Looking for Recommendation

[JamesR 262]

Again, I'm not sure this would be the best functional choice, but since the OP mentioned this type of car specifically, I thought I'd post it because it's very cool.

 

I like it and seems to fit the OP's profile: Not pristine, but in good condition, and original looking..referred to as a "survivor" though it had a repaint 30+ years ago. Great interior. $15,000, though I think they'd come down. The bad thing is it's in Texas, and you definitely need to check it out first. Check for smoke and knocks from the engine, as well as indications of overheating. Flatheads do have a reputation for overheating, but I've never owned one so I can't comment. I would LIKE to own one, though. I think any sort of big city freeway travel would be dubious if this car doesn't have overdrive. I can get my stock '54 Ford wagon (engine never rebuilt) up to over 80 mph and easily cruise at 65, but I have overdrive. Don't know if that was offered by Ford in '46. These coupes look great. One of the few I've seen that hasn't been hot rodded.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-Ford-Super-Deluxe-Super-Deluxe/233367752346?hash=item3655cd4e9a:g:1k8AAOSwWbRdom1X#viTabs_0

[socalcoach 1]

4 hours ago, Modeleh said:

Too many to choose from.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/d/anaheim-1940-ford-standard-sedan/6999484594.html

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/los-angeles-1955-pontiac-2-door-wagon/6995309434.html

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/chino-1941-pontiac/6997434542.html

 

That Pontiac Silver looks right up my alley, but I have no idea if that's a good deal or will satisfy my driving conditions. What would be a good way to dig into that? Thanks for looking for options btw - super helpful.

Edited October 15 by socalcoach (see edit history)

[socalcoach 1]

3 hours ago, JamesR said:

Again, I'm not sure this would be the best functional choice, but since the OP mentioned this type of car specifically, I thought I'd post it because it's very cool.

 

I like it and seems to fit the OP's profile: Not pristine, but in good condition, and original looking..referred to as a "survivor" though it had a repaint 30+ years ago. Great interior. $15,000, though I think they'd come down. The bad thing is it's in Texas, and you definitely need to check it out first. Check for smoke and knocks from the engine, as well as indications of overheating. Flatheads do have a reputation for overheating, but I've never owned one so I can't comment. I would LIKE to own one, though. I think any sort of big city freeway travel would be dubious if this car doesn't have overdrive. I can get my stock '54 Ford wagon (engine never rebuilt) up to over 80 mph and easily cruise at 65, but I have overdrive. Don't know if that was offered by Ford in '46. These coupes look great. One of the few I've seen that hasn't been hot rodded.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1946-Ford-Super-Deluxe-Super-Deluxe/233367752346?hash=item3655cd4e9a:g:1k8AAOSwWbRdom1X#viTabs_0

 

This listing is what drew me to this model in the first place! I absolutely love this particular car, paint job and everything. I could pay the $1500 to have it shipped, but how the heck do I know if this is a good deal? I wonder if there's a mechanic in the area who I could trust and pay to go scope it all out for me....

[socalcoach 1]

9 hours ago, TerryB said:

Try this one!  It has the size and speed.

http://www.harwoodmotors.com/vehicles/inventory_details.php?id=1084

 

Matt Harwood is a member of this site.

Dang that's a nice one - probably a little too nice for my needs! But goodness - what a head turner.

[Lebowski 340]

7 hours ago, socalcoach said:

 

 I wonder if there's a mechanic in the area who I could trust and pay to go scope it all out for me....

 

You may be able to find someone from this site to check it out for you for a nominal fee. It's been done before....

[Paul Dobbin 612]

On 10/14/2019 at 2:13 AM, socalcoach said:

 

The Model A and 1935 Ford Phaeton both look amazing. Are those legit viable options? Where would be a good place for me to look to buy one and/or test drive? Who can help me evaluate the condition and price of the vehicle?

  You can buy a real good Model A for $15K or less.  (However they offer a pretty primative ride

  quality)   You won't find a good 35 Ford Phaeton in that price range.  Remember the old saying,    "If the top goes down, the price goes up."  Applies to all makes.

[JamesR 262]

15 hours ago, socalcoach said:

 

This listing is what drew me to this model in the first place! I absolutely love this particular car, paint job and everything. I could pay the $1500 to have it shipped, but how the heck do I know if this is a good deal? I wonder if there's a mechanic in the area who I could trust and pay to go scope it all out for me....

 

I've kind of sworn off ebay because of some negative experiences, but obviously many transactions turn out good or else there wouldn't be thousands of old cars for sale on the site. The very good news about this car is the seller has a very good rating as a seller  including other vehicles, one or two in this price range. (Very important...some people buy twenty $5 items on ebay to get a good rating, just to scam someone on the sale of a big ticket item.)

 

From everything I can see, this vehicle looks like something worth owning, in part because it hasn't been drastically modified. Some old car sellers will put lipstick on a pig. You can see this hasn't been dolled up in the last year to cover body related problems. The body's not perfect though. If I were interested in this car, I'd first have the seller email me a pic of the valid title in his name, with whatever other info he wants redacted blacked out. I've had ebay sellers tell me they have a title only to find out after the deposit was made that they don't. The other thing I'd do is invest in a plane ticket to TX. Or, like you said, maybe you could pay a  local mechanic from a nearby town (by the seller) to check it out for you instead. I can't say if the price is correct or not. There used to be a commonly available publication at newstands that had market prices for most old cars at different condition levels. Can't remember the name of it, but they were never too far off on my cars, but that changes from region to region. 

[socalcoach 1]

Thanks - this won't be the car I buy but I love the style and this gives me a target to shoot for in terms of year / make / model / look.

That said, is this make/model (1946 Ford Super Deluxe) a potential for daily driving and occasional highway speeds? I'm also up for trying the Model A too but I don't like the version with the spare tire on the side personally.

[TerryB 1,365]

Model A with standard 4 cyl will never do freeway speeds, the non modified cars have mechanical brakes too.   Most all autos after 1940 have hydraulic brakes that are much better at stopping.

[vermontboy 206]

1 hour ago, TerryB said:

Model A with standard 4 cyl will never do freeway speeds, the non modified cars have mechanical brakes too.   Most all autos after 1940 have hydraulic brakes that are much better at stopping.

Why do people insist that hydraulic brakes are an improvement.

A Model "A" with mechanical brakes can easily lock up all 4 wheels. even 16 inch wheels with 600-16 tires on them. Can hydraulics do better ?

And with mechanical brakes you never experience that sick feeling you get in a 5000 pound vehicle when the brake pedal hits the floor (64 Chrysler Imperial).

I'm going to be seriously looking for a Model "A" next spring and wouldn't even consider one converted to 12V or with hydraulic brakes

[Grimy 905]

2 hours ago, vermontboy said:

Why do people insist that hydraulic brakes are an improvement.

A Model "A" with mechanical brakes can easily lock up all 4 wheels. even 16 inch wheels with 600-16 tires on them. Can hydraulics do better ?

And with mechanical brakes you never experience that sick feeling you get in a 5000 pound vehicle when the brake pedal hits the floor (64 Chrysler Imperial).

I agree, but with the caveat that hydraulic brakes do give a crisper finish to your stop than mechanical brakes.  On the other hand, with hydraulic brakes especially on multiple cars one must track the "last flush" frequency and inspect for leaks in five places at every lube job.

[TerryB 1,365]

Hydraulics has mechanical pressure advantages over mechanical especially at the OPs desire to do freeway driving.  There’s a reason we use hydraulics to move loads, use hydraulic jacks to lift things, and to stop things.  Yes you must maintain hydraulics with fluid changes and monitoring the condition of the brake system.  If there was no performance difference autos would still have mechanical brakes today.