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

ab348

I got a chuckle out of the '78 Buick (Electra) Limited for $17,500. The '79 Park Avenue I owned had about 40,000 miles but was nicer than that in every way except it still had original paint which was starting to show its age. I sold it in 2003 for $3500 and the new owner had it repainted. I really don't think they have appreciated 400% in that time period.

texases

Aw, come on, how you resist this??
http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1956-chevrolet-belair-custom/#

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Lots of estate sale material there, indeed. But 4 doors have their fans, and there seems to be a little cult out there for malaise luxury.

People usually buy the 4-doors on default...you get essentially the same car as the 2D costing twice as much. In some ways, it's a smart buy on this old stuff. But it's still grandpa's car, so you have to not care about that. Grandkids love 'em though, they aren't snobs.

tjc78

That dealer is all over Ebay motors too. He sells lots of 70s and 80s barges. I'll confess to liking a lot of stuff there.

Mr_Shiftright

It's an interesting niche actually. Kind of makes you visible amidst all the internet "noise" in the car world.

fintail

I like some of the stuff too, which is different from most of the cars I like. The aforementioned T-Bird, properly optioned bustleback Sevilles and 79+ Eldos, big Fords, some 70s Caddys, clamshell wagons, etc.

Mr_Shiftright

They are so awful to drive, though.

fintail

You don't drive them, you cruise down a country road or suburban highway at 60 mph. 15 mpg no matter the speed. Marshmallow suspension, fingertip steering, and disco opulence.

When I was a little kid, my mother had a big mid 70s Thunderbird, and my parents adored that car. Maybe there's a little of that in me. I doubt I would buy a barge of that era, but it is fun to look.

tjc78

I had a 79 Town Coupe. It literally was like driving your living room. I was a little nutty back in those days, but I had no problems driving it at highly illegal speeds (in a straight line of course). In all reality it didn't handle much worse than an 80s or early 90s Panther or GM B-body.

I'm in love with the Mark IV Pucci he has for sale http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1976-lincoln-mark-iv-pucci-2/. 70s porno red galore! That is probably one of the rarest 70's Marks. It is the only one I've ever seen for sale.

ab348

I think only a masochist would buy this. The flowery ad copy makes me laugh.

1995 M-B S600 V12

Michaell

fintail said:

You don't drive them, you cruise down a country road or suburban highway at 60 mph. 15 mpg no matter the speed. Marshmallow suspension, fingertip steering, and disco opulence.

When I was a little kid, my mother had a big mid 70s Thunderbird, and my parents adored that car. Maybe there's a little of that in me. I doubt I would buy a barge of that era, but it is fun to look.

I feel the same way about the '67 Mercury Monterey Coupe my grandmother owned. Was able to drive that car a few times before she passed and it got sold.

If I ever had the money and space, I'd love to find one.

fintail

I've seen that car trying to be sold before. I think he's about 35% too high. Nice looking, but 1995 can still have wiring harness issues (I think), and general maintenance will be similar to keeping up with a Victorian stone mansion on a slowly sliding hillside.

That's another one I would have if I had the extra funds and space. End of an era.

ab348 said:

I think only a masochist would buy this. The flowery ad copy makes me laugh.

1995 M-B S600 V12

fintail

He wants all the money for it (as with most of his cars), but I suppose if you want one, that's how it goes - looks like he has no trouble selling them, and it'd still be cheaper than restoring a neglected mess.

This with a white interior is what my mother drove when I was a little kid - I seem to recall it had different hubcaps though, more of a full wheel disk. I am pretty sure the upholstery pattern was the same. I think it was the first nice somewhat luxurious car my parents ever had, and they were proud of it. It didn't age well though, and by 1985 it was off the road. I think the transmission failed, and my dad didn't want to bother with what was already an old dinosaur at about 10 years old.

I have kind of a thing for these, especially optioned up like this one. Not sure if I like the blanked out DJ quarter windows, but the big engine, t-tops, and turbine wheels are cool. This has some style, even if I might prefer different colors. But only so many were made and not many survive. I bet he wanted over 20K for it.

tjc78 said:

I had a 79 Town Coupe. It literally was like driving your living room. I was a little nutty back in those days, but I had no problems driving it at highly illegal speeds (in a straight line of course). In all reality it didn't handle much worse than an 80s or early 90s Panther or GM B-body.

I'm in love with the Mark IV Pucci he has for sale http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1976-lincoln-mark-iv-pucci-2/. 70s porno red galore! That is probably one of the rarest 70's Marks. It is the only one I've ever seen for sale.

fintail

That guy in FL might be the source. He'd probably want about 20K for a nice one though.

Michaell said:

I feel the same way about the '67 Mercury Monterey Coupe my grandmother owned. Was able to drive that car a few times before she passed and it got sold.

If I ever had the money and space, I'd love to find one.

roadburner

I'd still like a 1973 Grand Am. So wonderfully bizarre.

berri

Cars had personality back in those days - go large!

stickguy

roadburner said:

I'd still like a 1973 Grand Am. So wonderfully bizarre.

I love those. And the can am. About the only large domestics I do like.

uplanderguy

Of his current inventory, I'm most-interested in his '73 Grand Prix SJ, which although a large car by then had a much-improved suspension over the previous iteration GP. I don't really like silver and that car is missing its wheel opening moldings and has a bad (IMHO) set of aftermarket body side moldings, which kills the effect to me and would every single time I approached the car. I don't know how available those moldings are; I wouldn't think too bad. But could that side molding be removed without damage to the paint? Perhaps, perhaps not.

I think those cars had the best interior of any '70's domestic car--instrument panel and seating.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

I had a 79 Town Coupe. It literally was like driving your living room. I was a little nutty back in those days, but I had no problems driving it at highly illegal speeds (in a straight line of course). In all reality it didn't handle much worse than an 80s or early 90s Panther or GM B-body.

I'm in love with the Mark IV Pucci he has for sale http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1976-lincoln-mark-iv-pucci-2/. 70s porno red galore! That is probably one of the rarest 70's Marks. It is the only one I've ever seen for sale.

how many bordellos had to die to make that interior?

ab348

roadburner said:

I'd still like a 1973 Grand Am. So wonderfully bizarre.

There was one for sale not too far from here that sold last week for $11,500 Cdn. It appeared to be in fine condition though it was optioned fairly lightly. Beige, brown vinyl roof (half-roof I think), tan buckets, 455 single exhaust. I think it had PW but no air and not much else in the way of options. The colors did it no favors but it looked to be well-preserved.

berri

how many bordellos had to die to make that interior?

Only French ones

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

I think only a masochist would buy this. The flowery ad copy makes me laugh.

1995 M-B S600 V12

What really made me laugh was the last line, after this torrent of florid verbal frippery.

"CASH TALKS!"

LOL!

Maybe I'll add a few lines:

"You'll know that you have inherited the mantle of former discerning and wealthy owners the minute you get your first repair bill".

tjc78

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

I had a 79 Town Coupe. It literally was like driving your living room. I was a little nutty back in those days, but I had no problems driving it at highly illegal speeds (in a straight line of course). In all reality it didn't handle much worse than an 80s or early 90s Panther or GM B-body.

I'm in love with the Mark IV Pucci he has for sale http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1976-lincoln-mark-iv-pucci-2/. 70s porno red galore! That is probably one of the rarest 70's Marks. It is the only one I've ever seen for sale.

how many bordellos had to die to make that interior?

Ha! More than what used to be on Admiral Wilson Blvd

Mr_Shiftright

Oddly enough, the velour option for the Pucci edition cost more than the leather option. More "poochy" than Pucci for my tastes, but I suppose a cigar-smoking realtor might have a den that looked like that.

sda

fintail said:

He wants all the money for it (as with most of his cars), but I suppose if you want one, that's how it goes - looks like he has no trouble selling them, and it'd still be cheaper than restoring a neglected mess.

This with a white interior is what my mother drove when I was a little kid - I seem to recall it had different hubcaps though, more of a full wheel disk. I am pretty sure the upholstery pattern was the same. I think it was the first nice somewhat luxurious car my parents ever had, and they were proud of it. It didn't age well though, and by 1985 it was off the road. I think the transmission failed, and my dad didn't want to bother with what was already an old dinosaur at about 10 years old.

I have kind of a thing for these, especially optioned up like this one. Not sure if I like the blanked out DJ quarter windows, but the big engine, t-tops, and turbine wheels are cool. This has some style, even if I might prefer different colors. But only so many were made and not many survive. I bet he wanted over 20K for it.

tjc78 said:

I had a 79 Town Coupe. It literally was like driving your living room. I was a little nutty back in those days, but I had no problems driving it at highly illegal speeds (in a straight line of course). In all reality it didn't handle much worse than an 80s or early 90s Panther or GM B-body.

I'm in love with the Mark IV Pucci he has for sale http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/1976-lincoln-mark-iv-pucci-2/. 70s porno red galore! That is probably one of the rarest 70's Marks. It is the only one I've ever seen for sale.

I always liked that interior. It looked really luxurious without being over the top tacky. I think transmissions in those heavy Fords was a weak spot. Dad's '77 Mercury Grand Marquis with the 460 V8 had transmission issues around 45k miles. It would short shift 1-2 and then slur 2-3. After about 45 min of driving it would really start to exaggerate the shifts. He didn't want to repair the trans so he traded it on a '78 DeVille that was 2 years old. After about 6 months dad heard a sharp and sudden noise when he was shifting from R to D. Something came loose in the trans and it required a rebuild. Such luck.

kyfdx

1983 Mercedes 380 SEC. Euro model. At my local mechanic. For sale.
Those nice trim euro bumpers, too.

This would be cheap to maintain, right?

Mr_Shiftright

Depends on what shape it's in. They aren't worth very much so the price has to be right. Sounds like a $2500--$3500 car unless it's a beater. I suppose a knock your socks off pristine one could pull $5K-6K but it won't be easy.

kyfdx

It's pretty!

Mr_Shiftright

I see them for sale at ridiculous prices but I can't imagine they get anywhere near what they ask for them. I tend to look at auction results and they don't do well there. That's real money on the table.

What are they asking?

They are pretty nice cars in their own way but rather dull and gas-hungry. To each his own, and if it finds a good home and a happy owner, then all's well.

fintail

I wonder if the weight of the vehicle and the torque of the engine contributed to that. The T-Bird would have been a 460, too. My dad gave it to a friend of his for free, in exchange for helping load a truck. Not so great resale value.

sda said:

I always liked that interior. It looked really luxurious without being over the top tacky. I think transmissions in those heavy Fords was a weak spot. Dad's '77 Mercury Grand Marquis with the 460 V8 had transmission issues around 45k miles. It would short shift 1-2 and then slur 2-3. After about 45 min of driving it would really start to exaggerate the shifts. He didn't want to repair the trans so he traded it on a '78 DeVille that was 2 years old. After about 6 months dad heard a sharp and sudden noise when he was shifting from R to D. Something came loose in the trans and it required a rebuild. Such luck.

fintail

Engine rebuild 10-15K?

The C126s that are worth money (aside from AMG or period tuned cars) are the best of the best 560 SEC, and Euro 500 SEC. Really pristine cars with no needs and no real cosmetic or mechanical flaws can bring good money. But even a few problems destroys the value, as they are so expensive to get right.

kyfdx said:

1983 Mercedes 380 SEC. Euro model. At my local mechanic. For sale.
Those nice trim euro bumpers, too.

This would be cheap to maintain, right?

ab348

I figured those big Fords and Mercs would have had a C6 transmission back then, which had a decent reputation. But I never understood Ford's transmissions back then, especially the differences between the C6 and the FMX.

The '77-'79 T-Birds were extraordinarily popular at the time. I liked them, but they sold a lot of really "base" models with the 302 and an interior that was only a bit nicer than a Torino. You had to check a lot of boxes on the options list to get a nice one.

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

Engine rebuild 10-15K?

The C126s that are worth money (aside from AMG or period tuned cars) are the best of the best 560 SEC, and Euro 500 SEC. Really pristine cars with no needs and no real cosmetic or mechanical flaws can bring good money. But even a few problems destroys the value, as they are so expensive to get right.

kyfdx said:

1983 Mercedes 380 SEC. Euro model. At my local mechanic. For sale.
Those nice trim euro bumpers, too.

This would be cheap to maintain, right?

Probably closer to $20K to build the engine the right way.

Did they ever make these with a manual transmission in Europe? I know the W107s with 6 cylinder motors came with a stick. But that 380SEC is considered an S class, right?

fintail

20K to make a 15K car (if the rest is perfection), sounds good.

No manual C126. The only manual 126 chassis cars were 6 cyl, and all of the coupes were V8. It's an S-class coupe, exactly.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Probably closer to $20K to build the engine the right way.

Did they ever make these with a manual transmission in Europe? I know the W107s with 6 cylinder motors came with a stick. But that 380SEC is considered an S class, right?

Mr_Shiftright

Well it's looking for a very narrow buyer base if the price is high so you have to "hand sell" a car like that....lead the buyer step by step and make the car look and feel special.

fintail

Very narrow base. The MB enthusiast cultists want low mileage cars with original finishes and history. Fall short in any area, and the value evaporates. There are 20K SECs out there, but many more 3K SECs out there.

kyfdx

This one looks like a $4K-$6K car, if being generous.

Those S-Class coupes do it for me, though. The shop owner told me it was for sale (not by him). I didn't ask how much.

Mr_Shiftright

It's true. The MB cult pulls out its electronic paint thickness gauge and if it detects bodywork, they treat it as a mutt. Seen that happen way too often.

sda

'71 Pontiac LeMans convert, 350 V8. In fair condition, needs everything but seems to run well. I do like that color blue.

sda

fintail said:

I wonder if the weight of the vehicle and the torque of the engine contributed to that. The T-Bird would have been a 460, too. My dad gave it to a friend of his for free, in exchange for helping load a truck. Not so great resale value.

sda said:

I always liked that interior. It looked really luxurious without being over the top tacky. I think transmissions in those heavy Fords was a weak spot. Dad's '77 Mercury Grand Marquis with the 460 V8 had transmission issues around 45k miles. It would short shift 1-2 and then slur 2-3. After about 45 min of driving it would really start to exaggerate the shifts. He didn't want to repair the trans so he traded it on a '78 DeVille that was 2 years old. After about 6 months dad heard a sharp and sudden noise when he was shifting from R to D. Something came loose in the trans and it required a rebuild. Such luck.

A picture of the big Merc. It had a really nice interior that was a combination of leather and corduroy. I always liked the look of those deep dish aluminum wheels.

ab348

"Big" being the operative word. Those were huge cars. I remember doing the full-court press on my dad in '69 to buy the new Marquis, or even better, a Marauder. He and mom loved the front-end styling but it was just too too pricey for their Chevy-Pontiac budget.

sda

ab348 said:

"Big" being the operative word. Those were huge cars. I remember doing the full-court press on my dad in '69 to buy the new Marquis, or even better, a Marauder. He and mom loved the front-end styling but it was just too too pricey for their Chevy-Pontiac budget.

I always thought the '69-78 Marquis had a good looking front end. I especially like the '69-72.

'69 convert.
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.Mdd51f533e343c4afde233c0589786e4aH0&w=232&h=164&c=7&rs=1&qlt=90&o=4&dpr=1.5&pid=1.1

berri

I had a friend years back that had a baby blue convertible just like that yellow Merc, even the white leather interior. But it ended up with head gasket issues and then a bad tranny.

tjc78

Were those turbines available back then? They look like the style a box Panther from the 80s would have had.

sda

I found a picture of a '76 Grand Marquis interior which is the same as the '77, except the speedometer on the '77 reads to 85 mph instead of 120. It was a nice combination of leather and corduroy and was very comfortable.

http://oldcarbrochures.org/var/resizes/NA/Mercury/1976 Mercury/1976-Mercury-Marquis-Cougar-Montego-Brochure/1976 Mercury Marquis-Cougar-Montego-04.jpg?m=1361889924

sda

tjc--are you talking about the deep dish wheels on the '77? They were optional. Like on this '78 Merc brochure cover.

http://oldcarbrochures.org/var/resizes/NA/Mercury/1978 Mercury/1978 Mercury.jpg?m=1371772383

fintail

Yep, a repainted 80s era MB ends up with like a 40% price reduction just for that. And if it has non-stock radio and wheels, the cultists won't even look at it. I am kind of guilty of the same thing. Big turn offs to us OCD types.

fintail

Pretty handsome car. When I was a kid and those were just big junky old used cars, I didn't like those, but I can appreciate them now. They were luxury for the middle class buyer. Not fun to drive, but couldn't be more comfortable.

sda said:

A picture of the big Merc. It had a really nice interior that was a combination of leather and corduroy. I always liked the look of those deep dish aluminum wheels.

tjc78

sda said:

tjc--are you talking about the deep dish wheels on the '77? They were optional. Like on this '78 Merc brochure cover.

http://oldcarbrochures.org/var/resizes/NA/Mercury/1978 Mercury/1978 Mercury.jpg?m=1371772383

No, not those. If you look close on the yellow convertible above those are turbine style wheels. I didn't think they were available on full size Fords until at the earliest 78

tjc78

This is what is on that convertible (maybe with different centers)