the wiring harness crusty original or has it been redone (correctly) ? This is especially an issue on 55-6 Chrysler products, where the harness is cloth rather than vinyl.

If you buy a car that's 'done' but has a few issues, are those issues going to cost you thousands additional because you lack the skills, interest, or physical prowess to fix the problems, and as a result, have to trust your baby to a mechanic that likely has no clue how to repair a letter car ?

If I buy a car that needs significant work at a much cheaper price and do the work myself, then I know the quality of work that's going into the car. And, unlike a mechanic, I can take as much time as I need to get it right. And that 2000 brake job is now going to cost me 200 for the parts. Labor is free.

Happy Holidays,

Ron

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob Podstawski
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2022 4:29 PM
To: James Douglas
Cc: Ron Waters; jwheath68; chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} Possible 56 B project for sale in California

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