72caddy

I am currently talking to a friends father about buying one of his cars because he can no longer drive it. He does not necessarily want to sell - his wife does and his kids want him to sell. He acknowledges that he can no longer work or care for the car and is somewhat happy to see it go to someone that will take care of it like he did. Its not about money for him. We will see what happens.

Interesting thread on value verses worth and the link to attract new blood into the hobby. I'm 42, bought my Caddy (72 Eldo) 17 years ago as a project (it was!) and I am currently working on obtaining a 27 Willy's or a 16 Buick. The Caddy probably will never be worth much but the top goes down and I love big cars. I like the engineering and sense of accomplishment I get from working on cars. I work in software but can tell you that we have probably about 5-6 car nuts at work tht all have dabbled in car rodding and/or restoration in varying degrees. Most have abandoned their projects and have sworn off the 'hobby' for several common reasons. Problem #1 - lack of common interest - no one in the immediately family has the same interest - my two boys could care less about cars but I hate TV so I need to do something after their bedtime. Problem #2 - not enough time - after working all week, going to kids sporting events/practice/dance 3 nights of those weekdays and then games on Saturday, Church on Sunday, you barely have time to 'dedicate' to doing any real car work. Sport schedules overlap so there is never a break - mainly times I do not get home until 9PM. Yes, the sports are my kids ideas - I do not force them (like other Moms/Dads I know). Proble, #3 - Money - Some use this excuse but what they are really saying is I could upgrade my current car for that much and have more luxury and look better to the neightbors. Problem #4 - Driveability - Again a lame execuse that is really covering upan underlying issue that problem #1 is in play - we all need to save face. I was going to go on but everyone know this. I think what needs to be done is embrace new methods of clubs/forums. Use the forums to gather interst in a quick lunch meet. Exchange tips/help via the web. This very site has helped immensly in my study of the 1916 Buick - I would have passed on that car without question if no one helped. There are no Cadillac, Z3, or Buick clubs in my area but I feel a part of them as I help others and they help me via the computer. In fact I think if you did a 'hit' count on this web page you membership is probably larger than it has ever been. Do some online polls of people in locations and I bet you will find groups in your own back yard - it worked for the Z3 crowd and now they use the forum to organize drives, photoshoots and meet/greets. We are out there, we just have to do our meets behind a screen and in our pajamas. When I buy either car I will join the appropriate forum and club. I think any with real interest will. I have several ideas on how to increase paid memberships but I will leave that for now. As for value I agree that some cars will always be of high value - but those are limited to the very wealthy or speculators - they are no different than stocks at that level. If you compare car prices to fine arrt prices blue chip cars are still very cheap. Everyday cars and the more unpopular cars will vary as the economy varies but I do not think many will get rid of their projects if they are really interested - they are not paying loans on their projects (most) so selling at a loss does not make sense. If it isn't costing you money, why sell?

Interesting thread on value verses worth and the link to attract new blood into the hobby. I'm 42, bought my Caddy (72 Eldo) 17 years ago as a project (it was!) and I am currently working on obtaining a 27 Willy's or a 16 Buick. The Caddy probably will never be worth much but the top goes down and I love big cars. I like the engineering and sense of accomplishment I get from working on cars. I work in software but can tell you that we have probably about 5-6 car nuts at work tht all have dabbled in car rodding and/or restoration in varying degrees. Most have abandoned their projects and have sworn off the 'hobby' for several common reasons. Problem #1 - lack of common interest - no one in the immediately family has the same interest - my two boys could care less about cars but I hate TV so I need to do something after their bedtime. Problem #2 - not enough time - after working all week, going to kids sporting events/practice/dance 3 nights of those weekdays and then games on Saturday, Church on Sunday, you barely have time to 'dedicate' to doing any real car work. Sport schedules overlap so there is never a break - mainly times I do not get home until 9PM. Yes, the sports are my kids ideas - I do not force them (like other Moms/Dads I know). Proble, #3 - Money - Some use this excuse but what they are really saying is I could upgrade my current car for that much and have more luxury and look better to the neightbors. Problem #4 - Driveability - Again a lame execuse that is really covering upan underlying issue that problem #1 is in play - we all need to save face. I was going to go on but everyone know this. I think what needs to be done is embrace new methods of clubs/forums. Use the forums to gather interst in a quick lunch meet. Exchange tips/help via the web. This very site has helped immensly in my study of the 1916 Buick - I would have passed on that car without question if no one helped. There are no Cadillac, Z3, or Buick clubs in my area but I feel a part of them as I help others and they help me via the computer. In fact I think if you did a 'hit' count on this web page you membership is probably larger than it has ever been. Do some online polls of people in locations and I bet you will find groups in your own back yard - it worked for the Z3 crowd and now they use the forum to organize drives, photoshoots and meet/greets. We are out there, we just have to do our meets behind a screen and in our pajamas. When I buy either car I will join the appropriate forum and club. I think any with real interest will. I have several ideas on how to increase paid memberships but I will leave that for now. As for value I agree that some cars will always be of high value - but those are limited to the very wealthy or speculators - they are no different than stocks at that level. If you compare car prices to fine arrt prices blue chip cars are still very cheap. Everyday cars and the more unpopular cars will vary as the economy varies but I do not think many will get rid of their projects if they are really interested - they are not paying loans on their projects (most) so selling at a loss does not make sense. If it isn't costing you money, why sell?

Thanks for that information. Engine #432009 is indeed a 6 cyclinder motor and is mounted in Frame # 497205

Contact Byron Russell at 256-773-0958 he has several 52 and 53 Buicks that may have what you want. Tell him Trent gave you his number.

Well the saga continues...went out after work and really looked hard with the new infolrmation that everyone so helpfully supplied. Turns out he has 4 frames, 3 motors (1 I did not look at), 3 cowls, 2 or 3 hoods, etc. etc. The cowl delimma (is it or is it not an open car cowl?) It is an open cowl the bottom bracket was produced and it lined up with the holes in the cowl and looked correct. especially when I compared it to the other open cowl fully asssembled under a tarp. So here are the numbers if someone can help me out: These are 'loose' frames with nothing much else other than running board and fender brackets Frame #1: badge on frame 283654 Frame #2: badge on frame 834696 Car #2 - not muchmore than engine, frame (complete) and cowl, doors and front seat (no rear section) Frame # (on the rear of the frame passenger side)497205 Engine # (Engine WITH vavle cover; no exposed rockers):432009 Car I am interested in - more complete; fairly straight Frame # (under left headlight) 255818 Engine # (Missing distributor cap) 261598 Won't give me a price yet because the car is full of part boxes and he wants to make sure he doesn't sell any Packard parts with the car by mistake. He also wants to assemble as much as he can so he can get a higher price. As always, thanks for any insight you can provide.

Picture of the rear.

Here is another shot of inside the cowl. I could not get around to the front when I was there last.

Here are some pictures:

I have some photos, but unsure how to post them on this forum. the owner thought he was buying a low production 'speedster', but when mentioned that the 6-cyl motor was common and that this was probably a D44, of which they made many - he tightened up a bit. I may go for a 28 Willy's-Knight that is in much better shape that I could get for about $5K - plus run the kids around in it.

Thanks Thriller and JoBo, I looked at Manheim the other day. It seems out of whack when you compare the values of the same era Model T and other cars of that era. So that is where I get confused - why such a large difference ($4500 verses $9500? He is always high priced on his fifties stuff, but this one he may be more reasonable as it is not what he usually deals in and may want it gone. Pictures would be difficult as you can't even get walk around the car as it sits right now. You can only see the rear because that is where the door to the building is. It is pinned in by two 27 packard 7 pass., a 30 hudson super sixty, a 36 buick 3 window sidemount coupe and what I think is a 27 Chevy touring. He probably has 60 other cars but not as nice as the ones in this building (most are basket cases). He said he wold get me a price in the month or so. Some Swedish buyers are coming in and he is trying to line up enough Cadillacs to make it worth their while - I may even sell my 72 eldo to them (need the space)

Thanks, The drive-train is the big question mark. As all this man did was roll it off the trailer and shove it in his building then pulled to Packards off and boxed in the Buick. He doesn't even know if the motor is free - it is not running; that is known. I like mechanical work so that is a plus to me. Any idea on a value? I have looked at old price guides and tried to find similiar sales of cars of the same vintage - but projects are very different.

Thanks JoBo I have restored a 72 Cadillac Eldorado Conv (from a near basket case to a driver) and helped friends and other help debug their projects. I know from experence your advice is spot-on. I am mainly looking for a driver to put around in. One day when I have more space I would do a full body-off restoration. I mainly use cars as my 'outlet' from a very stressful software job. I find getting my hands dirty turning wrenches is very theraputic. Costs (purchase and ongoing) are a concern as I do this on a budget - but as long as the value keeps pace over a long period I have no issues with the cost. I don't buy, do a little and then try to turn them around in a short period. I am a buy and keep type of person - my poor kids! I have been frustrated many times, had to search high and lower for correct parts and even try to fix factory issues (the 70's quality was not a mandate) but that is what I like. I think I like the challenge more than I like to drive.

An aqantence of mine of several years that buys/sells cars at a fever pitch recently aquired this car - which I seem captivated by. I do not have any experence with restoring a car of this vintage and probably didn't ask all the 'right' questions. It is complete but a needs everyting. Not a rust bucket or covered in surface rust (but does have surface patches of rust on the body). No top. Are there any major issues I should check out before pursueing this? Parts ahard to come by? etc? Any advice would be appreciated. As well as a ballpark range of what to offer or negiociate to for a car of this type. Thanks in advance