Newbie needs advice on how NOT to lose my chance to get a 1955 Cadillac.

[stropky19]

Hi folks. I'm a full-time law student from San Diego, a newbie here on the forum, and am looking desperately for some help and advice.

My grandmother passed away recently (she was 90, so she thankfully had a long life), and amongst her estate is a beautiful 1955 Cadillac. Now, I'll admit, I am not a long-time Cadillac fan, nor even a serious car-buff. But, I certainly do appreciate the beauty of classic cars. I only found out my grandma had this car about 5 years ago, and when my mom saw my interest in the car, she told me we'll keep it in the family, and that we'll make sure it goes to me someday.

Well, the time has come, and now that my parents are dealing with the estate, and wanting me to concentrate on school and not on the car, they are telling me they are getting estimates on the value of the car. It's a 1955 Cadillac; I think it's a Coupe Deville, but am not 100% positive about that. Either way, it has between 36,000 & 60,000 miles, with a perfect body and interior, 100% all original parts, and has been garaged and undriven for the past 35 years.

From the research I've done, it seems that if I have the internal mechanical workings all rebuilt, the car could be worth around $50K. But the guy who valued the car - who just happens to be starting a classic car museum in Minnesota - said the car will need at least $25K of work, and is ONLY worth around $1000 - $2000. Is it just me, or is that valuation just plain nutts?

Can anyone please give me their thoughts on this, including a ballpark estimate on what the car could be worth, or perhaps give me some advice on where I might go for additional helpful resources?
Thanks so much in advance.
stropky19

[rollerball]

Your parents should at least be clever enough not to give away this classic car to this gangster for nothing. If the car is as you have described it i would say it should be worth 10 grand at the VERY least. The parts alone should be wortz that.

Why don´t you tell them to stow it away as an investment for your future? You could have it fixed when you earn money in a few years.

[Old Fleetwood]

Rollerball called it. The guy you mentioned is a VULTURE!
He sounds like one of the pieces of garbage who called on my mother after my father died and said that my father had run up some bills that needed to be paid.
My mother wasn't in much shape to deal with him and when I looked at the list of stuff the guy said my father owed I spotted a date that was shown - after my father had died!
I put a few lumps on the guy's head and called a few buddies on the IPD who hauled him away.
We also had two more such incidents a month later! And one was through a reputable bank we once dealt with. A quick phone call stopped that one.
This kind of scam is all too common after a death, sad to say.
You can get reliable appraisals through your parent's insurance agent and the advice by rollerball is also valid.
Good luck.
Don't let some sicko get his claws on that classic.

[creeker]

There's some 50's caddys on ebay right now that will give an idea what yours is worth.