I'm I crazy for wanting a Cessna 140A?

Wow. That is a really cool plane. Maybe when I win the lottery or oil well gets drilled....
 
A friend of mine built one back when they were called Glastars and sold by a company named Stoddard. They went out of business in the late 90's and anyone who had purchased partial kits or made deposits got burned. He was lucky to have had all of the parts in possession at the time. The kit went through a couple of other owners I think before ending up where it is now.

It's a nice airplane but although it was always available with a conventional gear I thought of it as a "gentleman's" bush plane because it looked as though any damage to the composite empenage would be difficult to repair. It has an unconventional design with aluminum wings on a tubular framed cockpit section that is covered with a two piece clamshell fuselage which is basically glued together along the seam. My friend built a tricycle geared version but I recall wondering if the composite tube that made up the rear part of the fuselage was really strong enough to take any beating in the tailwheel version.

Possibly those things have been addressed in the latest model.
 
Well, the saga continues. I found a great 1947 Cessna 140, right price, looks ok, mechanically sound ( I think), we go and pull title on it and bam, three liens on the plane, one from the 1950's and two from the seventies. Obviously this is a no go for me until the owner gets them cleared up, if he can.
 
How long has he owned it?

N2124v said:
Well, the saga continues. I found a great 1947 Cessna 140, right price, looks ok, mechanically sound ( I think), we go and pull title on it and bam, three liens on the plane, one from the 1950's and two from the seventies. Obviously this is a no go for me until the owner gets them cleared up, if he can.
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N2124v said:
Well, the saga continues. I found a great 1947 Cessna 140, right price, looks ok, mechanically sound ( I think), we go and pull title on it and bam, three liens on the plane, one from the 1950's and two from the seventies. Obviously this is a no go for me until the owner gets them cleared up, if he can.
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Check the statute of limitations of the liens they may not be collectable.
 
Not his problemo. I'd tell the owner to talk to one of the title companies.

Tom-D said:
Check the statute of limitations of the liens they may not be collectable.
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wabower said:
Not his problemo. I'd tell the owner to talk to one of the title companies.
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They started talking with one today. I have forwarded them the report I got from the title company so the owners have the information that I received. Now it's a wait and see.
 
wabower said:
Not his problemo. I'd tell the owner to talk to one of the title companies.
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That's one way of getting it done.

If the present owner got the title transferred to his name why can't the owner sell it and get the title transferred
?
 
Again, who cares? If the contract specifies free and clear, it's the seller's job to clean it up. Tell him to call you when it's done.

Tom-D said:
That's one way of getting it done.

If the present owner got the title transferred to his name why can't the owner sell it and get the title transferred
?
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wabower said:
Again, who cares? If the contract specifies free and clear, it's the seller's job to clean it up. Tell him to call you when it's done.
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You didn't answer the question.
 
Tom-D said:
That's one way of getting it done.

If the present owner got the title transferred to his name why can't the owner sell it and get the title transferred
?
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I just want the title cleared up so there is no confusion when I try to sell it.
 
Yes I did. It's the same as all the other title problems that show up. Tell him to call you when they're cleared up.



Tom-D said:
You didn't answer the question.
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N2124v said:
I just want the title cleared up so there is no confusion when I try to sell it.
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in the mean time you have lost another good aircraft. tell the seller you will discount the price equal to the liens.

the 1950 lien is probably dead. and the 1970s maybe.

so you may have to cut 3 checks for the amount of the seller's price.
 
Maybe it's one he needs to miss. Are mechanics in WA also qualified to practice law in TX?

Tom-D said:
in the mean time you have lost another good aircraft. tell the seller you will discount the price equal to the liens.

the 1950 lien is probably dead. and the 1970s maybe.

so you may have to cut 3 checks for the amount of the seller's price.
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Tom-D said:
in the mean time you have lost another good aircraft. tell the seller you will discount the price equal to the liens.

the 1950 lien is probably dead. and the 1970s maybe.

so you may have to cut 3 checks for the amount of the seller's price.
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I might do that if it comes down to it. Problem is the liens total about 75% of his asking price so I doubt he will go there. I know the odds of anyone making a claim on the title are a LNG shot, but it's still a cloud on the title. I'm probably extra sensitive to that because I do oil and gas title work on the side.
 
N2124v said:
I might do that if it comes down to it. Problem is the liens total about 75% of his asking price so I doubt he will go there. I know the odds of anyone making a claim on the title are a LNG shot, but it's still a cloud on the title. I'm probably extra sensitive to that because I do oil and gas title work on the side.
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You won't know the what the liens will cost until you try to pay them. some can be paid of at a penny on the dollar, other accrue interest.
 
Say again why he should offer to buy it without knowing which condition exists?

Tom-D said:
You won't know the what the liens will cost until you try to pay them. some can be paid of at a penny on the dollar, other accrue interest.
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wabower said:
Say again why he should offer to buy it without knowing which condition exists?
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Why should he shed a bunch of cash paying some one to do what he can.

This is the age of information, he can look up all this stuff.
 
He sheds no cash. The seller and the escrow company have his number on speed dial. When the liens are cleared, he should expect a call. that they are ready to close. If he wants a title policy to solidify his interest, he know who to go to to get it issued.
Tom-D said:
Why should he shed a bunch of cash paying some one to do what he can.

This is the age of information, he can look up all this stuff.
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wabower said:
He sheds no cash. The seller and the escrow company have his number on speed dial. When the liens are cleared, he should expect a call. that they are ready to close. If he wants a title policy to solidify his interest, he know who to go to to get it issued.
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Your escrow companies are free ?

He spends no money my way either.

most sellers are not using any escrow companies it is cash and carry or get lost, this ain't a jet costing a million bucks
 
Escrow is free to me since I'm not paying them to clear the liens. That's the seller's responsibility if he wants me to buy it.

And you were squealing like a 12-year-old about a few thousand deposit on a RV that you thought you were going to lose. Would you have paid a hundred bucks to have eliminated that risk on the day you thought the guy ran off with your money? Was it a jet?

Tom-D said:
Your escrow companies are free ?

He spends no money my way either.

most sellers are not using any escrow companies it is cash and carry or get lost, this ain't a jet costing a million bucks
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wabower said:
Escrow is free to me since I'm not paying them to clear the liens. That's the seller's responsibility if he wants me to buy it.
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And if they don't really care if you or the next guy buys it.

See ya.

Some times greed takes over when the deal is too good to be true. Lesson learned ? it probably is too good to be true.

such was the case with the motorhome.
 
Am I being overly ambitious, please tell me the truth. This latest 140 looks like it is mechanically sound but it is ugly. Paint and fabric were done in 1993 and it looks like it. My thought was to buy it, fly the tar out of it, then when it comes time to redo the fabric, do it myself, with the appropriate guidance. Also instead of repainting the fuselage, strip and polish it. Is this a task a reasonably patient person can do, or am I just deluding myself?
 
It's one of those "project" deals that are discussed here frequently. Downey and others of his ilk can do them in their sleep, others of us would lose sleep for a year while trying to get them finished.

I'd give odds that if you buy it ugly you'll sell it ugly because the dollar numbers and time required won't ever make it attractive to spiff it up. If you want pretty, up the ante and buy it pretty. You'll be both time and money ahead when the smoke clears after a full ownership cycle is completed.
 
N2124v said:
Am I being overly ambitious, please tell me the truth. This latest 140 looks like it is mechanically sound but it is ugly. Paint and fabric were done in 1993 and it looks like it. My thought was to buy it, fly the tar out of it, then when it comes time to redo the fabric, do it myself, with the appropriate guidance. Also instead of repainting the fuselage, strip and polish it. Is this a task a reasonably patient person can do, or am I just deluding myself?
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The first and only rule in restorations is simple.

You can't build better aircraft than you can buy. BUT You can build the one you want.

The cost of materials and the labor will far exceed the value of the finished aircraft.

The learning and satisfaction of doing the job mens a lot to some people. They will know their aircraft better than any other pilot.

plus the value of saving an old aircraft from the junk pile is worth something even if it not money.
 
Well, I'm reviving this thread. I have found a 1946 Cessna 120 with the O200 upgrade in California that's intriguing to me. The kicker is a 1400nm ferry home, across the southwest, in the winter. How practical and do able is this trip? Sacramento, down to Palm Springs, Phoenix, El Psao, then Austin is my proposed route. I'm guessing about 14 flight hours over 3 days.
 
With good weather, it should not be a problem.

And with the prevailing winds, you should have a push!
 
N2124v said:
Well, I'm reviving this thread. I have found a 1946 Cessna 120 with the O200 upgrade in California that's intriguing to me. The kicker is a 1400nm ferry home, across the southwest, in the winter. How practical and do able is this trip? Sacramento, down to Palm Springs, Phoenix, El Psao, then Austin is my proposed route. I'm guessing about 14 flight hours over 3 days.
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Simply watch the weather and go when it allows. coming up week prior to Christmas looks pretty good.
 
There is a beautiful 140 for sale in Va if you are looking . If you are interested contact me and I will get you the owners info. I plan to steal the seats from it to put in my Cherokee, man they are super comfortable. Have flown to Oshkosh in it twice and love it.
 
Well, best laid plans......

Looks like I'm needing a 4 seat plane, that is fast......
 
I've owned two Cessna 140s. Both in very nice condition, both with transponders and transceivers. Both with under 600 hours on a major overhaul. Wheel pants on both. Both had nice interiors, recent metal props. Both were 85hp. One was completely rebuilt by a former lead mechanic at Fairchild aircraft and he also had done the engine. It was always hangared and was a trophy winner. ( as was the other one, owned by a commercial pilot. ) the one purchased from the former Fairchild employee was 27,000.00 in 2003. I sold it 2 years later for 28,000. I sold it because the 85 hp engine, on a hot day, full tanks and my wife ( 110 lbs, I'm 195) had trouble getting out of 2200 feet paved and it struggled to altitude. The prop was not a full climb prop but rather a compromise. I think it was a McCauley 72/44 but not sure. Whatever I bought it would not have over 600 hours on the engine, it would have a clear title with no maybes, a fresh annual at time or sale and be in excellent condition. It would be a Luscombe F model , with 90 hp, or with a don swords conversion ....or a170 B in same shape. Don't let anyone tell you that letting a plane sit outside is just fine. It ruins the value unless you don't care about money. ( think about the current weather with your airplane tugging at the tie downs or some nice golf ball hail. It also makes your insurance higher being outside. ) it's always pay me now or pay me later. Buy a dog and you'll never catch up. Been there. Good luck.
 
N2124v said:
Well, best laid plans......

Looks like I'm needing a 4 seat plane, that is fast......
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If your needs are subject to change frequently, maybe you should look into joining a club. Buying and selling things gets expensive fast.
 
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