'55 Aero Custom

[MarkH]

Seems to be all there, not too many miles. Not mine.

https://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/d/1955-willys-aero-custom/6603902747.html

[Roadmaster49]

No way. $2500 for that serious of rust - on a more door?  No way.  I appreciate you posting and you are into these cars, but that's a $500 car at best, for parts.  Whether it's a 55 Cadillac or a 55 Willys, it costs $40,000 to $70,000 to restore any car these days. For $2500, I would expect it to run and need a cosmetic restoration.   No one is buying this car.

[joefrazer]

I beg to differ...it’s a 55 and few were made. It’s essentially complete. It has the 226 engine. And, it’s stick with OD. Drive one and then get back to me. I guarantee the two extra doors won’t make a shred of difference.

[SC/397]

I would bet $1500.00/$1800.00 cash would buy it.
I would go look at it but I don't need or want another project.  That one looks worse but is really not all that worse than the 52 that I bought.  The guy started at 3K and re-listed at $2500.00.  I took $2200.00 in cash with me and that was going to be my max.  I asked the seller how much he needed for it today and he wouldn't give me a number.  He insisted that I make the offer so I hessitated and threw out $1800.00 and he said "Sold!"
There doesn't seem to be any $100 to $500 dollar parts cars anymore.  They have all become $1000.00 + parts cars now.

[Roadmaster49]

Well it's a neat artifact, but such a niche audience. 

[MarkH]

Well it's a neat artifact, but such a niche audience.

                                                                                 

[Roadmaster49]

By that I mean the car is still for sale because of what it is.  I looked at a 1956 Ambassador Station Wagon about 3 months ago.  Pretty neat artifact of a by gone era, but no one bought it, or was going to buy it, and it was priced at $500 and was 10 times better condition than this car. 

[Mr Manhattan]

 They never made a 1956 Ambassador Station wagon  or convertible............))

[MarkH]

Well it's a neat artifact, but such a niche audience.

                                                                                 

By that I mean the car is still for sale because of what it is.  I looked at a 1956 Ambassador Station Wagon about 3 months ago.  Pretty neat artifact of a by gone era, but no one bought it, or was going to buy it, and it was priced at $500 and was 10 times better condition than this car.

Stating something will never be sold is an assumption that the possibility of future bargaining will never happen.

What really has me saying "HUH!" though, is describing a vehicle, in a collector car forum,  as having a "such a niche audience". Ignoring that this is an orphan brand forum, wouldn't that describe even the most popular collectable car in the world, and it's club?

[Mr Manhattan]

So how many were made  ? not many I think. It looks like a foreign car of the 50s. I like the looks but do not need a project like this . )) I just bought a 1987 Ford Ranger with only 66 k, clean as a pin.

[Roadmaster49]

Mark knows more than I do, but the 4 door Customs - should be around 2600 to 2880 for 1955. 

This very same car sold on a Proxibid auction a few months back for $450.  Same car.  Therefore, the present owner is trying to flip it for 5 x the amount he paid. 

I am making a statement on the asking price, not the general desirability of the car. I am making a statement on the condition of the car, and it is only my opinion.  I suspect this car drops off CL and we don't know what it eventually sells for.  If at all. 

All KF's are generally 'niche' collector cars but some are bonified in demand collector cars that transcend the orphan tag.   This 1955 Willys is not one of them.  This is a neat period kitschy car that I can appreciate for being the 'last of'.  If that front floor pan was solid, I would place value in the $1200 range.  A person could chip away at the cosmetics, drive it and enjoy.  Eventually getting it to a nice #2 or #3 car. 

As a straightforward 'apples to apples' example, you need to look no further than the $500 1949 Frazer Manhattan post below, with the same floor rust.  A serious person could get this car for $250.  (The Frazer)

I meant no disrespect to Willys fans and collectors. The car is simply over-priced that's all.

[Roadmaster49]

They never made a 1956 Ambassador Station wagon  or convertible............))

Thank you for the correction. The CL ad was for a Rambler Wagon.  I do not know where I got Ambassador from. 

I liked it a lot, neat, different project. Most of us like KFW because they are not mainstream.  Therefore, we tend to look for orphan stuff.  That's how I found that Rambler wagon.  I think it was listed as a 57, but my research showed it was a 56. 

[amkfken]

If you don't want it don't comment on price--
I looked for over a year for a 83 AMC Eagle SX4. found one with no rust, 100k miles, all original Paint/upholstery, etc. did not drive it, met my criteria, got it for 3k, cleaned carb, now has 113k miles and a few trophies
Same story on my 84 Rampage, one family owned, trade in at a Dodge dealer, has matching topper, 85k miles drove it, asking $4995, got it for $3000, now 92k miles also a few trophies.
Research $$ asking prices and conditions then negotiate with your bottom dollar, if not met walk away!!
Asking prices and actual dollar need by seller will not always match!!

[Roadmaster49]

I would not comment on a members car for sale but Mark posted a craigslist ad and we as a community often comment on the cars. Mine just happened to be on price v condition.

[Carpenter]

I wish those who have a gripe would just keep it to themselves.  Doesn't add one thing to the forum...that anyone wants to hear.