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Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I posted this in another thread BUT, I "don't wanna steal the other guy's Thunder", so I started this new thread
Well, I haven't been on here for a while.
Some of you "Long Timers" here, especially Doc Desoto, (who Can't get over my car), LOL, may recall that I have a 1959 Dodge Convertible.
As most of you know, that car is close to being made out of "Unobtanium", now.
Well, I'm thinking about selling her to a friend of mine in Colorado, Steve, (I don't recall if he posts here on forwardlook.
For those of you that don't recall my car, it came from the factory as a white Coronet convertible, with a blue top.
It came with a 326 engine and it did have the torqueflite option.
The seller and his son, whom I bought the car from, converted the car to a Custom Royal.
All the exterior trim, including the gears around the parking light, the knight emblems,. etc.
They installed the Custom Royal padded steering wheel and the custom royal glove box emblem.
They also installed "factory air" in the car from one of their "donor cars",
including the pop up vents on the dash.
They did not redo the interior, I did with the correct Custom Royal Interior fro SMS auto upholstery, (about 10 years ago now).
The seller had installed power swivel seats.
They had installed a 400 Chrysler engine, and disc brakes, (front only). The rear end as well as the disc brakes are 1969 Road Runner running gear & brakes.
Looking at the car, one can NOT tell it from a "Real" Custom Royal Convertible, (except for the Vin # , well that is, until you open the hood.
In there sit a 476 HP,440 that runs on 87 octane, due to the fact that when I had the engine built I had the Edelbrock Aluminum Heads installed,
dual 4 barrel aluminum intake manifold with dual 4 barrel 600 cfm Edelbrock carbs. The engines exausts thru Headman headers, and is lit off by an MSD ignition.
I'm sure it's the fastest 59 Dodge on the planet but it is a "p***ycat" to drive until you Step on her!!!!! (High lift, but low overlap especially ground cam).
Anyway , let me know your thoughts on what the car is worth, or help Steve out if He asks, Thanks,
Gary
 (2008_06200037.JPG)
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Location: The Mile High City | Hi, Gary! Don't forget about one of the most unique radio/video setups I have ever seen. Value is tough to determine without knowing all the inputs, but if the car were mine - I don't think I would be tempted to sell it for anything less than about $85,000. Any less than that - just keep it and enjoy it. Having typed it out, that doesn't mean the car isn't worth $120,000 - you know how much you have in it and you probably know the market better than I do. Does Steve live in Denver and did he have a green '58 Imperial convertible?
Edited by Lancer Mike 2017-06-05 4:56 PM
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Location: The Mile High City | Oh, and put some shoes on fer Pete's sake!  We can't take you Californians anywhere! |
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Location: northern germany | I'm waiting for doc to chime in, our 59 dodge expert. |
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Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Me too, Fury. I suspects He will post, "You should pay somebody to take it" !!!!!!!!
Gary |
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Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Yes He lives in Denver, and in fact was at a Mopar Show in Denver and Emailed me this:
Gary,
Went to the Mopar show here in Denver and talked to a few of the guys with beautiful Plymouths…and of course, they knew of you. I met John Quinn. He says hi. His car is the Aqua Plymouth. I told them about your car and my desire to buy it. They were very excited about the possibility of the car coming back to Colorado..haha! I also attached a picture of the guys. I thought you also might like to see a Dodge that was actually racing. Hope you are feeling better.
Steve
"Good find" on the feet too, I didn't even see that, until you mentioned it!!!!!!
Gary
Edited by 1959Dodge 2017-06-05 5:23 PM
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Location: Redwood City, California | I would buy the Dodge if your sale doesn't work out. It's a beauty.
Edited by bludod59 2017-06-05 5:45 PM
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Location: northern germany | 1959Dodge - 2017-06-05 5:19 PM
Me too, Fury. I suspects He will post, "You should pay somebody to take it" !!!!!!!!
Gary
No, doc wouldn't say that! I'm pretty sure some 59 dodge convertible parts interchange with 58 Desoto convertible parts, I'm sure he would offer you a couple of bucks for that. |
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Location: Lubbock, TX | I think Lancer Mike is spot on for pricing. Without seeing any other photos, and assuming the restoration work was done well with minimal bondo or weirdness, $100-120k is not insane for a value. 1959 Dodge Converts are the top dogs nowadays, only surpassed by 1957-59 Adventurer Converts... Good luck with the sale!
~Peter |
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Posts: 1886
| The value of the car will be determined by the quality of the work. I just bought a 59 dodge convertible out of sweden. There is a private seller that has a 59 dodge convertible up for sale domestically, older restoration, but well done. I think 110 would likely buy that car. Of course, it still hasn't sold. I haven't put my eyes on that car, so I can't comment if that's a good price. The motor part will hurt it for a lot of higher end collectors, but I think lancer mike accounts for that in his price. I think his evaluation is accurate, without seeing the car.
That said, send me more pictures, I might buy it lol |
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| Mike McCandless - 2017-06-06 11:06 AM
The value of the car will be determined by the quality of the work. I just bought a 59 dodge convertible out of sweden. There is a private seller that has a 59 dodge convertible up for sale domestically, older restoration, but well done. I think 110 would likely buy that car. Of course, it still hasn't sold. I haven't put my eyes on that car, so I can't comment if that's a good price. The motor part will hurt it for a lot of higher end collectors, but I think lancer mike accounts for that in his price. I think his evaluation is accurate, without seeing the car.
That said, send me more pictures, I might buy it lol
Mike, what are the details on the '59 Dodge convertible that you just bought?
Thanks, Dave |
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Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Well, my 59 Dodge was NOT "restored per say".
It was "Rebuilt" by the seller and his Son.
Here is his description of their "rebuilding" of the car.
For sale a very rare and very beautiful '59 Dodge convertible.
I purchased this car several years ago in a totally wasted condition.
It had no engine nor transmission and had been sitting in a field for twenty years with the top down.
I virtually had to rebuild everything. It was originally a Coronet.
I used a Custom Royal donor car for the trim and body parts. I installed many up-dated components.
Engine '71 400 B Block with '59 Dodge D-500 Dual Quads (runs on unleaded)
1962 Aluminum Torqueflite Tranny bebuilt - push buttons
Disc Brakes from a '71 full size Plymouth
Rebuilt doors, hinges, latches and window liners and guides. All glass replaced.
New carpet.
Leather roll and pleat swivel seats.
Late model radio and 4 speaker system.
Sway bars
'69 B body 8 ¾ rear end and brakes.
Aluminum wheels with late model performance tires.
Rebuilt all front suspension parts.
All new top.
New U-joints
All new exhaust dual pipes and mufflers
Painted Fire Red with a white top.
I must say that He and his son did an xlnt job of rebuilding the car!
In the 13 years I've owned the car, I've had NO body problems whatsover,
No paint bubbles,cracking paint or "bondo problems" if there is any bondo on the car.
I have seen no rust on the car anywhere in the 13 years I've owned her.
I really didn't have any engine or tranny problems either, but a "Smog Motor" was
just NOT, "My cup of tea", and Yeahhh I love the 476 HP the 440 puts out, I guess you
would call it "Stealth Power", car is nice and calm, (wife drives her all the time) until you
"Jump on her" and then you better hang on, She won "Best Sleeper" at one car show.
Anyway, I've been "Totally Satisfied and happy with the car" ifor the 13 years I've owned her.
I would only consider selling for 2 reasons,
One, my age (75),Two The 59 Dodge is St3eve's Dream Car.
If I sell the car I want it to go to somebody that would drive and enjoy the car as much as
I have for 13 years now. I don't want to see her in "flippers hands" or go to Sweden,
NOW I Luv the Swedes, but they have about 20, 1959 Dodge Convertibles there already,
even a solid red one like mine.
Anyway I hope this answers your question about the "Restoration" of the car,
(That's probably about the "most honest" description you will ever see of a classic car)
I will put up some photos and also links to "YouTube videos" that I have posted in the
"Albums Section" of the forward look. I will post the link in this thread, later to the albums Section>
Gary
PS, I too, would like to know more about tat Dodge You bought in Sweden!
Edited by 1959Dodge 2017-06-06 7:04 PM
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Location: Highlands Ranch | Hey Gary...Steve here. Thanks the kind words. You are right...the 59 Dodge is my dream car. I hunted Gary down after seeing his car on Youtube and had a wonderful visit with him several years ago while visiting my son in College in CA. Gary was a wonderful host and even took me for a ride in his car. His knowledge and passion for classic cars was inspiring. It would be fun to bring his car back home to Colorado and show and enjoy the car. Thanks for the post Gary!!!
Here are some pics from the CO Mopar show:
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IMG_0278.jpg (35KB - 93 downloads)
IMG_0281.jpg (200KB - 87 downloads)
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Location: Highlands Ranch | Hey Mike-No, I'm new to the Classic car scene but I am aware of the car you speak of. It was suppose to be at the Golden Super Cruise last weekend but I didn't see it. I heard it's a beauty. |
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Location: DFW, TX | It's worth $100,000, give or take a hundred grand. 
I love that Dodge. It looks great in all-red and the horsepower under the hood is nice too. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Since everyone has had a chance to put forth their ideas on what I might
say ....
1959 Dodge convertibles are probably the hottest Forward Look car to
possibly own, in terms of desirability and potential sales value. Just because
I don't like the 59 Dodge styling is irrelevant to the facts here. I wish I had
20 of them in a barn somewhere to sell. I doubt even 20 of them suddenly
coming on the market would satisfy demand !
Your car, being "made" from a Coronet to a CR and being mechanically modified
might be a negative for some purists, but overall it appears to be a very presentable
(original appearing) example and would, no doubt, bring a fat pile of green rectangles
if offered to the public. Most people lusting for one of these would be thrilled to
own your "made" car.
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Location: northern germany | Doctor DeSoto - 2017-06-07 2:37 AM
Since everyone has had a chance to put forth their ideas on what I might
say ....
1959 Dodge convertibles are probably the hottest Forward Look car to
possibly own, in terms of desirability and potential sales value. Just because
I don't like the 59 Dodge styling is irrelevant to the facts here. I wish I had
20 of them in a barn somewhere to sell. I doubt even 20 of them suddenly
coming on the market would satisfy demand !
Your car, being "made" from a Coronet to a CR and being mechanically modified
might be a negative for some purists, but overall it appears to be a very presentable
(original appearing ) example and would, no doubt, bring a fat pile of green rectangles
if offered to the public. Most people lusting for one of these would be thrilled to
own your "made" car.
I'm disappointed |
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Location: North Australia | Sid, what did you expect.....the Guy is getting soft in his old age
You are probably right Doc, regarding the 59 Dodge Conv being the most coveted FL, except maybe a 58 Plym 2drht in red!
Steve.
Edited by 60 Imp 2017-06-07 8:34 AM
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Location: Houston | I can't see that argument....more coveted FL cars would be many of the 300's, and several Desoto's. It might be the most coveted Dodge FL car. |
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Location: The Mile High City | Gary, I am just glad you were wearing a shirt in that photo!
Seriously, though - I am a little sad to hear you are thinking about selling it. But, hey - when it is time, it is time.
You are such a great member of the forums and I have always enjoyed seeing the youtube videos of you and your car!
Even if you do sell it, I hope you will stick around. Someone has to keep Doc in check!  |
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Location: Lubbock, TX | GregCon - 2017-06-07 2:26 PM
I can't see that argument....more coveted FL cars would be many of the 300's, and several Desoto's. It might be the most coveted Dodge FL car.
I'd say the definition of "coveted" in this case means price and intense interest. These converts sell for $150k-> in proper restored configuration. Sure there is a huge public interest in all rare MoPars; but for a select few, these convertibles are the pinnacle of a collection.
Edited by CaprockClassics 2017-06-07 7:37 PM
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Location: Houston | So a 59 Dodge convert is more coveted than a 57/58 Fireflite conv? Or a 57 C Convert? Or a G convert? |
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| I would say the F-G-59 Dodge vert trade in the same price range as long as restoration is similar. The C-D convertibles are under that level, not by much. The 3 desoto adv convertibles at BJ a few years ago really hurt the values of the hurt desoto's. I know of multiple desoto vert's trading for almost 100k less than their high in the past 12-18 months in private transactions. |
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Location: Northen Virginia | Nice car, but the buyer should go and take a look to it, due to the "rebuilt" NOT restored status.
The 59 Dodge is the most meaning looking Exner car ever, but a 68/69 Charger is my dream Mopar car and could cost 3 times less than the 59 
Edited by hemidenis 2017-06-07 10:23 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | You guys really don't read my posts the way I write them. Just
because a person doesn't like something, and can give argument
as to WHY they do not like them, does not mean they are not cap-
-able of understanding or accepting a different viewpoint. It seems
most car guys are "all or nothing" and lack the ability to look at a
subject objectively, or "from a distance". I know I am dealing with
an objective and rational 59 Dodge lover when they can acknowledge
the cartoonish, overdone styling AND just say "I like them anyway",
or "I like them BECAUSE they are so excessive". But to the point ...
As I see it, there is a LONG list of people lusting to own a 59 Dodge
convertible. People with the money to buy one, and no cars to buy.
There is never a time when a 300 convertible of any letter isn't for
sale. Usually more than one. Based on this, I think the 59 Dodge
takes the crown. Yes, the 57-58 DeSoto's are right up there for being
wanted (and few ever for sale), but for the very reason I do not like
the 59 Dodge (the angry clown face styling), FAR more people are
attracted to a 59 Dodge than they are a 57 or 58 DeSoto. DeSoto
styling might be more subdued and "classy", but the people who like
the "drama" of finned cars tend to think the more "drama" the better.
The 59 Dodge certainly delivers "dramatic" styling. Multiply by a top
that folds down and you pretty much have solid gold from a seller's
viewpoint. |
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Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Hey Doc, nice post! I don't say that because I own a 59 Dodge!
As you know, I also own a 58 Chrysler Chrysler New Yorker Convertible, which,
I will admit is a much prettier car than the Dodge. I love the pointed snout of the
Chrysler, the beautiful running and sounding Hemi, the gauges trimmed in gold,
the way she drives and rides, etc etc, butttttttt
There is just something about the "All Out Bling" that I luv about the 59 Dodge.
Her face says to any chebbie, "OK, make my day"!!!!!
The swingout seats with the arm rest are great,
much more comfortable than the Chrysler Bench seats.
The speedometer that changes colors as you increase the speed, and alto I love the Hemi,
The 440 in the Dodge is Truly Outstanding and a ball to drive.
So yep, I understand what You are saying Doc, I probably am a "Different breed", I can
enjoy both cars, even thou they are extremely different!
Gary
Edited by 1959Dodge 2017-06-08 9:08 AM
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| I would think 100k, and Swedish money is just as good as USD.
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Location: The Mile High City | Doc? Gary?
Well there you go! Mamma MoPar loves all her little babies!
Kumbaya. |
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1959 Dodge Convertible, What's it worth?
