Fair Price For A Custom ?

[troublemaker427]

Hello everyone.  I have been a lurker here for several years and never posted very much on your great site.  I've mostly been into early to mid 60's FE powered Fords over the years and just completed the restoration of a '61 Fairlane 390-401 car.  I also helped start the FE Race & Reunion held every year at Beaver Springs Dragway.

Recently I posted in the "Wanted" section about wanting to purchase a "driver" '57 Custom.  I'm not looking for another huge restoration project after the '61 Fairlane.  I just want to find a decent Custom that I can "tinker" with as I go along but still be able to drive it too. 

With all that being said, what is a "fair" price for a '57 Custom?  I know there are a million variables when it comes to a price for a car but it seems prices for a '57 Custom are all over the place.  I was just wondering what you folks think a fair price range would be for one of these cars as I go on with my search. 

As I said I'm looking for a driver/drivable project type car.  Do these even exist anymore...LOL  Much of what I seem to find is either a completed, very nice show car or a rust bucket project car.  Not much in between seems to be out there. 

Any input you guys can offer is appreciated.  Thanks and I hope to post much more on the forum in the future!!

[lalessi1]

About 5 years ago I looked for a year for my Custom Tudor. Prices were all over the map, a solid roller might be 6K, a nice survivor 17K, a decent mild Restomod maybe 25-35K. I saw a Custom 300 with a 428 restored by Amos Minter go for 75K on Mecum. That said I paid 11K for mine (from an ad on this forum) it sported a new 10 footer paint job, 302, AOD with numerous things not working properly but you could drive it. 20K later it is what I always wanted. The prices above were for cars I was interested in as I remember them, I think they are still fairly current. I know some guys have paid a lot less... look on page 14 in the For Sale section, ad by "mike b".

[troublemaker427]

Thanks Lynn.  It sounds like you did the same thing I'm looking to do. 

[RICH MUISE]

So what do we call you besides "troublemaker"? lol.....just doesn't seem right since we barely know ya.
What did you think of the two Customs in the craislist links Bos posted? That would give us a better  idea of what you're looking for. For reference only, I turned down an offer of 35K on mine. May not be worth that to alot of guys, but what's 10 years of work worth, and after all the work I need to drive it for a long time anyways.

[troublemaker427]

Jody is fine, I'm actually George Jr....   Yes some of those prices helped some.  I'm actually on the other side of the country from those in Maryland.  I just wanted to see what you guys who have much more experience with '57s think is a fair price.

Troublemaker is the name of my '66 Fairlane race car.  My father ran a '60 Falcon also called Troublemaker so mine is TM II... 

[KidKourier]

Troublemaker.     On Ebay,listed yesterday, a Custom 300.Same body style and wheel base as a Custom Tudor but different stainless trim(but could be changed). It's a driver-351W-FMXauto-all White-Weld wheels(type with holes)-not to wild about interior color but that'swhy they have dye kits. Anyways it"s in S. Carolina--still 6 days left on auction-last bid at $8600!! Looks like a solid body.Shipping cost be estimated on ebay page or a long road trip.   KID

[rmk57]

Reserve hasn't been met, I think your looking at double to own it. It does look like a really nice car though. I think for 10k-12k you should be able to get a nice solid driver with some sort of sbf, fe or good running y-block that will still need some finishing.

I picked mine up for $6800 about 10 years ago. Had a rebuilt 272, a very solid California car, fresh paint but no interior. Of coarse now it's quite a bit different from when I first bought it. Be patient and be willing to travel, something always comes up.

Randy

[troublemaker427]

Thanks.  Yes I was thinking (hoping) that 10K-12K was a reasonable amount for what I'm looking for.  I think patients might be the key word here.  I have the '57 fever but I'll try to control myself until I find the right car!!  LOL

[rmk57]

https://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/6177129854.html

Looks half decent.

[djfordmanjack]

I have the '57 fever

You'll never get rid of that again, believe me...

[lalessi1]

I would have bought that one instead of mine!!! Patience, good luck!

[FiveSevenLiter]

How much do you want to spend?

[Jeff Norwell]

I think if you want a 60 year old creampuff... you will definitely be spending 20-35k on an unmolested 300..... we are talking a bone stock excellent condition model.... no rust or beat up car.
In the 60's and 70's.. even the early 80's.. they were very cheap... 900-4500 bucks.
Fairlanes are far more plentiful..... Saying that.. the custom shown by rmk57 in Tulsa.... looks to be a steel.......

Yea... you can buy a car for 4500-8500...  but you will spend 3x to get it the way you want(and there is nothing wrong with that)

I have gone that route and to be honest....I enjoy it.(working on it a little at a time)

[fordaholic]

Welcome Troublemaker, and I really like that 427 part too. Sounds like you`ve been around this hobby for a day or to. You will know when the rite one comes along, be patient. I was exactly where you are now a few years ago. I had a few friends on the lookout as well. Patience paid off. Found a real business coupe in Iowa on craigslist that had spent most of it`s life in Arizona. Good one`s are out there, keep some cash handy and be ready to pounce. By the way , the last three numbers of your handle is what my business coupe is powered by. You and I have to talk. My next project is waiting in my garage for me to get started. 1961 Fairlane 390 white post car. Always a race car. Original owner was Morris Lee. It earned him a Thunderbolt in 64. The car has quite a history. I would appreciate it if you could email me  estaterc@sympatico.ca   and good luck on your hunt.     Gary

[troublemaker427]

Here is a shot of my '61 Fairlane 390-401.  We just finished it in April.  It was built as a "period correct" Optional Super Stock car from 1961.  Nothing modern can be seen.  I also have a 1966 Fairlane GT NSS racer with a 427.  That car was my first car that I drove to high school.  We love the FE stuff for sure!!