[Split Guy]

Hi,

I'm John, new to the forum. Came here cause I am looking for some advice. I just sold my '55 VW because I am looking for something bigger and older. From my various searches it seems I really like cars of the 1937-1940 vintage. Nash had some real nice cars then, so did Chevy/Buick (would love a straight 8!).

So I am looking for advice on what to look for. I have no idea what parts availability would be like on cars of that age, I cant imagine it would be great though. I want a good car to restore, preferebly with split windows front and rear. Suicide doors a plus.

I'v looked at a 1940 Nash Ambassador 4020 which I loved. Its solid and complete - but I fear the rarity in that car will present a real challenge. There are a few 1937-40 Buick specials around here. Maybe thats a better choice?

Any advice for a young and stupid hopeful old car restorer would be appreciated!

Thanks
John

ps I posted something similar under the AMC forum so if any moderators feel the need to delete/mrege/move I apologize for the double post.

[keiser31]

Welcome to the forum. I can only add that you should get the car you like. There are enough places to go these days with the internet that you should be able to get almost any part you may need.

[MCHinson]

Welcome to the AACA Discussion Forum. You are wise to give serious thought to your purchase. Only you can decide what you like well enough to own, but I would suggest that you check out the 1939 Buick that Dynaflash8 has in the Buy/Sell Forum.

I personally prefer the 1937/1938 Buick, and someday hope to own one. If you like the lines on a VW, I think you might like the 1939 Buick look more than the 1937/38 Buick.

Dynaflash8 is a trustworthy guy to deal with and if you want a Buick Straight 8 engine, I would suggest you at least check out his car for sale.

I am sure others will have other ideas for you to consider. Hope you find what you want and be sure to stick around on the AACA Discussion Forum. You will enjoy it and you should fit in just fine with the rest of us old car fans here.

[Split Guy]

Wow thanks for the quick responses. Dynaflash's car looks fantastic but its outside of my current price range (in the process of making an addition to my garage as well).

I found this locally, do you guys think it is worth checking out at this price?

1940 Buick

Thanks!

[MCHinson]

You will almost always spend more money over time if you restore something than you would have spent up front to buy something already restored. With that said, if the 1940 Buick at that price if in good running condition, would certainly be worth looking at. If you like it, give it a shot!

[Shop Rat]

Welcome.

I just looked at the Buick you posted the link to. In the photos it looks nice. But the photos are nine years old. A lot can happen in nine years. If you really are interested you can probably find an AACA member that could at least look at the car for/with you to see what condition it is really in. We recently did this for a man in New Jersey that was interested in a '56 T-bird here in W. Va. We took photos for him and took notes. He ended up buying the car.

If you need a professional appraisal done on it, or another vehicles you are serious about, you can contact I-VAN. I-VAN - Your Source for Fast and Accurate Auto Appraisals

Dynaflash8 is probably the most knowledgeable Buick guy you could ever meet.

[F&J]

I'v looked at a 1940 Nash Ambassador 4020 which I loved. Its solid and complete - but I fear the rarity in that car will present a real challenge. There are a few 1937-40 Buick specials around here. Maybe thats a better choice?

Like Keiser said, buy what you like. I really would not be concerned about parts for any car of that age group except a few rare ones like a Hollywood Graham for example.


I would not worry about finding parts for that 40 Nash either. I have a 32 Nash and I have found most of what I need to get it on the road.

What we mean by "buy what you like" is that any project will take a lot of work and why not put the same effort into a "first choice" rather than something that you think is easier to find parts for.

[poci1957]

Hello John, good to have you on the forum. This is a good venue for old car advice in general and lots of support for Buicks in particular.

I would say that the car you are looking at is a great potential purchase. As ShopRat said you should go look at it before making any decisions and make sure it is in acceptable condition.

Regarding parts availability. If you are asking can you go to Auto Zone and get a part off the shelf, not usually. However, if you need mechanical parts at a reasonable price by mail in 2-4 days I would say no problem. You just need to:
(a) Google around and look through Hemmings for suppliers and get their catalogs.
(b) after buying the car buy service manual(s). They should be readily available, $50 for the factory manual is the best money you can spend. If a body manual is available buy it too, and sometimes monthly or quarterly service bulletins were mailed to dealers, they are good too.

In looking at the 1940 Buick, remember to assume that normal wear parts like brakes, tires, belts and hoses, etc probably need replacement and that is OK. Flat glass can be replaced, as can most rubber weatherstrip. But missing trim parts may be tougher, and rusty body panels mean work and $$. Good luck and let us know, Todd C

[Split Guy]

Thanks guys. I know with VW's you could get most parts but there were some that we almost unobtainable. Atleast not for a reasonable cost. I'm aware of what it would cost/what should be done to restore a car, and how to evaluate one etc. My issue would be more with unfamiliarity with the cars of this era particularly, what they are worth, what to look out for etc. But it seems like this is a great resource of information and I can always ask questions.

I learned from my first VW not to rush into a purcahse (1973 Super Beetle, yuck). So I think I need to just decide what I like. And I really like the Nash. Just not sure what a good price for it would be. Non running but complete car - needs a restore. Was running when parked in 2007. But werent they all running when parked....

[keiser31]

Originally Posted by Split Guy

Thanks guys. I know with VW's you could get most parts but there were some that we almost unobtainable. Atleast not for a reasonable cost. I'm aware of what it would cost/what should be done to restore a car, and how to evaluate one etc. My issue would be more with unfamiliarity with the cars of this era particularly, what they are worth, what to look out for etc. But it seems like this is a great resource of information and I can always ask questions.

I learned from my first VW not to rush into a purcahse (1973 Super Beetle, yuck). So I think I need to just decide what I like. And I really like the Nash. Just not sure what a good price for it would be. Non running but complete car - needs a restore. Was running when parked in 2007. But werent they all running when parked....

Some maybe were not running when they were parked. Some of 'em died JUST before that!
I don't think that the '40 Nash will be a problem as far as finding parts goes. Sure, the Buick may have more availability of parts, but as I said earlier...get the one you like the style of and go from there. A lot of guys get a car because it's an easier one to get parts for. Then, after spending the same amount of time and money on the "second choice" car, they wish they had gotten the one they wanted in the first place. The 1940 Nash was a great car. A friend in San Diego had a four door sedan and it was always reliable on tours and cruised nicely. They are a very comfortable car to ride in and to drive. When I started out at 13 years old looking for parts for my 1st '31 Dodge, the parts were non-existent. Now, at 57 years old, I have craigslist and ebay and various club websites (such as this one) to go to to find what I need and to learn more. You, of course will not have to wait as long as I did, but my point is the ease of the parts search. John