What should I do?
 

I know this is like asking a bunch of addicts if I should smoke more crack, but here goes. I have a 63 Impala that I have been trying to sell. It has a solid body and is pretty much stock looking except for air ride and a set of wheels.

Should I spend around $1000 to put Wilwoods on the front to make it more saleable, or leave it with 4 wheel drums? We are expecting a baby in August and I would love to turn the car into cash to do some projects around the house and get my wife a 4 door car in place of her Accord coupe.

Any input is appreciated.

It may make it easy to sell to a certain crowd but that would be an easy upgrade for the new owner. Were do you have the car listed for sale? what is the asking price? I would explore some of the advertising options before droping more cash into it.

I wish I could afford that car!

I wouldn't do a thing to it. In these times, big ticket luxury items are hard to sell.

I wish you luck.

I have tried egay a few times, have listed it here (probably wrong audience), and on http://www.cars-on-line.com/32816.html

Looking for $22,000 or reasonable offer.

I am thinking about taking it to Back to the 50's in St Paul next month, and to Goodguys Columbus if I still have it.

Id go http://www.mpbrakes.com/index.cfm or http://www.abspowerbrake.com/ http://www.classicperform.com/ all 3 are cheaper and good brake companies.

That is a very cool car. What suspension do you have? It will sell, just give it some time. I will check with some of my local guys to see if I can get any interest for you.

SW

I think a potentional buyer would be interested regardless of a brake upgrade. I'd try to sell it as-is. Good luck-

Yeah, Buy the Wilwoods, Call GP SuperStore! Those brakes will raise you value thousands! LOL!

Seriously, if your already struggling to find a buyer now, I would not spend a penny on something like brakes (unless it was a safety factor). Does the car deserve them? Probably yes. But is the fact it does not have disc brakes on it THE thing that is stopping sales? No!

I would be reviewing everything ( I know you have), find anything glaring ugly, and take car of little things that don't cost a ton. Visual first impressions are everything.

Since your willing to spend a grand on it on the speculation that the brakes might help the sale, your could always use that as a bargaining chip. If you feel the need to sweaten the deal to get someone over the hump, you could let the prospective buyer know one thing you had planned to do someday was those brakes. Tell him you think think the car deserves them and offer to discount it the $1000 for the brakes.


I would not put more money into to it, just raises your cost basis that much more.

i think i remember seeing the car it was white with a red interior if its the one im thinking of. Its is a good deal for someone the way it sets its a very nice car. Unfortunately the way the economy is right now not many people have money to spend. I say try the shows there will def be the right crowd there.

best of luck

Thanks guys for the input. My only thought was that with the wife in this condition and the Camaro apart, I may be driving it more this summer, which makes me want to do it. It is a solid car, and I have been beating myself up for putting too much money in it in the first place, but when I drive it I realize it is just too nice to lose a whole lot of money on.

Thinking of a home equity line of credit to get through the projects and not be in a hurry to sell and do something I will regret. If it sells, it sells.

SW, the air suspension has Firestone bags, and a Viair (sp?) compressor. Tank and valves are of unknown origin. Unfortunately not a name brand system. Front and rear operate as pairs. I have been toying with converting to four corner controls.

Here it is. One slammed and one at ride height. Scott, maybe your buddy with my old Pontiac wagon needs another bookend.