Rob, you have to start somewhere. That's a fact. Never know when somebody is just ready to let one go. That's the way it has worked for me. On the budget thing. It's like an aviation maintenance delay, take the original time then double it and then add another 45 mins!

Rob, I wrote a "new" post above that originally was going to be a reply to this one. Just one man's method of going about owning one. Whichever way you end up going, you should probably understand that these cars all need (or will need) some TLC. Good luck on your selection, take your time, enjoy the "hunt" and keep us in the loop...keith

Rob,

If you have a dust cover/address label from a White Triangle News, you will see on the opposite side of the address label an Application For Membership form. Look at the bottom of the form, it lists the 1-5 Condition Guide. The number listed in the roster is the owner's interpretation of the condition of the car listed.

John Forkner

It varies greatly with whether you are buying or selling. I know a guy whose motto is "I buy junk and sell classic cars".
F

Rob, you have to start somewhere. That's a fact. Never know when somebody is just ready to let one go. That's the way it has worked for me. On the budget thing. It's like an aviation maintenance delay, take the original time then double it and then add another 45 mins!

Carl,

Thanks,

Yes...there are actually two budgets... I was referring to the purchase price, but I am also aware of the nearly impossible to follow repair and maintenance budget.
Gotta love old cars for what they are!

Rob

If you have a dust cover/address label from a White Triangle News, you will see on the opposite side of the address label an Application For Membership form. Look at the bottom of the form, it lists the 1-5 Condition Guide. The number listed in the roster is the owner's interpretation of the condition of the car listed.

John Forkner

John,

Thank you, that is the exact answer I was after!

I have about 30 old WTN's other members have given me, and a new one, but no dust jackets.
I now know what to look for though, and will find one!

Rob

It varies greatly with whether you are buying or selling. I know a guy whose motto is "I buy junk and sell classic cars".
F

Frank,

I've heard that motto slightly adjusted to fit (newer) used cars...never thought much of that fellow, but reality does follow those lines...

No matter, choosing and buying old cars is fun, and I get better at it every time! 😉

Rob

take your time, enjoy the "hunt" and keep us in the loop...keith

Keith,

Thank you.

I am thus far enjoying the hunt very much!

This is the first time in my life that I have been able to search for and buy a car that cost more than a few thousand dollars. Most of the 30+ old cars I've owned over the years have been in the under $2000 range...
With around $25,000 to spend, I hope to hold out for a very nice well maintained Hudson that won't need a lot of mechanical attention.
I enjoy fixing things and working on cars to a point, but at 55 I want to be able to spend more time driving it than fixing it.
I'm heavy into vintage trailers, and custom building replica trailers, so extra time for car rebuilding is limited.
My last car, a 1928 Ford Roadster, was an older restoration. It is the one I paid $11,000 for. In the 11 years we owned it, we put thousands of miles on it, many pulling our old camping trailer and aside from an engine issue, had almost no repairs.
The paint and interior were okay, but old and worn. We liked it that way because we could use it as a car and not be afraid of scratching it or getting it dirty. To allow curious people and kids to sit in it and enjoy it as a car was very enjoyable. I let my kids drive it, in fact, my now 22 year old daughter learned to drive in it.
With 2 of our grandchildren now with us, we need a more suitable old car for pulling our camper and touring so the boys can come along.

Thus far I have "met" (Internet and phone) some very interesting and considerate people who have bent over backwards to offer advice, leads on cars, and general help with my search. I thought the Model A community was nice, but the Hudson crowd really has proven to be exceptional!

Rob

Rob, do you know anything about Arrow trailers made in Nappenee In. I got a 14' that someday I'd like to pull behind my Hudson. Like to paint to match. Can't find any info on this make?

Hi Carl,

Here is some info on them and a list of known owners.
Rob

http://www.tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=arrow#.VWOFg0bf0o0

https://www.pinterest.com/simphi/arrow-campers/

Interesting that a non-judging club asks members to judge there own cars to a standard and publish the result. May be of more use just to have FS or NFS. Thanks. Doug

Hi Doug,

I may have misunderstood your comment, but the for sale/not for sale, versus stated condition doesn't exist.

The stated condition is a voluntary thing for the members to include along with other information about their cars.
None of the cars in the roster are "for sale".
I'm simply using the roster, and stated conditions to determine who I might want to contact about a particular car.

Rob

The price of a collector car is an irrational thing. What's it worth to you? That's the question that counts. It's your own little world.

The price of a collector car is an irrational thing

I've never heard it put that way before...but it is right on! 😉

Rob

Also the term "collector" has a bearing as well. Do you want a trailer queen or something you can drive and enjoy.

For me it's always drive and enjoy ....