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

ab348

The 70-72 Camaros were the best of that generation but I do like the chrome-bumper angle-nose mid-70s ones too. The plastic-bumper later ones don't do much for me.

That one in the ad looks a little greasy to me though. Nothing some judicious de-contenting couldn't fix though.

fintail

That tach looks like something Flava Flav would use as a pendant.

A nice 79-81 or so Z28 would be cool for what it is, and no doubt nice ones have a low survival rate.

explorerx4

looks good in the pictures
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6062148055.html

explorerx4

@fintail,
'79 Z28
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6061919632.html

explorerx4

Seems underpriced?
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6061747133.html

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

@fintail,
'79 Z28
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6061919632.html

now this one, I really like this one. The 4 speed puts it over the top!

I also like the Porsche, but I suspect that one has a lot of needs, if you want to get it all sorted out (unless you are real handy and willing to do a serious DIY on it).

Mr_Shiftright

explorerx4 said:

Seems underpriced?
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6061747133.html

Looks like a beater from here. A really nice one should bring about $30K-$32K, so this high-miler with missing pieces, undesirable color, wrong door panels (??) and obvious neglect is probably overpriced IMO. Keep in mind that the asking price of $22K is almost exactly the price for rebuilding the engine.

explorerx4

Heard the air cooled Porsche market has jumped, but maybe not all of it.

stickguy

Nice cars maybe. But rats will always be scary. Expensive cars to get up to snuff if neglected.

Mr_Shiftright

explorerx4 said:

Heard the air cooled Porsche market has jumped, but maybe not all of it.

It's kind of deflating slowly--probably down 20% from the "bubble"---except of course for "gold standard" vintage Porsches that are rare or have famous race histories. But they pumped out well over 65,000 of the SC model.

"The most expensive Porsche is the cheapest one"

(I just made that up. I have also lived it).

qbrozen

Hmmm...is there such a thing as a reverse stroke? Exchanged several emails and texts with the Lemans seller but now that I have paid for an inspection, he has up and vanished. I texted him earlier today to ask if he got a voicemail from inspector. He simply replied yes. When I asked later in the day if he spoke to the inspector yet, I got no reply and have yet to hear back, nor has the inspector booked the appointment. At what point do I move on?

xwesx

Not sure what the guy really has to lose on it, except perhaps his own ignorance? You're paying for the inspection, and if you don't like what the inspector has to say, the worst that happens is that you don't buy the car. If the inspection doesn't happen, you also don't buy the car, so.... ?

Anyhow, it's possible that he has something going on right now and just hasn't prioritized it. I would give it a day or two.

qbrozen

I got a question, shift, what effect on value does non-matching numbers have? Specifically thinking of this below ad.

1969 Dodge Dart Coupe

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/dodge/dart/1819769.html

Mr_Shiftright

Since the engine is date correct, I don't think at this price point/condition level (#3) that it matters much at all. If the car were show quality and were to be entered into judging, then it would matter. Also the car has other mods anyway.

Not sure what's going on with the dash wiring and headliner--maybe the car needs some tidying up. Nothing of the underside, which is annoying.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Hmmm...is there such a thing as a reverse stroke? Exchanged several emails and texts with the Lemans seller but now that I have paid for an inspection, he has up and vanished. I texted him earlier today to ask if he got a voicemail from inspector. He simply replied yes. When I asked later in the day if he spoke to the inspector yet, I got no reply and have yet to hear back, nor has the inspector booked the appointment. At what point do I move on?

It's the inspector's job to press for the appointment. If the inspector is really trying, and gets no response after 2-3 attempts, then you have a flaky seller on your hands and god knows what's going on---not your problem.

I run across this occasionally. Sometimes it's because the seller changes his mind, sometimes he thinks he priced it too low and wants to go hide and re-post the higher price later, sometimes the car blows up and he doesn't know what to do, sometimes he's too drunk to act. You know----life.

qbrozen

Thanks for the insights.

Would be nice to only spend $12k on a nice driver but seems really unlikely. Still thinking of falling back to that '74 black Duster. I'd want it for less than their $18.5k price though.

Mr_Shiftright

I don't think you have to spend that much, but you may need to up it to $15K for something that doesn't have to be fussed with. I have never liked the idea of paying market price for a used car and then having to fix it as soon as I get it. I'd rather either start from scratch and do it all (knowing it will be right) or buy something more or less turn-key. Sellers need to deduct for serious defects. They just can't pretend that their #4+ car is a #3+ in the price guide.

qbrozen

This one needs a bit more fussing. Wonder what they want for it. I like the color and it has PB. No idea what he means by "windshield arm."

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302264736810

stickguy

Listing removed

qbrozen

Try that again. I guess i messed up the link.

Mr_Shiftright

I think he means the wiper linkage under the fresh air grate. Looks pretty clean underneath.

stickguy

74 duster was my HS car. Not quite like that one though. Add a 4 speed and buckets, and finish it, and I could take it!

Lumpy idle though, not good. Probably a bad for the street cam?

qbrozen

hmmm... check out the video of the underside. Most looks OK but what is going on at the 2:10 mark? There are holes in the right side of the trunk?

The vid of the outside and of the car running are pretty good. I don't think the idle is bad at all.

uplanderguy

Coming in late on the '79 Eldo discussion, but I like those cars too. I'm reminded of the razor-edge styling of the '67-70.

The '79 Eldo, and '80 Seville, were the same car underneath; same powertrains, both FWD, same instrument panels even. The 425 was used in RWD full-size Caddies, but never the '79 Eldo or '80 Seville.

qbrozen

My message to the seller:
Hi,
Looks like a nice car. I just have a couple of questions.
1. At around 2:10 of the underside video, looks like there is some holes rotted through the trunk floor there? Can you confirm?
2. Any bondo you know of on the car?
3. Also, I know folks are hesitant to give up their reserve. If not that, can you maybe tell me what you might be asking if you had it for sale straight up instead of auction? I'm asking because I would probably pay to get it inspected before the auction ends but would rather not spend that money only to find out the reserve is way over what I'd be willing to pay.
Thanks.

His response:
I am sure there is some bonds here and they. The trunk has no holes in it. It looks like it Been patched. Under in that spot is the old trunk that is attached to the in fender that has some hole in the old metal. But the trunk is solid no holes from topside. I am looking for 15000. But I will entertain offers.


Ok, dude, never mind. You had me at "I am sure there is some bonds."

andres3

qbrozen said:

My message to the seller:
Hi,
Looks like a nice car. I just have a couple of questions.
1. At around 2:10 of the underside video, looks like there is some holes rotted through the trunk floor there? Can you confirm?
2. Any bondo you know of on the car?
3. Also, I know folks are hesitant to give up their reserve. If not that, can you maybe tell me what you might be asking if you had it for sale straight up instead of auction? I'm asking because I would probably pay to get it inspected before the auction ends but would rather not spend that money only to find out the reserve is way over what I'd be willing to pay.
Thanks.

His response:
I am sure there is some bonds here and they. The trunk has no holes in it. It looks like it Been patched. Under in that spot is the old trunk that is attached to the in fender that has some hole in the old metal. But the trunk is solid no holes from topside. I am looking for 15000. But I will entertain offers.


Ok, dude, never mind. You had me at "I am sure there is some bonds."

If he was a better communicator and speller, would the $15K be in-line with your thoughts?

qbrozen

Nope. Was thinking closer to 10.

Now, had his answers been GOOD ones, I may have been inclined to get it inspected (and if good result), wait for the auction to end without the reserve being met, and offered $12k. At 15, I think that black one is a far better deal.

fintail

The bustleback is a guilty pleasure of mine. Properly equipped, like the Eldo, I think it can be kind of a cool thing. But it needs to be equipped similarly - no vinyl top, no continental kit, no faux Rolls-Royce grille, no wire wheels or simulated, etc. No doubt not exactly fun to drive, but an interesting piece of kitsch.

uplanderguy said:

Coming in late on the '79 Eldo discussion, but I like those cars too. I'm reminded of the razor-edge styling of the '67-70.

The '79 Eldo, and '80 Seville, were the same car underneath; same powertrains, both FWD, same instrument panels even. The 425 was used in RWD full-size Caddies, but never the '79 Eldo or '80 Seville.

qbrozen

OH! The blue lemans is being inspected today. Nice of them to let me know. I just checked the website for fun and found out.

uplanderguy

The bustleback is a guilty pleasure of mine

I'd really only consider an '80, and in simple (well, as simple as possible outside) trim and wheels.

I do like the Seville, from the front end to the rear doors, LOL. It's a four-door Eldo.

qbrozen

OH! by the way, in case anyone wants to go the route I attempted ... Mecum requires a deposit up front of 20% of what you plan to spend if you are a phone bidder. However, after consideration, I decided to send the full amount up front because I could not figure out how I'd pay in time should I win. Sure, I could go through the trouble of a wire transfer, but there are not inconsiderably fees involved with that (Mecum charges $100 on their end plus whatever I'd have to pay on my end).

After the auction was over, I inquired as to how I get my check back. I did not yet realize they cashed it. So then I'm told they have up to 30 days from auction end to send me my refund! OUCH!! Guess what I won't be doing ever again!

stickguy

go in person instead. at least you can see the car first, and have some fun in the process.

ab348

uplanderguy said:

The bustleback is a guilty pleasure of mine

I'd really only consider an '80, and in simple (well, as simple as possible outside) trim and wheels.

I do like the Seville, from the front end to the rear doors, LOL. It's a four-door Eldo.

I drove one back in the day. As a junior executive I went to lunch with the owner and COO of the company I worked for at the time. They had the traditional 3-drink lunch (or more... turned out after a little while that the COO was an alcoholic and drank all day long) and I had to drive them back to the office in his new '80 Seville. What I remember about it was the ultra low effort power steering. I had driven mostly GM cars up to that point but remembered driving dad's '71 Monaco with Chrysler's infamous one-finger steering, but this was at a whole different level of airiness. Brakes were very touchy too. Very nice car otherwise.

fintail

That's a good way to put it, simple trim. Sadly, most of the demographic who wanted these things when new didn't exactly shun being a little showy.

I was a little kid when those cars were new, and I thought they were interesting. I remember I had a toy one, and I have a couple examples of that toy now:

uplanderguy said:

I'd really only consider an '80, and in simple (well, as simple as possible outside) trim and wheels.

I do like the Seville, from the front end to the rear doors, LOL. It's a four-door Eldo.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

go in person instead. at least you can see the car first, and have some fun in the process.

well, of course, but its not always feasible. The flights were darned expensive, especially if you try to get there the morning of day 1 and leave the night of day 2.

stickguy

I was surprised that there was not much near us. All seem to be in the west or Mid west, with a few in Fla. Only ones around here are Hershey, a hoity toity one in Greenwich, and I think something in AC (but might not be one of the national outfits).

with all the population and money in the NE corridor from DC to Boston, seems like it should be a natural place to hold a big auction.

ab348

Barrett-Jackson is back for the 2nd year at the casino outside Hartford in June.

uplanderguy

I really lucked out on inspection of the Studebaker I recently bought. A friend offered, who is a Studebaker buff and really, expert, from over fifty years of owning and working on them. He lived within an hour of the car and offered to inspect for free, although I subsequently paid him some. He is delivering the car to me for hire in a couple weeks and is doing an oil change, lube and "poking around" mechanically in the meantime, for hire. It's all good.

qbrozen

Empty comment. I posted in wrong thread.

isellhondas

uplanderguy said:

I really lucked out on inspection of the Studebaker I recently bought. A friend offered, who is a Studebaker buff and really, expert, from over fifty years of owning and working on them. He lived within an hour of the car and offered to inspect for free, although I subsequently paid him some. He is delivering the car to me for hire in a couple weeks and is doing an oil change, lube and "poking around" mechanically in the meantime, for hire. It's all good.

A friend with that ability and willingness to help is worth a lot!

uplanderguy

Boy, you're not kidding. I know it!

qbrozen

This is a sharp looking car. Too bad my son doesn't like cars that look "too old."
http://sjclassics.net/inventory_details.asp?InventoryNum=103

Mr_Shiftright

That car needs a chop, a visor and spinners on larger tires.

qbrozen

I don't know about all that. Honestly, the more I stare at it, the more I like it.

Ok, can anyone explain the Air Con to me? Is that under dash unit all self contained somehow? How does that work and is it at all effective? I see no compressor under the hood.

texases

I'm wondering about the a/c, too. All electric?

qbrozen

What is something like that worth, shifty? Assuming it looks as good in person as in the pics.

My gut is telling me something in that $18,500 zip code. Am I close?

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah I think you're close enough to offer that, but I'm thinking more like $21,5K.

Hot rods are harder to appraise, as you have to have a full list of equipment installed and also take a close look at the level of workmanship. There are no price guides for hot rods. It's all about a) quality of the parts used and b) the execution. Also how it drives. Some rods are sweet, some drive like patched up crates and you can't wait to get out of them.

I usually work this out with comps.

Here's one at about the same level, maybe somewhat inferior in places

http://www.cars-on-line.com/88747.html

Here's one to a higher standard:

http://www.americanclassicsandhotrods.com/1953-Chevrolet-BelAir-Custom-2Dr-HT-Utah-Showroom-Newberg-OR-Mankato-MN-Oregon-97132/5729867

Now of course aesthetics is another thing--I try not to impose my aesthetics on the appraisal.

texases

I was a little disappointed with the under dash shot on the first one - partially painted steering shaft, why not do it right?

qbrozen

ha. I saw that, too, but at least the rest isn't rusted. I actually thought it looked pretty good under there compared to the usual rat's nest of wires you see.

explorerx4

Ad says it has AC but needs compressor and condenser.