My neighbor just stopped by the other day with his new PT Cruiser for us to check out.
Later that night, my wife asked me what I would buy or build with the roughly 20K it
cost to buy a new PT Cruiser. I thought it sounded like an interesting question, so I'm
posting it- keeping in mind of course that everyone's answer will probably be at least in
part dictated by his/her rod-building abilities (or, in my case, a lack thereof..). My choice:
a '39 Ford (either Deluxe or Standard) 2-door sedan in the style of Bob McCoys, with a
283 mated to the stock running gear. Tube shocks, rubber rake, "soild" rims with beauty
rings and '47 Ford caps (using 40-48 drums). Since I'm in the snow belt, I'd spend what's left
on a winter beater. How about you?

Well the other day I saw an ad for a 31 5 window for 13,500 in one of the trader mags. Needed paint But was a driver. The remaining money could be spent on the paint and other details to give the rod a touch of my personality.
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Currently looking for a project. Have a late model customized truck now,but need some older metal.

Hey Dave, Good question. I have been thinking about it for a while. I have "aquired" a 2000 Northstar and have been contemplating what I should wrap around it. I think I've come to a decision. I'm going to start to look for a 53-54-55 Studebaker Low-boy coupe. Take about 2.5 to 3 in out of the top and drop it. Seems some shade of orange may be right. I took 3 years to do my 57 Chev (in the Studio)and I think for 20K I could probably start with a driver Stude and finish it in 2. So if you guys see a decent Stude coupe, let me know.
Rochie

Hey guys, P.S. to the above. I don't think anybody's done a StudeStar have they.
Rochie

Hi Rochie, There's 22 studes on www.traderonline.com Ranging from $750 to $17,000. You might want to check out.

Rick
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awsum34

Hmm -- that's the old chicken and egg kind of deal. If I had the money just sitting there to do it that would be one thing, but most of us have to finance what we drive or do it in stages. If I hadn't bought a minivan (used) I would have really considered a PT Cruiser after the "golly gee" above sticker prices came down. (I saw a used 1000 mile version still over $4K above sticker . . . and the other 8 had already sold at similar markups.)

Can anyone tell me what kind of luck they've had financing a car like a street rod? I have excellent credit but the one bank I called didn't want to even loan on a 1993 car . . . I can't imagine what they would do on a 40+ year old car. ;-)


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Bradley Miller
http://morris.accesszone.com -- Honey I shrunk the street rod

good ole Mastercard was happy to finance my coupe project for me. Not too many lending institutions are willing to finance a dream. All us us in here know how to make those dreams become realities but its hard to convince some hard nosed banker.
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KEEP THE GREAZY SIDE DOWN! Lobucrod

HI Loubcrod, Thats intresting about Mastercard, I was
at the Auburn IND. Kruse auction in 94 and the Pres.
of mastercard was their and buying up a storm, maybe
he is one of us.
Dakotadan
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DAN JARMAN 1-800-787-3781

Since I prefer to do most everything myself, that much money would last me for more than one rod. I'd use it to finish the '53 pickup I'm currently working on and then finish the American Graffiti style 3 window deuce I'm collecting parts for. With what's left I'd buy a new trailer so I could tow the deuce to events with the '53 pickup.

Given all that, the only problem would be finding the time to do it all.


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Later...

If I was starting afresh it would be a large 37-40 Buick or Caddy 4 dr sedan. They are still available $5-10K for something super solid, straight and running. Spend some of the rest on a 455/472 with TH-400, new rear end, brakes and you have a driver. Paint, interior, some chrome and away you go with enough left over for the start of a Deuce to tow behind on those real long trips. One nice thing about them big GM's is you dont have to do much to the suspension to make them modern 70-80 mph cruisers. Plus those looooong wheelbases are soooo comfortable with a full load of people and luggage. Had a 37 Buick Roadmaster and a 40 Buick Limited some years back, and even with the straight 8 they cruised all day at 65-70. Twin sidemounts really turn me on.....
Just located a 38 Caddy, going to see it Saturday.
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Carl
Automotive gold is everywhere; you just have to learn how to dig for it

Cool answers (in fact so cool, I may have to rethink my own..). B.T.W., Thanks
to everyone for not pointing out that Bob McCoy's sedan was (is?) in fact a '40- not
a '39 like my "wish car". My bad.

I'm with 286merc, I want my next project to be about 3 tons of fun, big caddie, or buick, already got 3- 472's sitting waiting for a big ol dog house to go into.
Full power with all the creature comforts, its time to build one with air and cruise for the long haul. I have a 48 chevy cpe project sitting at home right now, but I'm trying to decide if its BIG ENOUGH?

build what you like, but drive what you build
Jim Callaghan