What's a 54 Century worth

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Been trying to get the price right on a 54 Century 2 door hardtop. The car is a California car, 113,000 miles one owner (still has CA black plates). Color is Arctic White over Malibu Blue. Blue custom interior with Selectronic radio, power brakes and steering. No bubbles or fogging in the glass, only rust through is in front driver side floorboard. The car was parked maybe 20 years ago outside on grass and the exterior has heavy surface rust but not to the point of pitting.No body damage, very small dent and liht surface rust on bumpers. The interior is all there with exception of the door panels and appears to be pretty fragile so will need re-done. I believe the windows may have been left down a few inches and the door panels got ruined and tossed. The car was parked when the owner died and not started since. It turns over but won't fire. Tranny fluid is red.

I am not that familiar with the Century prices nor some of the standard accessories.

Did any of the Century's have turned dash trim in 54 or was that exclusive to RM. Were power brakes and steering standard or optional.

Got a bid of 1000 to ship from CA so that will have to be taken into consideration. Is the car worth $2,500 plus shipping.

[Pete Phillips]

Lamar,

Power steering & power brakes were optional on the Century, and there is no dashboard chrome applique (engine-turned). Six years ago, I paid $1600 for a '54 Century 2-dr. hardtop in Massachusetts (no power options, needed paint, but it ran well and had 110,000 miles, needed upholstery, chrome replating and minor rust repair). THis one you are looking at sounds like it is in similar condtion, except for it not running. PRices have gone up in 6 years, but I certainly would not pay more than $2500 for a non-running car that needs the work you describe.

Pete Phillips

BCA #7338

Sherman, TX

[Mark Shaw]

Try this:

http://www.manheimgold.com/car_lo.html

[Guest kevinshea]

Lamar -- maybe you saw this one 260116064426 -- bought by our swedish friend for $1400.

IMO the value is in the condition of the sheet metal... the better the overall condition the higher the value. If the engine is running you have to assume that it will need work, along with everything else. But with good metal, you don't have a big undertaking... like mine. I bought a CA 54 century with no engine, no front clip, no seats for $500.. floors were perfect. $1200 to ship it. Actually, all I wanted was the sheet metal anyways. So, my thinking is that is worth somewhere between $500 and $2500.

[Guest imported_Thriller]

I'm a bit taken aback...our local '54 expert asking questions like this? I thought since you had the market cornered you pretty much set the price anyway <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My recent experience tells me that my best buys have been cars that I could look at and get my hands on. That being said, if it came to it, is the cost worth the salvageable parts? I wouldn't want to see it go that way, but if worst came to worst, how much of a bath would you take? Have you had someone look at the car for you? I mean really...what are the bumpers worth? Sheet metal? Etc.

I just keep asking more questions rather than answering...guess I should shut up.

[Guest BJM]

Lamar,

I agree with Derek, you (and maybe Pete) are the 54 Buick experts, Roadmaster or otherwise. Just like I count on Matt Harwood for 41 Buick issues. The big problem I see in your post is the distance and paying for the transport. I have REALLY cut back on my long distance purchases because I feel like your totla purchase must include that now-high transport cost. I can get "more car" by buying closer to home, less car by buying far away, adding in $750 to $1250 in transport costs, which to me is lost money.

For example, my last car purchased, although not a Buick, was a 63 Pontiac Bonneville for $600 located about 20 miles away from me. $40 in gas money to my buddy got it hauled home. My 68 Riviera came from New Mexico 3 years ago at a then reasonable cost of $450 transport.

So wouldn't you rather get maybe a $3000 Century closer to home, or one at the same price, closer to home. Transport costs are going to take a big cut into people's ebay decisions to buy non running project cars now that gas is upwards of $3.50 per gallon.

I've got 3 cars in the garage. I'm not buying for awhile, period.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

Kevin, the 54 I am considering is in much better condition than the 55 but that is a good comparable, thanks for sharing.

I guess my question should have been "What are 54 Century's selling for?" To me the worth of an unrestored car is more geared toward the intrinsic value of the car or what the buyer WON'T have to do to the car to restore it. For instance I am seeing this car as not needing any body or sheet metal work to speak of, no glass replacement, no bumpers or trim to have to buy and for a driver no rechroming would be needed. It's a very desirable model, complete with nice options, a desirable paint color.

Derek, I know where you're coming from re parts cars and the sum of the parts equaling more than the cost of the car including shipping etc but what I'm looking at here is more what would the car be able to be sold for if it bacame necassary sell it in the future. Since everyone doesn't share my above equation for evaluating a car's "worth", I have to be careful not be be sucked in. Pete I think you're right on in your assesment. Considering all this, I have made an offer so we'll see what happens.

Oh and Derek, I am far from the 54 "expert". I have learned a lot about the 50/70 series but I have a lot to learn about the 40/60's. Perhaps once I have learned all there is to know about them I will consider another year. Perhaps, Mr Shaw even a pre war. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jake, you're definitley right about needing to consider any other associated costs with acquiring a car. You can stay in rest stops shower at truck stops or even get a low rent motel room but there aint no gettin around these damn high gas prices. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_Thriller]

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I understand what you are saying. That's always a tough one. The reality is that for a decent project car, I don't think $2-3k is out of line generally. What I'm finding though is that it <span style="font-weight: bold">must</span> be something you want, otherwise, it will languish and you'll start kicking yourself over the purchase decision. I've made a couple of those. I'm going to take a bath on the '56 if anyone ever decides they want it, but I haven't located a buyer.

What are gas prices like now anyway? I did the math before going to St. Paul at the beginning of May and ours was about $3.75 / gal for regular after all the conversions...I was paying on the order of $3.10 for premium while I was in ND/MN. Gas prices have gone up again here, so it's about $3.93 for regular now...the Canadian dollar has gone up too, otherwise we'd be over $4...sigh.