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

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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    anyone trying to sell half-finished or unrestored project cars of no particular rarity or merit are going to have buckets of ice water dumped on their heads in this economic climate.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    If nothing else, the 340 in that Dart sedan would make a fun transplant into one of my New Yorkers...that would make for an interesting sleeper. :shades:
  • woodywwwoodyww Member Posts: 1,806
    That must have been a dog of a car, with the 2-speed automatic. I think the 221 only put out around 145 hp

    I actually had a 1962 Mercury Meteor w/the 221 V8. I suppose it was a dog, but even by the late '60's most average cars didn't have such great performance. But The 2-speed automatic was awful, awful, awful. I did get mine up to 100 mph once, but I don't remember how many seconds (or minutes) it took.....
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    83 BMW -- the seller turned down $17,000 real dollars?!!! OMG OMG :surprise: :surprise:

    That has to be the bonehead play of the week on eBay.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    That 7 series is in amazing shape. Wow.

    But I don't think I'd pay upwards of $20k for it. For a like-new next generation V12 7 series (89 up), maybe I would, but this body style wasn't my favourite.

    Nevertheless amazing shape. :surprise:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I was going to say the same thing,

    He should forget about his reserve and sell it to one of the two bidders who are crazy about the car.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Interesting picks.

    I was very fond of the Audi 5000 wagon when it was new. If that one is as nice as it looks and has no current "issues", I don't see how you could go wrong for $2700. Drive it until something expensive breaks, then walk away. :shades:

    "Elizabeth", the 4-spd 280SE looks sweet. I don't know enough about Mercs to know how enjoyable a stick would be to drive, just that I disdain automatics in general.

    The seller of the 25 year old 7-series is nuts to turn away $17k for the old boat. Yes it is in incredible condition, but good grief, with the economy tanking, he may not get another opportunity to sell it for another 25 years! :sick:

    James
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well on the bright side the potential buyer has a chance to splash cold water on his face and say "what did I almost do?"

    1970 280SE -- Mercedes gearshifts from that era are pretty awful. Think of shifting an oar in a barrel.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,665
    The W108 is a very odd options package as the seller states - a sunroof manual car is almost unheard of. I haven't heard many fun things about those old manuals, but I am sure it can't be too bad, maybe just a little heavy, with long throws.

    I agree with everyone about the old 7er. Amazing looking car, but 17K is a lot for any sedan from the 80s. 17 grand should have had the seller rejoicing.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    this looks really clean for what it is.
    And I'm interested for some bizarre reason.
    69hp is kinda sad, though. Wonder what it weighs.

    '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

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    I'd imagine right around 2000 lb. I have a used car guide that's too old to list that Sentra, but it lists the 1982-1986 style at 1918 to 2028 lb. The 2-door sedan was the lightest and, oddly, the hatchback was the heaviest (it was a bulkier looking hatch than that 1987 though). The wagon was 2024 and the 4-door was 1939 lb.

    I wonder if the 1.6 was still carbureted in 1987? That looks like a carb setup under the hood, but it's hard to tell sometimes, if it's a TBI unit.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803

    '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

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Ewwww....sounds like a project that never quite got finished. Interesting conversion but sounds like lotsa loose ends here. The yellow flag is out.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,665
  • lokkilokki Member Posts: 1,200
    Yellow Flag? Ha! There are at least 3 Red Flag warnings in that ad:

    THE IN SIDE IS ALL STOCK IT HAS A 5 INCH AUTO MEATER TACH WITH SHIFT LIGHT AND ALSO AUTO MEATER OIL ANS TEMP

    I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THESE MOTORS AND I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR AGO AND HAVE NOT EVEN DROVE IT ONLY AROUND THE BLOCK A FEW TIMES

    IT IS A COSTOM CAR AND IT IS BEING SOLD HAS IS AND YOU SHOULD GO THREW IT BEFORE YOU DRIVE IT

    The previous owner looked long and hard to find somebody stupid enough to buy this the last time, and I have trouble believing this guy is going to find a "Greater Fool" in these economic times.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    If I had money to burn and the Supra was stick, and a different color, I would seriously consider paying that kind of money for it. :blush: Not for an automatic though.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • gussguss Member Posts: 1,167
    Yo, buy my useless pick up truck for 2200 or I swear , I'll destroy a perfectly good 350 small block by putting it in my useless pick up. I would like to see him try getting one bag of mulch home with that thing.

    For$3k the second "vette appears to be a good deal. It's a shame it is an automatic."This car is very quick and even has a fire extinguisher mounted behind the driver seat." I guess he goes so fast he gets re-entry burns.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    Were there sport sedans in 1963?

    Well, there were, sort of, but back then they were called "police cars". :P Chevy used the name "Sport Sedan" to denote the 4-door hardtop version of the Impala, and I think they called the 2-door hardtop "Sport Coupe". I don't think there was actually a badge on the car that said "Sport Sedan", but rather, when you looked in the sales brochure and saw a picture of a 4-door hardtop Impala, the caption underneath would read "19XX Impala Sport Sedan, shown in Merlot Metallic, with optional vinyl roof" or something to that extent.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    hmmmm.. $3k vette is tempting as my track car.
    But is that an automatic? :(

    BUT... I think I may be spending some of that track car $$ tomorrow.
    Found this tire machine on ebay. I'm meeting up with the seller at the shop tomorrow morning. Only thing is, I can't find any specs on this machine online. And I don't know if its a decent brand or not.

    He tells me his offline asking prices is $600. Even for full asking, that's only 6 sets of tire swaps to make my money back.

    '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

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,161
    Here's a place that sells Atlas changers new: Atlas TC

    They don't list that number, but at least it's a going company. Chinese, maybe? I used an "Atlas" changer back in my Sohio gas station days, but I think that was the 'store brand' Sohio used for all their parts, etc, probably no relation to this one.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I remember Atlas Tools.

    Atlas Tool Company

    I don't know if it's the same people however. Atlas is an old brand of sturdy but not expensive machine tools.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    thanks. I did see that site, but couldn't find the 489. But now that I look again, its probably just the 589 predecessor. And based on the pic, I'd bet its just the TC589 (note the small air gauge).

    '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

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,161
    Re. the VW, it's not insane money, they "Updated insert in cigarette lighter with LED light" That's $10,000 right there! And would you go to all the trouble of selling this one and finding another used 2WD one, just because "we don’t utilize the Syncro features". Odd :confuse:
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    The W124 is reasonably priced comared to the one we saw a few days ago here where the guy wanted some $20k on ebay?

    I like the late W124s because of slightly updated aesthetics on them.

    The VW camper vans havea cult following, but $27k is crazy. That's more than when it was new I think, although I think the AWD Syncro version is rare.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,665
    When the W124s lost their black lower body and bumper trim, it really helped out the looks IMO. They received a refresh for 90 or 91, and the full facelift for the 1994 model year.

    I too find it odd the Syncro seller claims they don't use the features as a reason for sale...you claim to have had it for 20 years and are just now discovering this?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I fail to see the allure of the VW Synchro, unless you like slow, unreliable and cramped when you camp. I guess you could justify getting to places that other campers can't go, but then why not just walk? And worse yet, what if you get stuck in these obscure places? My friend had the 2WD version and took it camping for two years. If you even MENTION the word "VW Camper" he'll start hissing at you.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,443
    I've been having a raging debate with a couple of friends of mine about this car:

    68 Torino

    This was also listed locally on craig's for 3800. A couple of my friends insists that since it's a 68 2 door with a V8, that it's a classic car and can be flipped for more money in the Spring with a little bit of scrubbing. I think that it's just an old car and a ratty one at that. The 3150 it got to on Ebay is about the most you could hope for any season.

    Is this a classic? What the ceiling on the resale value? What do the the experts here think?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,109
    At first I thought it was a nice looking car, but then I looked closer. Good Lord...take the $3150 and be grateful!

    I guess the thing will go up in value with inflation, but then again, with the way the economy is going, maybe not. If it was a convertible it would have a better chance, or a big-engined performance model.

    And when a car has been repainted, and has an engine bay that looks like that, and is just a little ratty in general, can it still get bonus points for having "low miles"? At that point I'd almost detract points with the rationale that if you abused it that much in those few miles, then there's got to be something wrong with you! :P

    Also, while that thing is a V-8, it's also a low-end V-8. It would carry a slight premium over an inline-6, but not a huge amount. I dunno what a 289 V-8 put out that year...maybe 200-210 hp? That's gross hp, and would probably translate to about 130-140 hp in modern net terms.

    I think with most cars in general, price guides don't differentiate much between a 6-cyl and the base V-8. It's not until you get up into high-output smallblocks, or monstrous, torquey big-blocks that you really get bonus points for having a V-8.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,665
    Looks like it needs A LOT of cosmetics, and the formal roof coupes are a lot less embraced than the fastbacks. I'd say 3150 is all the money in the world for it, and maybe then some. Low mileage isn't worth much if the car sat outside for 40 years.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,161
    I'm with Andre and Fin on this - an old car, nothing special engine, looks terrible under the hood, can't tell much about the interior. Have your friends define 'classic'! What do they think, it'll go from $3k to $6k? Not much chance of that, and it's more likely to drop. Question - why'd this guy decide to take the pics as it got dark? It's HARD to take so many bad pictures!
  • lilelvislilelvis Member Posts: 82
    I've never known UGLY + OLD = DESIRABLE (or PRETTY, or VALAUABLE, or anything but old and ugly).

    I've owned a late 60s mustang and cougar and I guess that makes me a "ford guy." But I wouldn't touch that at any price.

    Numbers matching v-8??? Who cares, it's a Torino. And, unless I'm having a ford brain fart, it isn't a 289. After 1967, the 289 was replaced by the 302. So, it's probably a 302 (not that it makes a difference - they're both good engines, but very common.)

    *Wikipedia seems to indicate that it is possible a early 1968 could be a 289.

    By that guy's logic, a 1971 Ford Pinto is valuable because it is old. I'd actually argue a Pinto would be cooler than a torino.
  • lokkilokki Member Posts: 1,200
    Here's a better Torino
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ctd/865355405.html

    Al Gore's Kiddy Car
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/890910095.html

    A friend had one of these - I never knew they were rare
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/888073988.html

    The best looking of the Firebirds - A worthy project car?
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/886673861.html

    Can anybody identify this bike? Should be easy.....
    http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/875540678.html
  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    Looks like a Korean bike. Why would they put a 301 in that bird? '67 and "68's were the best looking IMO.
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    Its home and set up. Paid $550 for it. It was a real PITA to load/unload/move. Seems most are in excess of 500 lbs, so that's probably what this weighs. It was quite the process, but its done.

    Turned one of my tires around (inside tread to outside), just to run through the process with my father on hand. It all came back to me (I haven't used a tire changer in 15 years). We scratched my rim a tad, but not bad, before we figured it out. Now I gotta order the teflon tools to be safe before I do any more.

    '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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    That's neat. Is the tire changer hooked up to air pressure, or just pure electric?

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    both.
    the an electric motor drives the hydraulic pump (spinning the wheel, rim clamps, and bead breaker). you hook up an airline to use the rapid inflator. It has its own onboard air tank that fills up off of your standalone compressor.

    '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

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Neat, I thought it only changes tires, but you'll have to take them to the local gas station to fill them up.

    It's a good purchase for your large auto fleet.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,967
    so what are your business hours? tirerack better watch out ;)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Bike is made by Vento but exactly who they are and where they are from is somewhat of a mystery. They actually build, or assemble, the bikes in Texas, but as I recall they have big problems in customer service. The engines are just little guys.

    70 Firebird -- a plain old Formula 400 with the wrong engine? Not worth restoring IMO. You can buy a correct clean driver for under $20K right now, maybe even $15K, for a clean #3 car. If it ain't got cubic inches, it don't matter. That's why they call it a "muscle car". Without the muscle? That answers your question.

    Triumph GT6--famously described as "the world's best worst car". Drivers over 5' 8" need not apply, or chose elective leg surgery.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    heck, tirerack should throw me a bonus for buying this. Now I can get all my tires from them and mount them at home. I've purchased from them a few times, but twice were complete tire/wheel packages, and only once did I buy JUST tires. When I then had to go to a shop and pay something like $150 just to have them mounted and balanced, I decided it wasn't worth the trouble buying just tires online.

    Now I can do it again. :)
    I've already got a set picked out. $400 to my door for 4 all seasons for my G. That's as opposed to the $950 Sears quoted me for their cheapest set. So, as far as I'm concerned, the machine has already paid for itself.

    I've also got my eye on a set of R compounds on Ebay. Not sure the wife will go for spending all this money so soon, though. Might have to put those off till Spring.

    '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

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,803
    I'm drawn to this interior
    Am I recalling correctly that the 3 liter v8 is problematic?

    '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

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It was the M60 engine in both 3.0 and 4.0 forms. Not all of them have a problem, but if the engine idles rough, beware. Safe thing to do is have a cylinder leakdown test done.

    The M60 engine was voted one of Ward's Ten Best Engines, which, IMO, is the kiss of death. They thought the Northstar was another one, but now we know better.

    It is a great little V8 though, and if the corrosion hasn't occurred this late in the game, chances are you're fine. BMW changed out a lot of blocks and also added an extended warranty.

    Otherwise, the E34 has the usual BMW 5-Series bugaboos- if the previous owner hasn't touched the cooling system components in 75K miles, you might as well tear it out right now and get it down or it'll kill ya'. That'll be radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, accessory belt, fan clutch---these are mandatory items to replace on a used 5 Series at 75K.

    Figure an immediate $1000 --$1500 to square away the car if cooling system is "virgin". No avoiding this.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,161
    I think the aluminum block 3 l v8 had the same problem with US high-sulfur gas that the initial 4 l v8s did, with rapid cylinder wall wear. I think BMW did a recall/fix, but I'd sure check to make sure this one got it.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,443
    I've always liked those cars. I think the hood is really cool. If it's a car with solid floors and frame, it's worth it to someone to hot rod it where you don't have to be concerned about originality. You would do it because you want it, not for appreciation but if you could drive it as you go, someone would enjoy it.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    That's not a bad idea---just gut it and build a rod with it. That way you don't have to hunt down expensive parts or worry too much about a foo-foo restoration. These base model Firebirds just aren't worth restoring back to original---but you could build yourself a clone and put some monster crate engine in it. Maybe a nice rat-rod?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,665
    Now that's a real Torino.

    That old 5er someone else linked looks better than 99% of them I have seen.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,967
    i had a less than satisfactory experience with tirerack's local installers.
    they charged me over $100 to install 5 tires, about 7 years ago.
    i think i just picked the wrong place to get them installed.
    their attitude was really bad.
    the tire/wheel combo's usually look like the way to go.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
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