Re: 1954 Panama....worth??

Posted by kevinpackard On 2020/4/21 15:53:12

Don - I was noticing those add-on's in the 1953. Certainly a nice car, but out of my price range at this point.

Steve - If I do get this car, the first thing on my list is to drain all the fluids. Rear differential should just be a straight drain and fill. Drain, flush, and fill the cooling system. Drain oil, change the filter, drop the pan and clean that and the intake screen. I might do the same for the transmission. I'll for sure change the fuel filter, but since the car runs I don't know that I will need to drop the tank and clean it.

The brakes will need to be gone through for sure. I will likely keep the aftermarket non-power brakes on there for now, assuming they work. Eventually I would like to restore the Easamatic power brakes and put them back on.

The car does start, and it does drive. I took it for a quick test spin around the property when I looked at it. Engine sounded fine (without looking too closely...nothing obviously wrong), transmission shifted normally into High and Reverse. Didn't check Low. Power steering worked fine. Brakes functioned but I was only going a few miles per hour.

The front and rear bumper chrome is rough at best, but fine for a while. The other chrome is good, just dull. I've been thinking about the interior and how to clean it up. How would I go about cleaning the seats and carpet without ruining them? I know I'll have to replace the headliner.

I've always been partial to the two door hardtops so I'm hopeful about this car. I'm probably going to have a hard time talking the guy down much more, but I'll see what I can do. Originally was 9.5K, then 7.5, and now 6.5K. Ideally I'd pay 5K but that might be pushing my luck.

-Kevin