Tempted by a 1926 314

[Axial_Flow]

Hello all,

 

There is a local four door sedan that has came up for sale near me.  It’s been sitting since the early 80s.  The car is solid, appears to be repainted, but the interior could be original.  

Bad news is the engine is tight, seller removed the right hand cylinder head and found to have coolant in the rear two cylinders.  Left hand cylinder looks good through the spark plug holes.  My gut feeling is the engine will need disassembled and properly evaluated before even attempting to spin over.  
I know without seeing this car it’s nearly impossible to give any kind of value,  but in your opinion, what would be a fair price to purchase this vehicle knowing it has engine issues but good bones?  I would appreciate any feedback, even if it’s ‘run’!

 

Kind regards 

[hidden_hunter]

Based on the condition of the motor and the body style, it shouldn't bring big money - could be a fun project, I bought a less desirable model year with questionable mechanicals because that was all I could afford to spend to get into this class of car.

 

I would probably tackle it as a project for a home mechanic, but if you need to pay some one to do the work I wouldn't be taking it on 

 

If it's truly been sitting since the 80's I doubt it's got coolent sitting in the cylinders after 30+ years - I see cleaning products sitting on the front fender in one of the photos, so it's also possibly that someones tried to clean it and got water all up in it with a hose 

 

The engine could also be tight for reasons other than pistons stuck in the bore - personally with a stuck motor and unknown history on it I'd probably take the pan off and strip it down to blocks to clean everything out

 

Also if it's truly original - be mindful that there will be asbestos in those gaskets

Edited January 18, 2023 by hidden_hunter (see edit history)

[1wonton]

ASBESTOS..................?  Really, you would have to be exposed to years of friable asbestos to be even remotely a candidate for cancer.  Asbestos is a known carcinogen but there is no evidence that occasional exposure poses any risk.  Toxic mold, asbestos, secondhand smoke, Jesus, what's next?

[pmhowe]

"...what's next?"  Cadmium and lead in your chocolate!

 

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/

[1wonton]

Oh no!  I'm done for, after I clean out the shower, I might as well light up a cigarette and go work on my brakes..................  We're all doomed.

[mikewest]

On 1/17/2023 at 8:51 PM, Axial_Flow said:

Hello all,

 

There is a local four door sedan that has came up for sale near me.  It’s been sitting since the early 80s.  The car is solid, appears to be repainted, but the interior could be original.  

Bad news is the engine is tight, seller removed the right hand cylinder head and found to have coolant in the rear two cylinders.  Left hand cylinder looks good through the spark plug holes.  My gut feeling is the engine will need disassembled and properly evaluated before even attempting to spin over.  
I know without seeing this car it’s nearly impossible to give any kind of value,  but in your opinion, what would be a fair price to purchase this vehicle knowing it has engine issues but good bones?  I would appreciate any feedback, even if it’s ‘run’!

 

Kind regards 

$5000 TOPS If you really like it. I think running and driving  $10,000 would be hard to get. Not a very desirable car and could be a huge money pit. 

Edited March 30, 2023 by mikewest (see edit history)

[edinmass]

Run. Run like hell.

[alsancle]

11 minutes ago, edinmass said:

Run. Run like hell.

This.

[Matt Harwood]

I just sold this beautiful example with great paint, lots of fresh mechanical work, and a nice original interior for about $24K. You won't even get that project car rolling for that figure.

 

[Axial_Flow]

  Nice car Matt, thanks for sharing that comp.

[alsfarms]

Is this 314 a 5 or 7 passenger? If a car this straight and original was parked in the early 80's and it was not due to an aging owner, I could theorize that mechanics could certainly be a big problem. Does the seller have the title and is he willing to be specific on the automobile history?

Al

[Axial_Flow]

On 4/12/2023 at 8:49 AM, alsfarms said:

Is this 314 a 5 or 7 passenger? If a car this straight and original was parked in the early 80's and it was not due to an aging owner, I could theorize that mechanics could certainly be a big problem. Does the seller have the title and is he willing to be specific on the automobile history?

Al

Hi Al, from what I can tell, it is a 5 passenger (No jump seats).  The car does in fact have a good PA title.  He declined an offer I made some weeks back, and I think that was for the better.

 

I do like this era of Caddy, but I think I would be better off finding a better example that is at least running.  However, I can appreciate the fact that the body is solid on this car. 

[kings32]

I would buy that in a minute if i had the room it my shop for one more. Howard