VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1924 Cherolet Superior Roadster

I need a little help here. My father in law has a 24 Roadster that he is looking to sell,he bought it back mid 60's and is the 3rd owner. Odometer is showing very low miles, i mean a little over 1000, the whole car is in graet shape to me for its age (but I am no expert)Of course the top, upholsery, and wheel cover need to be replaced but other than a couple very minor dents the body is clean, the undersides of the wheel wells are stil painted with just a small rock chip traildown the center. The last time it was started was 25+ years ago but he used to pull it out and run it. It still has all the original wood rims and front floor board in great shape. I have been wanting to make him an offer on it because I would like to restore it, I don't think I will fit in it very well (I'm 6-2) but the more I have looked at it the more I like it. So I need to find someplace where I can find out what I need to offer him for it, I have not had much luck finding values for vintage cars since it is very subjective, not to mention that the real enthusiasts are getting scarcer. After that I think the biggest challenge is to find someone for the top and upholstrey, not to mention the side window screens. Any assitance that you can give would be greatly appreciated. Once I get the pics uploaded you can see more.

Thanks

Finally got the pictures uploaded:

http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/bangel2/

OOPS should have been in 1912-1942 post

You're in a tough spot here! That car is in really nice shape... but unfortunately all the work you need to do is expensive. If it's your money that you're concerned about, this car might be at the point were its worth an amount that you will pay for the car, and again for the restoration, and have spent more then it's worth. If it's being fair to him that you're concerned about, have you asked him what he thinks it's worth? I'm sure you could subtract a "family discount" and arrive at an agreement! The thing with these old ones is that they are not "popular" with the car buying crowd. I find that a lot of owners feel they are worth more than what they really are due to the fact that they don't come up for sale that often. They majority of people that collect these are long time owners like your father in law, and when they do come up on forums like ebay, they are overpriced on the buy it now price, or not bid very high. A low supply/demand curve! It's weird that '57 convertibles are constantly for sale... 10 to twenty at a time some days on ebay, they all sell for 45-100 thousand, and then something rare like yours comes up once a month and goes for 8-12 thousand! Establishing a value may be tricky... but I would start by asking your father in law what he wants and go from there. I hope some of the guys on this site don't know him, or it may be sold before you get the chance to ask! Also... I doubt the milage is 1000... It's likely been over once at least. I doubt 3 people went through a car without driving it, especially in the '30s before it was collectable. It's a nice looking car though!

Yes, you are in the "wrong lane". Use the 1912-1928 instead as you will reach more replies there. The prices and interest for such old "and inexpensive cars" is generally low. The higher price "in those days" the higher prices today, but classic, convertible Chevys and Phaeton bodies are specially above.

The car looks nice and will give you both challenges and pleasure to restore and drive. In your case I would ask him what he wants, and what he thinks might be needed to repair/restore. He even may have a lot of parts for it. Gaskets, rubber parts(tires, too) and top will have to be checked/repaired/changed. Cleaning/changing oil, gas and water has to be done. After many years in storage the wood inside the body turns unsolid and if you want to repaint the body, you normally will need to replace the rotten or damaged wood parts first. That will cost and take time. The electric wiring may be "worn out".

You need to check, repair/adjust all brakes, lights and steering before leaving the drive way.

There is a 1916, 490 Touring for sale on eBay just now. Min. price, (but not accepted as min. selling price) is $ 7000. Within family I would suggest around $ 5000 for "your car". Then you also should be able to afford the cost of getting the car safely on the road again, and let your father in law join you both on the restoration way and after the car is registered and running again.

I hope you join VCCA, the sooner the better.

Solan, Brewster,

Thanks for the response. I'm currently trying to figure out roughly what the interior and top are going set me back price wise (I have found a few interior and top places online) before I talk to a body and paint man. Any ideas on where I can find the original paint spec? I am guessing that the original paint was a more matte finish not the high glosses of today. If I do it I want to give it an original look (maybe with the exception of stripping the wheel spokes to wood grain). But most of that will be after tearing down the drive train braking etc.. to get it up to snuff and safe. Again, thanks alot for your input, my wife will probably wish i took up golf instead cause at least it is a little cheaper.

The problem with golf is that they only way a person can appreciate your efforts is either be there for each hole or check the score card (assuming that golfers don't fudge). With Old Chevys all you have to do is open the garage door for people to appreciate it. Also you can leave it for your kids to appreciate it. Finally riding the golf card or clubs can be a little painful.

Now Now Chipper.

Have you checked the price of golf recently??!! I have old cars because I can't afford to golf!

Join the VCCA, the sooner the better, and put your membership # in your profile. Then contact members with 24 model Chevrolets and ask them about original colors to choose. As to my knowledge there is no collection of color chips issued by Chevrolet itself for that year. May be you might find a written list, mentioning the names. But some of the members may be helping anyway.

When you need help, please ask.

I recently advertised my 1924 Superior Touring car in three national publications. It is a beautiful restored car with lots of new parts that I listed at a very reasonable $8,900. So far I have not had a serious offer. I would see your car as a $4,000 to $5,000 value. If you would like more info. on my restoration costs, please drop me an e-mail.
Bill wpr@tabletoptelephone.com

I would agree with Superior24 on the price range. I paid $3000 for my '23 touring car 13 years ago and the values don't go up or down like some other cars. While I would like to make my car "pretty and shiney" I have chosen to keep it with the 1950's body paint and have fun with it. I had a quote of approximately $4500 to do the top and interior for my '23 touring car (4 door convertible) and this is the same guy that did the '23 touring car top that is shown in the picture area of this web site.

I have more money in my '23 than it's worth, but like others have mentioned I plan on keeping the car for many years. Sentimental value goes a long way with me.

FYI - The '23 and '24 are visually close to the same car when looking at them. The reaosdter looks to be have original equipmwnt installed. You will find many cars advertised tat have small things that have small changes done over time, but from the basic pictures posted - it looks stock. About 10 years ago, there were 92 1923 - 1924's listed in the VCCA membership list. I know there are more than that, but that's what is listed. They made 10x the number of T's than Chevy's in 1923.

Take care, and I hope that you work out a deal. I love mine!
Driving at 35 mph is a blast!

Regarding your comments on paint, etc. The original finish was NOT matte at all - it was very shiny.

I would just like to say that a car as good as this, gets you a lot further for your dollar ,I started with a wreck and spent 6 years restoring it but I have had the enjoyment of driving it for the past 26 years now ,I have friends all over the world and have attended hundreds of tours and events .All because of our hobby my wife and family have enjoyed it as well it is not just for us men,I would suggest you try to get the car running and see if it is what you and your family want before you spent the bigger dollars restoring it.(try it for a year or so) In my case I ran the original motor for the first 15 years ,if I can suggest you drop the pan and de sludge it and give the valves a regrind ,you might be surprised how well it will run ,you know you don't have to have the best looking car to start out with.

I paid $5500 for my 21 490 last winter and it is a decent looking car and solid as a rock. Top was done wrong and tore some because of that but will still shed water in a light rain, but I usually don't drive it in the rain. I would just get it running and enjoy it. I find that cars that look like they just came out of the hay loft attract more attention than shiney trailer queens. Have fun with it and pile it full of kids and dogs and go for a spin out in the sticks. It really is a blast!

I just thought I would add my two cents on your question about price. Earlier this year I bought a 1923 Superior sedan for about $4K. The car had a new paint job (not the greatest job but not bad either) and had clearly had a chassis redo sometime in the recent past since there was no rust on the chassis anyplace. The interior had been completely redone with a new headliner, seat upholstery and new rubber floor mats covering floor boards in excellent shape. The roof has one of those soft plastic caps on it. Not original, but looks great and keeps thinks very much dryer. The running boards were completely rebuilt. In short at a foot or more the car looks excellent. However, I had an overheating problem that I finally tracked down to a cracked head. Now my precious is sitting in an old Chevy expert's (Dave, I'm not saying you're old) garage while we try to track down a replacement head for the car. I've had 4 or 5 magnifluxed already and all are cracked.

So the moral of the story is, don't pay too much for your car. I know I got an exceptionally great deal on mine but anywy you look at it you will be sinking more money into it if you want it to run.

Thanks alot everyone for all of the help and input. I think we are going to help him out and at least get it running again regardless of what we decide. So in other words there might be a few more plees for advice. One thing I have found reading through the old owners manuals is that they gave away ALOT of info, it almost reads like a cliff notes of a chiltons!

Thanks again!

Rare Find...1925 Chevrolet Superior Series K, 2-door ”˜Doctors’ Coupe. 171-cubic-inch 4-Cylinder Engine (26-HP) manual transmission and steel-disc wheels. Dark green color, black vinyl top, newer recovered mohair seats and new battery; most equipment original. OD reading 70 miles. Excellent shape - 80% to perfection. Runs good. Most restoration and service records available. Garage stored and driven last few years. Father has passed on and family has no interest. Motivated to sell ASAP. Simi Valley, Ca
email: swolfe004@aol.com. subject line 25 Chev

Any pictures?

You should also consider posting this information in the cars for sale further down the Forum.

To augment my fellow collectors, the market is “all-screwed-up”, not up-side-down, not side-ways, but in a place that reflects a change in utility and value. I started buying/driving antique cars in my teens, mentored by my father and his collective-collecting friends. I see cars that went for $5K in 1970 going for $4K today, and I see cars that went for $250 going for $10K today. The new collectable is the survivor, a car that is truly “all original”, paint, rubber, and interior. It has gotten to the point where a “barn find” is worth more if never driven or washed. I do appreciate a survivor, as I own one, but I drive it (and wash it) as well. I believe the biggest factor on the decrease in utility, or actual “use” has been driven by the new expectations for performance on today’s roads. In the 70’s and before, I would experience “honks” and “waves” from passers-by. Today it’s 2 honks for every wave. Simply, todays cars accelerate and stop quicker, they are safer, which means greater risks are taken (the new green is yellow), and people aren’t as familiar with pre-WWII cars, as they were not part of their youth. There is a market for our cars, but it is diminishing with the number of “old” car enthusiasts. The good news: so what, I love olds cars, that people I meet when I’m driving them and the entire history of the auto business. I am an entrepreneur with a high-tech product development and manufacturing company in the US! The history of the auto business follows that of the agricultural revolution, and they precede the computer revolution! Simply put: diversify when times are good, consolidate and vertically integrate when times are bad, or sit and watch! If you get the car, enjoy the restoration process, read about the history of the automobile, GM, and most important, Bill Durant, a true American entrepreneur and as reckless as they come. PS: include your father-in-law and wife in the process and watch the “experiences” happen!