Evaluation: Body-off restored at some point, but the paint and chrome are ancient. Some pitting and rust on the front bumper. Numerous scratches and microblisters in the paint. Wavy fit on the body trim. Soiled old replacement top. Dry leather with some cracks and one small rip. Oxidized and surface rusty chassis. Unless this car was restored 50 years ago, the seller has a very different definition of “frame-off restoration” than we do.
Bottom Line: This Continental cabriolet sold for $55,080 at Spring Auburn in 2007, then was a $55,000 no-sale at Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2012 and sold for $60,420 at Mecum Dallas in 2012. More recently, it sold for less than half that amount ($24,200) at Mecum Houston this April. It’s in largely the same mediocre condition it was in 2012, and its transaction history is indicative of the waning interest in postwar domestics like this that have serious needs and are dauntingly expensive to restore (again).