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

Michaell

toomanyfumes said:

Lotus Europa for sale down the road. All there, looks a little rough, I think it was sitting in his back yard awhile. I'll try to get a pic.

There used to be a Europa around the corner from my mom and dads house in CA when I lived there. Was in real tatty shape, needed a full restoration.

xwesx

isellhondas said:

Those Westies bring CRAZY money for some reason I can't fathom! That sounds cheap for one!

Huh. Gosh; almost makes me want to take a closer look at this one. Still, I think it's too high. But, maybe not by as much as I previously thought!

Just looking out the window, I see another one (not a common rig, these!) at the same shop. Looks like they're just stopping in to use the air hose.....

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

toomanyfumes said:

Lotus Europa for sale down the road. All there, looks a little rough, I think it was sitting in his back yard awhile. I'll try to get a pic.

There used to be a Europa around the corner from my mom and dads house in CA when I lived there. Was in real tatty shape, needed a full restoration.

If it's a 67-68 Europa, definitely not worth restoring, even if you got it for free.

If it's a 72-74 Twin Cam or TC/Special, that's more interesting and *might* be worth saving, but you'd certainly lose about 1/2 to 2/3rds your money re-selling it.

They made almost 9,000 of these, so not all that rare.

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

toomanyfumes said:

Lotus Europa for sale down the road. All there, looks a little rough, I think it was sitting in his back yard awhile. I'll try to get a pic.

There used to be a Europa around the corner from my mom and dads house in CA when I lived there. Was in real tatty shape, needed a full restoration.

If it's a 67-68 Europa, definitely not worth restoring, even if you got it for free.

If it's a 72-74 Twin Cam or TC/Special, that's more interesting and *might* be worth saving, but you'd certainly lose about 1/2 to 2/3rds your money re-selling it.

They made almost 9,000 of these, so not all that rare.

There is no way I could tell you the year - I remember seeing in in the late 70's or early 80's.

fintail

Yeah, plenty of Westys around here too, many of them original or neglected. The money must be in the conversion and finding the right clientele - I suspect well to do/house-rich west coast middle agers and above.

Mr_Shiftright

I've found quite a few women are doing the conversions--I was just looking up past appraisals and the last 5, from 2015-2017, were women owners.

stickguy

Wes, for the money, get ambitious and DIY your econoline into a camper! You probably own a sawzall and a rivet gun, so just need a case of beer.

Mr_Shiftright

Beer always improves one's skill set, at least initially.

xwesx

Maybe surprising, but I actually do not own a rivet gun. However, my van really is unfinished inside, so finishing it out in that way might not be such a stretch.

texases

I'm sure you're all set:

fintail

Found via another forum: Step back in time

ab348

Ha! For some reason I was just thinking of these yesterday and did some digging. The Monaco version of the Premier wasn't sold up here so I had forgotten they even existed. I did see a very few Premiers around here way back when; we even had an Eagle dealer here for a while. I can only imagine the electrical gremlins lurking in that thing. They were problematic for that even when new.

xwesx

texases said:

I'm sure you're all set:

Ha! You KNOW I have a few rolls of that lying around!

texases

fintail said:

Found via another forum: Step back in time

Wow, talk about clean. How does somebody end up saving one of those? 4,800 miles!

ab348

texases said:

fintail said:

Found via another forum: Step back in time

Wow, talk about clean. How does somebody end up saving one of those? 4,800 miles!

Simple - it was always in the shop.

Mr_Shiftright

Kinda high miles for that car....

fintail

Another blast from the past

The ailments list is cringeworthy, this thing is probably approaching sole survivor status.

bhill2

What breed was that dog I heard running away from that car yelping in terror?

omarman

fintail said:

Another blast from the past

The ailments list is cringeworthy, this thing is probably approaching sole survivor status.

This is not the car I ordered. I distinctly ordered the antarctic blue super sports wagon...with the CB and the optional rally fun pack.

fintail

If that was the Super Sports wagon, maybe getting the Truckster in Metallic Pea was a blessing in disguise - I bet these would be risky taking the tribe cross-country even when new.

I always thought the Antarctic Blue wagon had a cameo in the movie, in the gas station scene where Clark rips off the rear plate.

omarman said:

This is not the car I ordered. I distinctly ordered the antarctic blue super sports wagon...with the CB and the optional rally fun pack.

texases

"WITH A GOOD DETAILING THIS CAR WOULD LOOK BRAND NEW ."

Hahahaha-stop it, yer killing me!!

Mr_Shiftright

I think by detailing he meant photoshop.

toomanyfumes

Saw a guy poking around that Europa- he was driving a Alfa Romeo 164.

Mr_Shiftright

Ah, well, then he's brave enough.

fintail

I was supposed to get the fintail back this evening - I took it in Monday for the yearly service and inspection. The old timer tech at the shop got sick (they'd rather not put it in the hands of their youngsters, as it can't be plugged into a computer for diagnosis), and my car isn't complete. I was kind of looking forward to giving the yearly big detail tomorrow, in advance of the annual MBCA meet in a couple weeks. Should be ready next week.

omarman

A friend born in 1958 was celebrating his birthday a week ago and the talk was about what kind of project car "born" in 1958 can be found selling for cheap these days...

Catalac...Standard of the Welt - $5000
AMC Rambler American Super (90 HP!) - $4900
Can be seen at classic car show this weekend-probably not for sale at $5k

I'm okay with the Rambler from Wapakoneta but a 90hp car in traffic these days doesn't sound very super.

Michaell

omarman said:

A friend born in 1958 was celebrating his birthday a week ago and the talk was about what kind of project car "born" in 1958 can be found selling for cheap these days...

Catalac...Standard of the Welt - $5000
AMC Rambler American Super (90 HP!) - $4900
Can be seen at classic car show this weekend-probably not for sale at $5k

I'm okay with the Rambler from Wapakoneta but a 90hp car in traffic these days doesn't sound very super.

One of the other automotive websites had a similar article not long ago - what car from the year of your birth would you want to own?

Since I'm not up on my early 60's choices, I'll admit that I have no idea.

Mr_Shiftright

The Rambler seems to be the only one that isn't a complete money pit at this point. Old Cadillacs are not easy restorations, as there aren't a lot of reproduction parts. This, being a 4-door Sedan Deville (I think)--not worth restoring.

The '58 Corvette is potentially valuable but I'm seeing things in the photo I definitely don't like, such as philips head screws for the VIN plate and no mention of the engine # (they only show a casting number, which is the right type of engine for 1958 but doesn't tell you what it comes out of). The way the ad is worded, I suspect it is not a matching #s car.

So a base engine '58 Corvette shows a median value of $75,000 at auctions. Non-matching engine is a pretty good hit on value. Frame-off restorations would bring more money, but it's a long, expensive road to get there.
This one is pretty rough. I can't see restoring it.

stickguy

I like the rambler. A nice mellow resto mod would work. Small block, disk brakes, modern suspension, and good to go.

Mr_Shiftright

Looks tight in there. You might have some chopping to do. A Buick turbo V-6 might be nice.

fintail

Just one? Own to drive or own and maintain?

I am a malaise era baby, so not a wide range of choices. There were a few gems though.

6.9:



A legendery P-car:



These existed then:



Italy wasn't terrible:



This would drive one to the poor house, but I have always had a thing for them:

Michaell said:

One of the other automotive websites had a similar article not long ago - what car from the year of your birth would you want to own?

Since I'm not up on my early 60's choices, I'll admit that I have no idea.

Mr_Shiftright

I like 'em all except the Roller. Those things eat money faster than a whale can consume krill. It's the kind of car that's more fun to just sit in and make zoom zoom noises and work the steering wheel, than actually drive. I'm just not keen on $8000 brake jobs.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

I like 'em all except the Roller. Those things eat money faster than a whale can consume krill. It's the kind of car that's more fun to just sit in and make zoom zoom noises and work the steering wheel, than actually drive. I'm just not keen on $8000 brake jobs.

As if a Ferrari, Lambo, or Porsche of that era would be cheap to keep on the road...

explorerx4

1958 Cadillac Catera?

fintail

I figure if you can buy it, you can afford to maintain it. Shadows are cheap, but I haven't seen even decent Corniche convertibles under 40K. I remember when I was a kid, I thought those were pretty glamorous, no doubt because of their insane MSRP.

All of those cars could/would be money pits in their own way, but with style.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I like 'em all except the Roller. Those things eat money faster than a whale can consume krill. It's the kind of car that's more fun to just sit in and make zoom zoom noises and work the steering wheel, than actually drive. I'm just not keen on $8000 brake jobs.

As if a Ferrari, Lambo, or Porsche of that era would be cheap to keep on the road...

Yeah, but at least you can have a lot of fun with them. They are cocaine, the Rolls is a sedative, and if it's old enough, a laxative.

omarman

or an ipecac

fintail

That Shadow woody, no. It would be worth half that if not for the conversion, the wood contact paper depreciates it more.

A Silver Cloud III drophead like Rodney Dangerfield's car in 'Caddyshack' would be a nice cruiser, and is worth a healthy 6 figures today:

Mr_Shiftright

"The only "Woody" Silver Shadow in existence."

And now we know why....

fintail

Back from the shop, well under budget, running fine in the 90+ degree weather this hot and smoky afternoon here. My good indy mechanic found no glaring faults, nothing to make it unsafe. Of course it has needs, but making it perfect is far beyond my budget. I think next year I will treat the old dear to a comprehensive tune up and fluids service, maybe even shocks. Looking good today, they even washed the car, as tomorrow I will be giving it the annual big detailing:





Quite a menagerie parked around there, too, this shop does good business.

Michaell

Speaking of money pits, I parked next to an early '00's S500 tonight. Three guys, all under 30, got out of the car. The Merc looked unloved and tired, and it made me think that the next big failure meant it was destined for the junk yard.

berri

Looking good today, they even washed the car, as tomorrow I will be giving it the annual big detailing:

Will that include "smoked glass"

fintail

If the airmatic or transmission goes, that's indeed the destiny.

A couple months ago I saw a 1 owner earlier (00-02) S430 at an estate sale. 80K miles, all documents, dealer serviced. $4500. A worn S500 would bring much less. W220 is not seen as a high point in MB history, nice W140 are worth more now.

Michaell said:

Speaking of money pits, I parked next to an early '00's S500 tonight. Three guys, all under 30, got out of the car. The Merc looked unloved and tired, and it made me think that the next big failure meant it was destined for the junk yard.

fintail

Funny, the interior of the car outgasses a lot when sitting in the sun for a long time - more than any modern car. After about a week the interior glass will haze over. I'll definitely be using some Sprayway glass cleaner tomorrow.

berri said:

Looking good today, they even washed the car, as tomorrow I will be giving it the annual big detailing:

Will that include "smoked glass"

berri

News is saying Seattle is worse weather and pollution than Beijing right now. Given that and the city government, maybe they should rename it Little Beijing or Beijing Minor. Chicago has the same issue of huge differences gov wise between the city and the suburbs.

fintail

The air quality issues here right now are due to forest fires up in BC, and a record-breaking dry and warm spell (I think we are at about 40 days without measurable rain here). Usually, the summer air here is probably among the best in the country.

isellhondas

Do you take it to Park Place for your work?

fintail

I patronize "Mercedes Garage at Park Place" Mercedes Garage was once a standalone shop, first off 116th, then next door to Park Place. The proprietor, Adam Takayoshi, is a very skilled and honest mechanic, with many credentials, and a devoted local following. I first went to him when I moved here more than 10 years ago, and have kept it up, as he is not scared of the fintail. I think both sides benefit from the arrangement - he gets more facilities and operational help, they get an in-house expert with clientele. His rates don't seem to have changed much if anything at all, so it appears to be a good relationship.

isellhondas said:

Do you take it to Park Place for your work?

fintail

I spent several back breaking hours cleaning the old dear today, and took a little drive this evening. The horn works as well as ever - I was blindly cut off by one of our wonderful local drivers in an Odyssey (not from isell's dealer, so he didn't get to have a harrowing test drive). Running fine, ready for a little highway drive to and from the MBCA gathering next Sunday:

xwesx

Spiffy! It should be a hit!