I think "stock" cars of this era are hard. Like you said in your ad it's not really a car you can just jump in and drive to the store. For me, anything over 10k is hard to justify for a "toy". If I hadn't of been able trade a motorcycle for my 1930 roadster, I don't think I would have considered a chevy. Parts are hard to find for these cars compared to other brands and I think it shows in their following and price.
Personally I'm torn on my car. Do I keep it as original as possible and accept it for what it is? Or do I swap in a later chevy/GMC straight six drive train, stiffen the chassis, upgrade the brakes, and get more personal enjoyment out of it.
Not sure why you feel parts are hard to find. Most everyday mechanical parts are quickly available from a few great vendors that are either listed and or frequent this forum. If you mean other brands like a Ford Model A, the Chevy is almost the same. Try a Dodge, Buick, Chrysler, or Olds of the era as they are definitely hard to find. Fords around me are a dime a dozen and sell cheaper than the Chevys of the same period. The chevys are much more car than an A.
My own 31' will easily cruise at 45-50 (yes, it is restored and rebuilt), stops really good with mechanical brakes, and rides fairly well. (compared to a modern car as that is what I assume you're comparing an old car to.) I drive either it or my 32 olds most every weekend much like I did my harley but now prefer the car due to the poor quality drivers who are out there and threaten my life while on the bike. Both my wife and I feel safer knowing we at least have some sort of car around us. No, I'm not real old either but I am a class A licensed driver, have over 4 million miles under my belt, and have watched the quality of drivers go down hill for the last twenty years.
The stovebolt six didn't change much through the years so swapping one out with a later one will only get you more convenience like auto spark advance or electronic ignition. Part of owning an older car is the nostalgia of driving it. What it really comes down to is people don't want to put down their phone or cup of java while driving anymore. They know nothing about how an automobile works because they lack any sort of mechanical knowledge. What people seem to forget is these cars survived on roads that weren't much more than paths in many parts of the country. Todays roads are so much better, gas is better, brake materials are better, motor rebuild items like pistons and rings are so much better, that it all adds up to these old cars just performing so much better. In many cases many people can't even drive a standard transmission vehicle and won't ever consider learning as it would mean putting down that phone or java to shift. God knows they won't do that. Today, many restaurants that offer valet parking even have signs out that say "no standard shift cars"! Companies with truck fleets are selling off their standard transmission equipped trucks because those learning to drive class B and A vehicles are taking those tests with "automatic transmission only" endorsements. Men are no longer men. Hell, don't get me going even further than I have.
