To Sell or Not To Sell?

[stmike]

I'm at a crossroads. I have a project that I've put an ungodly amount of hours into (built a tube chassis, channeled the body over the chassis, IRS, LS2 swap ect). It's been languishing at a fab shop for over a year awaiting custom sheetmetal work that I'm incapable of completing myself. I hate relying on anyone to work on my rides so it was hard for me to relinquish control of my project in the first place. Now, it's been out of my hands for so long that I forget what it's like to have it home, which makes the thought of not owning it seem bearable.

I was laid off recently and the thought of selling my project to help with the bills has crossed my mind more than once. We are scraping by (barely) and I'm not even sure I'd get much for my unfinished project. At the same time it needs the most expensive parts finished (paint, body, interior), which I can't forsee affording in the near future.

So that leaves me with the question: Do I sell something I'll probably never have time to build again (I'm getting older so time to play with my toys is getting scarce) or do I suck it up, keep this thing a few years more until I can hopefully work on it again?

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

The TOUGHEST of calls, but I sheepishly say sell.

Brian

[chevy3100]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

Keep it - you said it yourself when you mentioned the limited resale value. If there is any way possible - keep the car or you lose a boatload of money & time that you have already invested. To hand on to it probably costs you nothing....

[ghustler]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

When it comes to living or keeping a money pit, whats the question?
Sounds like something you didn't need in the first place, get back good in life, smooth out and buy a finished tubbed Camaro or Mustang and enjoy in less time than your current project that still wouldn't be done.

[Barry Donovan]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

no charge for storage? I say keep it.
The challenges thought to be challengin suddenly take a turn sometimes.. because someone else also was going through a hard time, and had to give things up for cheap. That makes patience the winner.

I have a real odd collection, and just 3 years later, the unlikely gathering of stuff not thought possible...cheaper than never imagined.

[Gary 351C]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

That's a hard decision. I've just found out that this is not the time to sell a project car. I deleted my craigslist post a few hours ago because after one month nobody wanted the car, just parts off of it. So I'm going to keep it for now and see what happens since it's not costing me anything. If you love the car than hang on to it because you'll kick yourself later for selling it. But if your completely over it, than sell it, move on and chalk it up to experience.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

If it costs you nothing to keep it, wait for the tough times to get better and finish it then.... no shame in having a car since 1985 (and I might know someone who has a studebaker truck like that) then, when it's almost 'done' taking it all apart and starting over again..... that's why they're called projects ;)

[67prostreet]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

If it means having a roof over your head and food on the table sell it. If it is just something you don't have the money or time for right now, keep it. That way you can come back to it down the road as time a money will allow.

I parked my Cougar for just over six years. As time went by I was able to start working on it and built it into something I now enjoy.

[Junk Whisperer]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

I'm with Beagle . ~J/W.

[JOES66FURY]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

if it aint costing you anything to keep, and you wond get jack for it selling...keep it. youre not out anything...it isnt like youre paying insurance, registration and fuel for it while it is parked and no storage fees. good luck whatever you decide.

[milner351]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

This is a rough one - I had to sell my lifelong project hotrod - a boss 302 during my divorce... that was painful - I'd had the car from the age of 17 until 30... Looking back parts of me wish I would have kept it no matter where I had to store it, but parts of me were real happy to walk away from the divorce and the sale of the house in a decent financial position.

The real bummer is how little cars are going for these days - and project cars even less than a little.

I would say you should consider advertising it - and see what kind of offers you get - if you find that one in a million buyer that is willing to give you what you feel is reasonable - I'd let it go.... unless you desperately need the money - in which case you've got to deal with being on the wrong end of a deal.

tough call man, tough call.

[Nik2]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

See if you can find someone who wants to trade a runner for your car. With all of the coll stuff you've done to it, you ougt to be able to get something for it, that way you're still in the game. Just a thought

[stmike]

Re: To Sell or Not To Sell?

Thanks for the input everyone. You've brought up good points and one I hadn't thought of: at the moment it isn't costing me a dime to store it.

It's definately not something I can replace easily. The chassis is a one-off job. I could buy another body but the chassis I'd have to build again.

As for the bodywork..it needs a month's worth of block sanding and filling. The major fab work has been done except for a few unfinished body mods.

I'm still undecided. lol