1953 New Yorker DeLuxe: Or "would you spend money on this?"

[SketchMaster]

Local dealer had this sitting out so I pulled over to take a look for giggles.

http://s63.photobucket.com/user/SketchMaster_3rd/library/1953 New Yorker

Frame looks pretty decent, only a few spots with rust. Dash is all stock and in good shape minus the radio doesn't work (sorry, forgot to grab a photo). The engine looks decent for its age and ran surprisingly smooth. The biggest issue I see with my untrained eye would be the upholstery and carpet... Small fire in the back, driver side is worn out, floor is shredded, and far back is sun damaged. Also smells a little musty in there, I think the seals are going out on the car and water is getting in somewhere; so, there may be some bad rust somewhere that I couldn't find.

I love old 50's era cars, so I personally think with some TLC the car would make a fun weekend cruiser.

What do you guys think? Diamond in the rough, or polished turd?

 

[phucheneh]

The pictures will only show up as thumbnail-size for me.

Keep in mind that while you can often score cars like that for pretty cheap prices...there's a reason. Low demand coupled with low parts availability = lots of money to restore with an end product that still isn't worth that much. So they sit around until someone just buys them because they're 'neat.'

 

[JulesMaximus]

Local dealer had this sitting out so I pulled over to take a look for giggles.

http://s63.photobucket.com/user/SketchMaster_3rd/library/1953 New Yorker

Frame looks pretty decent, only a few spots with rust. Dash is all stock and in good shape minus the radio doesn't work (sorry, forgot to grab a photo). The engine looks decent for its age and ran surprisingly smooth. The biggest issue I see with my untrained eye would be the upholstery and carpet... Small fire in the back, driver side is worn out, floor is shredded, and far back is sun damaged. Also smells a little musty in there, I think the seals are going out on the car and water is getting in somewhere; so, there may be some bad rust somewhere that I couldn't find.

I love old 50's era cars, so I personally think with some TLC the car would make a fun weekend cruiser.

What do you guys think? Diamond in the rough, or polished turd?

Yes.

Looks like a money pit to me but if you've got the time and want to commit to putting in the work then go for it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Depends on how restored you want to go. I can't imagine redoing the upholstery and carpet would cost that much. Finding window seals might be a pita but I'm sure they are out there and if you have a garage that could wait. Would be a neat car to drive on the weekends aslong as you don't go crazy restoring it and just do what has to be done. And if it is the right price of coarse.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

A semi restored 50's car that has a musty smell ?

Not for what they're asking, unless you have some affinity to that particular model.

Maybe for $3-4k as a disposable weekend putz around car, IF you have a garage.

 

[ISAslot]

Maybe, but not at that price!

 

[SketchMaster]

If I were to seriously consider it, I'd offer them $1,500-$2,500K for it. I would just replace the upholstery and carpet, I'd also degrease the engine so I can put a basic layer of protective paint on it.

It was fun to look at and play around with the idea, but I thought about it some and decided that I like the car but I don't "love it". I'll wait until something comes along that I really want to put time and money into.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The interior looks like it's in fairly rough shape. If someone really cared for that car when they owned it, they most likely would have replaced that already, so there's something to keep in mind...

It could be interesting to own, but don't expect it to be the first thing everyone runs over to at a car show. I have to agree with everyone else, for more like $4,000 it would be worth a second look, but not for what they're asking.

Also, make sure you are up for fabbing your own parts and whatnot, as the small stuff is what will nickle and dime you to death. If bending up and welding your own materials to make trim pieces, bezels, brackets (for the ones that inevitably rusted out) etc. doesn't sound too challenging to you, I'd say offer them less and see where it goes.

 

[deadken]

Have you ever owned an old car before?

Once you actually own an old car, you realize that it's cool, but requires a lot more attention, time, and money compared to what you originally thought. Hmmm... If you haven't owned an old car before, have you ever been married?!?

BTW: It has a Hemi engine in it (hemispherical combustion chambers). Later Hemi engined cars were VERY desirable. Earlier ones, not so much. I think it is still a solid engine, and certainly has the name 'cache'. If you can get it for a good price, just realize that what you save on insurance / registration (historic plates and collectors insurance for the win), you usually spend on upkeep / maintenance. I had 3 cars insured with collectors insurance, (2) for 5k, and one for 13k, total cost, $400 a year (in NY). As others have said, it really should be garaged. And please, never park cars on the grass.