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

explorerx4

A C2, nice. Are those rallye wheels? They look good even today.

kyfdx

How does that still happen?

I do have an oil pan gasket for an E30 BMW in my garage, still new in the package. But, that’s worth maybe $15, tops.

fintail

To think, that was just a thirsty old used car around 40 years ago.

Saw a MGBGT this afternoon, it had just started sprinkling out - risky!

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

Found this is a garage today:

I'm guessing you didn't find it originally....

What is something like that worth, in that condition?

ab348

That generation of Corvette, in that color, is the only one I ever wanted. But only if it does not have a black interior, which it appears that one unfortunately has (though I can't tell for certain).

kyfdx

That would be a tough search. Guessing 95% of them had black.

White, blue or black? I think those are the only colors I've seen with that exterior

ab348

kyfdx said:

That would be a tough search. Guessing 95% of them had black.

It seems some things never change. Today is much the same, and equally unfortunate.

Mr_Shiftright

It has a blue interior. Well I did "find" it, in that the family called me over to look it over and tell them how much they should sell it for. Being an appraiser, it is a violation of professional ethics for me to be interested in purchasing it, but I am allowed to send buyers to the family (but generally don't do that--I don't want to hear any complaints later on).

You know, people die, abandon their projects--things get shoved to the back burner. I see this on a weekly basis. Of course, not all of these cars are '64 Corvettes. Some are '95 Ford sedans with chickens in the back seat.

With this Vette, there's a tricky part about a car in this condition (about a #4---"fair"). It does not have the original engine--it's a Chevy crate engine, a 350 with a ZZ code. Not a bad engine, but nowhere near correct.

Here's the dilemma for the buyer: Since this car really needs a total restoration (meaning, that there is no part of the car that doesn't need renewal, even if that part still functions "as is"), then why pay a high dollar for something you are going to completely tear apart? Why not buy a 100% complete "poor" condition car for $10K or $15K less, since you will be restoring every little piece anyway.? This year Corvette is not an easy restoration, and some parts are very difficult to find. Could be an expensive proposition.

On the other hand, this Vette could be washed, cleaned up inside, given new tires, tune up, brake work, all fluids flushed, and it could probably be driven "as is"---a shabby-chic classic that you don't have to worry about.

What's it worth? To me, being sober, realistic and not particularly in love, maybe the high teens. To the starry -eyed dreamer who sees it with all that "patina", just sitting there begging to be taken home, they'd probably "overpay" into the mid $20Ks.

ab348

It would be a tough call, Shifty. But assuming the original engine is gone forever and not sitting in a corner of the garage, even if it is beautifully restored for big bucks it is not going to ever get top dollar. So that argues for the sympathetic refresh where needed and driving and enjoying it, maybe picking away at things as they start bothering you too much. It would be fun to be able to drive and enjoy a C2 convertible without worrying about every paint chip.

kyfdx

Yeah... I like the idea of having a "driver" for under $35K, than a collector car..

Mr_Shiftright

That's what I'd do. Buy it for about $15K, put $2K--$3K into it just to make it safe and drivable. With no power steering and drum brakes, however, one might be tempted to pour more money into it.

stickguy

well, to me, if it runs and drives, and has a stick, I would be more than happy to have it to bop around in for $20K. And not have to live in fear of every speck of dust or getting a rock chip. I assume that it would have some needs to make it a reliable driver, but not stuff requiring a ton of money (normal tune up, brakes, shocks, etc.).

Mr_Shiftright

I didn't see a soft top--that could be pricey.

PF_Flyer

Who knew? One of the wife's favorite movies is chock full of "iron"

fintail

I'll pick off the white 60 Ford Galaxie 4 door post.

uplanderguy

I was just going to say, you got both me and fintail with those pics, LOL.

That red Lark looks a lot like my Mom's old friend Mary Bright's little Lark VIII with 3-speed stick.

That Rambler American wagon is a '64 model, at the oldest.

When I was a kid, I remember people putting red reflectors directly underneath the taillights of '60 Fords, in that part of the bumper that mirrored the shape of the taillights.

fintail

When my dad got his 60 Ford, I thought the indents below the taillights were for the optional reverse lights (which his car didn't have). I later learned they were just a design, and the reverse lights were small round lights inboard from the main rear lights - it appears the white car has them.

Interestingly the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport, now quite a collectible, has a very similar rear light design, but has lower lights too:



And they are illuminated:

uplanderguy

First time I ever saw one of those. Looks like an auto show creation!

I think the first Japanese vehicle I was aware of, was my uncle's '68 (I think) Datsun pickup. He retired from active-duty Navy in Poway, CA and moved back home to our town in NW PA in 1969 or so. It seemed so unusual to me compared to everything else...and it was. When I was probably 13 or something, I got to pop the clutch when it wouldn't start for whatever reason. That's a scary experience the first time, LOL.

fintail

It's a rare car. The local high end specialty dealer had one some time back, unfortunately, on regrettable wheels:



I suspect a Datsun dissolved in that climate in 1969, and really seemed like a tin can to those used to older American iron. On the west coast, Japanese cars were trickling in several years prior, and were in full force by around 1970. When I was a kid, I didn't care for older Japanese cars, but there are some now that I think are pretty interesting.

explorerx4

@PF-Flyer,
I should know what the movie is, Obviously NYC.
I see a 59 Ford police car and an early 60's Mopar, not sure if Dodge or Plymouth, going to guess Plymouth.
Some nice smog too.

fintail

Saw a white first gen Scirocco on the road last night.

texases

I can't remember the last time I saw one of those. Always thought they were sharp (of course, I owned one from '81-'83). Like this, but black:

kyfdx

I'm sure I've mentioned it. I wanted one of these bad, in '77... Hard to believe, but I couldn't swing it on $2.30/hr..

ab348

Those were cool little cars though rather buzzy. I liked the second-gen ones better but my opinion may be distorted by the smoking-hot lady I knew who owned one of those...

kyfdx

I think the 2nd GEN was better.. But, it just didn't do it for me, like the first one.

PF_Flyer

explorerx4 said:

@PF-Flyer,
I should know what the movie is, Obviously NYC.
I see a 59 Ford police car and an early 60's Mopar, not sure if Dodge or Plymouth, going to guess Plymouth.
Some nice smog too.

Yes you should know the movie

This car shot probably gives it away

uplanderguy

I worked with a guy, two years older than me, who bought a new '81 Scirocco. We carpooled. He couldn't stand my new Monte Carlo, and I wasn't a fan of the Scirocco. IIRC they both cost about the same--his was an "S" I think (I might be remembering the model name wrong--red trim and emblems). Two things that turned young me off was the single wiper, zero back seat legroom and a dash that waved at you when the clutch was let out. Of course I know none of that is what someone buys a Scirocco for.

explorerx4

I had a 1980 black Scirocco S, Really liked it, but ended up liking an 83 Tbird Turbo Coupe better.

uplanderguy

The guy I worked with had a charcoal gray one, black cloth interior with red striped inserts IIRC.

ab348

I was going to post that this is very nice but ridiculously overpriced. But then I saw the asking prices on others listed at Hemmings and now I'm not so sure. Maybe they have taken off?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/buick/riviera/2086121.html

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, it is a GS and it is a GS 455, so if the car is "local show" quality, a solid #2 that you have to nitpick to find defects, then it's worth the price. I looked at all the photos from Hemmings and I"m not sure it is a solid #2, but maybe a 3+. You'd have to look in person.

You have to keep in mind that for many domestic cars, 1971--1972 is the cut-off date, and you'll see values drop in 1973 models, all across the board.

So if you compared this to a 1973's values, you'd get fooled big time.

uplanderguy

Nobody usually wants anything '73 or later--bumpers and smog.

When those Rivs were new, I didn't like them. Even then I thought the car was too large for the styling. I actually preferred the '74-76 Riviera (I still like them; last full-size GM car until the '96 Impala SS to be available with buckets and console shift). But, the boattail Rivs have grown on me. I like the '71 details the best. In '72 they added that curvy strip down the upper side of the body sides. I know the trunk louvers were a one-year thing that supposedly caused issues, but I like the looks. I definitely remember that color on a lot of '71's.

I don't think it was available on a Riviera, but I always liked that metallic turquoise GM offered on full-sizes in '71--Chevy called it "Sea Mist". Not often seen even then. I can remember our hometown dealer had a '71 Bel Air in that color that sat there for most of the model year, LOL.

Too bad this Riv doesn't have the buckets and console. Still, real nice car.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, buckets and console generally bring more. Were those options on that car? I don't recall.

uplanderguy

Yes, they were optional.

Mr_Shiftright

Console and buckets are a significant qualifier in pricing.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yeah, buckets and console generally bring more. Were those options on that car? I don't recall.

Front bench with center armrest and column shift. I thought that weighed against the price.

Mr_Shiftright

Yep.

kyfdx

When I was a freshman in high school, our librarian bought one.. Typical librarian, too.

We all had new respect for old Mrs. Whatshername..

tjc78

My Grandfather had a clone of that Riviera when I was really young. 

ab348

This is a troubling thing to see:

https://www.gofundme.com/friends-of-roger-barr

According to Roger's FB page (posting by his son) he was in hospital recently for the second time in the last few months for treatment of an infection that they believe happened while he was working on the Minerva that Carini and Marano bought from that eccentric character "Hawkeye" last year. No Worker's Comp because he can only work part time now and apparently Carini has been fighting it anyway saying that it is not certain the Minerva was the source. What a mess and a sad situation for it to come to this.

Mr_Shiftright

Looked at one of these today. It wasn't a show car at all--nice patina, guy just drives it around. I swear, you could put the engine into a small suitcase!

fintail

American Bantam, I imagine without what looks like Swedish plates.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Looked at one of these today. It wasn't a show car at all--nice patina, guy just drives it around. I swear, you could put the engine into a small suitcase!

fintail

That stinks, more of that exceptionalism, the only developed area in the world where people face disaster due to such issues. But insurance execs will make 7 and 8 figures, so I guess it is just a matter of time before it all trickles down. Probably worthy of a donation.

ab348 said:

This is a troubling thing to see:

https://www.gofundme.com/friends-of-roger-barr

According to Roger's FB page (posting by his son) he was in hospital recently for the second time in the last few months for treatment of an infection that they believe happened while he was working on the Minerva that Carini and Marano bought from that eccentric character "Hawkeye" last year. No Worker's Comp because he can only work part time now and apparently Carini has been fighting it anyway saying that it is not certain the Minerva was the source. What a mess and a sad situation for it to come to this.

explorerx4

I have heard of GoFundMe, but how do you know the intended beneficiary actually gets the donations?

kyfdx

You could ask that about a lot of charities.

berri

Saw two today. First, a Chrysler Crossfire. I kind of like their looks, but probably wouldn't fit in one. Then a pretty nice condition cream colored 64 Ford Galaxie 500 XL convertible. The only drawback for me was that it had a black top (but interior was kind of beige. IIRC, those originally had beige or white tops. I don't think the black top enhanced it, but maybe that was the only top they could find since it looked in good shape.

uplanderguy

My sister has a Crossfire they bought new. I've driven it once...nice driving experience. They barely use it. It's a lightish blue metallic.

The Bantam was built in Butler, PA, maybe an hour or less from where I grew up.

texases

Wasn't the Crossfire based off the MB SLK? I liked the Crossfire's looks better.

fintail

Yep, Crossfire has SLK DNA. I like the cabrio more. I remember the local dealer had a 10K ADM on them (coupes, cabrio came later IIRC) at launch, I bet that didn't last long.

Michaell

fintail said:

Yep, Crossfire has SLK DNA. I like the cabrio more. I remember the local dealer had a 10K ADM on them (coupes, cabrio came later IIRC) at launch, I bet that didn't last long.

The wife and I took a look at the Crossfire Cabrio when they first arrived. Spent a solid 15-20 minutes with several sales folks trying to lower the top, to no avail.