I had a chance to look at and test drive a '55 Chieftain today. Unfortunately it was not in great shape, having been wrecked and carrying a salvage title. The interior had been redone, but the windshield was cracked, the driver's door was jammed (possibly from the wreck) making it hard to open and close and leaving a gap you could see daylight through, the front bumper was bent, paint looked like Krylon and the spare was missing. Aside from that, the heater didn't work, there was no clock or radio, only blank plates. And while it had power steering, it was very loose. The ride felt abnormally rough too, and he said the rear had been lowered, possibly inducing some harshness. The front had *not* been lowered, so there were likely steering geometry issues as well. Still, it was interesting to drive and the engine ran pretty strong, but definitely needed a tune-up. The trans shifted fine, too. The car might be worth the $5900 the seller is asking for, but I don't think it is the car for me. There is a 4-door version of this car in Baldwin Park I may go look at Sunday.
Meanwhile I am trying to get hold of a car appraiser on the Spokane area to look at a 2-door hardtop Starchief Custom Catalina. The seller is asking $15K and the pix look like it may be worth that. But if I do a loan, the appraisal has to work for the bank.
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