Henry J for sale

[Corsairdeluxe]

Looks like a decent and very basic little car at a realistic price. I have not seen it on sale before.

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=3622051&utm_source=Trovit&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Premium

[Fid]

I have not seen that one either.  It sure looks like a true authentic example.  It's a four cylinder that still has the painted hood molding. Usually the first thing an owner does when they get one is replace that with the chrome style used on the 6 cylinder.  I didn't see any pictures of the upholstery or engine area.
At that price it may not matter - looks like a good buy for someone.

[joefrazer]

Looks like a decent buy for the money. It has had rocker repair and a section of the front fenders have been cut off below the headlights. There are a couple engine shots...it is a 4 cylinder with no OD so it won't be a freeway car, but would make a good local cruise in attention getter...especially in that shade of blue.

[Fid]

You're right Joe - I went back and clicked on the main picture and saw that there were more to scroll through. Yes, opinion lowered a bit. I noticed all of the seams on the body are filled in. Indicative of major rust at one time. The rocker seams are filled and those front fenders being trimmed as you mentioned are indicators of significant rust at one time.  The door panels are fastened with upholstery screws and non-original metal door sill plates.  I still think at that price it is not a bad buy. Also, I often hear people comment that the 4 cylinder standard '51s did not have a trunk lid and here's another example that proves that wrong.  For a time, the '51 standard could be equipped with AG 10 or AG 17, both of which included a trunk lid, folding rear seat and opening wing vents.

[boatingbill]

I would be very leery of this car without on site inspection. It may have extensive frame and floor pan issues from rust.
The telltale signs are there as mentioned by Fid. I saw before and after pictures of a '64 Barracuda and a "57 T-Bird two
seater that were low mileage rust outs. The body shop laid a mesh screen over the body sheet metal and then bondo
filled in the holes. The cars looked beautiful but a magnet would hardly stick anywhere. They would spray undercoating
in the fenders to hide the bondo oozing through the mesh. I looked down the sides and they were so smooth you did not
see a ripple. Today's body shops can work magic. I hope any buyer puts it on a hoist first and knows what to look for that
may be covered by undercoating spray.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I could get in a contest with anyone on here to find warning signs on the car and I would give anyone a run for the money. I only posted it as a new find. Most of what shows up has been viewed by some of us before. I stand by my comment, "it's a decent car for the money". I've seen a whole lot less go for a whole lot more. Even sold a couple that fit that description!

Compare it to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-Makes-/181769651745?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2a5250c621&item=181769651745

Considering how long all these cars have been around, buying any of them without a look-see underneath is not recommended.

[Gordie]

The ripples in the tire sidewall closeup looks like the car has Portawalls.  [fake whitewalls]  It  is an attractive car at first glance but the interior has been changed and if all of the body seams have been filled it would probably be a good car to stay away from.  That rusty Henry J may be the better  car.

[Corsairdeluxe]

At this point I hasten to add that the turn signal flasher is installed horizontally rather than in the correct vertical fashion. Being so,It may be  that the signal lights might indicate that the car is going to go up or down rather that right or left.

Why am I reminded of the insights of one of my favorite mentors, Professor Irwin Cory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxtN0xxzfsw

[Fid]

Gordie, I noticed that on tire too and thought it looked like a portawall.  Maybe it is.

[Gordie]

They are still available from Lucas tire in Long Beach CA.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

Wrong heater, wrong upholstery, etc.  So much for all original

[h-e-n-r-y-j]

My lord, Jack - you are wound up tight!  The add only states "original" not "all original".

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

If the ad states "original condition" an "all" is implied unless the copy states exceptions.  It's a reason why auction companies require sellers to provide proof of claims on ownership, originality, etc, before they will list same in their catalogs or descriptions at the auction block.