After 26 years it’s time to sell. Scared to ask. Classic car guys. What’s a reasonable price to ask for this galaxie?
Posted by VoodooZephyr@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 77 comments
In Los Angeles where people price insanely. I just don’t want to sell it for dirt cheap. Here’s a little list I made in like 20 minutes. It’s temporary.
artschool04@reddit
Sadly as she sits your looking at 2-5k. If you get it running and stoping and put together your looking at 4-9k.
Mind you when i say put together: all glass installed chrome installed, lights in, seats in the car car staring and moving brakes installed and working. Will this cost you time and money yes 1-3k and 1-6 months
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. I’ll see if I can get the latter. I’m not going to wait forever but I’d yank the motor and trans way before I went to 2k. Because I know it was built by a good shop that knows FE motors not by someone’s cousin Ted. Lol. Nothing against Ted. lol
Dry_Success3985@reddit
At the end of the day it will only be worth what people are willing to pay for it.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Exactly.
GoneIn61Seconds@reddit
I'm into Fords of this era and you're probably best selling the engine and any specialty stuff separately. Body alone is maybe 2500 if everything's there?
The market isn't bad, but I'm definitely seeing more 50s-60s era cars that are selling for "dang I wish I'd seen that sooner" prices. Unfinished projects are sometimes the hardest to sell.
Check ebay comps - there was a complete 57 retractable that sold recently, largely original but not running, with a lot of good options. $6800. 59 Ranchero project, similar condition to your car, $1500. Running, driving '59 galaxie 4dr with nice paint, $4850.
DongDaddie@reddit
Dude this is $1500 and not a penny more. You’d be buying it for the engine and scrapping the body. I bought a 7/10 condition 70s Chevy truck for $1900 a year ago and 85% of the parts were there.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
I have most of the parts. It says it in my pics. Cool man. What state are you in because you’re sure as hell not in LA.
DongDaddie@reddit
Buddy you’re missing all the interior panels, and a bunch of trim. On builds like these, those are the most expensive parts. As she sits now you’re looking at another $20-$30k to get this thing restored. And that’s doing the work yourself. Location doesn’t really matter IMO. I am in the south and flew out to Nevada to buy that Chevy.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
I filled out the page on the spot. Not everyone builds show cars with 10 k paint. Listen. I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m listening to everyone’s opinion. But thinking that like Georgia or whatever is exactly like the LA market? Every state is different. Vegas will be different than rainy east coast with salt on the roads. Maybe I won’t even get any offers. Your opinion is as valid as everyone else. I just came here to ask opinions. Just trying to finish my crappy subway sandwich. 😆
DongDaddie@reddit
I wasn’t trying to be a dick I promise. I think you’ll get a lot more money by splitting the engine and transmission from the body of the car. If you’re looking to maximize profits, part it out individually.
Special_Profit4509@reddit
Might be worth it to take time to sell at the Pomona swapmeet In California a lot of people still go there for cars like this. 10k is not out the question if you have a good paper trail for all purchases.
titsmuhgeee@reddit
That’s hard, since it’s not a very sought after car even in finished form.
Could you list for $10k and maybe find a buyer over the next few years? Sure.
Could you list for $5k, take $4k, and someone pulls the drivetrain and puts it into something else? More likely.
Unfortunately there just isn’t a huge market for people willing to take on a massive project to finish a Galaxie. If you want to see the car actually drive again, find a kid who is into old cars and wants to learn and offer it to him for $2500 and help him reassemble it. That’s really the only way this car sees the road again, unfortunately.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. I figure if anything someone can yank the motor and sell the car. I mean, the motor has 0 miles and was built by a good machine shop and I rebuilt the C-6 myself. But I dunno. We’ll see I guess. Not expecting a lot. But there’s no way I’m selling it for 2k. Someone will buy it that day. Anyways.
StrongPerspective803@reddit
Nobody really wants the trouble of an unknown motor and trans to pull and put in and hope it works.
Everybody lies so even with receipts its very hard to trust what a seller tells you about a car that doesn't drive.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Also, the guy Bob I think sold the business (he’s older) I can see if the new owner has my stuff on file. It’s a long shot but I got a new pink yesterday. Car is not salvaged. Was easier than I thought because I left the pink with mom and she lost it.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
I get it. It does start and run though. Just no mufflers.
obi1kenobi1@reddit
This, ‘59 Fords just aren’t in big demand like other year models which complicates things.
I was kind of blown away to come across a restored (albeit older) 1959 Galaxie Skyliner (the retractable hardtop) with factory air conditioning for $15,000 a couple years ago. It wasn’t even necessarily a fluke, as it was at one of the big classic car dealership chains and sat unsold for months while I kept checking back on it before talking myself out of such a crazy project. It wasn’t in show condition but it was certainly in draw a crowd at cars and coffee condition, and the big downside was that the roof and the air conditioning didn’t work, but still it was arguably the single most valuable and collectible ‘59 Ford in very presentable running and driving condition and it wasn’t flying off the lot at $15k.
You make a good point about finding someone younger who wants to get into a project. I’m into land yachts and a not insignificant part of why is because nobody wants them or values them. There are definitely people out there who either have the 1959 Ford as their personal favorite or are looking for a way into ‘50s cars, and would love an opportunity to build one how they want, so finding that person and encouraging them is the most likely way for the car to find a new home and not be parted out.
awkwardaudit@reddit
A friend‘s dad had a 59 Skyliner with factory power steering and retractable hard top in working order. It was an original car in great condition kept in a garage. It’s entire life. They had to keep a big oil pan under the car because it leaked like crazy from the power steering hydraulics. There’s a ton of limit switches and relays in that thing too. I can only imagine it would be a nightmare to try and figure out the hard top.
obi1kenobi1@reddit
That’s very true and a big part of why I passed on it. But the Skyliner has the benefit of when the top is broken it’s just a normal hardtop, so while that’s definitely part of why the asking price wasn’t super high it felt like the kind of problem you could put off and fix later, at least more so than most problems.
As it was you could think of it as a good condition Galaxie hardtop coupe that had a bonus convertible mode that you could unlock later for more money, which to me should still make it more desirable than just a normal coupe in similar condition.
JDPierson@reddit
List it for $5k and don't go under $4k, imho
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Seems reasonable. The Los Angeles market is way different than small town prices. We have to go to Vegas or something to find a decent deal sometimes
VanillaGorilla59@reddit
People in the Portland area ask 7-10k for stuff like this.
Worst-Lobster@reddit
And literally never sell it so it’s kind of pointless to ask too much but that’s what they do
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
That’s the thing. Some people don’t want to sell it. It will rot and they’ll say “ my wife wants me to sell it, we got kids. So I’ll just price it real high and if nobody buys it, who cares? And if someone buys it I’ll be happy with that ton of Scrooge mcduck cash. And then quote Warren Buffett while living in their van” 😆
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. Portland I’m not surprised. LA is the same way. Everybody asks way over what some cars are worth, they never get calls and will end up selling for 5k. People are insane. I just saw a fastback, completely gutted, no engine/tranny/interior/shitty paint. 15k!!! Cool car but you’re on bath salts.
Caboobaroo@reddit
And 10k+ at the PIR swap meet
VanillaGorilla59@reddit
Easily 🤣🤣🤣 I quit going after 2017 for that reason.
stupidape47@reddit
I'd list for 7k. But you won't get 7k. If people ask why so high explain you got a new engine with paperwork, I think you can get 4500-5500. Someone may want it without the drivetrain, that may be worth selling separately.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. I really thought about it and looked what’s selling in LA. I saw some crazy shit. Some of these cars I think. She got this car in a divorce for sure. I could go on for an hour on the stuff I saw. The quarter panel is two pieces because of rust. You want 12k no engine or interior? I know mine is not a popular car but if I can find the same exact car for a decent price I’ll buy it because I love the lines on the car and not being popular will make it more affordable for me. I’m very upfront when selling a car. You won’t get ripped off. But I won’t either.
CombOdd2117@reddit
Advertise this car nationwide for 4 weeks and include pics of the frame and floor and trunk pans. Include reason for sale is your MD. Ask $8k. If no bites, then consider going lower regionally. Plan of last resort: Advertise the engine for $5k. That engine fits in a ton of different Fords. Buyers love receipts and seeing it run. Bonus: They get a free galaxie with their purchase.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
lol. Yeah. That’s was pretty close to my plan. Sell it around that price and see what I get. Selling my 3d printer for $225 and got 3 PEOPLE in one day say “would you take 50?” So if I sell the car for $20 someone will want to for $10 😆 ok. I like that idea. I hadn’t seen the car in a year in a half. In Storage. I’ll shoot some frame/suspension/ trunk pan pics. They’re pretty solid. And seriously if I can’t sell the car for a decent amount I’ll yank the motor and tranny and keep it for myself. Maybe hot rod out someone’s rascal. lol. Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.
PlzDntBanMeAgan@reddit
What model was the 3d printer?
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
A1 mini with AMS. So basically a perfect working printer with not an insane amount of hours for $110 bucks on its own.
PlzDntBanMeAgan@reddit
Glad you didn't say ender 3
Thee_Sinner@reddit
I have a V2.. I hate using it tbh. Using it is like if EVERY time you stated a car, you had to retune the carb and fix the alignment. It’s just such a pain
PlzDntBanMeAgan@reddit
Same I have the same ender 3 v2. I got a probe that's supposed to be like an autoleveler can't remember what it's called but I don't even think it made any bit of fuckin difference to be honest..
Thee_Sinner@reddit
I bought one and never bothered installing it because I couldnt even get a bed flat enough for it to matter. Tried 3 different heaters and multiple different print surfaces and they were all so wavy that leveling to the corners didnt matter because the center was either extremely concave or convex. Prints would either not stick or the nozzle would just drag across the surface and mar it all up.
I eventually took to using a magnetic surface and strategically stacked ripped pieces of printer paper under it to make it flat.. But that of course means I have to re-place all of the paper every time I lift up the metal sheet to remove the print.
Then the SD card I was using corrupted and I lost off of my sliced files.. I havent printed anything in at least a year
PlzDntBanMeAgan@reddit
Oh no. Lmao I haven't printed anything in quiteeee a while also .
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. Like starting a car in the cold with the choke stuck open and no thermostat so it takes forever to warm up. lol
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
That was my first printer. I nearly threw that thing out the window. Upgraded so much shit on it and it was polishing a turd. I’ll never hand level a bed again as long as I live. Have 3 bambu.
mk4_wagon@reddit
I swear it's a compulsion. Even when something is a good deal people can't just take it. I'm trying to sell some car parts that are brand new and even at 50% off people are still trying to haggle.
Good luck selling the car and printer!
Battle_Intense@reddit
Because it works, passed on a very collectible rifle because I really didn't need it but later ran into the new owner that bought it way under market value and $600 less than I had thought was his best offer.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
True. If something is a really good deal I try not to really haggle. If something is a so so deal, I’ll see if they can work with me a little. Anyways, thanks man! Savin up as much as possible for a new car journey!!
Worst-Lobster@reddit
2-3k
Equal-Incident5313@reddit
Pull the engine and trans and sell separately
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
If I can’t get a decent price on it, that’s what I’m gonna do. Trying to avoid it though. Even though I fuckin love that 390. It’s out of a 76 ford truck. If all I get is lowballs I’m gonna grab that motor. We’ll see. Gonna see how the market is these days with classic cars. A lot has changed since the 90’s obviously.
Equal-Incident5313@reddit
That Galaxie isn’t a very desirable car, but selling the engine/trans separately opens up to more buyers
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I think I’m the only person in the world that loves the lines on this car. Last resort will be taking the motor and tranny out for myself really. I’ll see how people react to it and take it from there. It’s just a bit of work for me because my legs are a little jacked up but I can get them both out if I need to.
torklugnutz@reddit
$2500-$4000
jbjhill@reddit
Probably towards the higher end of that because it starts and runs.
Rk1987@reddit
lol did you look at the pics? More like lower end
Enigma_xplorer@reddit
No, the higher end. The engine alone of worth a fair bit if hes got paperwork on the rebuild. Even if the rest of the car was junk you can see hes got at least 4k in parts there.
nsula_country@reddit
Built FE 445 Stroker was $12,000.
Equal-Incident5313@reddit
Scat crank kit and machine work is less than $4k, throw in aluminum heads and roller cam and still be under $7k
nsula_country@reddit
Little more work was done than that. All 8 cylinders are sleeved. Survival Motorsports Jail Break stroker kit. Heads are C6AE-R heavily ported and polished. Harland-Sharpe rockers. Isky roller cam and lifters. Dynoed.
OhioCentrist@reddit
26 years?! 😵💫
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. Sold my 68 firebird to buy it. Bought the car right out of high school.
monty2003@reddit
You should hit up https://www.youtube.com/@Thecraig909 , big ford guy in SoCal. Bet he would get it for the right price. Bonus is he would possibly fix it up on youtube for you to watch.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Sent him a message. Sure it’s a long shot but doesn’t hurt to try! Thank you Monty sir. 😁
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Ok. I’ll let him know of what I got. I haven’t even put it up online yet. I should do that today. Done preparing my shish kabobs for lunch. 😂 Thanks man!
Chief-Big-Meat@reddit
Get a U-Haul and a trailer and take it to Pamona or Long Beach swap meet and get some offers. You could even bring a poster board with pictures instead. I think it would go for 3-5k but you might be able to trade for something too.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
That might be a possibility. Just got a Long Beach text 10 min ago. Half given up on Pomona. It’s 99% Chevy now in the American section. Last time I went I walked around for 3 hours and the only thing I saw besides Chevy was 1 ford booth for mustang parts. Kinda sucks. But yeah, there are a lot of different cars for sale but it’s a waste of time trying to find parts anymore. Sorry, I’m old man ranting of a better time. Haha. Sold my 68 at Pomona in 99.
Str8Six91@reddit
I would personally only be interested in the engine, assuming I needed one. Even then, I’d rather rebuild it myself than buy one already rebuilt. And while I like old Fords, that one’s not from a period I appreciate.
So, I’d probably lowball the hell out of this.
Frequent-Felcher@reddit
Like 2 bucks
earthman34@reddit
I will never for the life of me understand why people do wiring like that.
PlumbgodBillionaire@reddit
Lack of knowledge on where to get good parts/tools. Also they probably never learned how to do it clean.
Unhappy-Airport-4112@reddit
I'd go around 4 but no more than 5. If course be open to offers. The guy I bought my C20 off of wanted 6500, and that was too much for a pile of junk that didn't start in his driveway. I paid 5500 which is still too much but it is what it is.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
I bought this car around the year 2000 when I graduated high school. I know what to look for these days because every damn thing was broken on this car. The ball joints were still riveted in from the factory when I changed them. Every damn thing was busted but i drove it home across town when i bought it. Everything was there, it was just broken. lol. I’m so unlucky. Stripped all the chrome to do body work and my neighbors brick wall fell and crushed a lot of it. Anyways. I know red flags like “ran when I parked it” is a good one. Next car I’m going in with a white glove lol. Jk
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Also replaced a bunch of the front bushings.
mynameisnickromel@reddit
So is it actually time to sell or are you still working on it
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
I have muscular dystrophy that gets a little worse every year. Hard for me to finish it so I just want to sell this one and buy a classic car that runs and stops and stuff.
TheCubanBaron@reddit
Damn...
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
It happens. All good.
mynameisnickromel@reddit
Sounds like a good idea. Id probably just sell the thing as is, then.
VoodooZephyr@reddit (OP)
Yeah. That’s what I’m thinking. I’d keep the motor and just sell the body for dirt cheap but it’s just too much of a headache for me
xGameOverx@reddit
You could try reaching out to somebody like vice grip garage on youtube to see if you could work something out.
OldGrimMechanic@reddit
Lets look underneath the old Ford Galaxies, to see if there's any Black Holes...