VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 48 Fleetline Aero- What's it worth??

Hello,
Would like to get some other's thoughts on what a 48 Fleetline I'm considering is worth. Completely original except for paint. Was told it was last running about 10 years ago and ran and drove w/o problem. Odometer shows 56,000 which I would believe is original as original fabric is not worn through or ripped. Solid body. One spot of rust on lower rear of one front fender. Couple small dents here and there. Paint is old and nasty looking. Wouldn't roll. Brakes locked up. After inspecting I decided it needs: new exhaust, brake system rebuilt, new tires, some body work & new paint, grille & bumpers/guards rechromed, both door glass replaced, new interior. Was purchased by present owner's father (father still with us) in early 70s and never put on road. Always stored inside. When I asked owner (son) if he had an idea of price he said "no idea at all". Aside from the fact it should take a little tinkering to get it running again I consider it a project in every other way. I can do the work myself. It's being left up to me to start the "process" by making an offer but having a difficult time coming up with a starting number. I might be way off but am thinking of starting with $2,000. Thanks for any advice.
Ken

I would look at it more as to what it will be worth after it is restored and how much it will cost to restore it. Your lundry list is at about $7000 and you can figure another few thousand dollars worth of "surprises"
I would offer $1200 and see what happens.

I think I agree with Gene's thinking.

My 2 cents is it may not matter if you get the car for $500 or $2000. What matters is, as Gene said, how much it will cost to restore it and what its market value will be after it's restored.

I see what you described doing easily costing you $10k. Likely more. PLUS a lot of time on your part. At that point it won't really be 'restored.' To my thinking, when that work it completed it would more aptly be called 'refurbished," not restored.

And, it may not be very saleable. Lots of guys don't like to take on somebody else's sort of partially restored car. Others, like me, are only interested in mostly turn-key type cars.

If you like the car (always wanted one, etc.) and would enjoy it refurbished, as you descirbe, and if you have the dough and the time --- well hell, go for it!!!

Bill.

if you purchase the car assure ALL your mechanics are in good shape before you even consider cosmetics...Its been sitting for a long time...Too much rest can destroy a car

A year ago last February I found a 1949 Special Deluxe in Colorado. Called the guy and he told me "Some rust, interior shot, '49 motor out but a just overhauled '52 motor ready to put in, but all in all, it was very restorable and I could get it for $1,000." Wrote ChevNut and sent him some pictures and he said it looks like an OK deal. Had to go to Denver, Colorado, 942 miles one way, where I have a son & daughter living to pick it up. Told my Son-in-law who is from Austria that I'd rent a U-Haul one way and pay for the gas if He and his family wanted to go on a 4 days skiing trip which they all agreed. Went with them to help drive and was very happy with the car. When we were leaving he said, "Oh, did I tell you that the radio still works?" A very honest guy. It's the same kind of car I had in High School, my first, so it's something I always wanted. Got the motor in and going to drive it this way for a year or two. It was sitting for 10 yrs but brakes and so fort seem OK. Going to put all new tires on if I take it to the 33rd MidWest Meet. Probably will have $2,800 into it to be driveable plus I had a nice trip to see the kids.

This hobby, also called "Old Car Disease" is a real pandemic!!!

What's it worth, many people ask. There are a million answers.
My 48 Aero.......I don't know if anyone can afford to buy it......I've got my guts, blood, knuckle skin and other unmentionable body parts into it. It keeps biting me with fix this, fix that.....replace those dried out gaskets from sitting all winter, keep it going for the summer show season.....it's a labor of love.....I wish I had room for more cars. And it is a very expensive way to go for ice cream with the grandkids......but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Or, it's worth what the market will bear.....check Kelly Blue Book, or Manheim Gold.....these cars are not big money cars to sell.......they are big money cars to restore.......Ken, you've been following the interior fabric thread with me and Chef, so you know you're looking at at least $5K for that.....ya just gotta love it and accept it.....YOU are not going to get your investment out of it, BUT your grandchildren might. Your reward will be your enjoyment restoring and driving that great old Aero.

Go for it and enjoy every minute of it my friend.

I, like many others I'm sure, have an overwhelming desire to have, or save, almost every piece of "vintage" tin I come across. I currently have a couple of "works in progress". I really shouldn't take on another but I've been looking for a 40s Chevy for awhile as I don't have anything from that decade. The fact that the Aero is only 9 miles from me is a big plus. I guess I really lucked out when I bought my 37 business coupe 13 years ago. It was located in TN. I wasn't the first caller but I ended up with the car with just the sellers description and one photo of the front end to go on. Had to go through the brakes but was able to put it on the road w/o any other problems. Extremely nice solid car. Had a very similar experience with my 61 Corvair, that I got 9 years ago, which was located in MI. Was able to put it right on the road also. All things considered I didn't pay big money for either. Thanks for the advice. Got some thinking to do.

Ken

Hi, I think we all may be forgetting the sentimental affect of your decision on two generations of your family. All of the previous postings have covered well the financial value of this car. There is no way you will ever get enough dollars and cents out of any work you do on it, but there are lots of emotional /spiritual outcomes that need to be addressed. Is your brother in a financial straight where he desperately needs the money? Will your father appreciate knowing the car is still in the family? Are you honoring his dream of one day seeing the car restored? What would be your personal benefit of working on this car? Would it be a great hobby, a learning experience you would share with friends or other family members? Could your brother's health problems be lesson by the two of you working together? Are you married and would it be selfish of you to take on this expense and time commitment?

The best restoration projects are not necessarily seen in a perfect restoration. I have a 41 chevy bought from ebay in 2003 for $3,500, I have probably spent about $5,000 on it in parts. I have it insured for $6,000 and I would be very lucky to get $5,000 out of it, but there are very few things in life that have given me the satisfaction of working on more than this car. I work on it winters and drive it the rest of the year. You don't need a fancy car to have a good time. Give yourself an imaginary yearly budget and enjoy the car and process of fixing it up. You need to go through the brakes and engine and a lot of other mechanical things first. Who cares what the interior or exterior looks like? This web site and your posting questions to it can be a lot of help. Buy yourself some repair manuals, a cheap used video camera, and film and narrate your way through each project. I use a video camera to film how I take things apart then play it back so I can reassemble it correctly. Good luck and keep in touch with all of us. Go Red Wings--Mike
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