1951 Frazer 4-dr convertible and 4 door hardtop

[Kenn Evans II]

I found on-line a 1951 Frazer 4-door convertible and 4-door hardtop, don't have Vin's or pictures yet, but what is their market value.  They said make them an offer and I want to be reasonable in giving them a price as to not look like the kid who lifted a candy store then again???  Thanks Kenn

[jsgmpeek]

Kenn,
The 1951 Frazer is a very rare beast. They only manufactured 152 Hardtops and 131 Convertibles according to the book; "The Last Onslaught on Detroit" ref page 124.  As in all old cars condition is the major factor, $3,000 seems to be the average non drivable price for a car that can be restored.  Upwards of $13,000 is a fair price for a restored, drivable car.  However, having just restored a 54 Kaiser I have much more than $60,000 invested and I wouldn't sell it of anything less than $100,000. So it is all in the eyes of the owner and buyer. As they say they don't make them anymore!  One other factor is parts availability, many of the trim and sheet-metal parts are not available at any price!

[joefrazer]

At one time, I owned the very last 51F convertible made. It was rough...a tree grew thru the floor...but it would run with some work. I sold/horsetraded it and got far more than $3K for it. I also owned a 51F hardtop that needed it all and it's worth well over $3K in my estimation. I know a guy who has a 49F convertible that is junk...by his admission...and he'll take $4K for it.

A driver quality convertible is worth at least $15K and the same in a KF hardtop of any year (49-50-51) should fetch at least 2/3 as much. If you found a restored convertible, be prepared to pay somewhere near $50K for it and probably a bit better than half that for a hardtop.

I think most of the climb in values is due to the Darrin. Buyers want one but can't stomach the $100K that sellers want for marginal cars so they look, instead, to the convertibles and hardtops. Given the very limited numbers, we're seeing prices escalate.

[Doc]

As owner of A '51 Frazer convertible as well as two of the 4-door hardtops, be wary of the unavailabiity of certain parts and IF they are available, they are very pricey, e.g., taillight lenses (last KFOCI newsletter $500/pair but I've seen $600). Rarely EVER see used ones. After TWO years, I am still looking for a left front vent window frame.  Convertible top pieces like the bows and other attach bracketry.  The door chrome side moldings.....good luck! And good luck finding a chrome shop. Parking light lenses and bezels.....the list goes on. Did I mention TWO years and still no one on the forums or the popular vendors have come through. Yet I see pictures of dust-covered Frazers just sitting rusting away.

[Doc]

I forgot to mention the apparently totally unavailable front grille Frazer emblem.....once upon a time remanufactured, but then the inadequate supply ran dry.

[Fid]

Regarding hardtops, I've had two very reliable sources tell me that a really nice, solid, 1949 Virginian brought $800 at that auction in AZ last week. You never know. 

[Logan]

Again, so sad I missed this incredible auction!  That includes the '37 Chevy.  I saw the pictures and $7K for that car is a good deal.

[Kenn Evans II]

Hi everyone I have been researching and Mr. Lazarus's cars maybe glorified salvage yard autos.  My friends on my professional car society pages have delt with him and politley told me to be cautious.  Wanted to pass this on to everyone. kenn

[joefrazer]

It's been common lnowledge for years that the cars at the Lazarus museum were cosmetic restorations and that most would take alot of work to even be of driver quality. I've seen the 51F convertible...about 15 years ago...and while it looked good, I could tell that it was well beyond anything I would want to attempt to restore to correct form.