Advice wanted about Fairlane good or bad!

Hi everyone. Have been using the Squire as a daily driver for the last few weeks. Including taking my 3 year old to day care(get some strange looks from the other parents wondering weather they call protective services!)

We also have a 3 month old at home so since the Squire ha been back from the mechanics I have very little chance to work on it(fixed the wipers, horn is still messing with me!) Bottom line is I am thinking of selling her!! I have put about $5000 all up so far. Although this includes things like carpet/headliner and other interior stuff. I paid $2200 for her and then spent another $2200 at the mechanics. The rest was front end parts shocks etc..
My question is if I do decide to sell should I do it now and probably not recoup the money I have spent(looks rough and I need to cut some rust out including front and back floor pans) Or... spend another $2000 to have the body work done and a reasonable paint job(I have this budgeted for and I think is good value) Will I be taking a reasonable gamble that someone will pay $7000 for this car or should I just cut my losses now.
As always thank you ahead of time for your thoughts.

 

Wow... that's a tough question.
Right now, I think you would be hard-pressed to get your investment back. You're in that range where purchasers can find older wagons that are in pretty good condition.

What would the $2k include? Are you talking about paint and wood refurbishment? After that, what would the wagon still need? How is the engine and trans? Fill in the details, and I'll give you my opinion.....

 

The horn is pretty straightforward. Power to fuse, fuse to horn button, button to relay, relay to horn. Grounds at horn.

Since it's on the main power from the battery, although it might be on the Accy/Key On of the ignition switch, you might check at the horn button. If it works occasionally, the relay is ok, but may have a broken/jiggling connection/wire.

I'll let Krash chime in on valuation stuff. Don't know the US collector market.

 

Why do you have to sell it? Did you buy it to sell it? I'd drive the hell out of it as it sits and put the body work and paint off for a few years. Maybe the pictures don't show everything, but it looks presentable to me. I wouldn't feel bad about dropping my kid off at daycare in that. I'd feel bad for all of the other parents driving their lifeless soulless SUV's, minivans, and yuppy mobiles.

 

Engine Trans ok

Krash and fellow wagoneers, the $2k is to fix rust in body where tailgate meets body on body side(not easy), front and back floor pans, and a few small fill jobs. And a average paint job in original colour Glacier Blue. I will remove all the chrome a friend is going to restore the moldings(luckily they are in good shape, and I will put the wood vinyl on myself( I can get 40 ft of teak an Avery product for about $125 not as good as the 3m stuff but I can't afford $400. I think this price ia pretty good as I have had quotes for $3500 for the same amount of work, and this guy is no MAACO.
The motor and trans are ok. The 260 has sticky lifter (have mystery oil in oil at moment trying to free it up!) but other than that runs nice the trans is a replacement Fordomatic out of my mechanics 2 door 64 fairlane. It shifts fine no whinning. Saying this they are not rebuild and could last for a while or go tomorrow.
The interior is shot no rust and all there but 45 years in Texas has taken its toll. I need all new seals, seat covers, dash repair, anddoor skins. But every thing is there and usable for the moment.
I don't need to sell but I am thinking worst case. And am trying to work out if I should get this paint job or just leave it alone.(saying this I cannot drive if it rains am getting to the Barney Rubble stage. My research show there where 7000 Fairlane wagons made in 63. There are no no's for how many Squires were made but I am guessing about 1500 as this was the last year(not a big seller) So maybe it is worth a little more because of its rarity? Thanks to everyone.

 

OK. Good info.
I don't think putting $2k more into it is going to net you $7k on a sale right now. There's still lots more that needs to be done to it - particularly the interior. The rarity of your wagon is not a big factor, IMO, but I would suggest trying to keep it looking all original if at all possible, including the appearance of the wood.

 

David,

This thread has me kind of bummed out. Why would you want to sell your totally cool Fairlane Squire. I've read your posts, but I still don't get it. :confused:
Is driving it just not fun? Is it the looks of disapproval? Is it causing friction at home?

Most any old car resto project goes through phases of intitial enthusiasm, to uncertainty, and discouragement.
The early vision you may have had for it gives in to harsh realities.
Expense, other's disapproval and time constrants are usually the big killers of a dream.
It is dang hard to keep the mojo going!

If you still have any desire to keep your very cool, seldom-seen Squire, I would be honored to offer my assistance in moving the project along.
I live in Dallas, and I can, most assuredly, venture out west to you, and help you with a body and paint work plan.
We can get this project back on the front burner, and do it all on the cheap! I'm pretty good at cheap!

Just a thought, but I mean every word, when I tell you, I would love to help you, bud! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

David

 

I've only been here a short time, but I've seen a staggering amount of this kind of assistance here. I've been on the 'Net a long time and have joined a lot of forums on tons of subjects. NEVER have I seen a forum as personable and helpful as this one. There are no flames, no bickering, just a bunch of good folks helping out.

Thanks wixom for helping to make this one of the coolest places on the 'Net!

 

It's wagon-love! Makes the world a brighter place!

David

 

Very Kind words!!!

Firstly thanks Krash and David. Secondly I still really enjoy this car, driving her, and even looking out the window at it sitting in the garage. I am thinking with my head at the moment not my heart.

I guess with any old car project it always turns into more work than you think and the Squire is certainly that. The frustrating part is wanting to do more by myself and not having any spare time. Family definitely comes first, and we actually need a semi-reliable 2nd car 2 days a week so I can pick my son from day care(so far the Squire has not let me down , but I realise it is not a very practical choice) If she wasn't needed to be called on twice a week and I could do the work at my lesuire I would be fine.

Anyway thanks for your kind words and advice as usual. Will not make any rash decisions yet. So don't go running to Ebay for a bargain. Thanks again!

 

....MANHUG.....

DW...this is my humble opinion...and not biased...
a old car can be fixed on the side of the road with a falthead screwdriver and a cresent wrench....most time

as opposed to a "'more reliable" car...that you need Norm and SteveD to come with a laptop...just to diagnose it...

Ive always felt that people unrationally think of "old cars" as less reliable,,,
dude...you lived thru your parents cars..

besides...like my shirt says..."you cant put a price on cool"..

I say keep it fix it luv it

 

Never, ever, go into a car planning on getting your money out of it. Does it happen, sure. Often? Not really. I think of it as that I'm paying rent to have fun and be cool. Or at least drive a cool car.

If you just want to be practical, cutting ties and moving on will do that. But will you get any enjoyment out of looking out the window at the mini van in your driveway? No. Will you get any thumbs-up at a stoplight? Probably not. And for some people, that's OK, because all they care about is getting from here to there. I absolutely look forward to my drive to and from work because it's the most time I get to spend with my car. I get a few funny looks at my daughter's school, some are probably thinking I'm crazy but I think some are envious.

And the Rev is right... Something breaks down on that car, you actually have a chance to fix it. On a new car? No way.

But practicality aside, if its a wagon you like and enjoy...Keep it. If not, sell it and get something that does make you happy. You haven't lost anything till you actually sell it, right? Who knows, maybe it's someones dream car and one day they will have to have it. Or you can get years of fun out of it and as long as it's not taking away from family necessities, damn the couple extra $$.... It's worth it to be happy.

 

Don't expect your money back. Even those of us who do all their own work seldom recoup the money spent on a loved project when time comes to sell it. If you've been paying someone else you're buried in it so either continue down the path or be prepared to take your lumps.

 

Getting your money back usually doesn't happen. Also trying to use the same car as a project and a driver doesn't usually end well, as the need to use the car usually outweighs any want/need for resto project,and projects will become repairs instead, and there goes all the fun. I say keep it if you can and find a cheap/reliable driver 'til you get the fairlane where you want it. Just my .02

 

All good advice

Can afford to buy a cheap daily driver. So will think seriously about this option. That way I can save my $2k and take my time fixing it right. if I do this it will take the pressure of having to sell it. Again everyone thanks for your practical input. This site has helped me out a lot