What would you rather have ?

harry54

I went to see a 1936 810 cord sedan yesturday in #2 condition. The gentleman that owns the car is looking to sell for 50,000. I know that it's a rare car and probably a fair price but I'd still rather have a a stepdown conv't for the same Money. I know that I would drive it more and certianly have more enjoyment. Of Coarse , I can't afford it any way . However, How is it that a low production famous car like the Cord isn't worth 100,000. I don't get it. And how does a 70 Cuda 383 6 pack trade at 150,000 and a 810 Cord in great shape go for 50,000 ???????

Unknown

harry54 wrote:

I went to see a 1936 810 cord sedan yesturday in #2 condition. The gentleman that owns the car is looking to sell for 50,000. I know that it's a rare car and probably a fair price but I'd still rather have a a stepdown conv't for the same Money...



Let's see, a 70 year old front wheel drive Cord sedan or a 50+ year old rear wheel drive Hudson convertible that you can more easily get parts for. I'd go HUDSON. Although the Cord is a wonderful car, few sedans have the appeal of a convertible. As for your question about prices, it's a matter of demand. I suspect that not as many people are looking for Cord sedans as they are muscle cars. Also, trends shift as people who knew, loved and collected cars of a certain era die. As this curve progresses and interest/demands decrease, so does price. At this point in time, many Baby Boomers have reached a point in life where many can afford to relive the past and buy the(muscle) cars of their youth. As such, interest/demand increases their value. Although I love most anything on wheels (just ask my wife), I relate better to cars from the late 60's to mid 70's. However, Step Down Hudsons are, IMHO, the most alluring cars to have ever left Detroit. Call me old fashion, but I'm a sucker for a lady who wears skirts.:D

[Deleted User]

harry54 wrote:

I went to see a 1936 810 cord sedan yesturday in #2 condition. The gentleman that owns the car is looking to sell for 50,000. I know that it's a rare car and probably a fair price but I'd still rather have a a stepdown conv't for the same Money. I know that I would drive it more and certianly have more enjoyment. Of Coarse , I can't afford it any way . However, How is it that a low production famous car like the Cord isn't worth 100,000. I don't get it. And how does a 70 Cuda 383 6 pack trade at 150,000 and a 810 Cord in great shape go for 50,000 ???????

Harry, Sadly , it's a matter of demand. Most guys wanting a 70 Cuda 383 know scant little about the Cord nor much care about it. That was not the car of their youth that they couldn't afford-the Cuda was. It has nothing to do with build quality or classic design. It has all to do with the restoration of a youthful dream. I remember well back in the day Cudas were first built. Mopar had a reputation for great engines but the build quality was not that great. It was a not so secret secret. Now , 35-40 years later they are viewed with awe while a great car built by ACD goes for below value.This will be a trend as the guys with money will start going for the muscle cars and not the classics as their fathers did.Let's face it the value of a car only holds up as long as someone values it. If enough people don't value that item it's price will drop -no matter how much you and I think it's totally out of phase.

[Deleted User]

harry54 wrote:

I went to see a 1936 810 cord sedan yesturday in #2 condition. The gentleman that owns the car is looking to sell for 50,000. I know that it's a rare car and probably a fair price but I'd still rather have a a stepdown conv't for the same Money. I know that I would drive it more and certianly have more enjoyment. Of Coarse , I can't afford it any way . However, How is it that a low production famous car like the Cord isn't worth 100,000. I don't get it. And how does a 70 Cuda 383 6 pack trade at 150,000 and a 810 Cord in great shape go for 50,000 ???????

Hands down the Cord! I wonder how much this guy has advertised and where. Is it LHD or RHD? I spoke with a Brit neighbor of mine about this and he said he could probably get a lot more then $50K overseas for it. He'd be interested if he didn't already have Ferrari and Austin Healey projects going. I think its great that Hudsons are getting more valuable, but wonder how long it will last. A Cord would have more appeal worldwide in my opinion. Sorry guys, but a convertible at $50K just doesn't do it for me. I think its an apples vs. oranges thing.

Jay

Unknown

jsrail wrote:

Hands down the Cord! I wonder how much this guy has advertised and where. Is it LHD or RHD? I spoke with a Brit neighbor of mine about this and he said he could probably get a lot more then $50K overseas for it. He'd be interested if he didn't already have Ferrari and Austin Healey projects going. I think its great that Hudsons are getting more valuable, but wonder how long it will last. A Cord would have more appeal worldwide in my opinion. Sorry guys, but a convertible at $50K just doesn't do it for me. I think its an apples vs. oranges thing.

Jay

As much as I like Hudsons, I would have to take the Cord. I have liked those cars since I was a little kid and didn't even know what they were. There was one that sat in a field by my Grandmothers house and I always wanted my Dad to buy it. Sadly it was bulldozed into a brushpile and buried after the brushpile was burnt. It was rough, but could have been saved. Sucks.
Bob
Bob

[Deleted User]

jsrail wrote:

Hands down the Cord! I wonder how much this guy has advertised and where. Is it LHD or RHD? I spoke with a Brit neighbor of mine about this and he said he could probably get a lot more then $50K overseas for it. He'd be interested if he didn't already have Ferrari and Austin Healey projects going. I think its great that Hudsons are getting more valuable, but wonder how long it will last. A Cord would have more appeal worldwide in my opinion. Sorry guys, but a convertible at $50K just doesn't do it for me. I think its an apples vs. oranges thing.



Jay

Hudsons have been increasing in value steadily for a while now. There is no reason why they would go down invalue. They were increasing prior to the movie cars and I think some models will increase quite a bit more. As mentioned, the muscle car phenom was / is caused by us baby boomers. The demand for brass era cars hit a wall after those who grew up with them grew too old. One thing in favor about the stepdown Hudsons is that the baby boomers understand muscle, cruisin' and appreciate the nostalgia of the 50's rock n roll era that they missed. I love to hear all the same comments at the shows and cruise-in's that Hudsons were the fastest cars in their day, which is typically spoken about the early 50's racing. Strange, but seems that was also true for the 30's with the Terraplane, the 40's with the introduction of the Stepdown super-six and ofcourse the 50's with the Hornet. My knowlege of Hudsons prior to the 30's is limited but I know they won major races from day one. Cords are wonderful because almost anyone can take just one look and know it is a Cord. That is what I like about the stepdowns. No mistaking it with another car. That says cool to me. Convertible stepdowns are wonderful but the sedans and coupes have the roofline that make the stepdown so striking and famous. 50K for Cord? I'd take a nice convertible Hornet or a couple nice coupes / sedans.

Aaron D. IL

nhp1127 wrote:

Hudsons have been increasing in value steadily for a while now. There is no reason why they would go down invalue. They were increasing prior to the movie cars and I think some models will increase quite a bit more. As mentioned, the muscle car phenom was / is caused by us baby boomers. The demand for brass era cars hit a wall after those who grew up with them grew too old. One thing in favor about the stepdown Hudsons is that the baby boomers understand muscle, cruisin' and appreciate the nostalgia of the 50's rock n roll era that they missed. I love to hear all the same comments at the shows and cruise-in's that Hudsons were the fastest cars in their day, which is typically spoken about the early 50's racing. Strange, but seems that was also true for the 30's with the Terraplane, the 40's with the introduction of the Stepdown super-six and ofcourse the 50's with the Hornet. My knowlege of Hudsons prior to the 30's is limited but I know they won major races from day one. Cords are wonderful because almost anyone can take just one look and know it is a Cord. That is what I like about the stepdowns. No mistaking it with another car. That says cool to me. Convertible stepdowns are wonderful but the sedans and coupes have the roofline that make the stepdown so striking and famous. 50K for Cord? I'd take a nice convertible Hornet or a couple nice coupes / sedans.

As long as I've been into old cars I've kinda regarded A.C.D's and "rich kids toys" neat old cars but I probably would never own them. Auto historians love to talk and A.C.&D's and their contribution to the automotive world, and there's something to be said for that definitely but to me that's like comparing the contribution of a high-end Lamborghini to the auto world...sure it's a remarkable car but who do you know who actually owned one even when they were new? It is apples to oranges. For us regular Joe's it makes more sense to talk about the engineering contribution of various makes of mid-priced cars and in that respect the Hudson had more of an impact. If a Cord comes down more in value I might look at a few of em, but given a choice I'd go for the Hudson....maybe not for $50 K though LOL Car hits $50 K and I'd be looking for a downpayment on real-estate in stead, perhaps a nice building to keep my cars in.

[Deleted User]

I'd buy the Cord, personally. I wasn't even born when either car was built, they aren't a part of MY youth by any stretch, but I would take the Cord over the Hudson for the money. You do see the occasional million-dollar Cord, and the million-dollar Hudson rag can't be too far in the future. But, for automotive historical significance and just sheer "damn, that's a car!" factor, the Cord has it over the Hudson ragtop.



You have to remember that the Cord was a very exclusive car in its day, running up against big LeBaron-bodied Chryslers, Duesys, Auburns, and Caddys; even senior Packards. The Hudson was not, as it was competing against the Buick, Pontiac, and perhaps the Packard and DeSoto buyers.



Jay said it - apples and oranges.

Unknown

66patrick66 wrote:

I'd buy the Cord, personally. I wasn't even born when either car was built, they aren't a part of MY youth by any stretch, but I would take the Cord over the Hudson for the money...



I though you were buying a new Hornet. :eek: Seriously, the Cord is a fine vehicle. But if I were going to spend $50k on a car at this point in my life, it would have to be perfect. I don't think this car can be anywhere near perfect for that price. Although I love the style of the Cord, I'd stick with a Hudson because 50 big ones would buy one heck of a low mile original or completely restored car. But if one has the money to restore a Cord, I guess spending $50k for a core is moot.