Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

gsemike

A/C is optional on the Solstice. I'm not sure about pw. That's what they had to do to hit their under $20k target but good like finding one without A/C

fintail

Or finding a Solstice for anywhere near 20K. All I have seen locally are more like 30K.

My roomate in school had a 95 Jetta with crank windows...it was not what I would call a great car.

The color is nice, lots of metal for the money

Mr_Shiftright

The RX-7 should be okay. That car might be an okay deal.

450SL -- these cars are such cows, I don't know why anyone would want one.

Looks like Dave is haulin' 'em out of the barns and cornfields....well, the general public will sort them out and save the worthy ones. The market tends to correct the delusions of the dealer sooner or later. He can find one or two naive buyers but not all of them will be like that.

SOLSTICE -- am I the only one who thinks this car is pretty homely?

au1994

I'd say the Solsitce is definitely an aquired taste. They Sky looks better to me.

Mr_Shiftright

I like to delude myself into thinking I can predict when a car will not succeed because of its styling. I've done pretty well on cars like the Aztek and Crossfire, which are totally and partly ugly respectively, but I was wrong about the PT Cruiser--which I didn't think ugly but rather just bizarre...reminded me of a mini-hearse. But it was indeed successful.

andre1969

except that it looks too playful, like a cute little kitten or puppy that's about to pounce. The Sky's front-end seems too busy a modern car, almost like they tried to graft a late 50's car grille onto it, but the car does have a tougher look to it overall. I don't like the new Miata at all. Looks like they tried to stick a reject Saturn/Olds front-end onto a giant Good-n-Plenty!

oregonboy

I've always liked the looks of the RX-7 convertible and was once a big rotary engine fan... 2 RX-2s and a Rotary Pickup.

I would love to have that convertible, and it's not far away from me, but alas, I'm too practical now. I don't really need a toy that gets poor gas mileage.

james

Mr_Shiftright

They do suck gas that's true.

www.mazdatrix.com has all kinds of goodies for these cars.

british_rover

Stude

When pimping goes bad american style

Japanese remix of the above

Driver seat is worn by what???

Big old land cruiser

This same 5 series has been listed at the same price but with the BIG REDUCED moniker for close to a month now...

Wasn't someone looking for these?

this screams stolen

au1994

The Camaro and Lexus are just stupid money. Sorry you put a sh__load of $$ into your car, you're not getting it back.

The Land Cruiser could be a fun trail beater if not for the rust.

fintail

I don't know what these are worth, but this looks cool

I've never really loved the targas, but this looks nice

au1994

The targa's are nice, but the one I really like was the 88 or 89 Speedster. Same body style, except it was a convertible with a low windshield, IIRC. Same mechanicals too.

lilengineerboy

Yeah, that 240 is a little hurtin', but at least its a stick already and then you're just out the $$ for the DET swap. I wouldn't touch something with no title (probably not stolen, but a pain to re-register in any case). You could be a drift king in that bad boy if you wanted a track only car.

lilengineerboy

IIRC, there is a difference in engine management and displacement between '82 and 89. In '84 they went from CIS to Motronic and I think displacement went from 3.2 to 3.6 (less sure about that). I think '78-83 is a group and 84-89 was a group and then the 964 came out.

Mr_Shiftright

targas are pretty much a pain in the neck...they squeak and they leak and re-sealing them and replacing the water-damaged headliners is really $$$$.

11.5K for that one is a fair price, again, presuming the car is thoroughly gone over. Remember if you have to go into that engine, you have just bought the car 2X over.

oregonboy

Perfect for tailgate parties:
http://eugene.craigslist.org/car/184008422.html

james

fintail

Probably beyond redemption but chock full 'o parts

Another Eldo

qbrozen

Did anyone else notice the message painted on that '64 Chevy pickup? LOL. They could say it was found on Ruby Ridge and add maybe 50 cents to the value.

ghulet

...I think the most interesting thing about that '78 Eldorado is the vintage box of Kleenex in the back seat.

andre1969

how could you tell that's a '78 Eldorado? Unless I'm just not seeing it (a few Yeunglings and a couple Heineckens can do that to you ) it doesn't say on it what year it is. Can you tell just from the grille texture?

I kinda like it. I like that pale blue that's so light it almost looks white in certain lights. I think that's the same color as the Seville that Betty White drove in an episode of "Mama's Family". For years I thought the car was white, until I got Directv, with its clearer picture, and saw the car had just a slight tint of blue in it.

Interesting that they'd ask $5250 for it. I think that's what the car weighed...5250 pounds. So a buck a pound!

I think the Mark V's were so much more tasteful in this era, but there's just something gaudy about these mammoth Eldorados that appeals to me. :confuse:

andre1969

I've been listening to some bad 70's I-tunes I've downloaded over the ages. What, exactly, is a "Makeshift Model T-A?" And is "T-A" really something appropriate for the Brady Kids to be singing about? :P

Mr_Shiftright

Must be a car that is made up of both a Model T and a Model A.

lemmer

With $12000 in money orders (and a checkbook just in case). We are determined to come home with an MGB.

Car number one is a '72 from eBay that I've posted before. The guy's wife nice was enough to tell us that he is so excited that we are coming as he is dying to sell it.

Second car is a 1968 MGB ROADSTER

$13,900

49,000 miles driven since 1990 restoration
31,000 miles on rebuilt balanced engine

Polyurethane paint (British Racing Green)
Overdrive gearbox
Koni shocks (rear)
British Ron Hopkinson handling kit (thicker front sway bar and a rear bar)
Original front sway bar (supplied)
Period-correct rubber and carpeted interior
Custom tan leather seats completely rebuilt
Polyurethane suspension bushings throughout (V8 bushings on A-arms)
Braided stainless brake lines
Flowmaster muffler with Ansa tip (fitted)
Falcon stainless exhaust system (supplied)
Lumenition electronic ignition
Lucas fog lights
Cosmic wheels (rare period option fitted)
Stock disc steel wheels and hubcaps (supplied)
Custom bolt-in roll bar (removable)
K&N air filters on twin 1.5” SU carbs. Original air filters supplied.
Moto-Lita wood steering wheel
Carillo headlights
Amco period luggage rack (supplied)
Bonnet bra (supplied)
MSD ignition module (supplied)
E-brake lever chromed
Tonneau cover
Gear reduction starter
Thermostatically controlled electric cooling fan
New brake master cylinder
New 12 volt battery
New tires
New steering rack
New brake rotors and pads
New overdrive solenoid
Recent alternator
New front and rear wheel bearings
New driveshaft u-joints
Books and manuals
Car cover

Engine - Rebuilt in 1996

All reciprocating parts balanced,3 angle valve job, New pistons (.0040 oversized), Kent 714 cam (mild street grind)
Lightened flywheel, Rimflow valves, New oil pump

History

I purchased this car in 1983 and began a complete restoration that lasted seven years. During this time the car was stripped, media blasted, and a few small rust spots on the floor panels and boot floor were repaired. The sound sills and doglegs were then treated with Finnegan’s Waxoyl for protection against future corrosion. The car was painted in 1985, has been waxed regularly, and has always been garaged.

During the first five or six years after its restoration, the car was shown in concours events and won several awards at both regional and national levels. Most of the flaws in the paint from the 15 years the car has been on the road are only noticeable if you get down on your hands and knees. The car would still show well at a people’s choice concours.

If you’re interested in autocross, I have a Kirkey seat, five point harness, and Kumho’s mounted on authentic British MINILITE wheels (14x6 powder-coated black) available for separate purchase.

This car was selected by GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORTS Magazine as the best overall vintage roadster among the six cars (MGB, Triumph TR6, Lotus Elan, Datsun 2000, Mazda Miata, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia Zagato) tested in its March/April 1998 issue. In that article Publisher Suddard stated, “The car’s handling was impeccable on the autocross course, yet it was completely docile and comfortable around the paddock. We’ve never been big MGB fans, but we came away very impressed with this well-modified, well-restored, well-sorted little car.”

Fluid changes and maintenance have been attended to religiously throughout my ownership. The absence of time to care for it, and a Lotus that needs a paint job, dictate its sale. It’s now ready for someone else to cherish and enjoy.

The pictures on this one look good. He said we will need a truck for all of the extra parts he will give us.

Any last minute advice?

qbrozen

I'm voting on the '72. Its just a nice looking vehicle with some very tasteful add-ons and modifications.

That '68 was painted 21 years ago (by the way, why paint a car in year 2 of a 7-year resto? it doesn't make sense. so he continued doing heavy work on the vehicle AFTER paying for paint?)

british_rover

I agree go for the 72.

lemmer

We also prefer the '72, but are trying to keep open minds until we see them up close and drive them.

Mr_Shiftright

I think when you drive the '68 it's going to knock your teeth out when you hit a bump, judging from the specs.

Too radical and unnecessary. The best MGB is the one you don't mess around with (with a few rare exceptions).

qbrozen

hmmmm....
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/184120627.html

lemmer

Kinda makes you wonder what kind of things it needs...

I bet they aren't easy and inexpensive things.

Mr_Shiftright

Alfa might be okay if the "needs" aren't horrendous. Problem with these cars is finding someone who knows how to work on them. If you can nail that down, you can take a chance and have some cheap fun. But if you don't have a good wrench to work with, just forget it. You will be treated like the plague at most shops.

bumpy

What the heck is an "S-55"?

over market value

Comes with a sacrificial Camry.

Shiftright Special, but $20k???

If a first-gen Bronco's not manly enough for you.

Andre Special

drive it until it breaks

domestic minimalism

Shiftright Special, Part II

"Antique"? Nope, Andre Special Part II.

Fun, but how long does it take to swap a trunk lid? And what happened to the old motor?

I'm sure somebody wants this, but I can't imagine who.

stickguy

I would lean toward the blue one also, although I do like green!

If nothing else, it is a good bargaining chip. If Ebay died out in the mid 6's, offer him $7,500 (or whatever number sounds right to you) cash, and if he balks, mention the other one you are going to drive over to see.

british_rover

Cooper S there would need to be bought at about 2,000 to 2,500 less then what they are asknig to be worth while I think. I mean they hold their value but not that well. That one does not have the LSD option which was avaliable in 2005.

andre1969

is what the Marauder was before they called it "Marauder". My old car book only lists it as a separate model for 1966, when 669 convertibles and 2,916 fastback hardtop coupes were built. It came with a 345 hp 428, which was optional on other full-sized models.

The book mentions that the S-55 first came out in 1962 though. It's a fine line I guess, between an option package and a separate model.

As for that '81 Monte Carlo, this is a scary thought, but here in Maryland it would qualify for antique plates. :P I forgot that those older models had that dreadful woodgrain on the dash. My '86 just had black plastic trim that was kind of shiny, and gave it a bit of a futuristic look.

fintail

Shove-it survivor

"It has the V8/6/4 technology" - "technology" is being a bit nice

These things are coming out of the woodwork around here...5x overpriced probably

Late coupe

qbrozen

Actually, that somebody would be me. Depending on how good the new paint is and what the condition of the rest of the car is, I think having such an oddity as the Shelby Charger is worth $2k.
Mostly just because its a turbo and cranking up the power is simple and cheap (until the engine blows).

british_rover

Yup then rinse and repeat.

Mr_Shiftright

Hand-grenade engine. I'd keep a couple in the back yard as spares. First car made from recycled TV dinner trays???

I like the Cooper S but that interior is, as we say in the interior decorator world...busy, busy, busy!

british_rover

You think that interior is busy have you ever seen a Cooper S with the Lapis blue leather interior?

It looks nice at first but I think it would wear on you after a while.

Mr_Shiftright

I'm already suffering vertigo from the photos of the Cooper S you posted. First thing I'd do is paint everything flat black that I could get my hands on and maybe by a wood trim stick-on kit or something to break up that plumbing environment. I would feel like I'm driving a luxury bathroom.

fintail

Not many of these left

fintail

I think these have some kind of oddball following

ghulet

I like that Olds 98 quite a bit. Strangely, there's one almost exactly like it (sans vinyl top, but same color and body style) near me. The guy parks it on the street, which must be quite a challenge on the north side of Chicago.

Those Typhoons seem to be priced at about double what I'd ever dream of paying for one. Let's remember, after all, these are 15 year-old GM trucks, bottom line. I imagine it's not terribly easy to find model-specific parts for these, either.

Here are a couple from the 'my financial problems justify my asking top dollar' file:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/car/184867434.html

(I'm broke from paying parking tickets, so you should pay full retail for my Buick, even though it's banged up and has warm a/c).

http://chicago.craigslist.org/car/184857039.html

(I paid $1500 for a beat up, automatic, twenty year-old Corolla so now you should pay $1100?)

gsemike

2 words that should never be uttered together: Kia and Custom

Good move putting all this stuff into... a 98 Malibu?

Nice enough car but where did the 45,000 invested go?

Some cars have a better following but I think that this looks good for the money

british_rover

That 442 looks like a good buy for the money.

Mr_Shiftright

Wrong engine...if it's a 425 it's probably a lower HP out of a Delta 88 or some such. So wrong engine plus losing 50-60 HP, that's not so good for resale value. Asking price migh be very close to correct price. With original engine, closer to $15,000.

RE: '96 Buick Regal----hey, if his grandparents "never drove it", it should have no miles on it, right? :P

british_rover

Hmhh I just noticed something that 442 is an automatic. Didn't 442 stand for four barrel, four speed and dual exhaust or something like that?

ghulet

I think that was the drill, though I imagine at least half the '4-4-2s' were sold with automatics.

I'm wondering if that actually is a 'real' 4-4-2. I don't see any model insignias, and it's a two-door sedan, the variety that should cost the least. Also, the paint looks pretty amateur, then we have the aforementioned incorrect engine, aftermarket wheels and steering wheel, which I don't usually like on a 'collector' car. I think $8500 is probably about right.

steine13

Well, I talked to the guy on the phone, convinced myself he was who he said he was, and sent him a $300 money order. He sent me the keys, and everything was done a week after he placed the ad.
The truck is as advertised; the clutch master cylinder was indeed bad, but it started right up after sitting over two months.
Yesterday, I spent a very tense 3 miles driving it home across town... only had to stop once... left turn onto a busy street... to restart, I cranked the starter in first gear and bunny-hopped out into the intersection... thankfully, no cops in sight. It was pretty nerve-wracking.

Made it home with no problems; even hit 3rd gear along the way. It was like the movie "Speed": Keep it above 55! or, in my case, 3 mph.

Anyway, the Lord is kind and merciful and the master cyl was in stock at my favorite autozone. Installed it this morning, bled the system with my 7-year-old pumping the pedal, and wah-lah: By noon, I had me a running truck for $320 before title and tax.

The exhaust manifold is leaking and the thing is pretty loud... a few wheel studs have broken off... and the wife is lightly foaming at the mouth...("my daughter is not riding in this piece of crap...").
Other than that, no complaints :-)

-Mathias

Mr_Shiftright

oh c'mon wifey, that was a GREAT buy on your part! All you have to do now is know when to STOP fixing it. The exhaust manifold might just be a gasket, and if it's cracked they can be welded by someone who knows how to do cast iron.

Wheel studs are pretty easy fix, or just get a hub from the wreckers.