Jamison39 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 (edited) I am looking at buying my grandpas 1956 Buick super. It is the automatic and has the 322 nailhead. The car has 30,000 original miles, and a newer interior. There are no rust holes in the body, only small pitting and rust on the chrome. It runs and drives without issue. The paint is not in very good shape, and there's some scratches and dings here and there. He is looking at selling it to me for $6000. There's a lot of sentimental value for me, but I want to make sure that I'm not overpaying, and want to make sure he isn't selling it too cheap. Please let me know your thoughts, and any questions you may have. Thanks Edited April 15, 2019 by Jamison39 (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 I think 6k is probably fair as described, although I'd ask grandpa for a family discount. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 (edited) You stated the engine and trans are in good shape. Looking at your pictures, the interior looks quite good. Some cleaning will do wonders I bet. The paint, rubbing compound and she probably shine up quite well. I would say that $6000 is a good number. And after she shines up, hub caps are on, white wall tires are looking good and you dump that cardboard stink tree from the rear view mirror it will $6000 well spent. Plus, I bet once on the road grandpa will be glad to see her rolling again. Edited April 15, 2019 by avgwarhawk (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 As long as the paint isn't lifting or cracking, you would be amazed at how nice you can make the worst paint look. If it's original paint it would be a mistake to think about repainting unless it's got major issues. I agree 6G seems reasonable. Based on that one photo of the interior it looks very nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamison39 Posted April 15, 2019 Author Share Posted April 15, 2019 aburnseeker, The paint probably will clean up nice, but its not original. In the door jambs you can see it was two toned, white bottom, black middle, white top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 I would still work with what's there. It doesn't look bad on the car with that interior combo. Even if it has alot of orange peel and junk in the finish, you can wet sand and buff. I have done a bunch of cars and have made some of the worst orange peel just short of gravel floor looking finishes smooth as glass which really makes the car pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Paint and interior are arguable the most expensive part of owning a car like this. The fact that the car is solid, rust free, complete and in good mechanical order would make this car worth it to me. The dents in the doors are a bit scary but shouldn't be too hard to get it from the inside of the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 That's a nice car! Since it was your grandfather's car I think I'd just pay what he asked if it was within my ability to do so. Especially if the car has sentimental value to you. And I believe if you look at the Haggerty Price guides on the internet you will find the value of that car roughly double the price you indicated. That does not mean you can just automatically buy or sell another for that price. But it does kinda set the bar for folks to work from for a particular car. In this case if you were to send it for new paint you'd be investing at least the purchase price, maybe more, and since this car has a lot of one year pieces you will find not much is cheap to repair. However, you likely will also find that GREAT CAR to drive! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 15, 2019 Share Posted April 15, 2019 Unfortunately the Haggerty estimator runs well high for todays market. Example: my blue century got 11k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 21 hours ago, Jamison39 said: I am looking at buying my grandpas 1956 Buick super. It is the automatic and has the 322 nailhead. The car has 30,000 original miles, and a newer interior. There are no rust holes in the body, only small pitting and rust on the chrome. It runs and drives without issue. The paint is not in very good shape, and there's some scratches and dings here and there. He is looking at selling it to me for $6000. Absolutely worth it! The history and continuing guidance is priceless. Any other car would be a crap shoot with undisclosed problems showing up. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjp69 Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I say clean it up first, see how nice it (paint) is and how well it runs, and then decide. If you decide not to buy it, your grandpa got it cleaned up for free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) Hey, Welcome, I have an expression, and most of the guys here can attest to this, "You do it for Love, not Money"! That said, you ask a fair question, is it worth it, and is your granddad getting a good deal. It can be very difficult to sell vintage cars, it can take months or years, to try to get the value a price guide says its' worth. You need to find the right person, as there are lovers of all of the 100 + years of all the makes, model, and endless variations in cars. In my, partly educated view, the $6,000 is a fair price. That said, it sounds like you just might be that "right guy"! I'm partial to '56's, as I've had one for 40+ years, and I have personally driven the car in excess of 100,000 miles. They don't drive like modern cars, but these cars drive good, and are comfortable, as long as everything is up to scratch. The Dynaflow is slow off of the line compared to newer ones, but, will cruise at today's highway speeds. Forgive me if you know this already. It also helps to be mechanically inclined, as they need service from time to time, and depending in what kind of use its' had recently, you might need to do a bunch of maint related things, if you are going to drive it quite a bit. If you have issues to solve, there is considerable knowledge here that can help you out. Lastly, nice to hear of your interest, and please keep us posted as to how it goes, plus we're all like kids too, as we like pictures to look at! Keith Edited April 19, 2019 by Buicknutty (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) I also agree with most of the above posts. If it were mine, I would bring it home and do a super cleaning of everything, inside and out. Change all of the fluids and filters, scrub & clean the interior carefully, and finally get a buffing wheel and wheel out with rubbing compound carefully and then wax the exterior. I have seen paint like that clean up really well after being wheeled out. If you are not skilled at using a polishing wheel, it might be better to pay someone that is skilled. Don't change anything from original, and driving the car will toss you back in time to when the car was new. It is a great experience from driving a modern car, and that driving can be very addictive. Edited April 17, 2019 by Larry Schramm (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbuickgs Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I think the price in fair if he is selling it to someone untouched . But being a Grandfather , I would think my grandson would be entitled to a VERY LARGE " DISCOUNT" or " Clean it , get it running and its your " !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my 2 cents Bill 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamison39 Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share Posted April 18, 2019 Thanks everyone for all of the replies. I have decided to purchase the car and have started working on it already. I appreciate all of the information you have given me, and all of the useful information on this site in general. You will for sure see some threads started from me for some help along the way (after i use the search function of course)! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Excellent. We're here to help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Jamison39 said: Thanks everyone for all of the replies. I have decided to purchase the car and have started working on it already. I appreciate all of the information you have given me, and all of the useful information on this site in general. You will for sure see some threads started from me for some help along the way (after i use the search function of course)! Welcome to the Buick family! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buicknutty Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Congrats to you! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thriller Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 Congratulations! What part of the world are you located in? We may be able to direct you to local resources or aficionados. Enjoy. It’s great that it could be kept in the family for the next steward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamison39 Posted April 19, 2019 Author Share Posted April 19, 2019 8 hours ago, Thriller said: Congratulations! What part of the world are you located in? We may be able to direct you to local resources or aficionados. Enjoy. It’s great that it could be kept in the family for the next steward. Thanks! I am located in Cincinnati Ohio. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted April 22, 2019 Share Posted April 22, 2019 On 4/19/2019 at 7:39 AM, Jamison39 said: Thanks! I am located in Cincinnati Ohio. If you need any transmission parts Northwest Transmission is only about 30 miles from you. Go out 32 to US 62 near Winchester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosage Chavis Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) Congrats Sir! Looking foward to hopefully following your journey with fixing this car up, from one Buick owner to another. Edited April 23, 2019 by Kosage Chavis (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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