Not mine, just a referral. In Arizona.
Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/pJi8Mhb4Awb
Says he's "not taken it on the freeway" and so he's providing caution regarding safety, and that's a VERY good approach to limiting expectations-- likely discourage those who might consider attempting to drive it across the country. As everyone on this site knows, around town driving does not stress an old car in nearly the same ways as sustained, twelve hour highway stress does--- especially regarding partially clogged and rusty engine block and cooling system, old tires, flexible brake lines, and wheel cylinders, front wheel bearings, sludged up crank case, etc. It's also interesting that we can't see the driver's side seat because of a major distraction that's, apparently, staged that way. Thanks for posting--- a lovely example that's been carefully marketed. James
Agree. It is also a 1955 Cadillac, not a '54. Clay/Lexi
Lots of what I term "glamor shots" from a distance and not much detail.
No engine photos.
Probably a 14K dollar car.
Nice color though!
Quote from: jwwseville60 on January 15, 2023, 02:44:34 PMLots of what I term "glamor shots" from a distance and not much detail.
No engine photos.
Probably a 14K dollar car.
Nice color though!
John, it would interesting for a CLC member to get a close look at it ---
perhaps we're being far too skeptical? James
A local buddy mentioned this to me the other day since its around town. If its in fact a 54 then why does it have a 55 front end? If its a 55...why are the chrome trim pieces missing by the trunk. I have a lot of questions.
The owned advises the front bumper was changed in a prior ownership and a later search for a decent 1954 version did not prove fruitful.
This is a 1954, unless someone re-did the quarter panels, which I seriously doubt. The car looks alright from the distance. What is most off-putting to me is the wedding photos. If it was actually used in the wedding business, it is most likely a "make-up" car. Which looks good either from afar, on blurry photos, or close-up at a right angle.
What I can see from the photos presented is rust on the roof, cracked wheel, poor quality paint, torn dash, and I am sure there is more :(
After some rust buckets I've seen, recently, all of these ads look extremely suspicious.
Quote from: James Landi on January 15, 2023, 08:19:02 AMAs everyone on this site knows, around town driving does not stress an old car in nearly the same ways as sustained, twelve hour highway stress does
Isn't this actually the other way around, meaning that city driving = more stress, at least when you consider all the factors on average?
I bet the car is not recommended for Highway because it has not been properly serviced for years.
Added later:
I just re-read the ad. It looks like the car is being sold by a lady-owner with cancer. If this story actually checks out, I suspect that my original assumptions about the car might've been a bit excessive.
Quote from: Jw4 on January 16, 2023, 11:38:06 PMIsn't this actually the other way around, meaning that city driving = more stress, at least when you consider all the factors on average?
Thanks Ivan for raising my questionable generalization. Driving around town in Maine, we may encounter a 30 second delay in "traffic," and outside temps rarely in excess of 80 degress--- much of the driving is rural, and it's easy to allow folks to pass you because on most roads north of Portland, there's not much traffic load... in Florida, around town driving is a grueling proposition for a decades old car--- LENGTHY traffic lights, folks driving in excess of the speed limits to make up for lost time at the multitudious lights, and, generally speaking, many days with hot temperatures and full tropical sun. So you're so right to point out my pointless generalization. James
If its a 54 then she's asking a little bit too much. There's a nice 55 Series 60 in Washington which was done correctly for a few K less than what she's asking for. If anyone is seriously interested and if the owner doesn't mind I'm more than happy to swing by to take a look at it.
Quote from: James Landi on January 17, 2023, 08:34:48 AMThanks Ivan for raising my questionable generalization.
James, I am certainly not an expert either. Just sharing opinions and looking to educate myself utilizing the collective knowledge :) Based on what I've heard, working in stop-and-go traffic (or simply variable operation cycles) is supposedly expected to put more stress on the vehicle, versus a continuous run at a more or less constant speed and other operating conditions. I suspect that this might be related to a) the materials' heat expansion cycles, and b) uneven distribution of stress, maybe. For example, when you start moving, the engine supposedly needs to work harder to start the initial motion, versus when you are already moving and it is just sustaining the same rate of motion.
On the contrary, running on a highway at excessive speeds also seems to be more stressful, at least for the engine, than running at normal speeds, because you are facing more wind resistance, using more gas, etc. So I don't know. I suppose that it depends...
Quote from: 55 CDV Fan 82 on January 17, 2023, 10:19:42 AMThere's a nice 55 Series 60 in Washington which was done correctly for a few K less than what she's asking for.
That could be the case. Although, there are not many of these cars available for sale. I've read about several very good deals from auctions or classifieds, recently. Yet, at the same time, I am unable to find anything similar for a couple of month now. All the "local" cars I checked turned out to be worse than advertised (and one extremely overpriced for the given condition). There are some potentially-decent cars very far away, but when you add-up the additional expense associated with the long-distance purchase, this quickly becomes not a very good deal after all.
Quote from: 55 CDV Fan 82 on January 16, 2023, 04:14:20 PMA local buddy mentioned this to me the other day since its around town. If its in fact a 54 then why does it have a 55 front end? If its a 55...why are the chrome trim pieces missing by the trunk. I have a lot of questions.
My thoughts exactly. Also, regarding the following post (which I did not quote), which says the front bumper was changed due to not finding a suitable replacement part. I find it curious that the advertisement advises of all the effort invested to find and replace "original" parts, noting some items that are not nearly as important as changing the year of bumper (and look of the car), with no reference to that in the ad. In part the ad says, "I spent a lot of time and money finding original parts to restore her back to original and she's nearly complete. ". But she/he changed the appearance of the car's model year (and not mention this)? I too have many questions regarding this car. Clay/Lexi
it was mentioned that the front was replaced by a different person (and probably a long time ago). Also, if my wife/sister had an old car, chances are, she would have absolutely no idea about its mechanical condition, what ever was done to it over the years, or anything else besides some random things (which are not necessarily even correct) she might've heard from either myself, a local mechanic, or who ever else was assisting her with maintaining the car. There are some women who actually know cars very well but they are very-very far in between.
That possibility cannot be excluded however, when the advertisement claims that quote; "I spent a lot of time and money finding original parts to restore her back to original and she's nearly complete.", it is reasonable to conclude that the seller knew that the front end is wrong. One must conclude that the ad is not entirely candid or sincere, sad to say. Best to avoid unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Clay/Lexi
People tend to exaggerate; this can get worse if they are not very familiar with the subject matter. I've heard so many "interesting things" from sellers, and it seems that many of them are actually making genuine statements, as it seems to them. Spending a lot of time and money finding original parts could literally mean looking online for the old-stock paper filter cartridges, or spark-plugs from the 50s, or some replacement trim pieces (originals versus a reproduction), or the factory floor mats ;D
Could be, though prospective buyers should not have to decipher what they are reading. The ad should accurately represent the vehicle and address what the photographs show; the good, the bad and the ugly. When a seller tells me how much time and money they invested in researching parts to put the car back to originality, they are communicating to those reading the ad that they know this car and what it needs. If they don't know what they are talking about they should have their ad vetted by someone who does. If I lived close by and was interested I might check it out but otherwise I would not touch it with a barge pole. Too many unknowns. In many respects how not to represent your car in an ad. We can only judge but what we see in the advertisement. To read more into it would amount to sheer speculation which is not helpful. Clay/Lexi