I came across a 58 Strato Chief 4 door sedan. I haven't seen it in person yet but have talked to the owner. He states 35000 orig miles and has been in the family since new.
It's a manual trans car. It has rot on the rockers and above the headlights. I assume the interior is rough under the seat covers. Not orig paint. Seller states solid floors and trunk. He says it runs and stops but I assume the brakes will need a good going over. I'd say it's a #2 (the lowest on the price guide) which values it at $1400. Seller wants $3500. I told him I'd come to see it if he sells closer to $1400. I haven't heard back yet. Here's some photos:
If I could get it for $1400 I figured it would be a nice winter project and make it a daily driver in the Spring. I'm anxious to play with my MIG welder again.
I am in "talks" with the owner of a 57 4dr Pontiac, and hoping for the same as you. (the talks are pretty much one sided at this point) I told him I'd pay what its worth, and he would sell it for what it is worth. Sounds almost like an agreement, but its amazing how difficult it is to determine 'worth'. To me, similar cars, in similar condition that sold recently is the best gauge, but I suppose there is no correct answer. Mine is also a one family car. Dads baby, and the son is selling it. Dad always said it was very valuable. Its hard to get a man to believe that his father was wrong all these years. It makes sense to me that he would think that I just wanted to get it as cheap as possible, as thats what buyers generally do. I think he's afraid that hes going to find out later that is was worth 10 times what he sold it for. We'll see if he even continues to talk with me. I dont mean to hijack your thread, its just so similar to my predicament. Good luck with yours! (I recently bought a welder too, and want to get at it)
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Unless there's some serious undercarriage rust, that actually seems like a reasonable price at $2500... but no more than that. I'm a little out of touch with the market, though, as I haven't bought anything old in a long time...
Where did you find that one for sale Todd? I keep exhausting my searches on kijiji, also just looked at Craigslist, i check in with Trader.ca sometimes and also Buysell.
Looks good from those pics. A little wash and waxing would make that baby shine. I would spend more time on the interior and have fun driving . Looks like a good driver and fixer.
Todd. As you know I have a good knowledge on 58's! If you could buy this car for $2000.00 providing frame is in good condition I would recommend buying it! However on the other side of the coin depending how far you want to go with it be prepared to spend a good amount of cash! Paint and chrome could jepardize the whole project! If you need any more advice or would even like me to see the car with you just let me know! Bob.
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1965 Thunderbird Special Landau 10th Anniversary Limited Edition only 4500 built 34,800 miles
could be a "can of worms" when you det into the rust "BUBBLES" on the fenders & rockers!!! Found that out the "hard" way on 52 when I got into the 1/4's Best check that frame 1st. B-4 you do anything & good luck it is a "NEAT" old car [big block & 5 spd. just to make George happy] now I really stirred the pot!!!! Sorry George just kidding!!! But I'd do it!!!!!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
I suspect there would be a few surprises. I can deal with most except for frame rot. Plus you have to figure it likely needs brake work- a master cylinder and wheel cylinders at least. Who knows what the clutch is like. I'd want a cool daily driver so rechroming wouldn't be in the cards. I'd likely take a crack at painting it myself. I'd need to find the almost unobtainium Strato Chief emblem for the rear 1/4. Maybe 2k. Still, the price guide says $1450 in this condition and deduct $150 for manual trans..
Speaking of paint, I tried to get some paint from Napa last week, only thing they have is "waterbase" now & was told you can't paint outside with it,need a booth with dryer, fans, ETC. or you'd be all week waiting for it to dry!!!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
Speaking of paint, I tried to get some paint from Napa last week, only thing they have is "waterbase" now & was told you can't paint outside with it,need a booth with dryer, fans, ETC. or you'd be all week waiting for it to dry!!!!!
Car Quest in Clinton Mitchell Brussels Ont
all supplying non waterbase paints for all their customers...
They mixed me some nice GM red and GM white for my sport side and Monte
spray it like I did, worked great, and Todd, if you want a summer car without much work let me know, i have one for ya, im sure we can work out a deal!!
If even 1 bumper is perfect,.. that's $1200.00 right there. If the frame is good,....as a complete unmolested car,... (rust included),..... it's still worth $2500.00 the way it sits in a heart beat. You know all the "unknown" variables with these old cars as well as anyone,..and I'm sure you're aware of what to look for underneath. For $2500.00 (if he'd accept) ,.. grab it man! How many cars like this do you see in ANY condition in local access to purcahse these days. Buy it and have some fun. Or buy it for $2.5K,.... sell 1 bumber and you 've got the rest of the car for $1300.00. Or cut out Tim Hortons coffee for a year,... and you've got it for free!
The rear bumper isn't sagging, so thats a good sign. But in the 1st pic the car looks a little droopy on the back. A common site when I was a kid and these cars were rusting away in the Nova Scotia salt air. By the late 60's most of them broke the frame when jacked up to change a flat tire. The X frame cars (58-64) seemed to suffer the worst.
Todd, it's a good thing i have my Imperial to keep me busy this fall and winter! Haha!
The one in Sask looks like a better car. Unfortunately my budget is $1500, no more or Mrs. Poncho will strangle me. Money is really tight right now. I'd like to find something like that Strato Chief to play around with over the winter. I had a 54 Chevy 4 door 210 about 4 years ago and it was a blast. It was not worth anything so I wasn't afraid to cut out panels and weld in new ones etc. I think I'll cut the Firebird loose in the Spring. It's a great car but a little "too new" for me. I'm happiest with a car from pre 1972.. I suppose I could spend the winter detailing the Firebird under the hood. I still really want to play with the MIG welder..
I know where you're coming from - budget is my biggest stumbling block in the world of old cars (same for most people I imagine). I didn't figure you would want to go to the trouble of getting something out-of-province... I just thought I'd post that ad to help give an idea of their worth.
The '58 you're looking at would be a cool car for $1500 (as long as it's not rotten underneath), and playing with the mig is always valuable skill-building for future projects. I really like the idea of a low-cost driver-quality old car that you can just enjoy for what it was meant to be and not worry too much about it. Once you start sinking $$ into them they just become a source of worry IMHO.
I wonder if I could claim it as an advertising expense for Canadian Poncho..
Actually picture this car white with red roof and side inserts and the CP logo on the front doors. That would be kind of cool!.. Maybe I better call my accountant..
Or cut out Tim Hortons coffee for a year,... and you've got it for free! 
