Yeah but think about pumping $3 a gallon premium fuel every 8 or 9 miles. This is not a pretty picture. You're lookin' at .30 to .35 cents a mile to go anywhere!
One particular business I would like to start would be a shop that takes classic vehicles and then restores them with modern engines and suspension. Not necessarily the typical resto mod place though. The outside of the car would be kept strictly stock except for modern tires. Whatever the closest modern equivelant of its original engine would be used as well.
For the Z car although a SR20DET is a good choice it would be better to use a skyline 6 clyinder motor and 6 speed tranny.
I've thought about that kinda thing too. A lot of old MB could be improved with the M103 6cyl as found in the original 300E. And I am sure many 30s-40s cars have plenty of room to adapt new suspensions and engines while looking stock.
For the Z car although a SR20DET is a good choice it would be better to use a skyline 6 clyinder motor and 6 speed tranny.
Except that the RB and a six-gun will be about 200 pounds heavier than the SR20 and a Silvia 5-speed (which is good for about 400 hp), so unless you're doing a full GT-R swap the RB really isn't worth the trouble.
I meant better in the terms of sticking with the evolution of the model by choosing the 6 cylinder RB and 6 speed tranny. It would of course be more costly and demanding from an engineering stand point.
There are quite a few businesses like this already in operation---but it requires that you do this to very high demand and potentially valuable cars.
The conversions I've seen center around these types of cars:
Jaguar 3.8 Mark II sedans getting modern jaguar drivetrains with (gasp!) Toyota transmissions
50s Chevrolets getting F.I. engines, disk brakes, o/d transmissions or 5 speeds, etc.
Ditto with old Chevy pickup trucks
VW Westphalia vans converted to Jetta turbo diesel engines
I don't think you could make money doing this kind of thing on Japanese cars or Benz sedans however. Too much $$ for cars worth too little is the problem....
there was an outfit that was buying salvageable mid-60's GM intermediate convertibles, such as Cutlasses, Tempests, etc, and refurbishing and modernizing them. They tried to make them look as stock as possible on the outside, although they would turn these more plebian convertibles into wanna-be musclecars, putting 4-4-2 badges on the Olds models, GTO badges on the Tempests, etc.
Mechanically, they'd put power disc brakes up front, and under the hood a fairly mild crate chevy 350 would be installed. I forget the tranny though. Either a THM350 or that 4-speed automatic, which I think is called a 4L60E?
I can't remember if the cars were fuel injected or had 4-bbl carbs. This was around 1990 or so, so it was before the LT-1 350 that went in the Caprice, Impala SS, etc, but it still had more power than the 185 TBI copcar 350.
They sold them for around $25,000 new, which was still considered a lot of money back then. I don't know how long this company lasted, or if they're still around. One of those buff rags did a test of a '67 Cutlass "4-4-2" convertible version. It wasn't MT or C&D though. I want to say it was "Automobile"?
I think the company also modded one Mopar, like a Charger, as a special request, but as a rule didn't like to mess with intermediate Mopars or Fords of that era, because their unitized construction made them harder to restore.
I can't see how people in England pay such huge sums for those Vicarage etc renovated MkIIs. They cost a princely sum when freshly rebuilt. If I had a huge lottery jackpot etc I'd start a shop that renovated old MB like that. Not for profit, but for fun. Fintails and 108/109s with M103 engines would be pretty nice. I'm sure I'd have a small following anyway.
Well it's because the Jaguar MkIIs are such beautiful cars, and very luxurious inside. The MBs of those days seem very spartan in comparison. So I think the modern temperment finds the MkII more in keeping with "looking like as much as it costs". Ditto 50s and 60s American cars---they have charisma and (most of them anyway) good looks in a flashy kind of way. A Benz looks wrong if you try to glitz it up with chrome and wire wheels, etc. Doesn't work.
The Westphalia conversions are strictly pragmatic, and people will pay up to $15,000 to trick them out with a turbo diesel. In this modernized form, they made very trendy "retro-campers" that you can actually use.
So I think this modernization trend needs a big PAYOFF to work.
Yeah, MBs are cursed that way...it probably costs the same to restore a fintail/108 as a MkII or late 50s American car, but the payoff is much more for the non-MB. But there might be some interest among a small niche anyway, not saying that it would be profitable or sustainable. I guess i am not looking at it from a profit standpoint, but a fun standpoint. It's hard to profit with most old cars to begin with, and just about impossible with any closed MB. I could probably sink 25K into my fintail and be lucky to get 10K out of it.
Oh, and on the MB note, my old MB specialist recently picked up one of his dream cars, a mint 116 diesel. This is a 79 300SD, one local owner, apparently completely as-new. I've never really liked 116s, but I'd take one like his. In the MB world, this is a disco-mobile, but it sure is handsome in this color and condition. He's done a vegetable oil conversion on it too.
Looks good. A friend of mine has a diesel wagon for sale...he'll probably get around $3,500 for it. It's in pretty good shape but it's been "dogified" by his mangy mutt, so I don't know if a good detailing can save that interior.
Now then, a DIESEL WAGON might be a good car for modification--- a Corvette C5 driveline with a 6 speed manual transmission would be great! Then you'd have a tank like body, plenty of power and probably fuel mileage equal to the original diesel motor.
There seems to be some kind of pent up demand for those wagons - good ones seem to bring decent money. I know of a really immaculate 85 that brought $7500, and I've seen crazy money as asking prices for them in Hemmings.
Yeah, that would be a good basis for a mod car, too. Leave all the original badging on it, of course. You'd have to be able to have fun with it now and then.
Well, I don't know if this is a sign, but the 4L60-E tranny in my uncle's '97 Silverado just had to be rebuilt, at around the 110,000 mile mark. And to add insult to injury, this is the SECOND time it's been redone!
I forget exactly when the first time was, but I think it was around the 70,000 mile mark, and it was covered by an extended warranty that time. IIRC, the dealer had his truck for about a month fixing that danged thing. In contrast, the local transmission shop, who services my cars and rebuilt a '79 Newport tranny for me years ago, did it in about 2 days.
Oh, and there was a similar-vintage Suburban in there, also getting its tranny rebuilt! Same unit, too. I had thought the 4L60-E was mainly just a V-6 truck tranny, but evidently it goes up behind V-8's, too. I guess you have to get a 3/4 ton or bigger truck, or a stronger V-8, before you get the 4L80-E?
As for what failed on the tranny, the way the guy at the shop explained it, Reverse commonly goes out, and then that takes out second and overdrive, leaving just first and third (the 1:1 drive)
Its about the least desirable E-type (i like how he calls it an x-type, by the way), but it does have the V12 and manual tranny, which helps the value.
I don't know much, but I don't see why this wouldn't be a worthwhile project since everything from the windshield back seems to be in good shape. You never know what is underneath, though, so I definitely wouldn't buy sight unseen.
'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
Yeah I noticed the X-Type thing as well when that is clearly an E-type. I am guessing they do not know much about Jags. Someone with the resources could probably steal it and get it back into shape with a minimal, relative to how much troubles jags usually are, amount of trouble.
I don't think so. These cars are devils to work on and the front end damage alone makes the car a wrecking yard special. Also, bad color, shabby interior, wrong model and horrible engine.
Frankly, someone would be certifiably nuts to try and fix this car. You can buy a really nice one of these for $30,000. Money pit, don't go there, ever.
In a twisted way, I kinda like that Marlin, although I think I'd just rather have the Classic hardtop, or whatever they called the style that first Marlin was based on.
Ok that is what I was really wondering. Trying to actually restore that thing might not be any good but if you could steal it for a fairly low amount of money then you could part it out and make your money back a couple of times over probably.
Well unfortunately IF the car can't be made to run, your parts goldmine goes up in smoke. The most valuable part of that car, the front end clip that goes up and down, is ruined, so that's maybe $3,000---$4,000 down the drain. If you can't make it run you can't sell the engine, and you can't test the transmission.
The engine and transmission on this car MUST come out together (that's 1,400 lbs of it) AND it must come out the BOTTOM of the car....are you getting the picture?
And with a ruined interior, really what have we got here? Glass, misc. small parts, alternator, starter, wheels, etc.
You can't even get the rear brake calipers off without dropping the rear end axle assembly.
Maybe they could end up using it as the "football" in some of those demolition derby games. It would be more interesting than the B210 or Chevette or Metro that would otherwise get used! :P
Holland and Holland editon 2000 Range Rover A little over priced as far as I am concerned since it is out of warranty. It could be a california thing or might be a couple of people in a bidding war over a holland & holland edition since there were so few made.
I kinda like that one. Not too crazy about the color, but it looks like a nice, clean ride. Back in 1996 I came kinda close to buying a '76 Newport. It was a silver 4-door hardtop with a burgundy interior/roof, and a 440 V-8. It was at a park-and-sell lot. I was interested, until I looked underneath and noticed most of the exhaust system was missing. Plus the rear quarter panels were rotted out (hard to spot at first because of the way they wrap under). Then there was the fuel leak... :surprise:
Just watch out for those windshield wipers! :surprise: *thwack* *thwack* :sick:
Actually, I have a story I could tell about driving my Econoline sans windshield one blustery day in December at about 5F (which was REALLY cold in eastern Oregon). Oy, the stupid things one does as a teenager....
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Whoa! I'd take that just for the Huh? factor! Drop as little into it as possible to get it on the road and call it good. There's exactly -0- chance of seeing yourself on the roadway! Well, unless you look through a mirror (which would probably have to be amplified to even see beyond the end of the car!).
Wait, I think the combined vehicle totals for a passenger car driving license is 60'. Darn... I'd have to get a Class A CDL! :P
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I saw a 1966 or so Chrysler Newport at the Carlisle Mopar show that had been turned into an airport limo type of car. I think it only had one extra row of seats added. It always kinda bothered me when they'd stretch out a unitized car like that, but I guess it's really no worse than taking a body-on-frame car, cutting the frame, and welding the extra piece in?
And that's kinda what they did with this Newport...it had these frame rails that connected the front and rear subframes.
That's rich, someone trying to pass off a ho-hum nine year-old domestic sedan as a future collectible, complete with KBB price. That's a $3000 car on a great day (for the seller).
Then again, here's its 35 year-old equivalent, and if it gets the money he's asking, perhaps we're all wrong:
Not sure where the 'clean car' description comes from (does that mean it was washed recently?), I don't see a straight, rust free panel with original paint in that picture. I don't care if it has 35k or not, if this car gets half that asking price, I'll buy up every ratty Nova I see from now on! I think these were going for about fifty bucks when I was in high school.
Comments
Nice looking (well, nice condition) 70s survivor
I have always liked that color on the Z's as well.
The other end of the spectrum
Better then putting a chevy small block in it
Looks pretty good as well
Poor baby
looks fairly good for the price
I suspect these were less than reliable
For the Z car although a SR20DET is a good choice it would be better to use a skyline 6 clyinder motor and 6 speed tranny.
Except that the RB and a six-gun will be about 200 pounds heavier than the SR20 and a Silvia 5-speed (which is good for about 400 hp), so unless you're doing a full GT-R swap the RB really isn't worth the trouble.
The conversions I've seen center around these types of cars:
Jaguar 3.8 Mark II sedans getting modern jaguar drivetrains with (gasp!) Toyota transmissions
50s Chevrolets getting F.I. engines, disk brakes, o/d transmissions or 5 speeds, etc.
Ditto with old Chevy pickup trucks
VW Westphalia vans converted to Jetta turbo diesel engines
I don't think you could make money doing this kind of thing on Japanese cars or Benz sedans however. Too much $$ for cars worth too little is the problem....
Mechanically, they'd put power disc brakes up front, and under the hood a fairly mild crate chevy 350 would be installed. I forget the tranny though. Either a THM350 or that 4-speed automatic, which I think is called a 4L60E?
I can't remember if the cars were fuel injected or had 4-bbl carbs. This was around 1990 or so, so it was before the LT-1 350 that went in the Caprice, Impala SS, etc, but it still had more power than the 185 TBI copcar 350.
They sold them for around $25,000 new, which was still considered a lot of money back then. I don't know how long this company lasted, or if they're still around. One of those buff rags did a test of a '67 Cutlass "4-4-2" convertible version. It wasn't MT or C&D though. I want to say it was "Automobile"?
I think the company also modded one Mopar, like a Charger, as a special request, but as a rule didn't like to mess with intermediate Mopars or Fords of that era, because their unitized construction made them harder to restore.
The Westphalia conversions are strictly pragmatic, and people will pay up to $15,000 to trick them out with a turbo diesel. In this modernized form, they made very trendy "retro-campers" that you can actually use.
So I think this modernization trend needs a big PAYOFF to work.
Now then, a DIESEL WAGON might be a good car for modification--- a Corvette C5 driveline with a 6 speed manual transmission would be great! Then you'd have a tank like body, plenty of power and probably fuel mileage equal to the original diesel motor.
Yeah, that would be a good basis for a mod car, too. Leave all the original badging on it, of course. You'd have to be able to have fun with it now and then.
I forget exactly when the first time was, but I think it was around the 70,000 mile mark, and it was covered by an extended warranty that time. IIRC, the dealer had his truck for about a month fixing that danged thing. In contrast, the local transmission shop, who services my cars and rebuilt a '79 Newport tranny for me years ago, did it in about 2 days.
Oh, and there was a similar-vintage Suburban in there, also getting its tranny rebuilt! Same unit, too. I had thought the 4L60-E was mainly just a V-6 truck tranny, but evidently it goes up behind V-8's, too. I guess you have to get a 3/4 ton or bigger truck, or a stronger V-8, before you get the 4L80-E?
As for what failed on the tranny, the way the guy at the shop explained it, Reverse commonly goes out, and then that takes out second and overdrive, leaving just first and third (the 1:1 drive)
I mean I know it would be a nightmare but if you happend to have one and needed parts I guess it would be good.
Its about the least desirable E-type (i like how he calls it an x-type, by the way), but it does have the V12 and manual tranny, which helps the value.
I don't know much, but I don't see why this wouldn't be a worthwhile project since everything from the windshield back seems to be in good shape. You never know what is underneath, though, so I definitely wouldn't buy sight unseen.
'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 always liked the Biscayne.
Crackhead of the day winner
"95% unmolested" - is that a good thing?
Frankly, someone would be certifiably nuts to try and fix this car. You can buy a really nice one of these for $30,000. Money pit, don't go there, ever.
But parts? A GOLDMINE!
In a twisted way, I kinda like that Marlin, although I think I'd just rather have the Classic hardtop, or whatever they called the style that first Marlin was based on.
The engine and transmission on this car MUST come out together (that's 1,400 lbs of it) AND it must come out the BOTTOM of the car....are you getting the picture?
And with a ruined interior, really what have we got here? Glass, misc. small parts, alternator, starter, wheels, etc.
You can't even get the rear brake calipers off without dropping the rear end axle assembly.
It's not looking so good, is it?
Actually the best thing to do with that Jag is cut the rear clip off to get a rear-ended sister ship in better condition back on the road.
Unless that model of E Type starts selling for about $100K a pop, it's doomed I think.
This might be pretty nice
BMW 2002
Rhino Edition 2002 Range Rover Current bid is perhaps a little below market for its miles.
Holland and Holland editon 2000 Range Rover A little over priced as far as I am concerned since it is out of warranty. It could be a california thing or might be a couple of people in a bidding war over a holland & holland edition since there were so few made.
AUTOMATIC!
There, that should do it.
Some people like these I think
Just watch out for those windshield wipers! :surprise: *thwack* *thwack* :sick:
Actually, I have a story I could tell about driving my Econoline sans windshield one blustery day in December at about 5F (which was REALLY cold in eastern Oregon). Oy, the stupid things one does as a teenager....
Wait, I think the combined vehicle totals for a passenger car driving license is 60'. Darn... I'd have to get a Class A CDL! :P
And that's kinda what they did with this Newport...it had these frame rails that connected the front and rear subframes.
No 96,000 mile Lumina is worth more than a couple of grand.
Then again, here's its 35 year-old equivalent, and if it gets the money he's asking, perhaps we're all wrong:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/car/149664396.html
Not sure where the 'clean car' description comes from (does that mean it was washed recently?), I don't see a straight, rust free panel with original paint in that picture. I don't care if it has 35k or not, if this car gets half that asking price, I'll buy up every ratty Nova I see from now on! I think these were going for about fifty bucks when I was in high school.