Interesting looking car, although the ad copy leave me a little suspicious (and the car coming via FL and Canada) and some cosmetic details are odd. It also does not appear to be an AMG, but would be cheaper for that. I'd want a car with full history and original provenance - real widebody 126 conversions were 100K++ cars when new and good ones should be looked after.
What appears to be a 500E is more interesting than the 108/109 - I've already got an oldie.
I find it amusing to get the free car rags when I travel. Lots of little old lady kind of used cars out here in far eastern WA, although some want the moon for them.
I have had pretty good luck with their tools, but I'm not a professional. I have a compressor that's 5-6 years old, an angle grinder and a few other power tools from them, but they get just occasional use.
They're probably not the best choice for production work. But don't kid yourself, everything is made in China today. Harbor Freight is just up-front about it.
For the shadetree mechanic that doesn't make a living with their tools Harbor Freight isn't that bad. I'm thinking about getting one of their cheapo air compressors. It will get used a few times a year at most.
The one that sees the most use is a bench grinder. It is one of the compact ones. It has done a good job, it can spin at very high rpms although it is not very torquey, but I certainly knew that before buying.
We also have a foldaway utility trailer from them. No problems with it. I even hauled my dad's John Deer tractor with it. I think the minivan was less happy about that than the trailer.
That said, I wouldn't count on something like sockets or a torque wrench from there.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Must have been kept under cover for sure - as the 1 owner 92 Corsica with under 100K on it that a kid here was gifted shows every day it spent outside in the sun. 2K, almost too cheap, even if it is old. Andre needs another truck.
I bought a couple of their cheap-o socket sets for our car emergency kits but have never used them.
The HF tarps are great, and their moving blankets are a steal (also great for winter emergency kits). I even know a guy who bought a HF 110V mig welder for $99 and swears by it. I also know several people who have their solar power setup.
No, Andre does not! In fact, Andre needs to get rid of a truck. Almost did last Friday, in fact. I posted it elsewhere, but here's a re-paste. My apologies to anyone who's already waded through it...
I drove into DC on Friday, taking my '85 Silverado. Well, it started overheating, with steam from the coolant billowing out from under the hood. But I was past the point of no return, so I kept driving, figuring I'd worry about it once I got there.
Anyway, I get to within about 1000 feet of where I'm going, and it finally stalled out. I had just enough momentum to get out of the lane, but was in a no parking zone. That's where I popped the hood and saw that the upper radiator hose had popped loose from the thermostat housing, and didn't look too healthy in general.
Well, the truck cooled down a bit and I got it re-started. Found a proper parking space, but it stalled again as I was backing in. It was sticking out about three feet into the lane, blocking traffic. I called my friend to come out and try to help push it, and we almost got it in the spot, when I hear a siren. A fire chief's Suburban came by, and stopped. Then a fire engine. Then another one. Then a hook and ladder. I didn't think anything of it until one of the firemen threw the hose off the truck and came running towards me, and looked like he was aiming the sucker at me!
I hollered at him "You're not about to spray that thing at ME, are you?!" and he nodded his head yes. That's when I hollered that it just overheated, it's coolant steam! And then, almost to add insult to injury, I opened the door, turned the key, and it started right up and I was able to finish parking it!
I guess on one hand, it's good the fire department is that responsive. But seriously, a hook and ladder, when there wasn't anything over three stories within eyeshot? That was a bit of overkill.
Oh, and the really stupid thing...I actually had a new radiator hose in the cab behind the seat. I had bought it about two years ago when I had the water pump replaced, thinking I'd just put it on myself. But then forgot about it. Oops.
So, I was able to put the new hose on, fill the radiator back up, and got home without incident. Hopefully, no permanent damage done. And, I guess, don't try that with a modern vehicle...I dunno if the aluminum/alloy engines of today would tolerate that abuse. If my Park Ave or my Ram did something like this, I would've shut it off immediately and had the sucker towed.
I remember when I was based in Orlando, I was sitting in a restaurant eating when these fire trucks came roaring onto the parking light with lights and sirens. I'm looking around and don't smell any smoke, and other customers seemed pretty nonplussed. Turns out in that town the fire dept. responds to vehicle lockouts. I guess it gives the trucks a chance to get some workouts everyday.
Yeah, in retrospect it was kinda funny, but I'll admit I was sweating bullets, until I finally got that truck safely home. Going into DC again tomorrow, but I'm not taking any chances. I'm driving the Ram this time!
I just came across something decent, at a small town used car lot near my mother's house. This 83 Park Ave - it looked nice so I stopped to check it out. 65K miles, very clean and straight, spotless inside, unusual touch panel HVAC, 305, they want 3K for it. I am sure it could be had for a little less. Seems like a bargain, would look good with Buick rallye wheels:
Need a car andre or lemko or anyone else? I'd almost consider this thing if I needed another mouth to feed and had a place to put it.
Looks very nice, and those are good cars. But I would worry about that touch-pad HVAC system. My '79 Park Avenue had the usual levers and knobs of the time to control it's Auto-Temp A/c and it would go haywire sometimes in certain conditions. Just like the variable-speed wipers that would conspire with the washer pump sometimes to do its own thing. And mine was a low-mile car, about half of what this one has. 30 year-old GM electronics are a bit dicey.
I was thinking it was the kind of car someone would want 4-5K for. I'd say it was in excellent cosmetic condition, but I didn't hear it run. Obviously garaged and not abused, the interior was pristine, even the plastic-chrome was as-new , and the plood door caps and door panels perfect.
I should have started it to see if the touch panel even functioned. I assumed that was an optional item. It only had AM-FM radio and no moonroof, but it did have what must have been the optional leather.
I don't think anyone would pay $5K for it. The people who want a car like that don't want to pay much for it, and the people with $5K can buy something more interesting.
My grandmother's '85 LeSabre had a touchpad for the HVAC, but it was a different setup. It never had any issues, but it was only 17 years old when we finally got rid of it. Interesting, that they'd go through the effort to change the display between the two years.
IIRC, the touchpad came with the 4-season automatic air conditioner, while the regular a/c just had the levers. In 1985 at least, I think a/c was around a $750 option, and the 4-season a/c added another $150 to that.
After getting used to the knobs and buttons on today's cars those GM levers, like what's in my '76 LeMans and '85 Silverado, feel so fragile. But, they've never broken on me. I guess you have to give GM credit, to be able to engineer something that feels so flimsy, yet lasts so long!
As for that '83 Electra Park Ave, that is one sweet looking car. I'm trying to swear off white cars, as well as beige/creme/pale yellow, and here this car is white with a beige interior! Despite that, it's tempting! Wonder if it would make the trip back here to Maryland without issue? I think my AAA is only good for 99 miles! I'd imagine shipping wouldn't be cheap...
Well between gas and motels that wouldn't be cheap either. Either way you have to be in for $1200+ to ship or drive cross country, and more if you want closed transport. Unless it was the car/color of your dreams, it doesn't seem worth it at the asking price.
Yeah, I imagine just the gasoline to get back here would be around $600. Plus, I'd have to get out there, so there would be a plane ticket to throw into the mix.
Once upon a time I would've just taken a chance and slept at a rest area, parking lot or whatever, but I guess those innocent days are long since gone.
One way to look at it I guess, would be to make a little vacation out of the ordeal. Fly out, and drive back at my own pace, seeing the sights along the way. Provided the car doesn't act up, that is. Even though it looks nice, it's still 30 years old!
Personally, I think my "dream" Electra from that era would be a 1980, fully-loaded, in either a blue or nice green, and with the 350. I like the styling of the '80-84 better than the '77-79. However, I like the fact that you could get a 403 those first three years. In '80 the biggest engine was a 350...Buick unit in the 49 states, Olds in Cali/high-altitude. From '81-84, the biggest was the Olds 307.
Still, I drove a '79 Bonneville once, with the Buick 350, and it didn't feel all that fast. So I imagine a heavier '80 Electra would have been even slower.
It would probably make it but you'd have to invest in a safety check, etc--especially tires, hoses, belts.
My method works like this: You drive the living hell out of it for 50 miles and if it doesn't blow up, blow out, leak, sputter, die, protest, catch fire, spew smoke, start howling, flash warning lights or peg any gauges----point 'er East and go for it!
Oh, it's a 307? I just found the sticker on the front of the engine bay that said "5 liter" and guessed it was a 305. I forgot about the Olds 307, an engine size I associate with late 60s Chevies. The person running the lot (middle aged woman, who is running it herself, I think) had no idea about the engine size.
Shipping it would be steep, but maybe better than driving it. The car had Michelins on it, while far from worn out or rotten, were also far from new. So that might be a risk too.
For some reason, I liked that car. I got a good vibe from it. It was very honest - not detailed or shined up, but still very clean. I probably should have started it up just for kicks, as it was a pain in the butt for me to get there, as I scraped the bottom of my front bumper on a poorly designed street transition pulling in. The Buick had obviously been garaged and cared for - and definitely a local car as it had no sun damage. Something else I noticed was the door detents were still firm. An afternoon of detailing and a little spent on some wheels/tires/consumables, and it would fare well at local GM show and shine kind of events. I think that car would be pretty stunning in a silvery blue or jade green, both of which I think existed at the time.
I guess if you want an old oil-burner, this is the one to buy. Seems like a very nice car, although you can tell it's been detailed. Price is way over 'book' but if it's as advertised, no harm done at all, given the low miles. I'd give $4000 for it but for $7000 ++ you can buy some nice used BMWs that you'd use every day.
Yeah, it's a 307. By that time, I believe a 4.1/252 Buick V-6 was standard, and the 307 was optional. However, I don't know if it's possible any 305's ever went in these cars? For instance, I wonder if a Canadian Electra might have had a chance of getting a 305? And where you're at, I'm sure you see Canadian cars from time to time.
Anyway, the quickest way I've found to tell a 307 from a 305 is the oil filler. On the 305, it's on one of the valve covers...passenger side I think (I should know this, since my Silverado has a 305) but I think I've seen some on the driver's side as well. The 307 has a tall filler tube near the front of the engine, near the alternator. And if I zoom in on that pic you took of the engine, I can barely see the cap.
That car would be awesome to see at something like the local GM show we have in Carlisle, PA. That show is mostly Camaros and Chevelles. Not much in the way of bigger cars, although lately it seems the big Pontiacs have been having a good turnout. Very few big Buicks or Oldsmobiles, though.
I guess that Electra is a sign of some of the things that were going wrong with GM at the time. It, and the Olds Ninety-Eight, IMO, were much better cars to have than a Caddy DeVille! Even if the Caddy had the prestige, it was stuck with the tiny, unreliable 125 hp 4.1 V-8. Even though the Electra/98 technically came standard with the 4.1 V-6, the vast majority used the 307. In fact, at some point I think Olds might have gone ahead and made the 307 standard. Unless that was the Toronado?
Oh, and if that car was jade green, I think I'd be booking a flight right about now, and hitting you up with directions on how to get to that lot!
No surprise here, but I'd rock that Buick in a minute! My Grandfathers 85 Riv had the touch panel, but like you mentioned it was certainly different. I don't think I'd seen an earlier model with it.
My '79 Park Avenue had a 403 and it wasn't even close to fast. The 403 put out under 200 hp, and combine that with a power-hungry TH400 and a ridiculously low numerically rear axle ratio and you not going to be burning much rubber. It was at its best on the expressway.
I always found the emissions-era Buick 350s to be real slugs. Whatever they did to clean the, up really sapped much of their power.
I drove a early 80s 98 with the 307 once and it didn't seem all that much worse than my 403 Park Avenue in the driving I did.
I dated a girl for awhile, who drove an Olds 98 with the 403. Can't remember if it was a '78 or '79 though. My guess is the standard axle was a 2.41:1, but I'd imagine there were optional ratios. Anyway, hers seemed decently quick. Back then, at least. I'm sure if I had to drive it today it would feel like a dog.
The '79 Bonneville I drove once had a Buick 350. Apparently the Pontiac 350 was gone by that time for the most part, although I think there was still an HO version for the Trans Am. So 350 Pontiacs got either the Buick unit, or the Olds unit in CA/high altitude areas. I think the Buick 350 had 155 hp by then.
One reason I passed on that '79 Bonneville was the slow-factor. It didn't feel any faster than my Grandmother's '85 LeSabre 307, and was definitely slower than the '89 Gran Fury copcar I was driving at the time.
Nowadays, the only reference points I have from that era are my '76 LeMans, which has a Pontiac 350-4bbl and a 2.41:1 axle, and my two '79 New Yorkers, which use the 360-2bbl and a 2.45:1 axle. Both are similar weight, 3850 base for the NYers, 3870 for the LeMans. The 360 has 150 hp and the 350 has 165 or 175, depending on what source you want to believe. From, say, 0-60 or so, the 360's are quicker than the Pontiac, but then the Pontiac seems to do better at higher speeds. That's probably the 2-bbl versus 4-bbl coming into play. And the Pontiac seems like it wants to take off, but that tall axle just holds it back.
One of my co-workers had an '83 98 coupe he wanted to sell for $800 back in early 1994. It had the 307. I drove it, and it was a pretty nice car. One issue though, was that the heat didn't work, and that was the coldest winter I can ever remember us having. I know you Canadians will chuckle at it, but we got down to minus 10-12F at night! So a non-working heater was NOT a selling point!
And back then, I didn't have the money to buy extra cars, no matter how cheap...although at that point I had my '82 Cutlass Supreme, 69 Bonneville, '68 Dart, and '57 DeSoto. So I did have a bit of a fleet-in-the-making.
That's one where the book becomes meaningless - just enough of a cult behind it to get a couple of people going. If it was a W123 300D turbo, the bids would be a bit more, too.
Sometimes the book isn't applicable. I remember some time ago putting a generic cult crazy car into a book calculator - I picked a 1985 300TD with 50K miles on it, #1 condition. It said something like $7500.
I hope it goes to a good home, and doesn't go to a local redneck who will ruin it or a kid who will slowly destroy it. I am sure it could be had for $2500, and it might be the best car on the local market for that money.
I was kind of hoping it would be a 350, but it sounds like those didn't exist by then.
If it's a car you've verified yourself as a #1, then I agree with you 100% about throwing the book away....if.....IF...it's a car somebody wants.
You might have seen my post about finding a 1984 Dodge Charger with 35,000 original miles. The high "book" is $4000. Think anyone will pay over that by 1.5? I don't think so.
...suddenly became a "project car" at 5:38 PM Sunday! :sick: The left front tire disintegrated damaging the lower rear corner of my left front fender, peeling back the stainless trim along the bottom. twisting up the wheel arch trim and completely destroying the inner wheel housing. I thought she was a goner, but all went smooth with the insurance company today. It's covered under comprehensive meaning only a $100 deductible and the body shop immediately sourced NOS parts for it. Unfortunately, it will probably no longer wear the original-style Uniroyal Royal Seal tires after it is repaired. Hopefully, I can find a reasonable facsimile. Fintail, from where did you get those beautiful tires for your ride? I may look into getting something from them.
Oh, that stinks! Do you have Hagerty. or do you drive it enough to where that won't work? I wonder what my deductible is, I know it's $500 on the modern car.
I had a mildly similar incident in the new car last weekend, when going to look at that Buick. I was driving down an alley in a small town, in an area that was once the end of town and the end of the road. The narrow alley had been extended, but not level. Instead of a gradual incline, it was just a ~10" drop (no sign, and I didn't notice it as I was paying attention to parked cars), which scraped the underside of my front bumper and a small scrape on the trunk floor. Luckily no physical damage. I lamented the incident when checking out the new E today,and the salesman said "don't worry, it's just a lease". I still felt bad, and touched up the damage to where it is only visible if you get close or feel.
Ages ago in the fintail, maybe in 2001, I ran over a piece of rebar (invisible on the paved road) and ruined a tire, and it also banged around and scraped off some undercoating in the wheel well,and put a small dent in it. I didn't bother with a repair, too much work for something minor on an unrestored car. More "patina"
I bought my tires from this place - as they are geographically the closest major dealer, and their prices + shipping were very good.
No regrets, I was a little shocked by how ostentatious the car looked when I first had them installed, but I am used to it now, and the car gets twice the attention it did before, they really set it off.
Comments
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-500-Series-W126-Mercedes-560sec-Wid- e-Bdy-500E-560sel-S600-300ce-e420-190E-Bmw-E30-Bmw-/111184933867?pt=US_Cars_Truc- ks&hash=item19e32373eb&vxp=mtr#ht_2306wt_1165
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
What appears to be a 500E is more interesting than the 108/109 - I've already got an oldie.
I read a blog where a guy scours the web looking for oddballs, he'd for sure post one, they rarely come around.
I find it amusing to get the free car rags when I travel. Lots of little old lady kind of used cars out here in far eastern WA, although some want the moon for them.
They're probably not the best choice for production work. But don't kid yourself, everything is made in China today. Harbor Freight is just up-front about it.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
The one that sees the most use is a bench grinder. It is one of the compact ones. It has done a good job, it can spin at very high rpms although it is not very torquey, but I certainly knew that before buying.
We also have a foldaway utility trailer from them. No problems with it. I even hauled my dad's John Deer tractor with it. I think the minivan was less happy about that than the trailer.
That said, I wouldn't count on something like sockets or a torque wrench from there.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The HF tarps are great, and their moving blankets are a steal (also great for winter emergency kits). I even know a guy who bought a HF 110V mig welder for $99 and swears by it. I also know several people who have their solar power setup.
I have heard to stay away from their bench vices.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4132733367.html
Ran when parked?
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4099463745.html
No, Andre does not! In fact, Andre needs to get rid of a truck. Almost did last Friday, in fact. I posted it elsewhere, but here's a re-paste. My apologies to anyone who's already waded through it...
I drove into DC on Friday, taking my '85 Silverado. Well, it started overheating, with steam from the coolant billowing out from under the hood. But I was past the point of no return, so I kept driving, figuring I'd worry about it once I got there.
Anyway, I get to within about 1000 feet of where I'm going, and it finally stalled out. I had just enough momentum to get out of the lane, but was in a no parking zone. That's where I popped the hood and saw that the upper radiator hose had popped loose from the thermostat housing, and didn't look too healthy in general.
Well, the truck cooled down a bit and I got it re-started. Found a proper parking space, but it stalled again as I was backing in. It was sticking out about three feet into the lane, blocking traffic. I called my friend to come out and try to help push it, and we almost got it in the spot, when I hear a siren. A fire chief's Suburban came by, and stopped. Then a fire engine. Then another one. Then a hook and ladder. I didn't think anything of it until one of the firemen threw the hose off the truck and came running towards me, and looked like he was aiming the sucker at me!
I hollered at him "You're not about to spray that thing at ME, are you?!" and he nodded his head yes. That's when I hollered that it just overheated, it's coolant steam! And then, almost to add insult to injury, I opened the door, turned the key, and it started right up and I was able to finish parking it!
I guess on one hand, it's good the fire department is that responsive. But seriously, a hook and ladder, when there wasn't anything over three stories within eyeshot? That was a bit of overkill.
Oh, and the really stupid thing...I actually had a new radiator hose in the cab behind the seat. I had bought it about two years ago when I had the water pump replaced, thinking I'd just put it on myself. But then forgot about it. Oops.
So, I was able to put the new hose on, fill the radiator back up, and got home without incident. Hopefully, no permanent damage done. And, I guess, don't try that with a modern vehicle...I dunno if the aluminum/alloy engines of today would tolerate that abuse. If my Park Ave or my Ram did something like this, I would've shut it off immediately and had the sucker towed.
That fire truck incident is pretty funny.
Understatement of the week! Hahahahhahaha...! :P
I used parenths rather than < so that it will show up here. You must use a < and its opposite to open and close the code, of course.
don't forget the space between img and src
My current favorite is the beautifully stilted
"Does Have Rust."
What makes people write like that?
Cheers -Mathias
rare but high priced:
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Need a car andre or lemko or anyone else? I'd almost consider this thing if I needed another mouth to feed and had a place to put it.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
IIRC, the touchpad came with the 4-season automatic air conditioner, while the regular a/c just had the levers. In 1985 at least, I think a/c was around a $750 option, and the 4-season a/c added another $150 to that.
After getting used to the knobs and buttons on today's cars those GM levers, like what's in my '76 LeMans and '85 Silverado, feel so fragile. But, they've never broken on me. I guess you have to give GM credit, to be able to engineer something that feels so flimsy, yet lasts so long!
As for that '83 Electra Park Ave, that is one sweet looking car. I'm trying to swear off white cars, as well as beige/creme/pale yellow, and here this car is white with a beige interior! Despite that, it's tempting! Wonder if it would make the trip back here to Maryland without issue? I think my AAA is only good for 99 miles! I'd imagine shipping wouldn't be cheap...
Once upon a time I would've just taken a chance and slept at a rest area, parking lot or whatever, but I guess those innocent days are long since gone.
One way to look at it I guess, would be to make a little vacation out of the ordeal. Fly out, and drive back at my own pace, seeing the sights along the way. Provided the car doesn't act up, that is. Even though it looks nice, it's still 30 years old!
Personally, I think my "dream" Electra from that era would be a 1980, fully-loaded, in either a blue or nice green, and with the 350. I like the styling of the '80-84 better than the '77-79. However, I like the fact that you could get a 403 those first three years. In '80 the biggest engine was a 350...Buick unit in the 49 states, Olds in Cali/high-altitude. From '81-84, the biggest was the Olds 307.
Still, I drove a '79 Bonneville once, with the Buick 350, and it didn't feel all that fast. So I imagine a heavier '80 Electra would have been even slower.
My method works like this: You drive the living hell out of it for 50 miles and if it doesn't blow up, blow out, leak, sputter, die, protest, catch fire, spew smoke, start howling, flash warning lights or peg any gauges----point 'er East and go for it!
Shipping it would be steep, but maybe better than driving it. The car had Michelins on it, while far from worn out or rotten, were also far from new. So that might be a risk too.
For some reason, I liked that car. I got a good vibe from it. It was very honest - not detailed or shined up, but still very clean. I probably should have started it up just for kicks, as it was a pain in the butt for me to get there, as I scraped the bottom of my front bumper on a poorly designed street transition pulling in.
The Buick had obviously been garaged and cared for - and definitely a local car as it had no sun damage. Something else I noticed was the door detents were still firm. An afternoon of detailing and a little spent on some wheels/tires/consumables, and it would fare well at local GM show and shine kind of events. I think that car would be pretty stunning in a silvery blue or jade green, both of which I think existed at the time.
Anyway, the quickest way I've found to tell a 307 from a 305 is the oil filler. On the 305, it's on one of the valve covers...passenger side I think (I should know this, since my Silverado has a 305) but I think I've seen some on the driver's side as well. The 307 has a tall filler tube near the front of the engine, near the alternator. And if I zoom in on that pic you took of the engine, I can barely see the cap.
That car would be awesome to see at something like the local GM show we have in Carlisle, PA. That show is mostly Camaros and Chevelles. Not much in the way of bigger cars, although lately it seems the big Pontiacs have been having a good turnout. Very few big Buicks or Oldsmobiles, though.
I guess that Electra is a sign of some of the things that were going wrong with GM at the time. It, and the Olds Ninety-Eight, IMO, were much better cars to have than a Caddy DeVille! Even if the Caddy had the prestige, it was stuck with the tiny, unreliable 125 hp 4.1 V-8. Even though the Electra/98 technically came standard with the 4.1 V-6, the vast majority used the 307. In fact, at some point I think Olds might have gone ahead and made the 307 standard. Unless that was the Toronado?
Oh, and if that car was jade green, I think I'd be booking a flight right about now, and hitting you up with directions on how to get to that lot!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I always found the emissions-era Buick 350s to be real slugs. Whatever they did to clean the, up really sapped much of their power.
I drove a early 80s 98 with the 307 once and it didn't seem all that much worse than my 403 Park Avenue in the driving I did.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The '79 Bonneville I drove once had a Buick 350. Apparently the Pontiac 350 was gone by that time for the most part, although I think there was still an HO version for the Trans Am. So 350 Pontiacs got either the Buick unit, or the Olds unit in CA/high altitude areas. I think the Buick 350 had 155 hp by then.
One reason I passed on that '79 Bonneville was the slow-factor. It didn't feel any faster than my Grandmother's '85 LeSabre 307, and was definitely slower than the '89 Gran Fury copcar I was driving at the time.
Nowadays, the only reference points I have from that era are my '76 LeMans, which has a Pontiac 350-4bbl and a 2.41:1 axle, and my two '79 New Yorkers, which use the 360-2bbl and a 2.45:1 axle. Both are similar weight, 3850 base for the NYers, 3870 for the LeMans. The 360 has 150 hp and the 350 has 165 or 175, depending on what source you want to believe. From, say, 0-60 or so, the 360's are quicker than the Pontiac, but then the Pontiac seems to do better at higher speeds. That's probably the 2-bbl versus 4-bbl coming into play. And the Pontiac seems like it wants to take off, but that tall axle just holds it back.
One of my co-workers had an '83 98 coupe he wanted to sell for $800 back in early 1994. It had the 307. I drove it, and it was a pretty nice car. One issue though, was that the heat didn't work, and that was the coldest winter I can ever remember us having. I know you Canadians will chuckle at it, but we got down to minus 10-12F at night! So a non-working heater was NOT a selling point!
And back then, I didn't have the money to buy extra cars, no matter how cheap...although at that point I had my '82 Cutlass Supreme, 69 Bonneville, '68 Dart, and '57 DeSoto. So I did have a bit of a fleet-in-the-making.
Sometimes the book isn't applicable. I remember some time ago putting a generic cult crazy car into a book calculator - I picked a 1985 300TD with 50K miles on it, #1 condition. It said something like $7500.
I was kind of hoping it would be a 350, but it sounds like those didn't exist by then.
Speaking of Buicks, I saw this odd thing about 10 years ago, at a local GM lot ...Oh, look what's in the background
You might have seen my post about finding a 1984 Dodge Charger with 35,000 original miles. The high "book" is $4000. Think anyone will pay over that by 1.5? I don't think so.
I had a mildly similar incident in the new car last weekend, when going to look at that Buick. I was driving down an alley in a small town, in an area that was once the end of town and the end of the road. The narrow alley had been extended, but not level. Instead of a gradual incline, it was just a ~10" drop (no sign, and I didn't notice it as I was paying attention to parked cars), which scraped the underside of my front bumper and a small scrape on the trunk floor. Luckily no physical damage. I lamented the incident when checking out the new E today,and the salesman said "don't worry, it's just a lease". I still felt bad, and touched up the damage to where it is only visible if you get close or feel.
Ages ago in the fintail, maybe in 2001, I ran over a piece of rebar (invisible on the paved road) and ruined a tire, and it also banged around and scraped off some undercoating in the wheel well,and put a small dent in it. I didn't bother with a repair, too much work for something minor on an unrestored car. More "patina"
I bought my tires from this place - as they are geographically the closest major dealer, and their prices + shipping were very good.
No regrets, I was a little shocked by how ostentatious the car looked when I first had them installed, but I am used to it now, and the car gets twice the attention it did before, they really set it off.