First post from a Newbie, and am looking at a 30 Coupe. Paintwork, bodywork, engine, tranny, etc., all seem in quite good condition.

Negatives are a sagging passenger door (hinges seem okay), and of course, the engine runs well only at low rpms, it idles and revs fine, till driving, then full throttle results in spitting back through the carb, and a lack of power. It will pull along in 3rd with part throttle.

The seller has no history of this car and I have asked his mechanic to perform a compression test. The engine appears not to be knocking, etc.

I have been looking at 1930, 1931 coupes and happen to like this 3 window 1930 car. I can go see a 1932 Confederate Coupe, but that seems a differen kettle of fish, stylistically.

If this can't pan out well, it might have to be a 1931 Ford Model A coupe............. eek.

Thanks for any input.

Alfaromeo

Hi There and welcome to Chevy Chatter II. Glad to have you with us!

Regarding the value of a 1930 coupe, you didn't mention if it was a standard coupe (trunk) or a sport coupe (rumble seat). In either case the first thing to check is the wood. With a sagging door that is a good indication that there is some wood rot, which is typical in this type of car. If the wood needs replacing you are looking at a lot of work and big bucks.

The sport coupe has more value because of the rumble seat. However, it would be difficult to come up with a value without more information about the car or without looking at some photos. What you need to keep in mind is what you are going to do with the car. Are you going to completely restore the car or are you just going to "tinker" with it? If you plan on a complete frame-up restoration then you will typically have more money in that type of vehicle than what it is worth.

A better investment would be a 1932. They are more popular and have a higher resale value.

As owner of a '31 Coach currently being restored, I could be biased. So I refer to the Automobile Quarterly 1st Quarter 1981(Vol19, #1) and the article "The Arrival of the Cast Iron Wonder". To quote the article, (page 68), "the '31 Chevrolet remains in the opinion of many among the finest motorcars the marque has ever produced ...more roomy..styling was clearly more dashing..frames stiffer, engines smoother, radiators larger, steering easier, clutch more durable transmission quieter,... more chrome and tastefully used...". Since you appear to concerned about style and refinement, maybe this article if you can access it will help you zero in on how all the models you refer to differed generally. Of course you cannot go into a showroom and buy one so you may have to settle for the best one you can currently lay your hands on. I am relatively new to the hobby, and have begun to realize the delight and challenges of restoring these old girls. Others on this website have decades of experience and can likely add some serious technical advice to you to help in making your choice. Good Luck.

Thanks guys,

Its a standard coupe, which I prefer, having a trunk to place luggage and other items. I would always take a trunk over a rumble seat car.

I would want to tour with this car. Might want to drive as much as 600 miles in a direction, though perhaps not all in one day. So, it doesn't need to become a show car, but its appearance is very good right now and needs no further external bodywork anywhere. Its interior is fine also, though I don't car for the choice of color (darker green/brown mohair).

I am somewhat aware of the wood situation. I have been inspecting wood pieces where its immediately possible to see, I haven't removed the inner panel to try and see the frame, where the passenger door hinge attaches.

While the engine isn't running just right, the tranny was quiet and shifting well for a crashbox. Brakes probably could use some work, the car has wire wheels.

As far as style goes, well, I still prefer the 1930 styling personally, as well as the front end styling and grill design.

The seller is asking 17,500, which seems a bit high considering.

For a 1930 standard coupe in that condition the asking price is extremely high especially since the value of those type of vehicles has been flat-lined for several years. I also own a 1930 coupe and for that kind of money I would definitely pass on the deal.

If you drop the 1 on the price, you will be in the ballpark. The spitting could be as simple as a week fuel pump from sitting.
Buy the style you like and enjoy it. That is far more important then worrying about resale. Nobody ever got rich in this hobby ( at least not with chevys)!

About 5 years ago we bought a 30 standard 3 window with very nice 2 year old paint, nice interior but not a show car. I've done basic maintenance and been on 3 vcca tours. We payed 8500.

In 2007 i purchased my 30 3 window off of ebay for $6500.00 It has a slightly sagging driver door. needs new rods as babbit is worn and the rods make a little noise with all shims removed. I would think this car worth about $6500.00 as well. I have original interior with no rips except the head liner. It needs a new top, tires, paint,but otherwise solid and no rust.

The purchase prices quoted above are all realistic and are in the ball park. At $17,500, as babe grand said.....drop the "1" in the price and you pretty much have what the car is actually worth.

Guys, thanks v. much for all the feedback.

You have all saved me a pile of money, and are welcome to stop by anytime for a pretty good glass of wine......

I will be looking around further. I did once work on a stovebolt six, removing the head to replace valves, it was in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the car was a Toyota Landcruiser, 1973 model, which supposedly used a copy of the Chevy six. I had little choice but to remove the head in the school parking lot during winter, but it was something of a warm spell, I think it was only minus 5 F during the day, not so bad.

If you go to http://agelessauto.com/ and click on the 1930 Chevy, you can see the car I checked out. I also looked at a 1931 Coupe in Pittsburg, which had badly cracked paint, wasn't running and had more mildew in that interior than... well, than anything. I ran pretty fast from that one. Oh, seller had to have 13K.

I will be back later bugging you guys more.

Alfaromeo

I would stay away from that guy...all those cars are way overpriced!

As a previous '32 Sport Coupe owner, I would go with the 32 you looked at. IMO the 32 was one of the best looking early 30's Chevrolets. All that chrome, the classic design, and 32's are still very sort after so you will be also making the best investment for that time frame.

Hey Alfa, need your address. Want to check out that "pretty good wine".
Also, I may have a lead on a 31 coupe, if you're interested. Fairly priced, by the way....

If you've passed on the '30, please have a look at the 1932. Every car maker made their most beautiful cars in 1932 and still couldn't sell them because of the depression. I especially love '32 Chevys, '32 Buicks, and '32 fxxds.