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

fintail · September 16

Michaell said:

fintail said:

Michaell said:

I recently read the obit of the designer who penned the TR7 and TR8.
Harris Mann, who designed several other BL cars, including my guilty pleasure, the Princess.

I met a guy in college who owned a TR7. However, he sold it when he moved from the Bay Area to Phoenix to attend school, and was driving around in a late 70's or early 80's Grand Prix - after the big downsizing. We drove that car from Phoenix to LA and back on a school break, once. Comfy car, and made me want a G-body at the time.

I have a 1981 Consumer Guide car book, where a TR8 was tested. The summary was something like "There will always be an England, but if our test car is a representative, there may not always be a British motor industry" - prescient words. When I was a little kid, before I got into MBs, I liked the TR7-8 and small sports cars (those cars were still late model at the time, and not uncommon sights). I really liked MGs, Porsches, etc too.

ab348 · September 16

Oh man, that ‘60 Edsel looks sweet! Not bad pricing either.

tjc78 · September 16

1998 Contour SVT 2.5 V6 / Manual trans
10K miles
Shows 100% perfect.

Mecum

How much do you guys think it when for?

Michaell · September 16

$25k

sda · September 16

That Edsel is very nice. It is obvious that the uniqueness of the 58 model with the drum speedometer, push button gear selector, etc. gave way to a Ford instrument panel with different trim.

stickguy · September 16

$20k

fintail · September 16

Seller probably isn't making money on that 60 Edsel anyway, if it is as nice as it looks. A deal for the right buyer. For that style I would rather it actually be in Blue, and be a Galaxie "Town Victoria", but the Edsel is pretty cool too.

bhill2 · September 16

I'm pretty much with you, Fin. Outside of its rarity, this one doesn't have a lot to make it special. Small V-8, looks like the two-speed automatic (basically Fordomatic). You would have a lot more choices going with Town Vic.

qbrozen · September 17

@tjc78 said:
1998 Contour SVT 2.5 V6 / Manual trans
10K miles
Shows 100% perfect.

Mecum

How much do you guys think it when for?

More than 15 is just dumb, so I’m sure it went for more than 15

tjc78 · September 17

@Michaell said:
$25k

Spot on! Insane.

fintail · September 17

bhill2 said:
I'm pretty much with you, Fin. Outside of its rarity, this one doesn't have a lot to make it special. Small V-8, looks like the two-speed automatic (basically Fordomatic). You would have a lot more choices going with Town Vic.

I think it's a very nice car, and I wouldn't kick it out of my garage if someone gave it to me (although I would need to build an addition), but as you say, Fords offered more choice and frills that year. I've always kind of liked the 4 door HT style that Ford used from 57-64, with the odd notch in the C-pillar. I've also always found it weird how they mated the bubble rear window of a Fairlane to the Galaxie greenhouse of this 4 door HT, I have to ask why - wouldn't the flat rear window be cheaper and easier?

fintail · September 17

Small world, I showed the Edsel listing to a car spotter friend of mine on the west side, and he sent me this, taken by a friend of his at a show:

qbrozen · September 17

I don’t understand spending that money on a bland car (Contour) that isn’t even that fast. Find a quicker, cheaper, and nicer Accord V6 6-speed. Or one of like dozens of other superior vehicles.

fintail · September 17

Unusual link to a video Adam posted a week or two ago about a 67 Ford with a special order 427, and a bunch of aftermarket gauges installed by the original owner. The car had a selection of Stewart-Warner gauges, and the fintail has something similar, I believe installed by the original owner - a Stewart-Warner ammeter located between the ignition key and the radio. Amusingly, this gauge was installed directly into the wood dash panel by cutting a hole, and also cutting into the lower dash chrome trim a little to make it fit. The cut looks less rough when looking down on it, and I don't mind having the gauge there - the gauge works fine, and confirmed issues in the past when the generator needed to be rebuilt.

tjc78 · September 18

@qbrozen said:
I don’t understand spending that money on a bland car (Contour) that isn’t even that fast. Find a quicker, cheaper, and nicer Accord V6 6-speed. Or one of like dozens of other superior vehicles.

I’m with you. It has to be a collector who is into Fords and had to have it because it’s “rare”.

oldfarmer50 · September 18

qbrozen said:
I don’t understand spending that money on a bland car (Contour) that isn’t even that fast. Find a quicker, cheaper, and nicer Accord V6 6-speed. Or one of like dozens of other superior vehicles.

I would assume that it’s the rarity that makes it desirable. Not for me but some folks like that aspect.

bhill2 · September 18

fintail said:

bhill2 said:
I'm pretty much with you, Fin. Outside of its rarity, this one doesn't have a lot to make it special. Small V-8, looks like the two-speed automatic (basically Fordomatic). You would have a lot more choices going with Town Vic.
I think it's a very nice car, and I wouldn't kick it out of my garage if someone gave it to me (although I would need to build an addition), but as you say, Fords offered more choice and frills that year. I've always kind of liked the 4 door HT style that Ford used from 57-64, with the odd notch in the C-pillar. I've also always found it weird how they mated the bubble rear window of a Fairlane to the Galaxie greenhouse of this 4 door HT, I have to ask why - wouldn't the flat rear window be cheaper and easier?

Actually, my statement about choices referred to the number of cars of that vintage/type for sale now. I should mention that I have "white whale" that I look for, mostly for the sport since I have nowhere to put it if I found it. In 63 Ford offered a Galaxie 500XL 4 door HT - bucket seats, console, and all. As closely as I can tell, they sold about 5 of them; 4 doors and XL did not pair in most people's minds. Obviously I am not most people. I think they offered that model in 64 too, but I don't like the styling as much.

gsemike · September 19

I agree on the Contour. Buyer will take it to a few shows
"It's only got 10k miles"
"Really? How'd that happen"
"I don't know. Bought it at Macum"
"Oh, pretty cool" walk away
Stands there and blinks

ab348 · September 19

gsemike said:
I agree on the Contour. Buyer will take it to a few shows
"It's only got 10k miles"
"Really? How'd that happen"
"I don't know. Bought it at Macum"

"Guess it must have spent a lotta time in the shop, huh?"

oldfarmer50 · September 19

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

bhill2 said:
I'm pretty much with you, Fin. Outside of its rarity, this one doesn't have a lot to make it special. Small V-8, looks like the two-speed automatic (basically Fordomatic). You would have a lot more choices going with Town Vic.
I think it's a very nice car, and I wouldn't kick it out of my garage if someone gave it to me (although I would need to build an addition), but as you say, Fords offered more choice and frills that year. I've always kind of liked the 4 door HT style that Ford used from 57-64, with the odd notch in the C-pillar. I've also always found it weird how they mated the bubble rear window of a Fairlane to the Galaxie greenhouse of this 4 door HT, I have to ask why - wouldn't the flat rear window be cheaper and easier?
Actually, my statement about choices referred to the number of cars of that vintage/type for sale now. I should mention that I have "white whale" that I look for, mostly for the sport since I have nowhere to put it if I found it. In 63 Ford offered a Galaxie 500XL 4 door HT - bucket seats, console, and all. As closely as I can tell, they sold about 5 of them; 4 doors and XL did not pair in most people's minds. Obviously I am not most people. I think they offered that model in 64 too, but I don't like the styling as much.

My father had a 65’ Galaxie 500. Very luxurious car with a plush interior. It got plenty of teen age abuse before my older brother wrecked it.

fintail · September 19

The perfectly optioned/spec'd 60 Ford 4 door HT (blue on blue, loaded) would be something cool, but I have to ask myself if I would really buy it if it came up for sale. I see about as many Town Victorias as 60 Edsel hardtops on the market - I think the Fords were mostly in the junkyard before I was born. Even if I found a twin to my dad's Country Sedan (or maybe even the same car, hopefully restored), I have to question if it would be realistic or a reasonable decision. As time goes on I am more into the idea that one old car is plenty.

When I was a teen, I remember a local used car lot had what seemed like an immaculate 64 XL 4 door HT, white on blue IIRC. I can't remember if it had buckets or not. I want to say they wanted 4K for it, this was maybe 1992-93.

bhill2 said:

Actually, my statement about choices referred to the number of cars of that vintage/type for sale now. I should mention that I have "white whale" that I look for, mostly for the sport since I have nowhere to put it if I found it. In 63 Ford offered a Galaxie 500XL 4 door HT - bucket seats, console, and all. As closely as I can tell, they sold about 5 of them; 4 doors and XL did not pair in most people's minds. Obviously I am not most people. I think they offered that model in 64 too, but I don't like the styling as much.

gsemike · September 20

ab348 said:

gsemike said:
I agree on the Contour. Buyer will take it to a few shows
"It's only got 10k miles"
"Really? How'd that happen"
"I don't know. Bought it at Macum"
"Guess it must have spent a lotta time in the shop, huh?"

It's got some fuse issue and I got sick of tracking it down

oldfarmer50 · September 22

I had a girl at the drive thru complement my 23 year old convertible today. She was shocked when I told her it was older than she was.

Michaell · September 22

oldfarmer50 said:
I had a girl at the drive thru complement my 23 year old convertible today. She was shocked when I told her it was older than she was.

Must be that full head of hair you have ....

fintail · September 22

A few vehicles for sale:

That crooked steering wheel emblem would drive me insane

Presence for quite a price

My dad's a TV repairman something something

Price is getting lower - fix it up and troll people at Ford meets telling them it's a prototype

Their Model As were more convincing

Looks like an LXi, finally getting thin on the ground here

You may have spent a fortune on it, but it appeals to a very specific demographic

I've seen this on the road, has quite the look to it, reminds me of an old Hot Wheels/Johnny Lightning car

Fancy car at a fancy price

Maximum economy

stickguy · September 22

I like the Camaro.

stickguy · September 22

most of that vintage Accord in the NE have rusted out and are gone. rarely see one on the road.

kyfdx · September 23

SL 4600?

sda · September 23

The 77 T Bird/Cougar maybe a cheap buy if it runs well. Clean it up and have fun with it. Chuckle when someone observes, “Hey, I just saw a Cougar drive by, wait, was it a T-bird? I might need glasses..”

explorerx4 · September 23

What's actually underneath that fiberglass body TBird?

oldfarmer50 · September 23

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:
I had a girl at the drive thru complement my 23 year old convertible today. She was shocked when I told her it was older than she was.
Must be that full head of hair you have ....

LOL, no that certainly wasn’t it. Maybe I reminded her of her grandpa.

oldfarmer50 · September 23

That 75’ Mercedes ad is very annoying. The dealer put in every piece of information to catch the search parameters but doesn’t give a price. That mystery might get some people to call but for me it makes me keep scrolling.

fintail · September 23

oldfarmer50 said:
That 75’ Mercedes ad is very annoying. The dealer put in every piece of information to catch the search parameters but doesn’t give a price. That mystery might get some people to call but for me it makes me keep scrolling.

BHPH type lot connected to the local Mitsu dealer, so it makes sense to me. I don't know why they have the car in the first place, odd trade for an Eclipse Cross.

The keyword spammers are punchable, and might signal a lack of ethics overall.

fintail · September 23

explorerx4 said:
What's actually underneath that fiberglass body TBird?

IIRC the Shay Model As were Pintos underneath - maybe not the case here.

fintail · September 24

Out on a pleasant second day of fall afternoon, a little blur in the camera that kind of goes with the hazy sunshine that makes the car look brand new from a short distance. Car ran sweet as can be, no starting issues (as I didn't give it the 5-10 minute warmup idle). Got a few comments and a younger guy was taking pics of it when parked, he was amazed by the car as I guess these are alien to younger people now. Take advantage of dry weather, still nice out but I get that sense now that cold is just around the weather:

fintail · September 29

stickguy · September 29

I like the opel but I seem to recall that parts are really hard to get.

qbrozen · September 30

Pulsar is kinda cool

ab348 · September 30

I think the X1/9 ad should read "ran poorly 30 years ago".

The Riv just looks odd to me now. Not a great time for GM.

The NUMMI Nova looks like they stole the idea for the hubcaps from the bowling ball wheel design on the 3rd-gen Trans Am.

I agree on the '64 Ford, the owner's personal tastes may not translate well to the sale price desired.

oldfarmer50 · September 30

I would love that 92’ Riviera with that milage and price. I’d love to know what “mechanic’s error” could blow up a 3800 engine.

That VW pickup would be strictly for show as any weight in the bed made you lose traction on the FWD.

That 84’ Corvette is exactly like the one I had right down to the color. Crossfire injection wasn’t too bad except if you had to adjust or repair. That’s even the same price I paid for mine.

That 90’ Ranger would make a nice little run around truck. I wonder why the price is so low, unless the odometer has spun around a few times.

texases · September 30

That Civic-from the time when you could easily see out of cars.

ab348 · September 30

oldfarmer50 said:

That 90’ Ranger would make a nice little run around truck. I wonder why the price is so low, unless the odometer has spun around a few times.

Judging from the wear on the interior that would not surprise me at all. The interior looks like it is from a different vehicle than the one seen in the exterior photos. I would want to see pictures of the rear frame rails too.

The pics of the Ranger make me realize how closely the design mirrors the earlier Ford F-series.

fintail · October 1

It's October now, 10 days or so into autumn, and one can feel it - cool mornings, furnace came on for the first time this season this morning, leaves changing. Time to get some driving in now, as we could easily get first snow in the next 4-6 weeks, and then the roads get dirty and it is hibernation time. A rear view today:

Car ran fine, no slow cranking, no need for a jump etc - got a few waves and a compliment at a light from a guy in a pre-facelift W220 S500, which is probably an active project car too.

oldfarmer50 · October 2

I’m getting a few bonus days this week for the convertible. 80s for most of the week. Maybe the last opportunity as the forecast is in the 60s for next week. The convertible goes to bed by mid October most years with the RWD sports car going with the first flake in November. Then it will be down to driving the vehicles that I sacrifice to the salt gods.

stickguy · October 2

a nice day in the 60s is perfect for a convertible. With the Miata, and day above IIRC 41 (there was actually a minimum temp recommended where you were not supposed to put it down) and not raining was fair game. Windows up, heater on floor, kept you nice and toasty!

xwesx · October 3

First hint of snow yesterday. More this morning... enough to make the roads a bit slick. My son's car, which is old enough and miled enough to be a *bit* of a project.... has practically bald tires on it since he wanted to get the most use possible out of the all-seasons that came on the car when he bought it last year.

He purchased winter tires for it last week, but they cannot get him in to install them until 10/20. So, I told him to use my winter tires until then, and I'll just keep running my (drastically better) all-seasons.

Ready or not... here it comes!

oldfarmer50 · October 3

stickguy said:
a nice day in the 60s is perfect for a convertible. With the Miata, and day above IIRC 41 (there was actually a minimum temp recommended where you were not supposed to put it down) and not raining was fair game. Windows up, heater on floor, kept you nice and toasty!

The coldest I ever ran with the top down was exactly 60. Somehow it didn’t seem the same having the heat blasting. Same with riding at 90, didn’t seem legit to have the AC on.. My sweet spot is between 70 and 80.

I’ve seen a few die hards out with the top down in February all bundled up in parkas and gloves. They should have been driving dog sleds.

sda · October 3

I have a fond memory from years ago, (1987?) when I was visiting a close friend in Pittsburgh. At the time I had an 85 Renault Alliance convertible. We decided to drive downtown around 9pm to get something to eat at one of the many popular restaurants. My friend drove the Alliance, his girlfriend sat up front, I sat in the rear. We put the top down and it started to snow lightly. While riding around, looking up at the buildings and watching the snow fall was post card perfect. It was a wonderful experience.

fintail · October 3

xwesx said:
First hint of snow yesterday. More this morning... enough to make the roads a bit slick. My son's car, which is old enough and miled enough to be a *bit* of a project.... has practically bald tires on it since he wanted to get the most use possible out of the all-seasons that came on the car when he bought it last year.

He purchased winter tires for it last week, but they cannot get him in to install them until 10/20. So, I told him to use my winter tires until then, and I'll just keep running my (drastically better) all-seasons.

Ready or not... here it comes!

We run about a month behind you here, I think. I want to say it was November 3rd or 5th last year - I recall in 2020 it was October 23rd (and we got a decent dump, something like 6-8"). I am having my snow tires switched over on the 8th.

xwesx · October 4

I ended up switching over the Crosstrek to the winter tires last night after additional snow yesterday. My wife said that her newish all-season all-terrain tires were "useless" on the snow yesterday, which must have been true since my car didn't even notice that it was slick! So, that's disappointing. Black mark for Continental terrain contact tires!

My son also didn't swap his tires yesterday before he had to go to work, and he said that it was "the sketchiest drive he's ever experienced." So, I didn't have to convince him to swap out his tires while I was working on my wife's car!

So far, the temperature is surprisingly stable just under freezing, but I do expect a few freeze/thaw cycles before October is out. If it stays cold straight into winter, that will be a marked departure from the last fifteen years and harken back to the "old days" when October meant winter!

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

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