VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 31 roadster on E-Bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271008502938&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This Car had a rough 10 years then 60 years of storage in a garage that must have been near the Pacific ocean.

Serial number on that old pink slip is 3AE 148?7. St Louis built 2 passenger roadster. Maybe it's the 8-millionth Chevrolet pictured in 60 years of Chevrolet

Jay

Engine serial number is 2227321. Where does that fall date wise of the block? Check out the early hood....Joe

First December '30 engine 2185173, First January '31 engine 2242340. So that would put it 2/3 of the December production or approximately Dec. 18th (considering shutdown for Christmas).

If this was a bit closer to me (other side of this continent)I'd be awful tempted to bid on it and simply lift unfinished '31 Coach body off my rebuilt chassis and mechanics and drop this body on. Would likely add $10,000 to my finished project's value eh! Any particular problem doing that other than the purists would shudder?

This is an interesting proposition at the current price ($3,000)... but I suspect that it will go up a bunch more over the next 6 days before the auction ends.

Two thoughts:
1. If it was parked in 1941, then it must have lived a rough first 10 years.

2. If there's "no rust" on it, then what is that "rust-colored" stuff on the outside surface?


--Bill B

Bill
Good observations.
About the rust. I'm thinking he means "east coast" rust, it's kinda like when you buy a fender form the east coast sight unseen and the seller say it's a little lacey and when you get it it has holes big enough you can put your hands through

Looks like it would make a good restoration though.

Bill, do you know if the bodies (Coach versus Roadster)are simply "unbolt one and bolt on the other" from the cowl back, i.e. same mounting bolt locations? It appears to me everything else (hood/rad/fenders/rear apron/brightwork/running boards etc) are same as well as chassis and mechanics.

Chip's right about Dec. engine production as the pink slip lists first sold 1-31-31. What's interesting is it was built in St. Louis plant but sold by a dealer in Los Angeles. Were no roadsters bulit in Oakland?
I think the picture of the finished car might belong to an Auburn CA member.
Jay

To the best of my knowledge, all of the '31 (car) bodies used the same frame. I've thought about this a couple of times over the years, but never got engergized enough to actully research it.

By the way --- (not trying to hijack this thread) -- but I have just added a SEARCH feature to my '31 site . So you can now find any instance of a word, or phrase, really easy.

And, now that's going to motivate me to add even MORE stuff to it.
--Bill Barker

There is just one passenger chassis in 1931. All bodies will bolt up to any passenger frame. The chassis sheet metal will also work with any body.

365125 frame assembly 1931 AE passenger & sedan delivery LHD
365126 frame assembly 1931 AE passenger & sedan delivery RHD

Price: $32.00 in 1935

Ahhh... all bets are off for cars sold overseas!!

To clarify the "rust" comment, it was meant to be humorous. We have run across East Coast rust, verses West Coast rust many times. Folks that don't have first-hand experience sometimes get "caught" in the difference.

The car on eBay has West Coast rust, which is usually in need of just some sandpaper or light oxalic acid. No need for the owner to be concerned about how we discuss it.

The BIG issue is going to be how much do you pay for a basic car when it still needs $40k to restore it, and it ends up being worth $20-25k when you're all done. Some folks don't understand that the hobby has begun to change. As a "hobby", it's still great fun. As a "business", it's very risky.

--Bill B

I agree Bill. Last time I looked bid was over $4,000 and reserve not met. It appears from photos that just about every part of car would need to be fixed/restored/replaced even to make a decent driver. So investing more than $4,000-$5,000 in buying the car is is no longer a business decision. Having said that, I would not be surprised if someone goes to $10,000! If they are able to pick it up locally and can do their own work to get it presentable, perhaps the rarity of such a garage find will make the bragging rights balance the business case!

Bill gets me out of trouble again (east coast rust) Thanks Bill. No maliciousness intended.

Back to the Roadster. Do we l know how many are still around in presentable condition?

My experience is that if the car is rare enough it will still draw the $$$. No mater if it's a Ford Chevy, Dodge etc it will be worth the restoration. That is if you can keep it at or below Bills amount (or reasonable). If you are a talented guy/gal and can do most of it yourself provided it's quality work that's all the better. For most of us it's a labor of love to bring something back and share it with others.

I happen to have a special fondness for '31's in particular...But unfortunately I was unable to find out what the reserve price might be...Makes it a little more difficult to decide if I should try to plan ahead...or just shake my head...

Well it's up to $6,350 and still 4 days to go. Reminds me of this " barn find" earlier last month.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221036807669

Bid to $42,000 and he still wanted more!
Jay

Here's another "Barn find" put up Sunday and already bid to $28,000 AND it needs a complete restoration.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280912675225

Jay

For a better response, the above two posts should probably go in the 1958-60 forum and the 1955-57 forum respectively.

Guy must be a classic "car salesman". Refers to the '57 Chevy as an untouched 100% original car garaged for 47 years, but then says it has had front clip and hood replaced, several pieces of trim replaced, new tires, painted rims, etc. I guess he didn't get the definition of "untouched" in his training manual. I would get the impression from the accompanying writeup that Shakespeare was correct when he said "me thinks thou doth speak too much".

I notice the '31 Barn Find roadster has passed $10,000 with out meeting reserve, I'm going to have to start checking old barns in my area, if that one and the other 2 are representative of what people think these rough old chevies are worth! Anxious to see what happens near deadline tomorrow nite.

The roadster has now met reserve. $10550.

I think a lot of folks find it unbelievable that a Chevrolet can bring this kind of money-Most people work on 2drs and 4drs -some on coupes-The dollar cars have always been the open cars-when they sold new and today . Most of them that become available seem to be out of reach for the typical working man-They're very seldom available for sale-and generally expensive when they sell-They are probably the only car that can still be restored with a potential for break even or profit-Production cars certainly don't do that-The 30's open Chevrolets was the closest shot at " classic"-Just my opinion

For you guys that think that the price of that roadster is high. One in approximately the same shape (out of a garage in Texas after decades storage) sold at the Pate Swap Meet over 30 years ago for $10K. In fact it was the same color combination as the one on eBay. Now that was a high price as the next year I bought a '31 Roadster for $ 800, missing the passenger door, metal brazed together, missing wood, brackets, engine, transmission, brake rods, etc. That car with new wood, brackets/braces, body work completed painted with tan lacquer mostly to preserve the body work, complete chassis and nearly all the parts also sold recently for $ 10K.

I am with you Chipper, my 1931 tourer started as a radiator and surround and 5 wheels from a swap meet.Then a cowl was given to me by a guy in my suburb, and then have chased the parts to be nearly complete.( about 10 years so far.)

Ending price 10,550.00. Anybody here purchase it?....Joe