In addition to my Barracudas (all purchased in the 80’s and in need/needed rebuilding), I have my late FIL’s 54 Chevy wagon (starting the rebuild) and a 53 Dodge truck I have owned since 75.
I often spot old cars sitting under trees, or people come up to me to see if I would like to buy their car. The VAST majority of them have no idea of the time and expense to do one. Nor do they understand year, make, model, body style, options and condition matter. All old cars are not classics or collectors.
They all think that their rusted 4 door, trashed out, not running car is a quick candidate for Barrett-Jackson… and they aren’t happy when you tell them different.
If I can, I show them my 53 Dodge, before (solid, not wrecked, dented or rusted) and what it looks like now. Then I ask them to tell me what each should sell for. I follow that, asking what they can do themselves. Then I tell them how much I spent on my truck, noting I had to have machine work on the engine and another person did the bodywork. I took it all apart and I put it all back together. I rebuilt everything that needed it except the engine.
I will point at things on their vehicle that I have knowledge of, telling them the range of price of the parts. Then I point out that would be them doing all the work. They crap their pants, get mad, and don’t want to hear it.
I keep looking anyway, just don’t tell my wife.
