How much is a Historic Custom Car worth?

09.20.2025 - The Golden Sahara. Originally built from George Barris' 1953 Lincoln Capri after a crash and transformed into one of the most futuristic custom show cars of the 1950s for Jim "Street" Skonzakes of Dayton, Ohio. Later modified into the Golden Sahara II it became one of the most iconic customs of its era, featured in Motor Trend, movies, and television. After decades in storage, the car resurfaced in 2018, selling at Mecum Auctions for $350,000 USD before being restored by Larry Klairmont’s Klairmont Kollections. In September of 2025, following Klairmont’s passing, it crossed the block once more at Mecum’s Larry’s Legacy Auction in Chicago, Illinois, selling for $1,265,000 USD.

07.16.2025 – Larry Ernst's 1951 Chevrolet Bel Air - The Bel Air Royal – One of the most significant custom cars of the 1950s, restyled by Barris Kustoms for Reverend Larry Ernst of Toledo, Ohio. Featured in Hop Up Magazine and crowned Custom of the Year in 1952, this car is being offered for sale for the first time ever by the Burns Berryman Estate. Fully restored to its original Barris configuration, it comes with all original trophies and documentation, including the legendary working clock award. Asking price is $150,000.00 USD – or best offer. The car is located in Ortonville, Michigan. Serious inquiries only. Contact Chuck Mann at cnmann47@gmail.com for more info or additional photos. Click here for more info and photos on Kustomrama.

10.28.2023 - 1956 Studebaker Hawk Bat Kustom - A one-of-a-kind custom creation, inspired by the Alfa Romeo BAT concept cars from the 1950s.A V-8 engine powers it and has been meticulously crafted to stand out. The car's exterior boasts a distinctive design, making it a true collector's item. With a mileage of 72,250, this Studebaker has been well-maintained and is in great condition. Located in Clermont, Florida, the car was advertised for sale on eBay in October of 2023. It was listed with a Buy It Now price of US $17,900.00. Click here to check out the eBay ad.

09.25.2023 - Historic 1946 Buick Super Convertible Custom - a classic California mild custom. Always garage-kept, treasured, and lightly used (only about 1000 miles on it!). Sold new in the San Francisco Bay area. It was restyled by a visionary body shop owner named Ken, and it's rumored (though unverified) to have clinched the title for Best Mild Custom at the 1955 Oakland Roadster Show. The asking price is $39,500.00 US Dollars. Payment exclusively via International Wire Transfer. No Trades. For inquiries or more stories about this gem, reach out directly to Dale at 1-262-534-6090 weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST-USA or email at dales@execpc.com. The car is located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Click here for more info and photos.

01.25.2023 - Historic 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Custom. Believed to have been built about 1966. Original builder is unknown. Built on a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette chassis, which retains its original rear-end and suspension components. All steel body and solid throughout. 389 Pontiac Tri-Power engine with 3-speed stick-shift transmission. Runs & drives beautifully. Titled as a Pontiac, this lovely machine is a unique and significant example of the Kustom car era. A jewel from the past that gets lots of attention. Clean Florida title is in my name. Located in Orlando, Florida, the car was advertised for sale for US $29,500.00 obo.

01.19.2023 - Stephen Kidani's 1954 Mercury Monterey. Old custom originally restyled by Barris Kustoms back in the 1950s. Stephen bought the car from the original owner. When he got the car, it featured a nosed hood, a shaved deck, frenched headlights, frenched dual antennas, custom taillights, stainless door trim adapted from a Lincoln, and side scoop molding trim. Inside, the old custom had been dressed up with pinstriping by Von Dutch on the dash and above the door trim. When Stephen bought the car, the original owner mentioned that Martinez had done the interior. Stephen received a "Certificate of Authenticity" from Barris Kustom Industries in March of 2006. Located in Huntington Beach, California, the old custom was advertised for sale on Craigslist in January of 2023. At the time, it wasn't running, and it needed an interior and finish up. The price was set to US $25,000.00, but according to the ad, the best offer takes it. No trades. Cash. Pick up only. Click here to check out the Craigslist ad.

09.30.2022 - 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Custom. California car. Custom frame. Disc brakes. Mustang 2 front end. Rebuilt motor and tranny. Clear title. Located in Ormond Beach, Florida, the car was advertised for sale on Craigslist in September of 2022. It was listed with a $22,000.00 USD price. Click here to check out the Craigslist ad.

09.11.2022 - Ron Hing's 1956 Chevrolet Convertible. The old custom was advertised for sale on Bring A Trailer in September of 2022. Located in Salem, Oregon, it was listed as an auction that ended on September 11. The car sold for US $40,000.00. Click here to check out the auction listing.

08.08.2022 - 1940 Mercury Convertible Sedan. Historic build. Offered for sale for the first time in 61 years. Runs (sweet) and "yard drives." The seller has no history prior to it being put in storage in San Jose, California in 1961. Rumored to have some connection to the actor Errol Flynn, but nothing to confirm this. These are very rare cars, to begin with (less than 1000 produced), but what makes this car somewhat special is the HALL (Oakland, California) padded lift off top. Easy project to make a kool driver as is, or use your imagination. The seller has the title in hand, and he is happy to help with transport and shipping if required. Located in Bakersfield, Caliofrnia, the car is advertised for sale for $25,000.00 USD. Please contact Squeak Bell via the email bellautoparts@gmail.com if you are serious. Click here for more photos, info, and history on the car

08.02.2022 - Bobby Massaron's 1956 Chevrolet Convertible - The Venturian. Historic Custom Car. Designed by Harry Bradley. Restyled by the Alexander Brothers of Detroit. Winner of the Ridler Award at the 1965 Detroit Autorama. A spectacular build with lots of magazine coverage and history. Located in Northville, Michigan, Bobby is looking for a new caretaker of the old custom, and he is asking $150.000 for the car. Please contact Bobby at rmassaron@yahoo.com or phone: 313-608-6100 for more info and details. Click here for more photos and history on the car

07.04.2022 - Rod Powell's 1953 Buick Custom. Originally built around 1982. Chopped 4 inches. 1978 Chevrolet Camaro sub-frame with 2" dropped spindles and disc brakes. 350 Chevy crate motor with 700 R4 Sanderson Headers, stainless exhaust, Air Bags, 1955 Cadillac ElDorado 15" Sabre wheels and much more. The car is in a good and running condition. Same owner for 15+ years. Garage kept. Located in Palm Desert, California the Buick was sold for US $30,000.

04.08.2022 - Chopped 1951 Chevrolet Custom. Known as the "Famous 51." Built in the 1970s. Restored in 2017. 350 cid Chevy smallblock engine and 700R4 automatic transmission. Front power disc brakes. Ridetech air ride suspension. Focal Bluetooth audio system. New 15" Rocket Wheels. New set of Coker whitewalls. Driven approx 400 miles since the restoration. Located in Miami, Floida the car was advertised for sale on eBay in Apil of 2022. It was listed with a US $72,000.00 Buy it Now price. Click here to check out the eBay auction listing.

03.20.2022 - Donald Hendrix's 1940 LaSalle Series 50 Convertible Coupe Custom. Customized when new by its first owner in Pasadena, California. Body sectioned 6 inches and channeled. Running boards removed. 1951 Cadillac 331 CID V-8 engine with a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Restored in 2004. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the car was advertised for sale on eBay in March of 2022. It was listed with a US $98,800.00 Buy It Now price. Click here to check out the eBay ad.

09.19.2021 - Frank De Rosa's 1951 Mercury - The King of the Mercs. Well-known custom car built by Frank De Rosa at De Rosa Custom Body and Fender. A frame-off restoration has been started and abandoned. Located in Escondido, California, the historic custom was advertised for sale on eBay in September of 2021. Listed as an auction, it had a US $120,000 starting bid, and a US $180,000 Buy it Now price. Click here to check out the eBay auction listing.

05.15.2021 In May of 2021 Bill Cushenbery's El Matador was offered for sale at the Mecum Indy 2021 auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was part of the Saturday Collector Car Lots. It received a $60,000 Bid and did not sell. Click here to check out the auction listing. Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

04.11.2021 - John Barris' 1951 Mercury - The Rose - The Sam Barris Tribute Car. John Barris was 20 years old in 1967 when his father Sam Barris passed away from cancer. The Rose was built as a tribute to his dad, and a tool for raising funds for cancer research. In April of 2021 The Rose was advertised for sale on eBay. Located in Glendale, California it was listed with a US $97,000 classified ad price. Click here to check out the eBay classified ad.

10.23.2020 - Don Kilby's 1951 Ford Victoria - The Slick Vic. Radical custom originally sectioned and restyled by Don Kilby of Kensington, Maryland in the early 1960s. The car was later reworked and chopped by Dick Dean at Barris Kustoms. Located in Fountain, Colorado, the car was advertised for sale on Facebook in October of 2020. The asking price was US $30,000. Click here to check out the Facebook ad.

03.27.2020 - Frank De Rosa's 1951 Mercury Sedan. Known as the "Mercury 4," the car was advertised for sale on eBay in March of 2020. Located in Palm Springs, California, the old custom was listed without a reserve. The auction ended March 27. By then it had received 49 bids, and it sold for US $29,000.Click here to check out the auction listing.

03.25.20200 - 1938 Ford Convertible Custom. Old build supposedly restyled in California in 1948. Chopped 3" with an original Carson Top. Paint and interior upgrade in the mid 1980s. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the car was advertised for sale on Hemmings in March of 2020. The asking price was US $68,000.Click here to check out the listing on Hemmings.com.

03.20.2020 - 1936 Ford 3-Window Deluxe Coupe. Located in Upland, California, this survivor was advertised for sale on eBay in March of 2020. Originally hot-rodded in the early 1950s, it was parked for an engine swap in 1961. It sat apart until 2017. 49 000 original miles. The auction ended March 24, 2020. Highest bid was US $49,850, but the reserve was not met. Click here to check out the auction listing.

Kustomrama Marketplace - Historic Custom Cars for Sale

Many factors play in when it comes to the value of a historic custom car. Below we will discuss a few of this.

What type of car is it?

What type of cars it is is a very important factor when it comes to the value of a historic custom car. Some cars and models are more attractive than others, driving the prices up. 1949 - 1951 Mercurys, 1936 Fords, and 1939 - 1940 Mercurys are examples of popular cars that are valuable even without a history.

Who built it?

The builder or builders are very crucial when it comes to the value of a custom car. Cars built by famous builders such as Barris Kustoms and Gene Winfield tend to bring in more money than less known builders.

Has it been featured in any magazines?

Magazine coverange is marketing and promotion for a custom car. The more magazine coverage the car has received, the more people know about it and have drooled over it, and the more people tend to show an interest when it is advertised for sale.

Did it tour the show circuit?

Cars that toured the show circuit are known to bring in a lot of money. Magazine coverage and show circuit goes hand in hand. Just imagine going to a custom car show as a teenager in 1962, drooling all over the latest Ed Roth creation. A bond is built, and the car can easily turn into a liefelong passion. If that car one day come up for sale, and you have the money it takes to buy it, chances are you are willing to pay more than the market value to secure. For this reason, famous show cars are often sold to eccentric collectors. Collectors with deep pockets.

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