Re: Considering a 51

Posted by Ross On 2010/3/15 21:47:50

You can have a lot of fun with that car for that money. Just check the floors and structure on the back side of the rocker panels for gang rot--but in California how much rot can there be???

Most all the pieces necessary to put the brakes in good order are available cheap at the local auto parts store, and the engine is not a lot more complicated than two Ford 8N tractor engines mounted in a line. If the tranny is automatic, best check it in all positions to see if it grabs a gear. Stick shifts are no problem.

If you want to make it pretty, the chrome will kill you if its bad.

All that said, they are GREAT driving cars and you can have something that will stand out from the crowd. My long experience as a "bottom feeder" shows me you can get one for way less than the price guide says, and have a junior Packard sedan for a fraction of what a Ford or Chevy in equal condition would cost. Keep us posted.