Thread: opinions about Speedway's '32 lo-boy?

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Hello, I'm new at this, so please bear with me. Sorry if this is the wrong place to make a first post.

I have an opportunity to buy an unfinished project that seems to be a pretty good deal. But I'd like to get some expert advice, or at least opinions.

The project car is a Speedway Motors '32 lo-boy. It's a running car (needs a new fuel pump) but isn't quite done. It's got a fresh Ford 302 with a C4 and a 9" rear. Drive train and suspension is done. Wheels and tires are bad. There's no interior and it needs to be painted. No body work at all yet. Just bare gel-coat. The thing's been sitting for 6 years.

This wouldn't be my first choice for a rod. But it seems like something I could finish up and make a little money on. The price is very reasonable. I just don't know what the potential resale value would be. I'd like to run around in it this summer, sell it and make some cash for my Model A sedan.

Any thoughts? What's the potential for a Speedway kit? I haven't found any for sale to gauge this on.

Again, sorry if this is the wrong place for my first post.

If you are building the car for resale, how much do you really expect to net? The Speedway body is $5K and the frame $2K. The motor, trans, and rear have been sitting and will probably require additional $$ to make nice. You gotta buy/make interior and probably a lot of misc stuff.......so the real net is the sum of
(1) how much cheaper than market value that you can get into the existing stuff and (2) how much labor you can add. The new stuff that you would buy does not necessarily increase your profit.

Let's say you can buy the entire car for $3K and finish it for $12K additional....you have $15K in a car that you can sell for ???

I recommend that you look closely and truthfully estimate the cost.....It's gonna cost a lot more than a low estimate. Where you might make more money (relative to your time expended) is to buy the thing cheap ($2K) and sell it to some other guy who wants to finish it for himself......Less risk too.

mike in tucson

For everyone who makes a profit from a rod, there are at least a hundred who don't. Typically, you're lucky to get out of a street rod what you put into it in parts alone. On top of that, Speedway isn't what you'd call an "A-class" supplier. They make some good stuff, some not so good stuff, and they're generally known as the "Wal-Mart" of parts suppliers.

If you're looking for this one to finance your next one, bear in mind that it will take twice as long as you think and cost twice as much.

Just speaking from experience, cuz you asked.

Henry, if it takes twice as long, does that mean that
our time is worth half of 50 cents per hour? I second what you said.

robot,

You're half right . . .

Robot and Henry gave some good advice, and both of them have the experience to speak with a good deal of knowledge on the subject. A few years back I helped a guy with his Speedway Deuce, it was a nice driveable car but certainly not top of the line on quality. It took a lot of hours to get the body smooth and the doors to fit correctly. Whether or not you can turn a profit on it depends on how much value you put on your time finishing it.....It always takes more time and more money than you think to get it done....

Don't buy it if your trying to make money on it. It's like going to Vegas to try and "make money". Not gonna happen. It may, but your gambling. Like Henry said.
If you wanna have a great time, building it, driving it, attending shows, building camaraderie, it's starting cost you can afford. And I mean starting. Hey this is for you.
When you die, you won't come back as a hot rodder. This is it buddy.
Have fun

Thanks guys. This all sort of backs up my gut feeling anyway. I've already got one project, and I'm a lot more interested in it anyway. Just getting a little anxious to get something on the road. I guess it's that late winter in Illinois syndrome.

Think I'll save my pennies and get serious about finishing the Model A. It's been a long term project. But I've got most of the parts now. Just need to get back to work.

Hello Mrlee63 , Welcome to CHR, Sounds like the right decision on the Roadster, Rockin, Henry and Robot all had great opinions and if you 29 is your Dream Rod, Concentrate on it and your money will be well spent , it's hard enough putting one of the cars together let alone two What are your plans for the Tudor ? I'm building a 32 three window but have a 29 Tudor also, " next Project " been saying that for 15 yrs, just got the Hot's for a 32 -3 Window and put the 29 on the back burner. Good Luck to you ! And Keep us posted! OK

Hi Tim,

Yeah, I need to concentrate on the pile of parts I already have. I'm going to pass on the roadster. Besides, I just got my taxes done. It seems Uncle Sam needs my money more than I do.

I've got a thread over in the new member forum called "'nuther new guy". I put in some details of my plans and a picture of what the car looked like when I brought it home.

My son and I have since stripped all the old paint. I have collected a bunch of parts. I going to get started just as soon as Illinois is done playing basketball.

Check out the other thread and let me know what you think.

Lee