I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

texases

I parked next to a clean about'74 (big bumpers) 2002, not molested, even had the steel wheels.

andre1969

I'll be this brings back some not-so-fond memories of the 70's. :sick:

toomanyfumes

Oooh, it's even got the automatic and the factory AM radio. I think I could find something else to spend 5K on.

texases

Can't imagine finding a cleaner one. And this is the first model, with the $2 (instead of the $5) grille. Something about a car with a plywood floor just interests me for some reason. Shades of a Mosquito :P

imidazol97

>Something about a car with a plywood floor

What do you mean "plywood" floor?

texases

Not something I've seen, but I've read several references to the Chevettes having a plywood floor. Anyone know for sure?

andre1969

That's the first I'd ever heard of it. I doubt that they would've been THAT cheap...after all, these things were mass-produced and rushed down an assembly line. Seems to me that trying to work plywood into a design that would otherwise be stamped out in rapid fashion would just be counterproductive.

I imagine what actually happened was that owners of these things would cut out plywood and put them in the floorpans as they rusted out, and it sort of became a running joke. Although most people I've known who have had to fix holes in the floor would just find some sheetmetal, pop-rivet it into place, and use caulk, roofing adhesive, or some other sealant to seal the gaps.

I did a Google search for "Chevette plywood floor", and the reference actually comes up quite a bit, but it's actually just linking to 2 or 3 owner comments about the Chevette, usually for those "10 worst cars of all time" articles that crop up from time to time.

I also tried using google to see if there were any pics, but nothing relevant. For some reason though, several of the images are of a drunk dude who seems obsessed with his nips! :surprise: Dunno what that has to do with Chevettes, plywood floors, etc... :P

alltorque

Here in U.K., of course, Morgan are still building their sports cars with Ash frames - that's Ash as in wood, not burnt stuff. They don't rust but woodworm and rot are possibilities.

imidazol97

How do they straighten the frame after an accident? How 'bout a minor car fire? Plasticwood?

Mr_Shiftright

It's not the frame that is wood but parts of the upper body.

Well, a new Corvette is part foam, so why not?

imidazol97

>but parts of the upper body.

Thanks for explaining that. I had pictures of splintered wood after a parking lot accident bumping the car in front of me.

Mr_Shiftright

Upper body wood is bad enough. It loosens over time and if it rots, that can be hell to get right again. I've seen a lot of badly repaired wooden body supports.

I'd be suprised if the new Morgan used wood for the cowling, but you never know with them.

texases

Actually, while the Chevette may or may not have a plywood floor, the Corvette uses balsa wood in its floor. From the GM web site "the inner floor panel for the Corvette, which uses balsa wood for the inner core".

andre1969

that Fintail posted last weekend? this big, bloated, white one?

Just out of morbid curiosity, I've been watching the bidding. It's actually up over $6800! Still way below the ridiculous $13999 buy it now price, but still pretty healthy for that kind of car I'd imagine.

Mr_Shiftright

Price guides say the bid is market correct for a pristine car. So bidding is astute and rational in this case. At least so far.

fintail

If it's such an "easy project", why not finish it?

Neat Frankenbenz

England, 1956

These are uncommon in wagon form

A new one to me

"beautiful classic"

Almost like 'Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'

The odd woody

This could be a nice fancy thing

Caddy 'Park Avenue'

Oddball

Decent fintail

This nutjob is back

bhill2

Hey, with that Vallelunga, you get an 8 cylinder 1.5 litre Kent engine from the Ford Cortina. Can't be that many of those around.

andys120

This must be oddball week. I came across a Burgflake (sp?) recently for the first time
myself. DT Vallelungas and Renault 18s don't grow on trees and the DeVille Park Avenue is a new one on me too.

imidazol97

I always learn something about cars with fintail's postings. Thanks! As for the foreign cars I always thought I was dumb since I didn't pay much attention to them; but I realize I am idiot level on foreign car knowledge. :sick: And I learn about US brand cars like there was a Park Avenue Cadillac.

I am curious how binding the "contract" is by bidding on one of these cars. The Park Avenue Caddy owner makes an intimidating statement that by bidding you have entered into a legal binding contract.

However the next sentence says they can quit the contract at any time and sell or not sell the car to someone else. So it must not be much of a contract?

I've seen this language on Ebay before and feel someone here will know how "binding" the bid is. What can they do, sue me? Or take away my Ebay privilige under that user name?

andre1969

I've seen this language on Ebay before and feel someone here will know how "binding" the bid is. What can they do, sue me? Or take away my Ebay privilige under that user name?

I dunno, I think that kind of talk is more bark than bite. Probably about the worst that would happen is that seller will give you a bad rating and badmouth you in the comments section. Seems to me about the most they'd be entitled to anyway, if they decided to sue, is just reimbursement for costs incurred listing the item on eBay. They can always contact the next highest bidder or bidders in the auction too and tell them that the first deal fell through.

andre1969

I like that car, but honestly I think it looks, pardon the pun, trunk-ated! The '61-62 Caddy has always been one of my favorite cars, but I think I'd seek out one of the conventional-length models. This is one of those models though, where I think I'd almost prefer the 4-door hardtop to the 2-door. I know the pricing for convertibles on these has got to be stratospheric by now. And while I'm sure the 2-door hardtop commands a pretty hefty premium as well, to me this is just one of those cars that seems to look better with 4 doors.

Mr_Shiftright

The binding contract talk is pure BS. People get stiffed on eBay every day, and often, too. There's nothing you can do about it.

Mr_Shiftright

Vellelunga -- nobody cares about them and nobody wants them. End of story on putting money into one.

220D--V8 ---geez, it's just a 289, not a Hemi--the way the guy talks about the "tire-smoking power" is kind of silly. Neat conversion though. Turns a bone-shaking turtle-car into a drivable automobile.

Ford Anglia --$9,000 American for a '56 Anglia? Don't believe so, seller.

Renault -- poor thing---starting bid of $200 and nobody's in. That rather says it all for this "classic".

62 Imperial -- gee, he's only asking a mere $32,000 more than top market price for a show car. Good luck. Buy a price guide.

31 Cadillac V-12: Hmmm...a shop specializing in V12s is selling a car with an engine that "could easily run" but doesn't? Say what? AND if one reads between the lines, one suspects this is a re-bodied car.

Cadillac Park Avenue ---- rare, and nobody cares. Just another base model 4-door Caddy. No pot 'o gold here.

74 Nitrous Colt -- might be a fun hand-grenade until the pin falls out. Cheap thrills?

Fintail -- like the car and the color but the "better than money in the bank" I presume refers to a defaulting institution? Way better than a diesel at any rate.

1980 Olds -- apparently said nutjob has other nutjobs bidding on his most suspicious vehicle. Whatever, it's a free country.

bumpy

A white W124 300CE.

fintail

Funny..they must have sold new a good portion of those in this area, as I see them now and then...even a convertible here and there. Sturdy cars too, that doesn't hurt.

andre1969

With regards to that 1980 Olds 98, I had forgotten why, exactly, we determined the guy was a nutjob the last time around. Then I read the bottom text, underneath all the pics...

Vehicle Selling Price reflects some my costs such as :-
Storage for the last 26 Years.
Insurance during those 26 years.
Regular Maintenance during the 26 years.
Some Return on my Investment.
I have, on offer a car that is UNIQUE and that is where the value of this car lies.


Now it's a nice car and all, but isn't it a bit presumptuous to ask a potential buyer to reimburse him for decades of storage, maintenance, insurance, etc? The "Return on Investment" line is cute, too. That car probably base priced around $10K when it was new, and considernig how a'la carte options still were in those days, I imagine it was more like $12K. Adjusted for inflation, I wouldn't be surprised if that's close to $36K today. Dude, if you wanted an investment, how about a mutual fund? Or even a savings account? Or heck, even some Enron stock probably wouldn't have fared much worse!

Also, is it just the lighting, camera angle, or me; or does that driver's seat look awfully worn for just 2500 miles? :confuse:

Mr_Shiftright

The whole story stinks on that car. Only 4400 miles on it and it's had bodywork, different wheels, black-painted undercoating added, and who knows what else.....

andre1969

Back in early 1992, after my '69 Dart GT got totaled, I looked at an '80 Olds 98 coupe, black with a gray interior and gray vinyl roof. It was at a dealership, had the 350 gas engine, and I think they only wanted about $2000 for it. I was also looking at this black '68 Dart 270 V-8 hardtop and a clapped-out 1980 Mirada 318, both in the same price range. Ended up buying the Dart. Looking back on it, I probably should've gone with the Olds! That thing was a nice car, and in really good shape.

But, the Dart had this killer sound system in it with an equalizer and an amp, and it was loud enough that I could lock the car in my grandmother's detached garage with the stereo cranking, and Grandma, with the house all closed up and her window shaker a/c running and the tv on, could still distinctly hear every dirty word that Eazy-E shouted. So, for a 22 year old, I guess I had my priorities more or less right. :shades:

Mr_Shiftright

NO 22 year old should have to drive around in a Mirada.

lemko

The wrong wheels on the car would already torpedo the deal for me. I'm thinking the same thing when I see that interior shot and the brake pedal cover also looks a bit worn for such low mileage.

Per that 1962 Cadillac in the earlier post - I wouldn't mind having another Park Avenue and that one might actually fit in my garage!

imidazol97

Why the business of painting the undercarriage with gloss black? Does that hide damage or signs of road use?

Is that the original muffler shown? The rivet pattern is unique. I had an 80 Cutlass but didn't pay attention to the muffler appearance from back then.

fintail

Today I have seen a 1992-93 W124 500E (always had a thing for those), and a funny 80s customization of a 240Z - bodykit, spoiler, blackout trim, solid wheels, dark purple - very clean but so dated.

stickguy

yesterday, a '65 or '66 Fairlane (or Galaxie?) on a flatbed. The nice clean lined (squareish) body style, with the square taillights with the plastic cross. You know the ones I mean!

And today, an early (looked like pre-'70) VW bus, light orange and white. Looked to be in OK shape.

More amazing, it was passing people on the highway, and appeared to be doing at least 75. Didn't think that was possible on flat ground.

kyfdx

That sounds like a '65 Galaxie.. My uncle had one.. sort of a dull red color.

fintail

Some odd cars on this directory for old commercials on youtube...some really funny stuff, too

bumpy

Some boxy, black Alfa hatchback, about the size of an old VW Fox or something.

andys120

Some boxy, black Alfa hatchback, about the size of an old VW Fox or something

Sounds like an Alfa 145 or possibly a newer 155. Here's a 145-ca. mid 90s>

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andys120

while visiting Tucson AZ, I spotted a VW Pointer like this one>



It was black, around Fox-size (smaller than a Rabbit/Golf) and wore Sonora (Mexico) plates The Pointer was a 1990s model sold mainly in Mexico and Brazil.

bumpy

No, it was some bricky '80s looking thing. Almost looked like a shrunken Malibu Maxx behind the nose.

fintail

Subcompact

Could be the best left - but a little steep no less

This freakshow is on the market

Elegant yeah, but wow the price, and do the lights hurt it?

Have fun finding parts

England and Japan, what a combo

"Special made car" - indeed

"One Of Only 7" - that's 7 too many

Someone bothered to save this, great investment

Uhhh ok

Could be some miles left on this

Red and finny

" But the wife thought the car was ugly and refused to learn to drive it"

Wow, someone restored a fintail...

It'll go back to England I am sure

Mr_Shiftright

Fintail restoration --- why on earth did he paint the valve cover black? Decent bids to $10K, asking $25K? Dream on.

texases

That Sterling ad is the funniest I've seen- "If there is any car which can be defined as a modern classic, the Sterling 827SLi is it. A superb British sports sedan, sold for a too-short period of time and in tiny numbers, the 827SLi was a collector car almost from new. "

Followed by:
"The Sterling's downfall in the US was its unreliable electrics, and this car has its share of electrical glitches as well: Headlight relay has gone flaky, and the high beams are on whenever the car is running and cannot be switched off. Speedometer and odometer work intermittently but mostly don't work. This is most likely a failed transducer. Right rear window sometimes goes down but not back up again. I disconnected it so that I wouldn't forget and get stuck with the window down. Seat controls recently stopped working. This may just be a blown fuse."

Stop, you're killing me! :P

Mr_Shiftright

It IS a collector car! Recycling collects every Monday morning in my neighborhood!

andys120

Wow, what a collection of oddballs you came up with this week. There's a part of me that would buy the RHD 230SL for the novelty of it but the Sterling, the Fuego, the jacked up Pug and the "Stutz"--not so much.

fintail

I think it is a backyard restoration. I see a lot of good in it - the wood is the right color, the car is an excellent correct color, the tires are accurate...but it has that bizarrely painted valve cover, and I think the steering wheel predates the car by a couple years. Someone missed some obvious details. 25K - maybe in an insane drunken bidding war - in Germany. But the Germans would loathe that valve cover.

kyfdx

Probably an Alfa Milano..

kyfdx

Studebaker pickup..

From the body style, I think it was early-mid '50s..

andys120

Milanos were sedans not hatchbacks.

andre1969

I think that '58 DeSoto Firesweep is pretty cool. There are a few minor details that I'm not that crazy about, like that brown burlap sack looking stuff on the seats. And I'd prefer a true red/white, versus that "Autumn Rose/Dusty Beige" scheme.

I wonder if those small-ish 205/75/R14 radials would make the car ride funny? I've head that sometimes, putting radials on a car engineered for bias ply tires can do funny things to the handling. These cars came standard with an 8.00-14 bias ply, which has a 27.58" diameter (looked it up on Cokertire.com). Optional was 8.50-14, which had a 28.10" diameter. A 207/75/R14 radial only has a 26" diameter. I wonder if that smaller diameter would do much to the car's handling? I guess it would lower the overall ride height by around .75-1.05 inches, depending on whatever the car originally had on it.

kyfdx

That's true... Maybe an Alfa GTV?

I could see a Milano described as a hatchback, though... It has a sort of funky shape, that you wouldn't necessarily equate with a normal sedan.