VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1938 Master Sedan Police Car

In the mid '90's a mechanic for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department rescued a 1938 Chevrolet Master 4-door sedan just before it went to the crusher. Fleet maintenance was performed by a private company under contract for the city. The mechanic convinced the company to restore the car as a marked police car. The car was painted the typical black and white. It had a motor driven mechanical siren with a red light mounted on the right front fender and two more red lights added the front bumper where fog lamps are normally. They converted it to 12-volts and changed the generator to an alternator. The company then donated the car to the city for use in parades and such. Problem is no one with the city had any idea of how to take care of such a car. The car was left outside for 10 or more years and the weather started to take its toll. At some point a rear wheel cylinder began to leak. Instead of replacing or rebuilding it, someone decided to cut the brake line and crimped it making the vehicle front brakes only. The car was given to the Ft. Lauderdale Fire Museum. They considered redoing the car in red and making it a Fire Chief's Car. At the museum it sat outside again until now. Last week I learned the museum was looking to dispose of the car. I can have it for a "fair" donation to the museum. The car does run. The interior is shot - an expansion plug in the block is leaking, etc. As a retired Ft. Lauderdale Police Sergeant I can't think of a vehicle I rather have to add to my small collection. Here's the dilemma. What is a fair donation for the vehicle? What will it be worth if restored to reliable, presentable condition? I have no desire to put it back to original VCCA judging condition. I just want to enjoy it and take it to local shows. Any opinions from my highly respected friends at VCCA would be greatly appreciated.

Condition and demand are the deciding factors. If they were wanting to crush it they aren't too proud of it. Having a few pics to look at would help but from your description I'd have trouble 'donating' more than $5K.

any photos would help. inside and out, including engine compartment.
my guess would be $2,500-$4,000. as is.

I was thinking $2500. I have pictures. How do I share them?

Put them on a hosting site then put a link to them in a post. The process has been discussed several times before. If you do a site search you should be able to find several threads with the details of how to post pics. I'm on the way out the door to an appointment & don't have time or I'd go over it again.

I think your $2500.00 donation would be more than generous.

They were ready to accept scrap value at the crusher; offer them that plus $500.

Photobucket FLPD Chevrolet

If I did this right you should see the photos. I may not have been clear about the history. The car was restored since it appeared at the crusher. It has since been neglected and needs some TLC.

Ok.....I misunderstood. I thought they were going to send it to the crusher now. New estimate is $2500 - 5000 based on the photos.

In any case, good luck obtaining it. Looks like a fun project.

Thanks for all the input. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

The interior doesn't look all that bad to me. At any rate, I would talk to the Fire Museum to see if they have some kind of an amount in mind for a donation, and then go from there.

FYI it appears to be a Master Deluxe rather than a Master. The hood trim, gauge panel, glove box door and knobs are MD. Look at the data plate and see if it's an HA or HB.

Also the deluxe runningboard chrome.

It is a Master Deluxe. Here's a picture from 1995 before it was left out in the weather. I'm meeting with them this weekend. I'm on a budget. If I pay too much up front I won't have the budget to make the necessary repairs. I hope to sweeten the deal by making it available for their events and using it for their fundraisers.

http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o573/flpd671/FLPD%20Chevy/FLPDCar.jpg

Electric wipers? They usually don't lay like that.

How did I know you'd spot that...? grin

2.5K is a fair amount for a donation. Start out at by affirming that you will donate 1.5K and then go up to 2.5 if it takes it to close the deal. If your offer is rejected , ask what is expected? After all, it is a 1938.

Good luck,
Charlie

BTW: You should point out to the negotiator all its flaws and what it would take to make it a show car. About 30K. An engine is just a bunch of used parts it it has to be gone through, same with the upholstery, paint, glass, etc.

reading through old posts ... whatever happened here ??? sad to see a project with this significance die in the bud ..

Been a long time but I just saw your post. I friend bought the car for almost nothing and is working on it. I haven't seen it since.