Thread: About to (maybe) buy my first hotrod. Please school me on 1931 Ford Coupes

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As your first hot rod it's hard to beat getting it from a trusted friend.
I would go drive it around town and on the highway to see if it drove and performed to my expectations. Check the tires, alignment, motor and running gear and any safety issues, if everything met my criteria, I would offer 15K for it and treat it as a driver. I would leave it as it is, sans a little clean up and interior repairs (dash paint and fabric spray can do wonders). I would drive it, using it as a testing ground and stepping stone to see if I really like hot rods, knowing at 15K I should be able to get my money back out of it if I didn't like it (maybe even offer your friend first right to refuse if you sell it). If it turns out hot rods and rodding are what you enjoy, I would trade up when the time and circumstances align.
JMHO...

Wow, LOTS of great, thorough feedback here. I can't thank you guys enough. I obviously have so much to learn and to think about. I'm in Texas, and this car without A/C is about useless, so that's another expense as well.

I've asked him to send me detailed front end and chassis pics, we'll see what that looks like and go fron there.

Again, I appreciate all the feedback.

Thanks.