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

Mr_Shiftright

How 'bout it Lem--you got a nice car here, full disclosure, make him an offer.

andre1969

Heck, I'm almost tempted by that beautiful beast! This is one of those styles where I prefer the 4-door (still a true hardtop) to the coupe, but I love that color combination and the overall condition!

omarman

Saw a pic online of a 1976 Fleetwood for sale in that color and seller described it as "commodore blue."

kplacer

That's a really nice example of a car that isn't all that desirable otherwise -- just too big. But since it is so big, they are the last of their kind and therefore worth something to someone. Caddys of that era were starting to go downhill at that point in terms of quality and many did not hold up very well. They got even worse in the next generation -- for example, I notice yours has the headliner with bows and that it is still the way it is supposed to be, whereas a '77-up model would have the molded fuzzy cloth headliner that would be hanging down in sheets now. This seems a very well-kept example. I think the price you're thinking about is pretty much right.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, 1975 was definitely the tipping point for Cadillac--the beginning of its rapid decline into the dismal early 80s.

I certainly wouldn't turn down any real near offer---these days, you turn down a buyer and you might not see another for a long while.

andre1969

They got even worse in the next generation -- for example, I notice yours has the headliner with bows and that it is still the way it is supposed to be, whereas a '77-up model would have the molded fuzzy cloth headliner that would be hanging down in sheets now.

I think those 1-piece fabric headliners were a problem for everybody, and even to this day I'll see an occasional 2000+ car with a sagging headliner. With all the cars I've had with the 1-piece headliners, they'd last anywhere from 7 years (1980 Malibu) to 17 (1979 Newport). I have a '79 New Yorker that has a good headliner, but something about it looks like it's been replaced. It just has a cheap, sort of aftermarket look to it. At first I was thinking that maybe Chrysler was cheaping out, but then I remembered that the Newport's headliner was a nicer material.

In contrast, I've had a few cars with the sewn-in headliners, and the only one I ever had a problem with was a 1968 Dart. The thread came loose on one of the bows, and driving down the highway one day with all four windows open, and the aftermarket sunroof out, the thing just let go, billowed backward, and let loose with a bunch of insulation. The car was also 31 years old by that time, so not a total shock I guess.

I've never had one of those 1-piece headliners shred, though. Usually they'd just let go, and billow down like a big circus tent. On my Malibu, we just took some thin wood strips and wedged them up in there to hold the headliner back. It sort of gave the car that old look, where the hardtops would have the exposed chrome bows inside. But not quite as classy. :P

jlflemmons

It's always fun to see one of those one-piece headliners in a car with rust-through above the windshield. Get them up to highway speed where the air pressure builds up at the top of the windshield and "POP" goes the headliner.

Priceless.

qbrozen

Well, we'll see on the shocks. If it makes it worse, I can just put the stockers back in. I asked my pop since, yeah, I know nothing about these or how they should ride, and he said it should be soft, but it shouldn't continue bouncing 4-5 times after the initial shock, like this car is currently doing.

Yes, I admit I cheaped out. I ordered the bottom of the 2 levels offered by Monroe. For one, I didn't want to stiffen the ride, and for another, I'm not keeping it.
Kinda like how, if selling/trading a car that needs tires, you don't go buyin Michelins.


$1500 difference for AC? That makes me want to fix it even more. I could replace the entire system for like $500 and probably 6 or so hours of my time. So, yeah, you are right, that's like $1500-$2k retail, but since I'm the shop...

Then again... its not even my car, so I don't know what the hell I'm thinkin. Alright, ya know what, I'm just going to list the darned thing.

Unless Lem wants to stop me..... :P

fintail

Actually, if I wanted a late land yacht, I'd be interested in that one too. The color combo is much better than most, condition looks very good, and for around 5K, it might be hard to beat.

texases

How big a problem is the R12? You wouldn't convert it, right?

qbrozen

I would. Its no problem putting R134 into older systems as long as you use the right oil. Back when it first came out, there were rumors of needing to change hoses and seals, but that wasn't the case. You do, however, use less R134 in the system. So, for example, the Caddy calls for 3.75 lbs of R12, so we would use just 3 lbs of R134.

omarman

If it were mine I'd take it to a reliable shop and stick with the R12. GM A/C was strong and ICE COLD in those dinosaur days. :shades:

And latest news is that 134a is on the way out now. GM announced it will begin using HFO-1234yf in 3 years.

tjc78

I had a system that was converted over to R134 from R12. It worked just fine. Granted it was an 89 Town Car that had good A/C to begin with. The older cars with those monster compressors seem to handle the conversion just fine.

As for fixing the A/C on the Caddy, I think I would . People looking for a car like this would like cold A/C. Its not a sports car or convertible.

Another reason is, with A/C as a buyer you never really know whats wrong. As we all talk about here when a seller says "the A/C just needs a charge".....

Q, beautiful car! If I wasn't more of a Lincoln guy I would probably be all over that. Looks to be in beautiful shape!

qbrozen

I'm on the fence about the AC.

On one hand, I agree, its a Caddy. Its supposed to be luxury. AC is part of the deal.

On the other hand, I'm going to list it for $5900 as is or, if I fix the AC, $6900. I would think my buying pool on a $5k car is much larger.

By the way, I found out my FIL and his brother paid $4750 for it 6 years ago.

tjc78

you are most likely right in that 5K may be a sweet spot for that car. Heck, put it up and if you get no bites tinker with the A/C and maybe you'll get lucky its just the one part then an evac and recharge.

Will it even hold a charge now? Maybe you could convert it and charge it to keep it cold till you sell it?

Mr_Shiftright

The problem with fixing the AC is that once you tear into it, you're committed to either going forward (I don't think getting that evaporator out of there is going to be fun) or, finding out that the evap didn't do the trick, backing up and spending $500 for nothing.

Yeah, they DO bounce 4 or 5 times, even stock. They have utterly uncontrollable handling characteristics on anything other than a nice flat surface.

But I do agree with you 100%---if you're selling a car, you don't put in premium parts---so maybe the shocks aren't such a bad idea---all I'm saying is don't be disappointed if you notice little difference when you're done. Consider it an inexpensive experiment. If I could drive the car, I could give you better advice.

I'd rather you threw the $100 shock dice than the $500++++ AC dice.

andre1969

Yeah, they DO bounce 4 or 5 times, even stock. They have utterly uncontrollable handling characteristics on anything other than a nice flat surface.

Really? :confuse: I've NEVER had a car bounce like that, even when it needed shocks! I've always thought that if a car bounces more than once, maybe twice if it's a really bad bump, then it had a problem. Or, if it just does one or two bounces, but they seem a little extra extreme and uncontrolled.

I've also never had a 70's Cadillac though, so maybe they're supposed to bounce like that? My buddy's '78 Mark V has sort of a numb, disconnected feeling about it, and it will wallow in the turns and the bounces are more extreme than I'm used to, but it won't bounce repeatedly. Now his old junky one, the one that threw a rod, seemed to bounce a little more. I rode in the back seat of it a couple times, and it was really noticeable back there. Suddenly I understood how these old cars could make someone seasick.

Mr_Shiftright

Well this is a subjective assessment----"bounce" is not very scientific---but I have driven low mileage mid 70s Caddies and this seems to be about the way they are. Once you get used to it, and compensate for it in the way you drive, it's not so bad. The idea is to *never* press the gas or stomp the brakes when the car isn't in a straight line---and use a gradual brake pedal, and allow a time lapse between what your steering wheel does and what your tires do.

We all joke about how old Caddy drivers are going so slowly---well, that's for a reason and it's not just about the drivers age. A Matson container ship is not an Italian cigarette boat either.

tjc78

The idea is to *never* press the gas or stomp the brakes when the car isn't in a straight line

C'mon.. that takes all the fun out of driving an old boat! :P

qbrozen

What do you think?

i know, i know, I probably went into too much detail, as usual. BUT, I can say it was all that detail that sold my Z.

kplacer

I think it's a great ad. Jersey Shore CL? Maybe Snooki will buy it.

The more I look at it the more I think that's actually pretty short money for such a unique car in such good condition. If I had the space to keep something like that I might be tempted.

Is that a silver '85 MR2 I see in the background? Reminds me of one I used to own.

qbrozen

Gold actually.
That is my current autoX toy. only 95k miles. The guys who bought the 300Z were drooling over that, too. Told them they are about 3rd in line of people I need to call if I want to sell it.

lemko

I had a 1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille in Georgian Silver with a dark blue top and dark blue leather interior many years ago. I sold it to a friend of my Dad's in 1993 when the car started nickle and diming me here and there.

kplacer

Yeah, it looks like it just puked the contents of its radiator all over the street... :surprise:

lemko

Actually, that is a stain from an oil spill from my Dad's 1981 Thunderbird! Dad was kind of sloppy when he did oil changes! :P

xwesx

Yeah, my experience is that these are very "floaty" cars; I wouldn't call them bouncy like, say, a '90s econo-box with bad struts, but they certainly do not have a "one bounce" behavior that would characterize most vehicles. Even on a gravel road full of pot holes, the ride inside is not going to feel too much different than a typical asphalt surface because once that suspension gets moving, it just keeps going.... :surprise:

explorerx4

if you do fix the a/c, put something in your ad like 'a/c is cold enough to keep the bodies in trunk cool'.

explorerx4

pretty awesome color for the new Camaro.
How about some old school dark green?

door #1

door #2

door #3

xwesx

I love that green on the car behind door #1. That is the same color as my '76 F250.

Speaking of that truck, I just purchased a '73 F250 (2WD) to cannibalize the engine (390) and bed. The '76 is so rusty that there isn't much left of its bed. Unfortunately, the "parts truck" is orange, so I think I will have to employ the use of some rattle cans before I mount that bed on the frame of the '76.

explorerx4

if you want to get 'artsy', maybe you could work the paint to make it seem like the orange is some sort of flame effect towards the back of the bed.

xwesx

Hahahaha, that could certainly draw the eye away from the rusted holes elsewhere on the truck, but I don't have an "artsy" bone in my body. Knowing me, if I tried something like that someone would stop me and scream, "Your truck is on fire!!!" I would reply, "No it's not," to which the other person would say, "No? Well, then, it's burning my eyes!" :sick:

Mr_Shiftright

Oh man, rattle cans will take you FOREVER to paint an entire bed. Why don't you get yourself some really good marine enamel and a high quality paint brush? You'd be surprised how good it would look from 5 feet away if you take your time with it.

xwesx

I'll look into it; thanks for the suggestion! I was just thinking about doing the outside of the bed, which has a lot less metal than the inside, but yeah, it would be a fair number of hours.

I don't want to dump a ton of money into this thing, I just want running and usable. Unfortunately, I just don't think green and orange is a color combination I could stomach for very long.... :sick:

srs_49

I love that green on the car behind door #1. That is the same color as my '76 F250

Looks like the same color my '69 Z-28 was, though I though it was called Forest Green.

xwesx

Your guess is as good as mine. I always refer to that shade as "forest green" as well. You know these manufacturers though - they always have to come up with some "snappy" name for a color! :P

michaellno

Unfortunately, I just don't think green and orange is a color combination I could stomach for very long....

Good grief, Charlie Brown! It's the Great Pumpkin!

xwesx

I'll be sure to share some photos as I get it cobbled together.

andre1969

I think that dark green on the Camaro might be "Fathom Green Poly"?

http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1969-chevrolet-pg01.jpg

Nice color. My grandparents had a '72 Impala that was a color I always called "Forest Green". Chevy and Olds called it "Sequoia", while Pontiac called it "Wilderness Green" and Buick called it "Hunter Green". Funny how they'd often call the exact same color 3-4 different names. I guess they had to keep the marketing people employed!

tjc78

Funny how they'd often call the exact same color 3-4 different names

Well they called the same car 4 different names.... why stop there :P

xwesx

Hahahah; true enough!

That is a nice website, Andre. Amazingly, my '69 C20's yellow is called... wait for it.... Yellow! B-O-R-I-N-G :P

I suspect the color on the '76 Ford is officially "Hatteras Green Poly," but it is tough to tell for sure on those scanned images.

tjc78

Those paint charts are great. Its amazing how many choices you had back then.

Today we get black, white, silver, dk grey, red, burgundy, some funky blue and some funky green, with black, grey or beige interiors.

texases

It's even worse with some cars: Talk about BORING colors for a pretty exciting car (M37)

xwesx

Yeah, decent reds, greens, and blues are becoming harder and harder to come by... and all those flamboyant colors? Forget about them!

bhill2

On my dad's '64 Rambler it was called "Sherwood Green". Why I remember that is something I will have to discuss with my therapist.

fintail

I still remember the "Medium Regatta Blue" of our 1985 Tempo...I think that requires therapy too.

tjc78

I think that requires therapy too.

I may have you beat. I recently have gotten into having a brochure for every car I have owned. Some I have from when I bought them, others acquired. I am down to two I need. One is for a 93 Taurus and the other is for a 99 S10 (still own that). Now, I just find it sad that when I am bored one day I will search Ebay for these and spend $10 just to say I have it.

Of course knowing that my 89 Grand Marquis was not just burgundy but Medium Cabernet (and my exact car was in the brochure) is priceless

lemko

My 1994 Cadillac DeVille was a beautiful shade of dark red metallic called Carmine Red.

andre1969

My 2000 Park Ave is a shade called baby-shi-er...I mean, "Light Bronzemist Metallic" :P

Actually, it's not a bad color. I never really liked brown cars, but I guess it's light enough that it can pass for driftwood or champagne.

My 2000 Intrepid was a much less elaborately labeled "Bright Silver Metallic Clearcoat".

toomanyfumes

I had a '70 Gremlin that was a baby blue. (Other than the 40% of the car that was rust.) AMC called it Big Bad Blue.

fintail

I've also had brochures for all my cars, but usually thrown them in when the car was sold...seems to wow the prospective buyer.

Fintail - "bright blue", W126 - "diamond blue", C43 - "brilliant silver", E55 - "tectite grey". I don't know the color name for my 66 Galaxie, but I suspect it was "midnite blue" or similar.