VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1932 chevrolet value

Good morning all. I was wondering if anyone could give a ballpark estimate of what kind of value a 32 chevy might be worth. My father in law bought it 20 years ago from a family who's son had taken it apart and left for vietnam and did not make it back. So its been in pieces for fifty years indoors. It is a 4 door deluxe straight six with trunk box. No rust. All the parts are there. The frame was blasted primed and painted all suspension reassembled with wheels redid in the original beige color so its a rolling frame again. I do not deal in chevys so this vehicle is out of my knowledge base. Welcome any thoughts on this you might have. Thanks and have a blessed day.

It is very difficult to tell the value of a disassembled car. It depends on condition! A bunch of pictures will be very valuable in determining the value. I understand that they feel that all the parts are there but most often something comes up missing. It may only be a few small parts and then it is not a major problem.

Is the body apart and scattered or intact? The more pieces the lower the value as someone needs to put it back together which takes time and expertise. Wood good or needs replacing, interior there? needs replacing or serviceable? Fenders, other chassis sheet metal? Engine turns over or is stuck? Same for other mechanical parts.

With more information we might be able to give a ballpark value.

In an attempt to give you some type of idea I'd guess in the neighborhood of $5K - $7k plus or minus depending on condition.

The 1932 could be worth the $5 to $7K mentioned above, but it could be worth a lot less too since it is basically a "basket case". Photos would be extremely helpful along with an inventory list to determine a more accurate value of the car.

I would be guessing it is more likely a $ 2000 to $ 2500 value. Long term storage of a restored chassis can dramatically reduce its value particularly due to deterioration of the mechanicals. An example: a '72 engine completely rebuilt using assembly lube was found to be stuck 15 years later even thought stored inside. Never ran and needs another rebuild. If it had been run it likely would have been in better shape.

Yes photos and inventory list would help a bunch. Pair of experienced eyes is the best.

Without seeing the car, the $2,000 to $2,500 figure sounds more realistic.

Was thinking about my initial guess and the thought that who ever has interest in a car in boxes definitely has the leverage. I think $2,500 would be a great deal. However, my guess was based loosely on the sum of the parts. Take for example the headlights, grill, and radiator alone. If they are in good shape and marketable they are worth almost $1,000. Your intentions with the car (or parts) does matter.

The sum of the parts will always exceed the value of an unrestored vehicle. Keep in mind that it can take years to sell off the parts and some will not sell in a reasonable time. Condition is also a critical factor. Since we don't have either "eyes on the prize" or photos we are all guessing or assuming on the condition to estimate a value.

Probably worth a lot more for parts if in good condition than as a project. An original style radiator core from the FS is probably around $1000. Rechromed radiator shell the same. The condition of the parts will be the determining factor. A recent Ebay auction featured a complete running older restoration of a special sedan and had a buy it now price of a little over $10,000.

Very true...and it's probably not something most guys have the patience for, but that can also be said for assembling a car from parts that you didn't take off yourself....pictures...pictures.

Yep, the value of the parts usually exceeds the value of the complete vehicle, especially when it is a basket case. As stated above, the parts could be sold for more than the complete basket case is worth....but it would be very time consuming trying to sell all of the parts. And, you would have to know the value of each individual part as well.

I really appreciate everyones replies to my question. Not sure how to get pics uploaded to this forum? As I mentioned all parts are there but everything is diassembled except the frame suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires. The wood is bad. If I had the time I would redo the car with a modern crate engine and suspension. Replace the floor with square tube and sheetmetal. My experience is with Mustangs and any free time and money I have goes toward them. My father in law gave 3,000 for the car when he bought it so my wife and I were just trying to get an idea of what to ask for it. Most people want to negoiate so you about have to double your asking price anymore. Thanks again for your replies and if I figure out how to post pics I will add some.

I was afraid of that..... They guys are probably right in the $2,000 - $2,500 range. Bad wood is a major reason people run away from old Chev's.

The value of a car like this is a function of many often competing things. For a guy with little money to spend who wants to buy a "project car" and who has lots of time and some skill to do his own restoration work, the starting price needs to be low ($2k-$3K). 4 door sedans have generally the lower finished value of all models yet can be the greatest challenge to restore. Convertibles bring top dollar, coupes/coach's next, etc. As a deluxe version ( I assume it has dual sidemounted spares), it would be a bit more valuable when finished than a regular sedan.

Some buyers may only be interested in parting it out, or worse still, rodding it. For these buyers, the value is only in what parts or pieces they plan to use, and what they can resale the rest for. I think the guys above have a pretty good feel for the value "as is" for what you have, i.e. $2K-$4K. You may know items like a good '32 trunk can bring $300 easily if in decent condition, but most other parts don't bring much money unless sold locally, as the shipping cost can often be excessive. I would encourage you to find someone who wants a restoration project and give them a decent deal, say $2500-$3,000, conditional on them promising to restore it. You would make the VCCA team happy!