Thread: Question on 3w Body Mfgr's.

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I'm still in the planning process, working on the frame, and gathering funds, but I got to thinking this past weekend...
First off, let me say I realize that this isn't an investment per se, however, when I'm finished, I want to have the best car I can afford, and eventually the car will be sold (hopefully not for another 20 years or so0...
Anyway, I've always planned on building a Downs Mfg. 3W coupe, their facility is about an hours ride away from me, and I've talked to a couple people who have them and they seem to be happy with them, but for another $7500+/- I could get a Wescott body (their steel inner structure seems a lot more "designed"), or, for another $13,000 +/- I could get a Dearborn Deuce all steel 3W coupe. As I said, I'm taking this slow, and I'm fortunate enough to be at the point in life where if I'm willing to have a little patience I could afford any of them. So, my question is;
When the car is finished, and I finally decide to sell it, will it be worth it to have spent the extra bucks now, for the better bodies, or won't I see the benefit of the extra expense? This is assuming that everything else on the car is built the same.
To word it another way, what would the difference in value be in a professionally finished 3W with a 350/350 (highboy) with a Downs body, a Wescott Body, and a Dearborn Deuce body.
Thanks for your opinions,
Randy

if your willing to spend that much money why dont you just find a real steel one. There still some out there but most are 10k+ area. Then the car would be worth more.

I've got a Wescott bodied 32 roadster and it's held up great over the 8 years it's been on the road. I just finished a 32 coupe and built it using a New Age 5 window body. It took a lot of work but the body is pretty much perfect now. I understand that Wescott's are working on putting out a 5 window body in the near future, and if that's the case I would recommend their body over anyone's judging by how good their 3 window one is. You probably won't match the value of a gennie steel one no matter what glass body you use, but a lot of people are fine with glass bodies.

Originally posted by Uptown83
if your willing to spend that much money why dont you just find a real steel one. There still some out there but most are 10k+ area. Then the car would be worth more.

Realistically, any original 3W is more than likely going to need a lot of body work to get it the way I want it. I also want to have a 2-3" chop, and going through the effort of doing that on an original, plus the other body work that will be needed will probably cost more than the cost of a Dearborn Deuce, and a lot more than a Wescott or Downs.
I've also read the thread regarding the issues Hot Rods and Horsepower is having with the Dearborn Deuce, but Detroit is only a 2 hr. truck ride away, and if I decide to go that route, I'd make arrangements to pick it up directly from ASC.
Is it realistic to think I could find a real steel 32 3W Coupe body for 10K? (That isn't a basket case?), but then add to the cost, the expense of chopping the top (I'd have to pay someone to do that, it's beyond me), filling the roof, and whatever other body work is needed to get it in finished shape.
Based on the costs in doing the bodywork on my truck, I can't see how this would be any less expensive, I'm picturing it being more (maybe a lot more).
I don't know...just looking for advice and opinions.

Originally posted by topsterguy
I've got a Wescott bodied 32 roadster and it's held up great over the 8 years it's been on the road. I just finished a 32 coupe and built it using a New Age 5 window body. It took a lot of work but the body is pretty much perfect now. I understand that Wescott's are working on putting out a 5 window body in the near future, and if that's the case I would recommend their body over anyone's judging by how good their 3 window one is. You probably won't match the value of a gennie steel one no matter what glass body you use, but a lot of people are fine with glass bodies.

I don't have any issues with glass bodies, I just want to be sure that 3-4 years from now I'm not saying I wish I would have spent a little extra on the body, because it would have really been worth the extra cost (whether it's an upgrade from a Downs to a Wescott, or a Wescott to a Dearborn Deuce)
Conversly, I also don't want to be saying why did I spend the extra for this...the less expensive body is just as good.
Anybody here had experience with a Downs Mfg. body? Good, bad, otherwise?
As I also said in the first post, the steel structure of a Wescott body seems to be really well designed...True?, Not necessary?Worthwhile?Not needed?
When you say the New Age body took a lot of work, what do you mean by that, and does that also mean the Wescott body didn't?
Sorry to keep asking all kinds of questions, but as I said, I'm looking for opinions.
Thanks,
Randy

Show Me Rod and Custom builds a very good 32 three window and the price is right. I have one of their 32 roadsters and it is as good as just about anything else on the market. They are located between Branson ans Springfiel, MO.

BIB , i did a 32 show me roadster for a coustomer , i was not pleased with the body , the floors were not thick enough as was the deck filler panel . both places you could push them up and down like a beer can . since tony sold out i think the quailty went down , BUT in good news tony assured me he was going to tell the owner and get them to put more glass in those areas .

I've built a couple of Wescott bodied cars, and also some from other manufacturers. Wescott being superior to any others I've used. Friend of mine just got a Downs, quality is very good. Another guy here locally recently got a redneck body, another very good one. JMO

i have a redneck 33 ordered , should get it next weekend , i have worked on a 33 from them and was very pleased with the quality. it was so straight from the factory i only had to work the door edges and rear body panel , the roof and doors was perfect .

Resin,

Dont forget the Brookville body due soon.

http://www.brookville-roadster.com/3...ptionspage.htm

It should be as good as their roadster body.

Also, as I understand it, the Dearborn Deuce coupe body is NOT made at ASC (the roadster is).


mike

I'm going to finish my Gibbon, but I wouldn't buy another. A search on "Gibbon" on the forum will tell you why.

....Wayne at Redneck is building me a '32 3 window. Although I
haven't seen it yet, I'm MORE than happy with the service. Wayne
is extreemly honest and helpful.... Bill

billsbird , i have bought many cars from different companies BUT wayne at redneck has been the best to deal with and most honest .

I have seen other Brookville bodies and they are exellent and would be my first choice the only drawback I see with them is the price is somewhat high bit well worth the extra money if you have it and remember there bodies are steel.

Originally posted by kennyd
BIB , i did a 32 show me roadster for a coustomer , i was not pleased with the body , the floors were not thick enough as was the deck filler panel . both places you could push them up and down like a beer can . since tony sold out i think the quailty went down , BUT in good news tony assured me he was going to tell the owner and get them to put more glass in those areas .

I bought my roadster body shortly after the new owner took over. A friend bought one at the same time. We were both very satisfied. My floor is rock solid as are the body panels. My upholster told me it was the most uniform, side to side, glass body that he had ever worked with. I have over 5,000 miles on it and there is no evidence of stress cracks, delamination, or any other defect in material or workmanship.