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

tjc78

What did they think? The washer and connector would someday just blow right out the tailpipe! At least you found it and are fixing it.

texases

What do you think of $2500 for this non-running turbo Monza Corvair?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6142115005.html

ab348

This pair will suck up a few excess millions from someone's pocket.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC5jq23StqI

stickguy

Interesting. I prefer the 1965 styling and upgrades, but that one is kinda cool. Just assume the engine is trash and needs a replacement or full rebuild. I doubt it is very valuable, but if you plan to DIY on it, might be a decent deal if it is solid and rust free (a huge if I assume on these)

fintail

Three cheers for dynastic wealth with those 300SLs. Too bad the finish wasn't maintained better, I suppose it could be brought back to life a little more without repainting, but the barnfind look is still a fad.

qbrozen

texases said:

What do you think of $2500 for this non-running turbo Monza Corvair?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6142115005.html

A nice driver is about $10k or so. I don't think you could get to there from here for the $7500 difference.

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

What do you think of $2500 for this non-running turbo Monza Corvair?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6142115005.html

No upside on that one. They simply aren't that valuable.

But if you want one for a project, there are parts specialists--they even sell turbo rebuild kits:

Clark's Corvair

explorerx4

Next to our parking lot at work. Didn't see a For Sale sign.

fintail

Early 'oughts Regal or platform mate?

explorerx4

I'm thinking a Regal, but newer with supercharger V6. If they put a sign on it with a Phone #, I'll find out.

isellhondas

How about a FREE 1948 Dodge?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/6161640042.html

Should keep someone busy for awhile!

Mr_Shiftright

These does appear to be some good bits and pieces on the car, although we can't really tell the condition of the bumpers and grille. Replating that grille would be very expensive. The gauges might be good enough to salvage, and the steering wheel and door handles.

isellhondas

I was thinking the same thing. What can be see of the grill looks pretty good. It would be a shame to just crush it without yanking off the items someone is probably looking for!

fintail

Gut it to the shell and scrap the bad bits. Might be tough labor as few are restoring those, but a shame to crush the shiny or cool bits.

I must have seen too many 70s TV reruns when I was a kid - the Mopar sedans of that era still make me think first of Mr. Cunningham's DeSoto in Happy Days.

explorerx4

Unusual swap.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6160200687.html

texases

How do you register something like that?

tjc78

Fhevy Musraro 

fintail

I suspect in SC, nobody is checking.

tjc78

I think cars like that happen after a few too many beers and "what if" conversations.  

stickguy

I like that Mustang. Pretty cheap too. if only it was a stick shift! I even love the color.

odd though, considering the power you get out of the ford V8 that actually works in the car and with the computers. Heck, if you need a bit more HP, would be way cheaper and easier to just throw a supercharger kit on the darned thing.

I am sure it registers as a 2007 Mustang. Assuming the kept the computer controls and cats, I assume it still passes emissions.

ab348

There is apparently "a thing" now to swap a LS motor of some sort into everything. Makes no sense in a Mustang, I don't care how you try to justify it.

texases

How could they keep the computer controls with a different company's engine?

fintail

Had the old project car out today. Started right up as usual, ran fine. I got to honk the horn at a stupidly driven Nissan Titan, that always perks me up. I notice the car is idling a little slow when warm, maybe due to the warmer weather. I can actually make that adjustment. I also sense a faint brake squeak. The fronts are really old, I wonder if they are getting down there. The car goes in for its yearly service work in about 6 weeks, things to add to the list.

And a gratuitous pic, deep in the wilds of suburbia:

stickguy

I love how low most old cars are compared to new ones. Especially the beltline, and trunk. at least you can see out of yours. That volvo in front of you, barely has need for a rear window you see so little out of it.

Mr_Shiftright

Might depend on what year motor is in there. Legally you can upgrade the motor but you can't downgrade it to a lower year (this presumes of course, that your state has any kind of smog check---otherwise you're probably still in violation with the Feds if you put in an older engine.

fintail

Especially cars of that era. The fintail is the easiest car I have driven in terms of parking. Wraparound glass, thin pillars, manageable size - it is a breeze to maneuver. No need for a rear camera here, where the Volvo will be a pain without one, not to mention that CRV.

stickguy said:

I love how low most old cars are compared to new ones. Especially the beltline, and trunk. at least you can see out of yours. That volvo in front of you, barely has need for a rear window you see so little out of it.

explorerx4

Don't know what to think (sort of)
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/6173715539.html

fintail

Insane money pit labor of love, but a pretty cool/wild and rare car.

Mr_Shiftright

Extremely rare car and probably worth doing just for that reason, although at the most optimistic outcome, you'd maybe break even on it if you did the majority of work yourself. Highest possible value? Maybe $45K.

They made a 4dr sedan and a 4-door hardtop, called the "Southampton". I guess this is the later.

Total production 622 hardtops and 510 sedans. By American standards, that is very rare.

Question is: Does anyone care that it's rare?

ab348

When I saw the pic of the front end sheetmetal under repair with the open slots at the top of the fender eyebrows, I immediately thought that a set of modern lights like used on the current Cherokee would make for a cool custom treatment.

Mr_Shiftright

It would make a pretty wild SEMA custom, that's for sure.

stickguy

Lotta lead in that baby. I'm a tad confused about what picture show the current state of the thing.

Mr_Shiftright

Words Fail Me

stickguy

interesting. oddest thing to me? They built it on a stick shift model! No hiding the interior though.

fintail

Of course. Florida.

explorerx4

I had no clue what it started as, but I called my wife over and she immediately recognized that 'Sparks' it as a Fox body Mustang.

ab348

I used to be a regular commentator and supporter (submitting links to their staff, etc) of Hemmings Blog until they started rigidly moderating their Find of the Day comments because apparently some advertisers disliked some of the critical comments if an advertised car was overpriced, had hideous modifications, etc. They ended up suspending comments for a number of months before recently reopening them. You can see some of the postings calling out others about their comments on this car for being critical.

When their mods started sniping at commenters, sometimes being downright nasty, for being critical I gave up on their site. I haven't posted anything there ever since. Glad it isn't like that here.

Mr_Shiftright

I used to comment on Bring A Trailer as well, but you're right, some of the fanboys get unglued. I never commented upon cars that were actually in an auction, only ones that linked to Hemmings or Craigslist. I had no desire to screw up someone's auction. with snarky comments.

tjc78

stickguy said:

interesting. oddest thing to me? They built it on a stick shift model! No hiding the interior though.

The grill is from a Lincoln Mark VII... which of course is a cousin of the Fox body so they really raided the Ford parts bin 

explorerx4

I think someone got porked when they bought this.
https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/6177327016.html

stickguy

has to be record miles on one of these. And one heck of a gas bill. Not what I would pick to drive 35K miles/year!

Mr_Shiftright

For that price, it should have about 80,000 fewer miles on it.

Mr_Shiftright

Most Popular Collector Cars Being Searched For

fintail

Funny. When I see ones like the Polara or MB, I have to imagine one person is doing most of the searching, repeatedly.

texases

Yeah, in Alaska it wouldn't take much for one guy to be the big searcher. '64 Polara...not many of those up there, I bet.

But what's with '56 Bel Air in Colorado? More than '55 or '57? Weird...

berri

I always thought the 64 Dodge was a bit of a sleeper, especially that one year coupe roofline and greenhouse. But yeah, kind of surprising. Wonder if it was skewed by few actual results? Very interesting map and data!

Mr_Shiftright

texases said:

Yeah, in Alaska it wouldn't take much for one guy to be the big searcher. '64 Polara...not many of those up there, I bet.

But what's with '56 Bel Air in Colorado? More than '55 or '57? Weird...

'56 is probably less expensive than either the '55 or the '57.

The Deville wins Arkansas? Who woulda thought.....

Mr_Shiftright

Here's a government action you'll never see in the USA.

Culturally Significant Cars

fintail

Funny seeing the place has no problem selling real estate to dirty offshore money. But I guess the land isn't being exported.

gsemike

qbrozen said:

texases said:

What do you think of $2500 for this non-running turbo Monza Corvair?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/6142115005.html

A nice driver is about $10k or so. I don't think you could get to there from here for the $7500 difference.

Never like that cut and run feeling of these ads. It has all this new stuff AND it still won't run. Buying somebody else's problem. Might be ripe to get it for half of the ask though