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Opportunity to purchase 39 Zephyr project, worth?


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Hello all,

New to the forum. I have a question that I am sure your collective knowledge can answer. I have discovered a barn find of a 39 Zephyr. Shell only. The owner has the title, and the VIN number on the shell is matching. The car has been sitting outside for some time, but appears straight and little to no cancer. It has been chopped, convertible, two seater. He wants to get $5000 for it. The question is whether or not that is an accurate value for it? One of the best looking cars from the past in my opinion, and I would love to have the opportunity to do the project, but is the price right? I can add a few photos if needed. Also, any added info and insight you could give would be greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU!!!

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Do you have deep pockets and time to do it ? No matter what you do the 5K (Which I think is a lot for a shell) is only the beginning. Will you restore it stock ? Does it have a motor under the hood ?

Where will you get all the trim and pieces needed for it ?

You are correct, it is a great looking car though and could be a lot of fun to do.

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Guest palosfv3

There is more to the story of this car . Are you really sure its a Zephyr ? Front pics are not that great and its difficult to confirm . Good ,clear pictures really help in identifying the car and its builder. It appears the car has been extensively customized in the 40's or early 50's. The cut down door belt line is a styling characteristic that was the craze back then . This car should be identifiable if it ever was completed . The car has also been sectioned horizontally. Look at the height of the hood in relation to the top of the fenders. This que starts to say early 50's California. It is not a " Valley Custom " car as there is no documentation of them ever doing a Zephyr and I would certainly think they influenced the thinking of whoever built this car as they were the first to modify a body with this technique. The length of the car also appears to have been altered . Sectioning will change the visual length of the car but the distance from the cowl to the center line of the rear axle appears to be longer than a standard Zephyr unless they started converting a long W/B 4dr or limo into a 2 seater .

Bill is correct with his question about money and time. The info on who built this car and its history is important in determining if it is worth the money and effort to bring it back. If there is no significant historical connection it could at best be called a parts car but that would be streching it a bit and certainly not warrant the asking price. Yet if this came up as an old " Barris " car it could be worth the money . This car would easily consume over $100k in restoration expenses and that could be a conservative figure .

If your serious about getting involved, post a thread on the HAMB inquiring about the history of this car or drop Rik Hoving a line @ rhoving@totalidentity.nl

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By the look of the Vee windscreen its not a Lincoln, they had a flat screen, but the front fenders look Lincolnish. It has 41 Ford lower grilles, I wondered about bits of a 41 Studebaker. The cut down doors are Darrin Packardish. The distance between the rear of the door and rear fender looks too long for it to have started life as a convertible.

I have no idea what it is from the photos, what about the engine bay? that might give a clue.

Whatever it is, the proportions aren't ideal and it would want to have period provenance before I'd get too excited.

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By the look of the Vee windscreen its not a Lincoln, they had a flat screen, but the front fenders look Lincolnish. It has 41 Ford lower grilles, I wondered about bits of a 41 Studebaker. The cut down doors are Darrin Packardish. The distance between the rear of the door and rear fender looks too long for it to have started life as a convertible.

I have no idea what it is from the photos, what about the engine bay? that might give a clue.

Whatever it is, the proportions aren't ideal and it would want to have period provenance before I'd get too excited.

How about 1939 Studebaker? Lots of the same stuff...

post-37352-143138996793_thumb.jpg

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T This car would easily consume over $100k in restoration expenses and that could be a conservative figure .

I fully agree with the above sentiment. You would really have to be passionate about this car. If you are worrying about paying the $5.000, this car is not for you. Think hard about what you want, what you will finish up with. It could very easily pass the $100K and the finished product may be worth 1/4 to 1/2 that amount. Lets face it before you get too excited, find out exactly what it is, right now you are not even sure what it is. In the world of restorations and restorers you meet lots of people who have been bitten by a junk yard dog.

oldcar

Edited by oldcar (see edit history)
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