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

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Comments

  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,432
    Nicest brown 79 Z 28 One place says 3 grand, the other 30 grand. Someplace around the middle is well more than enough

    Same guy Apparently he has no idea the market for these cars no matter how nice he kept it. You can get a nice 2002 Vette for less than 30

    If this will pass inspection, you could do worse for a beater car

    Nice car I think that this is reasonable

    This 57 Chevy has been here for months I think he started asking in the high 30s

    Nice survivor Maybe a little expensive given the configuration

    This looks pretty good I always liked the idea of having one of these for a third car

    This guy has a deluded opinion of what it means for the Solara to be off the market It's not a collectible now

    Good first car?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    The 57 Chevy is cool for its preservation...price has to be fantasy, kind of a brutal color combo too.

    It is a blessing that the Solara was axed. What an ugly thing.
  • ryan77300dryan77300d Member Posts: 64
    What is fintail's opinion on the W126?

    I'm in the market for another Merc, and would love a 380se-500se, but I'd like to know a little more about them. Post 1985, Mercedes went to a dual row timing chain in the V8, as I understand it, so a 1985-1991 would be ideal.

    Thanks!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    W126 are fantastic cars, but be sure to buy them cheap as maintenance can be complex and parts are not cheap. Also seek one with the best cosmetics possible (if you are OCD about paint and interior as I am), as the cars were very well made, and OEM quality paint and interior would be cost prohibitive today. I would recommend a post-1985 car unless you somehow found a pristine Euro 500 series car, or an early AMG car.

    The 380 series cars were replaced by the 420 series cars in 1986. 500SE never made it to NA as an official import, but 500SEL did for MY 1984-85 if I am not mistaken. These cars were pretty detuned compared to their Euro counterparts, and holding out for a 560 is a good idea if you want the power. I think the USA/Canada lineup was 300SD from 81-85, 300SDL from 86-87, 300SE/L from 88-91, 350SD/SDL from 90-91 (?) 380SEL from 81-83, 380SE from 84-85, 420SEL from 86-91, 500SEL from 84-85, 560SEL from 86-91. I might be a little off on a model or two. Every LWB configuration for NA was offered in SWB for Europe along with LWB.

    If you don't care about performance, seek out a 300SE/L which were sold from 88-91. The I6 is much easier to care for compared to the V8s of that period, according to everyone I've spoken to...although it needs to be revved a little, so you won't get much economy gain. For a V8, a post 85 car is best. Prices are getting so low now that a late car shouldn't cost much more than an early car.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    '77 Rolls: fin, hand me my 5-shot Winchester pump shotgun will you? We gotta stop this car before it kills again.

    RE: 273 vs. 318

    Look on the front face of the left(driver's side) cylinder head. Clean it off (the part that faces the radiator). It should say the CID right on there.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,432
    How many of those Subies could have come with those options? that's got to be unusual
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    I'm not so crazy about the color on this one, but could deal with it I guess. I like the extra gauges and buckets and console shift, though. Seat pattern doesn't look right though, so I wonder what the seats came out of? It actually doesn't look bad in the pictures, IMO, but I wonder how much of a rat it really is?

    I like the picture of it parked out by the swimming pool. Real classy. :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    A 70s Pontiac in is natural habitat! :P
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    I don't think that MB had floormats like that back in 79. I don't think they got an emblem or a name until the late 80s. They could be OEM, but not of the period.

    The Celebrity...now we know why Camcords are so big. I even hate the typeface. It's funny, when I was a kid we had a Ciera, which of course is just a clone...but it seemed a lot better than that.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    A 70s Pontiac in is natural habitat!

    Yeah, they tend to prefer rural habitats with lots of trees. And a few dilapidated buildings definitely adds to the ambience! :shades:
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    I think the Ciera was just much more tastefully done in general, than the Celebrity. IIRC, the dash was more integrated than that awful slab with the gauges slapped on that they used for the Celebrity, and the Ciera just seemed to have much less in the way of plastic.

    Those strip speedometers, when they're pressed for space and have to use a short needle, look really awful the way they compress the midrange numbers together. My Dart and Catalina have strip speedos, but the base of the needle is buried well below the face of the speedo. As a result, it can sweep further, so they don't have to compress the numbers nearly as bad.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    As for that '83 Diplomat, been there, done that, got the T-shirt. I've heard that for M-body copcar afficionados, the 1984 is actually the one to have. That year, they changed the first and second gear ratios in the transmission to make it quicker. And 1984 was the last year for the Carter Thermoquad 4-bbl carb. They switched to a Rochester quadrajet in 1985, which had more hp, 175 versus 165, but it was peakier and didn't have as broad of a torque curve.

    My '89 Gran Fury copcar was okay, I guess, but not one of my favorite cars. It actually felt bigger and more ponderous than its dimensions let on. My '79 New Yorkers are about a foot and a half longer and around 6" more in the wheelbase, but I swear they feel more maneuverable. The driving position also wasn't so hot. Legroom was excellent, but the steering wheel was too close for my tastes. That thing was also a mess under the hood. Vacuum hoses and wires everywhere, and the engine bay was pretty tight, as well. They actually had to put an indentation in the cowl to make room for the distributor, which is jammed up right against it. And good lord was that thing a guzzler! Around 11-13 around town, and it demanded premium! Suprisingly though, I actually got 20-22 on the highway. I thought that was pretty impressive, considering its EPA rating was 13/15. :sick:
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,158
    Yes, those floormats are aftermarket, didn't Beverly Hills Motor Accessories (or some such) make a living off those for a while?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    I don't recall the Ciera having that awful typeface anyway...I'd remember that. I think we only had that car until I was 9 or so, but I remember it clearly. It seemed pretty plush, it was quiet, I don't remember it ever breaking down, it had good AC, and it had fake wire wheel hubcaps with whitewall tires, which seemed kind of goofy to me even at that age. It was replaced with a Taurus, which of course seemed like a spaceship in comparison.

    My Galaxie had a strip speedometer, I don't remember it being too bad, and it had a nice 60s typeface. Fintails also have kind of a strip speedometer....but...it's vertical!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    I think some places still sell those, some of them are more tasteful than others. MB does make similar looking mats, and they can be ordered from any dealer even for long discontinued cars. My W126 still had the original mats, which were marked '300SE' in largeish type. Both of my AMG cars have had factory mats too, with the model name embroidered in smaller letters.
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    Our '87 actually had the optional rally pac gauges with the smaller round speedo, tach, oil, fuel, and temp guages. Very nicely lit, also, with soft blue backlighting and bright red indicators.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,158
    That Honey Bee - took me a long time to take Datsuns (except Zs, of course) seriously after that, the reliable car you wish would die...of course, I new some folks who loved it for the mpgs and the reliability.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Volvo 445 wagon: Well at least they got rid of the B16 engine, which liked to break crankshafts with alarming regularity, but still there is an enormous amount of work here for a car that is a curiosity at best. You'd have to be a real Volvo nut to take this one on even for FREE. Maybe as therapy for a mentally deranged person to get back on his feet? Maybe someone in Sweden would tackle it? Price is silly. Try $1,500.

    Datsun Honey Bee: "it will continue to go up in value" UH...yeah, in your head. This was not much of a car when new. That fact that it is not even listed in any of the 6 price guides I have---is not a good sign.

    I'd say price it like a nice old used car...maybe $2,000?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well it is TRUE that 1987 was a good year for the XJ6, but of course "good" is a relative term, as in two broken legs are "good" compared to a heart attack.

    Another automotive grenade with the pin jiggling loose every mile you drive.

    80 MPH in first gear! LOL! Where DO these people come up with this stuff?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    You don't think it can do 80 in 1st? :P

    Dual tanks are also bad sign. The XJ6 - compact interior room with fullsize truck fuel economy.
  • fortee9erfortee9er Member Posts: 134
    Lately I've been thinking about getting a Corvette - 1968-69 big block, 4spd, convertible - to be specific. What is a realistic price for a complete, numbers correct, non-running "project" car?
    Thanks
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The dual tanks love to rot out at the bottom, which requires removal of most of the back end of the car to get them out. Ditto the rear brake rotors, which require dropping down the differential and rear suspension.

    Nice. Real nice. Enjoy your $20,000 two-thousand dollar Jaguar.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    Well, it'll do 80 in first gear if you're looking at the correct range on the speedometer. 80 km/h is about 50 mph, isn't it? ;)

    I remember one car show that Grbeck, Lemko, and I went to, in the car corral, they had a '76 or so Jag XJ6 sedan parked next to a '74 New Yorker...about as opposite end of the spectrum as you can get when it comes to luxury cars of that era. I like the looks of both of them, in their own way. However, I tried sitting in the Jag, and I swear, it felt like trying to squeeze into a pair of pants that were too small. These things are TINY inside! The huge transmission hump also takes up a lot of foot room, forcing you to squeeze your legs together. But then, there's not a whole lot of room to stretch your legs out, either.

    In comparison, when I sat in the Chrysler, I almost felt like a little kid. Seat went back so far I could barely touch the pedals, armrest almost too far away, etc.

    Shame you couldn't combine the best attributes of both, somehow. The handling of the Jag with the roominess of the Chrysler. I wonder which would get worse fuel economy, the Jag's inline-6 or the Chrysler's 440 V-8? And performance was choked down enough on both of 'em that I imagine it would be a dead heat in a drag race.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The dual tanks love to rot out at the bottom, which requires removal of most of the back end of the car to get them out. Ditto the rear brake rotors, which require dropping down the differential and rear suspension.

    Nice. Real nice. Here's to your $20,000 two-thousand dollar Jaguar.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,158
    I'm no expert, but I always take a look at 'completed items' on Ebay. Not many project car '68-'69 big block matching # converts out there, so it could be pricey...$20k? more??
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    From what I understand, even the current XJ isn't especially roomy, especially in standard form. Back in the 90s a friend of the family had a late model XJ...I am only 6'1", but I felt crammed into it too. The back seat was a joke. The car was also pre-Ford, and had endless electrical issues. They dumped it when it was a few years old for a fraction of what they originally paid. It's amazing any British car companies survived.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The BMW 740 had over 200K miles. Why on earth buy a car like that for anything but maybe $3,000? Sounds like he paid $6K, which was not far off retail. Sunk another $4K into it, sells it for $2K, so he's out a cool $8,000. Poor guy.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    Spend 10K, get 2K 1 year later. You've gotta try hard to get a deal like that.

    Just the thing for dealing with SUV drivers who think they can menace...
  • jlflemmonsjlflemmons Member Posts: 2,242
    For a VW van with 185K miles? Must be buckets of gold in the back of that POS.
  • stevedebistevedebi Member Posts: 4,098
    If that tank is "Fully driving", why is there a tow cable attached to the front?
  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    They dad to of missed placed the decimal. I know Vanagons have their cult following, and biodiesel has their cult, but the two together does not equal $29k..
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,158
    Yeah, they're nuts, but remember this is also a Westfalia, and those have an even nuttier following. But I would fear driving that one in any kind of traffic - the combination of small diesel with high weight - hello, 240D!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    I bet a 240D could dust that thing. If one is going to do a Vanagon engine conversion, at least do one of the WRX jobs that seem to be popular.

    very now and then a Westy Vanagon pops up here for 20K+. I bet they'd want 30+ for a Syncro.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    Well, it is a Russian tank...running might be a relative term
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Asking prices are part of the precious heritage of our First Amendment Rights. :P
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    This is interesting (well, to me anyway) - it's a real Euro W124, VIN decodes to German delivery, pics show it has tex and the Euro climate control. I wonder how it got to NA. VIN also shows it has a cat from factory, maybe this was enough?
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    You'd at least think he would double-check the model year in the header, if not the correct spelling of "Mercedes."
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    Pretty typical for the average CL user around here :sick:

    And a friend for Andre's 76 Pontiac
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    That '76 Cutlass Supreme is a pretty car, although one little detail I never cared for was the Olds dash with those round HVAC vents. IIRC, didn't they change the dash slightly for 1977?

    I also wonder how strong the 350 tranny would be up against a 455 V-8? I know the hp was well down on these engines, but torque is what tends to shred trannies, and I doubt if that dropped much. Still, the 350 was a pretty sturdy tranny.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,432
    Wouldn't a 455 be extremely extremly unusual in that car? Since it's supposedly the original engine I bet if you look close enough it's a 350 4 barrel. Still, I always liked those cars and that one looks good.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    A 455 would've been rare, but not out of the question. They were available. However, according to my old car book, it was a choked down 195 hp 455. There was a 215 hp 455 offered, but only in the Toronado.

    The Olds 350-4bbl put out 170 hp that year. I wonder if the extra power of the 455 would have been enough to offset the added weight of the engine, not to mention extra drag of a 400 turbo tranny, versus the 350 turbo? I'd also imagine that the 455 had a bigger rear end, brakes, etc, which would've added weight and sapped power.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    If I recall correctly, my 1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille had the 400 tranny mated to the 500 cid V-8.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,639
    This old beast is pretty miled-up Kind of a shame as its a nice color
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