The floorboards are actually in pretty good shape, and thankfully, that's the truck's bad side. The rocker is rusty as well on the driver's side, but not as rusty. Also, that spot in front of the rear wheel opening isn't rust, but rather a clear plastic flap/protector that GM (or the dealer?) put on these trucks. It's gotten discolored and dirty.
Also, the windshield is cracked, the a/c doesn't work, power window motor in the driver's door is loose. Parking brake is broken. I overheated it back in October, and while the mechanic looked it over and said I didn't do any permanent damage, it's harder to start than it used to be. It actually ran pretty well before I overheated it, and it runs well once it finally gets started and warmed up. Last time I tried to start it though, it was beyond dead...even with a trickle charger on it, the lights won't come on. I probably need to pull the battery out and have it checked out, but it's just been too damn cold and nasty to mess with it.
One reason I haven't moved on it one way or another is that it doesn't cost me much $ to keep around $400 per year on insurance and $51 every two years to register. And enough room in the yard that it doesn't get in the way. Still, I need to, as Vicki Lawrence once said, "Sing or get off the pot!"
Hadn't really thought about it. Wanna make me an offer? Unless you're fairly local to me though, it might not be worth the hassle to you, with transporting and such. You could probably find something similar that's local to you.
I'm in Maryland, near washington DC. Funny thing, I was just in NYC a couple weeks ago. And, while I appreciate the ego boost, I don't think it's worth that much! Unless I'm that out of touch with prices.
@andre1969 said:
I'm in Maryland, near washington DC. Funny thing, I was just in NYC a couple weeks ago. And, while I appreciate the ego boost, I don't think it's worth that much! Unless I'm that out of touch with prices.
He can just take the train from NYC to get to where you live. Of course, he may have to buy the truck to get back.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
If jordan wants to pay 3-4K for 80s era big GM trucks, he needs to come out here to the west coast - he'll be able to find decent ones all day for that.
Got the fintail back - triple what I was expecting when I dropped it off.
According to my mechanic, the frozen parking brake issue was actually a rear wheel cylinder that would intermittently seize. Not cheap - 95 a pop. Brake hoses were only 17 apiece, distributor cap and rotor 40 for the pair. A mostly labor bill, as many cars can be. Seemed to be running fine when I picked it up.
@explorerx4 said:
He can just take the train from NYC to get to where you live. Of course, he may have to buy the truck to get back.
Yeah, the Amtrak trains stop at New Carrollton, which is about 5-6 miles from me. I think if you take the local ones that stop off more, there's a station in Seabrook and one at Bowie State that are even closer.
In retrospect, I wish I had done that when I drove to NYC. Probably could have left the truck overnite at either of those stations, and at worst, caught the MARC train to the nearest Amtrak stop, and then taken the Amtrak right into NYC. But instead, we drove. On the day that blizzard hit. Took about 7 hours to get from down here to the hotel in Newark by the airport, where we took a shuttle to the airport, a cute little monorail to the train station, and then a train into Penn Station.
As for my truck, I see trucks like it regularly at the Carlisle shows I go to. Even showroom-new looking equivalents of my truck usually only ask about $12-16K, and you know they're not going to fetch that unless the seller gets really lucky. And, it would take a LOT more than $12-16K to get my truck looking showroom new again!
@fintail said:
Got the fintail back - triple what I was expecting when I dropped it off.....
Glad to see you still have it. I almost picked up a 85 300D with 300k miles for about $800, but it was too beat up and had trouble going up the hill when I test drove it where the car's owner lived. Picked up another early 90's Accord instead for a commuter.
@fintail said:
If jordan wants to pay 3-4K for 80s era big GM trucks, he needs to come out here to the west coast - he'll be able to find decent ones all day for that.
ive been to the west coast before all very beautiful vehicles there.
@andre1969 said:
I'm in Maryland, near washington DC. Funny thing, I was just in NYC a couple weeks ago. And, while I appreciate the ego boost, I don't think it's worth that much! Unless I'm that out of touch with prices.
@andre1969 said:Yeah, the Amtrak trains stop at New Carrollton, which is about 5-6 miles from me. I think if you take the local ones that stop off more, there's a station in Seabrook and one at Bowie State that are even closer.
In retrospect, I wish I had done that when I drove to NYC. Probably could have left the truck overnite at either of those stations, and at worst, caught the MARC train to the nearest Amtrak stop, and then taken the Amtrak right into NYC. But instead, we drove. On the day that blizzard hit. Took about 7 hours to get from down here to the hotel in Newark by the airport, where we took a shuttle to the airport, a cute little monorail to the train station, and then a train into Penn Station.
As for my truck, I see trucks like it regularly at the Carlisle shows I go to. Even showroom-new looking equivalents of my truck usually only ask about $12-16K, and you know they're not going to fetch that unless the seller gets really lucky. And, it would take a LOT more than $12-16K to get my truck looking showroom new again!
i hate trains. i live about 8 hours away from nyc i live in farmersville. but someday ill take a look at the truck when im around there
Hey, long time. Am thinking of heading up to the Vancouver show, but don't know if I will.
I've had the old beast for almost 20 years now, so I think I am in for the long haul. Too bad about that W123, but as you can find a really nice one for 5K, a beater is a bad idea. Sounds like it was just tired. Those 90-93 Accords and even the style that followed were very well engineered cars, still tons of them on the road in the PNW.
I have a mild itch to find a mint late 140 - I remember back in the day, every HK zillionaire who moved to Van bought one. Might be a good place to find a nice one.
And why for many cars, a restoration is insanity. I try to allow one repair a year for the old car. Last year there were two, this year's is done already...I hope. But some years in the past had nothing but an oil change, so maybe it evens out.
Guy at the shop was telling me about the 6.3 I spotted there - said the owner spent 5K on the interior wood alone.
@jordan40 said:
what do you guys think about my next restoration job
What year is it? How many miles? What equipment/model?
At first glance, it looks like a lost cause to me. I'd yank the drivetrain and put it in something without major structural damage.
'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
Hmmm...so retail about $20K private party...I'd say it's an iffy proposition at best. I agree, I'd find a C6 with a blown motor (not that hard to find).
I'd be surprised if it wasn't totaled. That's a boatload of damage and we can't even see the suspension bits. If it were me, I'd bail on it for sure. But you know, if you're a scrounger and can mooch used parts and do all the basic assembly work yourself and your brother in law is an auto painter who moonlights on weekends, and you need a hobby--well, why not?
@fintail said:
Hey, long time. Am thinking of heading up to the Vancouver show, but don't know if I will.
I've had the old beast for almost 20 years now, so I think I am in for the long haul. Too bad about that W123, but as you can find a really nice one for 5K, a beater is a bad idea. Sounds like it was just tired. Those 90-93 Accords and even the style that followed were very well engineered cars, still tons of them on the road in the PNW.
I have a mild itch to find a mint late 140 - I remember back in the day, every HK zillionaire who moved to Van bought one. Might be a good place to find a nice one.
This year I'll be in town for the show and will go, probably as few times. My 4 year old son is turning out to be quite a bit of a car nut, which of course I'm happy about so I think I'll take him once too.
Yeah the W140's are hovering around the $4-$8k range. A local dealer just had one with only 27000 verified kms (16k miles). They were asking about $8-$9k for it if I remember. Funny enough I saw it at the public auction website and was going to go but didn't have the time to go.
4 years old now, how the time flies. He's just at that age where he can start to enjoy your toy cars.
Early 140s are to be avoided unless the wiring harness and often AC evaporator have been done - both are big jobs. Later ones don't have the wiring issues. I'd want a 97+ car. A 16K mile car would be pretty crazy.
The '84 diesel would make a good camping/boating rig. Enough covered storage for gear and a nice bunch of shelving for sorting and cooking on. Probably doesn't crank below 50 degrees though.
@Stever@Edmunds said:
The '84 diesel would make a good camping/boating rig. Enough covered storage for gear and a nice bunch of shelving for sorting and cooking on. Probably doesn't crank below 50 degrees though.
A crude and nasty thing--the noise and vibration would drive you crazy on a camping trip.
My favorite was the used TVA 4 door truck a canoeing buddy got at auction down in Chattanooga back in the day (~'75). It could haul 5 of us and our boats on top, and had all those cubbys for pfds and throw bags and the like. My kayaking nephew likes his Avalanche for similar reasons.
@fintail said:
4 years old now, how the time flies. He's just at that age where he can start to enjoy your toy cars.
He's been enjoying toy cars for a good part of 2 years now. In addition to the 1:18 scale models, he loves building cars out of Legos. I got him a Technic tow truck set for Christmas (well, I really got it for myself) and he seems to love the mechanics of it.
On the low mile S Class, I'd almost be worried that it hasn't been driven enough. I hope the previous owner(s) changed the seals, gaskets, and any other rubber components that could have driven up by now.
There's definitely a risk with too few miles, and idle time. If the car was exercised monthly throughout its life, it might be fine, but if it sat in a garage for 15 years, the recommissioning will be a job. Old MBs of that age seem to be best around 50-60K miles on up, when any kinks (HVAC especially) can be worked out.
@boomchek said:
On the low mile S Class, I'd almost be worried that it hasn't been driven enough.
newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/4312507027.html
So he wants to trade his hardtop for the same car in a convertible straight up. That's not how it works and he must be a joy to deal with.
Chevy truck--you mean they made those that weren't butterscotch-and-white or light-urine-green-and white?
Grand Prix--I always liked those cars, but I like the '69 and '70 with four headlights better. I thought the instrument panel of the '73 was a big improvement, but the exterior a big letdown compared to the '69-72.
Benz--I really don't know much of anything about those cars. It's a nice-looking car I think.
'73 Caprice hardtop...the only thing remotely in his favor, IMHO, is that the hardtop Caprices actually had a 'Caprice' interior, while the Caprice convertible used a vinyl Impala interior. I still don't think that'll change anybody's mind.
Thanks for posting.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
@MrShift@Edmunds said:
I'd be surprised if it wasn't totaled. That's a boatload of damage and we can't even see the suspension bits. If it were me, I'd bail on it for sure. But you know, if you're a scrounger and can mooch used parts and do all the basic assembly work yourself and your brother in law is an auto painter who moonlights on weekends, and you need a hobby--well, why not?
my hobby if finding cars people say it is not the worth of time and show them off
@uplanderguy said:
Some unusual stuff there, gsemike.
'73 Caprice hardtop...the only thing remotely in his favor, IMHO, is that the hardtop Caprices actually had a 'Caprice' interior, while the Caprice convertible used a vinyl Impala interior. I still don't think that'll change anybody's mind.
Yeah, I always thought that was a bit of a sham, as well. I always wondered why they kept the Impala interior when they moved the convertible to the Caprice line for '73? One possible reason might be that the Caprice interior was pretty darn nice, and might have stolen some of the thunder from the LeSabre, Delta 88, and Grand Ville convertibles.
As for those big Chevies, 1973 is my least favorite year for them. I thought they looked really good in 1971, and 1972 is probably my favorite year. But for '73, I just don't like the way the headlights are spaced out, and seem to "float" in the grille. I do like the Impala, with its latticey grille, a bit more than the Caprice's more vertical, eggrate grille, but still don't care for either one. They both just seem too, well, pimpy, for my tastes.
And I like how, starting in 1974, they tried to differentiate the Impala and Caprice more.
I like the '74 better than the '73--wheelcovers, grille, taillights--but I hated how in '73 and '74 they made the side molding go over the front wheel opening. We had a '74 and I still don't like that...they often looked a little crooked or 'bent' over the front wheel. And when you could get vinyl in a Caprice coupe or sedan that was a true Caprice interior, I don't know why they didn't offer it in the convertible. Don't know if they thought it'd be too close to the B-O-P convertible interiors or not.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Comments
what do you guys think about my next restoration job
it is a wrecked corvette
The floorboards are actually in pretty good shape, and thankfully, that's the truck's bad side. The rocker is rusty as well on the driver's side, but not as rusty. Also, that spot in front of the rear wheel opening isn't rust, but rather a clear plastic flap/protector that GM (or the dealer?) put on these trucks. It's gotten discolored and dirty.
Also, the windshield is cracked, the a/c doesn't work, power window motor in the driver's door is loose. Parking brake is broken. I overheated it back in October, and while the mechanic looked it over and said I didn't do any permanent damage, it's harder to start than it used to be. It actually ran pretty well before I overheated it, and it runs well once it finally gets started and warmed up. Last time I tried to start it though, it was beyond dead...even with a trickle charger on it, the lights won't come on. I probably need to pull the battery out and have it checked out, but it's just been too damn cold and nasty to mess with it.
One reason I haven't moved on it one way or another is that it doesn't cost me much $ to keep around $400 per year on insurance and $51 every two years to register. And enough room in the yard that it doesn't get in the way. Still, I need to, as Vicki Lawrence once said, "Sing or get off the pot!"
how much do ya want for it
Hadn't really thought about it. Wanna make me an offer?
Unless you're fairly local to me though, it might not be worth the hassle to you, with transporting and such. You could probably find something similar that's local to you.
um im thinking about 3or 4 k
do ya live in new york. if ya dont i travel the country every summer
I'm in Maryland, near washington DC. Funny thing, I was just in NYC a couple weeks ago. And, while I appreciate the ego boost, I don't think it's worth that much! Unless I'm that out of touch with prices.
You see "potential" ??
Well, go offer Andre three or four grand for it and he just might cut it loose!
He can just take the train from NYC to get to where you live. Of course, he may have to buy the truck to get back.
If jordan wants to pay 3-4K for 80s era big GM trucks, he needs to come out here to the west coast - he'll be able to find decent ones all day for that.
That's a C6? A first I thought the wheels were after market, but I saw a picture of them.
Got the fintail back - triple what I was expecting when I dropped it off.
According to my mechanic, the frozen parking brake issue was actually a rear wheel cylinder that would intermittently seize. Not cheap - 95 a pop. Brake hoses were only 17 apiece, distributor cap and rotor 40 for the pair. A mostly labor bill, as many cars can be. Seemed to be running fine when I picked it up.
Yeah, the Amtrak trains stop at New Carrollton, which is about 5-6 miles from me. I think if you take the local ones that stop off more, there's a station in Seabrook and one at Bowie State that are even closer.
In retrospect, I wish I had done that when I drove to NYC. Probably could have left the truck overnite at either of those stations, and at worst, caught the MARC train to the nearest Amtrak stop, and then taken the Amtrak right into NYC. But instead, we drove. On the day that blizzard hit. Took about 7 hours to get from down here to the hotel in Newark by the airport, where we took a shuttle to the airport, a cute little monorail to the train station, and then a train into Penn Station.
As for my truck, I see trucks like it regularly at the Carlisle shows I go to. Even showroom-new looking equivalents of my truck usually only ask about $12-16K, and you know they're not going to fetch that unless the seller gets really lucky. And, it would take a LOT more than $12-16K to get my truck looking showroom new again!
Glad to see you still have it. I almost picked up a 85 300D with 300k miles for about $800, but it was too beat up and had trouble going up the hill when I test drove it where the car's owner lived. Picked up another early 90's Accord instead for a commuter.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
And some folks wonder why restoring a car is so expensive, and so hard to estimate. But now you're set for a few years (or months)...
ill buy the truck for what ever it takes. i drive a gmc sierra and i am a big gm brand fan.
what do ya think of it should i restore it or not
ive been to the west coast before all very beautiful vehicles there.
How much do ya think its worth.
In retrospect, I wish I had done that when I drove to NYC. Probably could have left the truck overnite at either of those stations, and at worst, caught the MARC train to the nearest Amtrak stop, and then taken the Amtrak right into NYC. But instead, we drove. On the day that blizzard hit. Took about 7 hours to get from down here to the hotel in Newark by the airport, where we took a shuttle to the airport, a cute little monorail to the train station, and then a train into Penn Station.
As for my truck, I see trucks like it regularly at the Carlisle shows I go to. Even showroom-new looking equivalents of my truck usually only ask about $12-16K, and you know they're not going to fetch that unless the seller gets really lucky. And, it would take a LOT more than $12-16K to get my truck looking showroom new again!
i hate trains. i live about 8 hours away from nyc i live in farmersville. but someday ill take a look at the truck when im around there
Hey, long time. Am thinking of heading up to the Vancouver show, but don't know if I will.
I've had the old beast for almost 20 years now, so I think I am in for the long haul. Too bad about that W123, but as you can find a really nice one for 5K, a beater is a bad idea. Sounds like it was just tired. Those 90-93 Accords and even the style that followed were very well engineered cars, still tons of them on the road in the PNW.
I have a mild itch to find a mint late 140 - I remember back in the day, every HK zillionaire who moved to Van bought one. Might be a good place to find a nice one.
And why for many cars, a restoration is insanity. I try to allow one repair a year for the old car. Last year there were two, this year's is done already...I hope. But some years in the past had nothing but an oil change, so maybe it evens out.
Guy at the shop was telling me about the 6.3 I spotted there - said the owner spent 5K on the interior wood alone.
What year is it? How many miles? What equipment/model?
At first glance, it looks like a lost cause to me. I'd yank the drivetrain and put it in something without major structural damage.
'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
I dont know the guy who sold me the car did not say. But it is completly stock. No upgrades or anything. Its a 2006-2007
About 50k miles
Hmmm...so retail about $20K private party...I'd say it's an iffy proposition at best. I agree, I'd find a C6 with a blown motor (not that hard to find).
Ouch. That's even worse than I thought. Not a Z06, right?? For a base model, and if an '07, that's maybe a $24k-$25k car IF IT WASN'T DAMAGED.
Has it been declared totaled? If so, now we're talking MAYBE a $15k car after its fixed up.
'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
I'd be surprised if it wasn't totaled. That's a boatload of damage and we can't even see the suspension bits. If it were me, I'd bail on it for sure. But you know, if you're a scrounger and can mooch used parts and do all the basic assembly work yourself and your brother in law is an auto painter who moonlights on weekends, and you need a hobby--well, why not?
This year I'll be in town for the show and will go, probably as few times. My 4 year old son is turning out to be quite a bit of a car nut, which of course I'm happy about so I think I'll take him once too.
Yeah the W140's are hovering around the $4-$8k range. A local dealer just had one with only 27000 verified kms (16k miles). They were asking about $8-$9k for it if I remember. Funny enough I saw it at the public auction website and was going to go but didn't have the time to go.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
4 years old now, how the time flies. He's just at that age where he can start to enjoy your toy cars.
Early 140s are to be avoided unless the wiring harness and often AC evaporator have been done - both are big jobs. Later ones don't have the wiring issues. I'd want a 97+ car. A 16K mile car would be pretty crazy.
Speaking of 80s GM trucks, here are a few from a 30 second craigslist search:
Kind of reminds me of Andre's
If you like red
Odd
The '84 diesel would make a good camping/boating rig. Enough covered storage for gear and a nice bunch of shelving for sorting and cooking on. Probably doesn't crank below 50 degrees though.
A crude and nasty thing--the noise and vibration would drive you crazy on a camping trip.
My favorite was the used TVA 4 door truck a canoeing buddy got at auction down in Chattanooga back in the day (~'75). It could haul 5 of us and our boats on top, and had all those cubbys for pfds and throw bags and the like. My kayaking nephew likes his Avalanche for similar reasons.
He's been enjoying toy cars for a good part of 2 years now. In addition to the 1:18 scale models, he loves building cars out of Legos. I got him a Technic tow truck set for Christmas (well, I really got it for myself) and he seems to love the mechanics of it.
On the low mile S Class, I'd almost be worried that it hasn't been driven enough. I hope the previous owner(s) changed the seals, gaskets, and any other rubber components that could have driven up by now.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
There's definitely a risk with too few miles, and idle time. If the car was exercised monthly throughout its life, it might be fine, but if it sat in a garage for 15 years, the recommissioning will be a job. Old MBs of that age seem to be best around 50-60K miles on up, when any kinks (HVAC especially) can be worked out.
Not much going on in the dead of winter but...
newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/4314374161.html
Nice truck with optimistic price
newyork.craigslist.org/stn/cto/4292575820.html
Interesting car but probably rough in person
newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/4321330953.html
Sorry man, These aren't there yet
newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/4312507027.html
So he wants to trade his hardtop for the same car in a convertible straight up. That's not how it works and he must be a joy to deal with.
Some unusual stuff there, gsemike.
Chevy truck--you mean they made those that weren't butterscotch-and-white or light-urine-green-and white?
Grand Prix--I always liked those cars, but I like the '69 and '70 with four headlights better. I thought the instrument panel of the '73 was a big improvement, but the exterior a big letdown compared to the '69-72.
Benz--I really don't know much of anything about those cars. It's a nice-looking car I think.
'73 Caprice hardtop...the only thing remotely in his favor, IMHO, is that the hardtop Caprices actually had a 'Caprice' interior, while the Caprice convertible used a vinyl Impala interior. I still don't think that'll change anybody's mind.
Thanks for posting.
Re the Benz: "6 CYL WITH RARE 4 BBL CARB"
And that's a good thing?
yes it was declared totaled. and i am rebuilding it.
my hobby if finding cars people say it is not the worth of time and show them off
i have another project car
tell me what you guys think it is a 2009 corvette 6.2L V8
Mercedes 280C --that's about the right price for a decent 'driver'.
Grand Prix -- maybe in 5 years it'll be worth that, but not now.
I predict 70s full size cars are going to become more valuable but it'll be gradual.
yes it will be gradual
Not to me - I'd only want FI on any of those cars.
Those carbs are German re-makes of a Carter and are not very good.
Yeah, I always thought that was a bit of a sham, as well. I always wondered why they kept the Impala interior when they moved the convertible to the Caprice line for '73? One possible reason might be that the Caprice interior was pretty darn nice, and might have stolen some of the thunder from the LeSabre, Delta 88, and Grand Ville convertibles.
As for those big Chevies, 1973 is my least favorite year for them. I thought they looked really good in 1971, and 1972 is probably my favorite year. But for '73, I just don't like the way the headlights are spaced out, and seem to "float" in the grille. I do like the Impala, with its latticey grille, a bit more than the Caprice's more vertical, eggrate grille, but still don't care for either one. They both just seem too, well, pimpy, for my tastes.
And I like how, starting in 1974, they tried to differentiate the Impala and Caprice more.
I like the '74 better than the '73--wheelcovers, grille, taillights--but I hated how in '73 and '74 they made the side molding go over the front wheel opening. We had a '74 and I still don't like that...they often looked a little crooked or 'bent' over the front wheel. And when you could get vinyl in a Caprice coupe or sedan that was a true Caprice interior, I don't know why they didn't offer it in the convertible. Don't know if they thought it'd be too close to the B-O-P convertible interiors or not.