VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Unique 210 Deluxe

A very nice '54 for sale and one of the pics shows a AACA National winner in '86 badge.

Looks also like a great HPOCF car for sure...

If I was into '54s I would be bidding on this one.

Click on the blue '54 below:
\'54

It does seem like a "nice" car.

But, $17k "Buy-It-Now." Man, that seems like a lot of money for a '54 "210" four door, 3 spd car.

Bill.

She is way overpriced (IMHO) on the 'Buy it now' at 17k.

She is pretty...if the history is true, it is one unique '54; if I was close to it I would check her out.

Looks like the heirs sold it when the father died last year...

If I was 'close' I'd go check it out also Wayne. I look at cars all the time. Some with a possible interest in purchasing; others just to sorta see "what's up."

I usually have a REAL HARD time getting interested in a car once it's in a dealer's hands. I don't deny it's "fair" for them to make a "profit" for being in business. But most of them seem to want to hit a "home run" on every car. The asking price often seems so high there's really not much "room" for me to make an offer.

Several of the "classic car" dealers here in Portland are friends of mine. However, I've only ever been able to purchase one car from one of them in some 20 years. Just too much money.

I've bought a few cars in "partnership" with one or two of them at auctions or swap meets and "we've" sold them with a nice profit. Nonetheless, it's basically impossible for me to buy a car from one of them. As before, just too much money.

Bill.

I will be interested in seeing what this one sells for on ebay...

Like you if I lived close to this car I would just like to check it out because it is so pristine and original.

I bet it's reserve price is way more than it's market value. I would doubt if it is bid to $7000 sentimental value is good for about 25 cents any more except to the "family"

From what I have found on some pricing links, this model in 'show' condition is valued at $5800 which seems low to me...but I don't know what the market is for this model/year.

Sure would be a great car for packing in the family to go on an outing.

Why not buy if Gator? It is a fine looking car but not too much demand for good looking 210 four door fifty-fours outside of our smallgroup. The description "unique" is kinda over kill. I was giving the car the benefit of the doubt at $7000, I would be more inclined to top out at $6750, and then only if I really needed one for touring. What do you think a nice 79 or 80 impala 4 door sedan with a sb V/8 two barrel and automatic, with power and air should bring?
$4000? how about $500

Hey Gator,

Is this the Unique 210 Deluxe that you are referring to?

BigBob...

BigBob, yes, it is. You can click on the blue '54 in the 1st post.

MM, I used the term 'unique' because it is a 51 year old car with all of its original paint, accessories, trim, tools, paper work, motor, carpets, original interior, etc and only 32,000 miles and no dents or dings and in 51 years it had never been touched by rain or snow.

I have not come across any others like this even from the 80s. :(

Wouldn't you call something like that unique?

If the car is as good as described its worth $12,000 at least.Try to restore a dog for that money.
A pair of skirts on it and it would improve the appearence 100%.
The only thing being a '54 I'll bet its puffing smoke out of the tail pipe .
Also has the incorrect trim rings on the wheels.

That is what I meant about our "small group" that is what makes eBay work! selling to the Crazys with the stashed away cash! I wonder what I can find today? maybe an electrical mirror clock for my 1928 or even better a geneeieuwine original Marilyn Monroe Nudie Cutie steering wheel spinner for the '53 so long I am headed for

Wayne,

I feel your "pricing links" are very low, conservative, out-dated or something.

Personally I wouldn't pay more than $10k for it.

But then, I don't want it.

Bill.

MM,

It's definitely 'worth' more than $7k (or $6750) in the 'marketplace.' It may not be 'worth' more than that to you; but in today's market it certainly is.

Incidentally, it's already bid to $7100 and there's nearly a full 7 day week remaining on the auction. I wouldn't be surprised if it tops $10-$12k.

Bill.

Chev Gene,

As you say: Frankly, I wouldn't be one bit surprised if it got to that level in the bidding. It appears that there's several interested bidders, altho 2 or 3 of them have VERY LOW feedback ratings. (Always a scary sign for the seller.)

I guess we never know if "these cars" are as good as they look in the photos unless 'we' go see them in person.

Incidentally Gene, please remind me what the rearend gear ratio is in the '54 3 speed. It's 3.70, isn't it?? Thanks.

Bill.

Well $12000 is looking good to me, now I know where to sell my cars...... "buy low and sell high!".. maybe that is a good one liner! Bil 42 I think maybe that is correct on the rearend ratio, for all passanger cars of 54 model year?

MM, if your car is in this car's condition I think you will get top dollars for it too.

Bill, on another string you said this pricing guide was too high...now it is too low.....maybe 3rd time will be the charm. As I said I think it is worth more than the guide said because this car is unique among '54 210 Deluxe cars...IMHO

I just want it to go to someone in the VCCA or feels the way we do about cars.

Don't want to see it chopped, channeled, Frenched, decked, smoothed,etc... with a 350/350 and bucket seats...

After the sale, if one of you guys buys it, please let us know.

Gator:

I don't remember saying "this pricing guide was too high." I don't even remember what "guide" car 'we' were talking about, much less, which particular car we were "talking" about.

Obviously I felt that for "that" car it was too high.

And, for "this" car (the "unique" 210 4 dr sedan) I think it's too low.

Remember, I'm telling you what "I" think. And what I "think" is based on current market conditions in my general area - West Coast, and Oregon/Washington in particular. And that's tempered by many factors including recent sales/purchases; recent "live" auction activity and, to some degree, the "Old Cars Price Guide."

I also hope it goes to someone who will "appreciate" it for what it is. Altho, in a way, I basically don't care if I'm not involved. It's "their" business, not mine.

Bill.

MM:

You're 'new' one-liner, "Buy low, sell high" is pretty much the "goal" in any sales situation whether it be "old" cars, driver-type cars, the stock market, real estate, etc. etc.

It's a GREAT idea; much harder to actually DO than it is to say.

Bill.

I KNOW the '54 PG ratio is 3.55; not 3.70 as MM suggests.

What I want Chev Gene or someone who really does know is confirm the '54 3 speed ratio. I THINK it's 3.70.

In the 40's and early 50's I KNOW the 3 spd ratio was 4.11. I'd also like to know when it changed to 3.70.

Bill.

From the GOOD BOOK:

Conventional 1949-52:::4.11:1
Conventional 1953:::3.70:1
Powerglide 1950-53:::3.55:1

The supplement to the 53 Manual does not indicate any change in the 1954 year.

This is the car in question from the get go of this thread, the bid was $7800 with a day to go.

A nice old four door, not very "sporty" but would probably make a fine VCCA tourer.
Gator you best jump in now! I don't think it has reached the reserve yet.


BilXLII just one thing, it was not my suggestion, it was a question"

a question mark = ?

Thanks Ray. I appreciate you taking the time to check (as you say) the "good book."

Bill.

I don't think it will reach whatever the reserve price is...seller might think he has a more valuable car then what the market place thinks.

You're right it would make a great tour car.

I see "Alan" is back in the lead @ $8100 with just two days and a few hours to go......

Wow, I wonder what the heck the reserve is anyway???

Bill.

You might want to send a message ('ask seller a question') to the seller with your email address in case it doesn't met the reserve price.

He might be willing to drop his reserve "make him an offer he can't refuse" send the lawyer from the Godfather...LOL

Gator:

Well, I guess "anything" is possible; but somehow I doubt it with this '54 in that it's in the hands of a dealer.

Bill.

Then again a dealer might want to get rid of it quicker than a person who feels attached to the car..."nothing ventured nothing gained"....good luck.

I think Alan has it all figured out over on the other thread about the "53 Chevy rear slider windows."
I'm not sure how; but somehow 'we' got to talking about this '54 in CT over there also.

Bill.

Auction's over.

$9300 final bid.

"Reserve not met."

Oh well.........

Bill.

Reality might set in for the seller and then he will re-list it....maybe?

Run arcoss these today;

http://www.cars-on-line.com/21714.html

http://www.cars-on-line.com/18530.html

'54 Bel Airs...one done and one to work on...

Intresting 1954 BelAir 4 door for sale in the Oct. G&D.Says low milage original for less than $10,000...this months best buy.And its only 100 miles from me...in the north Chicago area.
A friend of a friend purchased a 1954 BelAir 2 door HT ar Hershey for $21,000, stick with low milage and a good repaint was its description.Made it 150 miles before it quit running.Fuel line plugged with rust....towed it the rest of the way home to the Chicago area.

Like I stated in '42 Bill's "'54 Bel Air 4 door" in Cars Wanted, I went to bid on that '54 4dr in August.Said it was original with 12,036 miles on it. His wife said that was the actual miles when I talked to her. Told my wife I'd go $5,000 on it. Got there and checked the car over. Found a radiator leak, a rear end leak, and a differnt kind of paint in the trunk. I asked if it was repainted and he said yes. I dropped my price down to $3,500. There was no rust and the frame was in excellent condition. Lookd like the origial tires. When they got to the car they said the battery was dead so they couldn't start it but said it ran like a charm. Dropped my price to $3,000. It started at $3,500 and sold for $7,000. I went home empty handed. The '54 210 4dr I was told went for less than $1,000 but he said it wasn't in the best of shape but very restoreable. I called about the '49 and he said it was a parts car only. Oh well, took some of the '31 over to the body shop last week so it's a start.

GENE:

Sad story about the $21k Sport Coupe purchased in Hersey. Another unfortunate case of "buyer beware." That's so darn difficult when the seller 'misleads' - or, should I just go ahead and say, doesn't tell the truth.

Please be looking for an email I sent your way.

And to JERRY:

Interesting update. I don't remember you 'saying' anything about the cars at this auction/sale after it was over. I knew you were hoping to go despite some kind of conflict. Too bad the seller had so much trouble "telling it like it is."

Bill.

Bill, Ya, Sorry about the delay in posting but my computer was all jammed up and after two others tried to fix it, my little nephew came over and took out about 57 virues, installed an anti virus program and pop up stopper and it's been woking great since Sunday night. My little nephew is only 46 years old and 220 pounds and single so he has a lot of time to fool around with the computer.
jerrygolf

Hey Jerry,

No problem about the 'delay.' I just sorta figured you didn't go or, if you did go, there wasn't much of anything to 'report.'

Your computer story is interesting. I had a situation a while back with a bunch of viruses. The IT guy at a friend's big time company finally got it straightened out. He said something about never seeing so many viruses and a computer being so 'screwed up' before. After that 'we' installed a new version of microsoft and a bunch of anti-virus stuff and a firewall and so on. (Frankly, I don't really know what all is in there; but it seems to be working great ever since - a year or so, I guess.)

Anyway, I'm still looking for a 54 convertible and / or a 54 Bel Air four door sedan.

Thanks for letting me know how things went at the auction in MN.

Bill.

Viruses out there are the reason why I never open an attachment to emails unless I know the person.

Bill, did you check out?

http://www.cars-on-line.com/18530.html

Most of the email viruses I have received over the years were from friends and/or people that I knew. Now, I never open attachments! :eek:

Norton and McAfee have email screening that sees those viruses before they go in.
Defence is a must nowadays, the Internet is the Wild West.

Are you all about ready to close the thread on this subject? Since the 210 didn't sell , the Reserve wasn't met. I also have some good advice about computer problems, but I haven't seen a 49-54 Chevrolet with a virius, mostly they just run and run without much of a problem, except too much chokeing and some sputtering.