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

fintail · January 2021

That'll likely never be on the road again unless some patina hipster wants to rebuild the suspension/braking system and spend more than the value of the car on that alone.

qbrozen · January 2021

lemko1968 said:

Anybody reckless and self-destructive enough to tackle this one?

That ain't patina. That is fatal cancer. Call a priest and kiss it goodbye.

stickguy · January 2021

I would take the rad shell off and crush the rest.

xwesx · January 2021

tjc78 said:
Probably a good candidate for the “patina” look that’s kind of popular these days. Rub it with some linseed oil and drop a 350/ turbo 400 in it.

Problem is, with all the rust-through on the front end, you cannot drive over 35 in it or the wind pressure will buckle it.

gsemike · January 2021

texases · January 2021

Regarding the 2002: "Few surface rust as shown in pictures but the frame is solid. "

HOHOHAHAHA!!! I never knew 'surface rust' included holes clear through.

That said, if we're seeing all of the rust (doubtful) then another, what, $10,000 would get the car back in great shape?

stickguy · January 2021

I like that BMW. Looks pretty clean. But would want it up on a lift to really see underneath.

ab348 · January 2021

The Regal may have some potential if rust hasn't got to it underneath. The interior looks good for one of these as they usually did not age well, though I'm curious about the rubber bands around the shift lever boot. The Chevy wheels would need to go though.

gsemike · January 2021

ab348 said:
The Regal may have some potential if rust hasn't got to it underneath. The interior looks good for one of these as they usually did not age well, though I'm curious about the rubber bands around the shift lever boot. The Chevy wheels would need to go though.

I had an 85 Regal that I got in I think in 91. The door pulls were already pulled out of the door panels. Not a good time for Buick/GM from a build quality perspective

steine13 · January 2021

@texases
>> I never knew 'surface rust' included holes clear through.
"Surface rust" -- in this case, rust on BOTH surfaces.

@gsemike
>> These Civics could run forever
Not sure about that -- wasn't that the last carbureted generation? With the quarter mile of vacuum hoses under the hood and the vaunted '3 barrel' carburetors..?

Here's a 95 S Benz. Tempting.

The description and the pictures somehow don't really go together.
"This is the nicest car I've ever owned "
I'd bet the seller is absolutely sincere while not making a lot of sense.

Now excuse me while I dig up some youtube videos so I'll have her sorted out lickety-split

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/jeffersonville-1995-mercedes-s500-need/7264844968.html

fintail · January 2021

What 5 minutes at a car wash or pressure washer could do. Interior doesn't look half bad - leather is intact anyway. But I think those can have the wiring harness issue, which would make me leery. Kent Bergsma can probably help. But yeah, until it is running and driving, this is a $500 parts car.

steine13 said:

Here's a 95 S Benz. Tempting

The description and the pictures somehow don't really go together.
"This is the nicest car I've ever owned "
I'd bet the seller is absolutely sincere while not making a lot of sense.

Now excuse me while I dig up some youtube videos so I'll have her sorted out lickety-split

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/jeffersonville-1995-mercedes-s500-need/7264844968.html

stickguy · January 2021

that S500 looks like something Hoovie would buy to try and resurrect.

steine13 · January 2021

At least at the $1,100 asking price it doesn't really matter if you pay that or get it for free.

I'm developing a real aversion to people who write ads that make no sense.. makes me think they are not up to the rigors of a middle-class existence, like remembering to change the oil...

fintail · January 2021

Sad new project car, my friend with the 300CD had a mishap this morning:

A moving van pulled into traffic without looking, my friend had a choice to slam on the brakes and pray for the best, or veer into oncoming traffic. He hit the rear bar of the box truck. He's optimistic it won't be a bad fix - needs a hood, headlight assembly, radiator support, radiator and connected bits, but apparently doesn't seem to have structural damage. Still, a waking nightmare for the old car owner.

Michaell · January 2021

That's just sad. Hope he can get it put back together, good as new.

stickguy · January 2021

they definitely might not be cost effective. But good luck to him.

fintail · January 2021

He's very DIY and will do all he can by himself. Even more unfortunate, the car just got a new radiator and components a couple weeks ago (he did all the work himself). He's owned the car since he was 17 or something, kind of his equivalent of the fintail, I think he'll fix it unless there's some kind of hidden terminal damage.

sda · January 2021

fintail said:
He's very DIY and will do all he can by himself. Even more unfortunate, the car just got a new radiator and components a couple weeks ago (he did all the work himself). He's owned the car since he was 17 or something, kind of his equivalent of the fintail, I think he'll fix it unless there's some kind of hidden terminal damage.

That totally bites. Hopefully he will get $$ from insurance to assist with the repair. It looks to be too nice of a car not to.

fintail · January 2021

It is a nice car - ~100K miles, maintained to a tee, and he's a detail geek, so it is kept in concours cleanliness. It virtually never sees rain.

I told him the same thing - you pay for insurance, let them fix it, there are competent shops in his area. Worst case scenario, they total it, he buys it back and fixes it himself.

sda said:

That totally bites. Hopefully he will get $$ from insurance to assist with the repair. It looks to be too nice of a car not to.

tjc78 · January 2021

Such a shame!

gsemike · January 2021

fintail said:
It is a nice car - ~100K miles, maintained to a tee, and he's a detail geek, so it is kept in concours cleanliness. It virtually never sees rain.

I told him the same thing - you pay for insurance, let them fix it, there are competent shops in his area. Worst case scenario, they total it, he buys it back and fixes it himself.

sda said:

That totally bites. Hopefully he will get $$ from insurance to assist with the repair. It looks to be too nice of a car not to.

At least it looks like a high hit. Fender doesn't even look to be off too badly

andres3 · January 2021

My turn to say "that'll buff right out." I've never used the line before!

tjc78 · January 2021

andres3 said:
My turn to say "that'll buff right out." I've never used the line before!

Maybe you should have kept it to yourself!

fintail · January 2021

I'll have to check with my friend and see if he's had the car inspected. He seemed kind of depressed when he sent me the pic, but at the same time, he thought it was fixable. Just a lot of hassle.

I've been looking for a local shop to maintain the fintail, as I want a few things done (engine mounts or whatever is creating the slight driveline noise/vibration, maybe brakes) once driving season begins again. I've found a MB specialist nearby who gets good reviews and has some more experienced techs who probably won't be afraid of the old car. I also found this review, which bodes well:

"Was recommended this shop by another shop in town .. I was travelling through Spokane in my 1962 supercharged Studebaker Hawk and found the dual points had failed . I found a supplier who I knew and he sent me a kit to convert the distributor to electronic ignition .. The car was done and running in no time . Very friendly service and reasonable. I have to ad that being stranded in Spokane was great .."

fintail · February 2021

Talked to my friend today - fenders are shot, too. He's taking it in to a shop probably this week, he's scared it will be totaled. I told him he could jusy buy it back and fix it up (as mechanically and interior-wise, the car was pristine). He said "I don't want a salvage title", to which I remarked it wouldn't matter if you were never going to sell it. He was deemed to not be at fault anyway.

lemko1968 · February 2021

A two'fer!

lemko1968 · February 2021

Fintail, check out a YouTube channel called "Hoovie's Garage" where this guy buys all kinds of high end cars, including some exotics, for the lowest price possible and runs into all kinds of hilarious mechanical misadventures. Some of the issues he deals has with more modern Mercedes and BMWs will most certainly make you appreciate your classic Mercedes more and more!

fintail · February 2021

Yep, I watch Hoovie every week or so. Probably my favorite, or at least, most tolerated, of the Youtuber car personalities (not counting mechanics). He has similar tastes to mine (MBs, 80s-90s "youngtimer" cars, period exotics), also a larger bankroll, so he can get into money pits that I'd run away from.

His mechanic, Car Wizard is also a solid viewing choice.

For those project car postwar Chevys above, sadly, probably beyond redemption.

lemko1968 said:
Fintail, check out a YouTube channel called "Hoovie's Garage" where this guy buys all kinds of high end cars, including some exotics, for the lowest price possible and runs into all kinds of hilarious mechanical misadventures. Some of the issues he deals has with more modern Mercedes and BMWs will most certainly make you appreciate your classic Mercedes more and more!

lemko1968 · February 2021

Car Wizard is pretty cool too! He must make a fortune off Hoovie alone.

tjc78 · February 2021

I think my favorite YT guy is Derek from Vice Grip Garage. Just seems likes a real guy who loves to wrench on old cars.

Gets his young kids involved and is pretty darn funny.

stickguy · February 2021

Hoovie has a new video up. His latest purchase, not a good one.

steine13 · February 2021

>> Vice Grip Garage.
Yes. I've only watched a couple videos but I like his personality.
Looking at the wheels of a Caddy that has been stuck in a field up to the axles for years, he finds no way to add air and laments, "We don't have stemmage."

tjc78 · February 2021

He cracks me up with “bring the thunder”.

lemko1968 · February 2021

lemko1968 · February 2021

stickguy said:
Hoovie has a new video up. His latest purchase, not a good one.

Is it the Mini Cooper 40th Anniversary rally car from “The Italian Job?”

lemko1968 · February 2021

There’s a series where they do a Christmas-themed rally with an Audi A8 V-10, a Maserati Quattroporte, and a 1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.

tjc78 · February 2021

lemko1968 said:

58 Pontiac Chieftain.

stickguy · February 2021

yup. the 40th anniversary Monte Carlo edition.

fintail · February 2021

Was the contest to see which would suffer a terminal mechanical failure first?

lemko1968 said:
There’s a series where they do a Christmas-themed rally with an Audi A8 V-10, a Maserati Quattroporte, and a 1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.

stickguy · February 2021

basically, yes.

gsemike · February 2021

Hoovie always seems like a tool to me. You but an S class for $2500 and it needs a lot of work. So what should you expect? Anyone that buys a car like that and takes it right to a mechanic is obviously going to get a stiff bill. Much more interesting to see what could the typical owner do themselves and what could they live without nand then would they come out alright

ab348 · February 2021

gsemike said:
Hoovie always seems like a tool to me. You but an S class for $2500 and it needs a lot of work. So what should you expect? Anyone that buys a car like that and takes it right to a mechanic is obviously going to get a stiff bill. Much more interesting to see what could the typical owner do themselves and what could they live without nand then would they come out alright

My only exposure to him is via a series of shows on Motor Trend TV online which I think are 2-3 years old. Not compelling.

xwesx · February 2021

gsemike said:
Hoovie always seems like a tool to me. You but an S class for $2500 and it needs a lot of work. So what should you expect? Anyone that buys a car like that and takes it right to a mechanic is obviously going to get a stiff bill. Much more interesting to see what could the typical owner do themselves and what could they live without nand then would they come out alright

Yep, I agree. I have a hard time stomaching him.

gsemike · February 2021

xwesx said:

gsemike said:
Hoovie always seems like a tool to me. You but an S class for $2500 and it needs a lot of work. So what should you expect? Anyone that buys a car like that and takes it right to a mechanic is obviously going to get a stiff bill. Much more interesting to see what could the typical owner do themselves and what could they live without nand then would they come out alright
Yep, I agree. I have a hard time stomaching him.

He always seems like a snarky dick to me. So Mr Machanic, the transmission is shot and how much will that cost me? And then the mechanic quotes him full list.

fintail · February 2021

Here's a sad one - car being trailered on an icy road, trailer slides into a guardrail, car takes the brunt of it:

Car is a final run W110 230, the lowline second gen 6cyl car. These final run cars were made right before the W114/115 replaced them, and a small batch came over for MY 1968 (W114/115 also exist for MY 1968). These cars received 1968-specific updates like sidemarkers and a few other things, they also have a different steering column and switchgear than other fintails. Not a wildly expensive rarity, but a curiosity - this design must have been looking a little old in 1968,although then foreign cars were still seen as quirky, so maybe it could get away with it.

This car is an apparent 100% rust free 60K mile survivor that was stored for many years, and needs a heavy detailing. I assume it can be fixed, of course some fintail nuts are all over it, but they are on the other side of the world.

xwesx · February 2021

Yeah, it's sad when something like that happens to small slice of history.

gsemike · February 2021

Do they still sell cars on Craigs?

Haven't looked in a while but some interesting stuff

https://longisland.craigslist.org/ctd/d/amityville-volkswagen-karmann-ghia-1973/7278615115.html Germanrepair email address = hasn't run in 25 years

https://longisland.craigslist.org/ctd/d/attleboro-classic-alfa-romeo-gtv/7278537721.html Nice Alfa. I'm not learned in these cars, but this looks nice. Would like to see a price

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/blue-point-1979-volkswagen-bus-vw-bus/7277784433.html VW bus

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/woodbury-82-classic-raret-top-door/7274452978.html Kind of different Fox mustang. Not my thing, but pretty well preserved

https://longisland.craigslist.org/ctd/d/northport-1969-chevy-10-utility-zero/7274908176.html 69 C10. Again, a little different approach

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/huntington-1989-nissan-300zx-22-prime/7267866466.html 300ZX. 2+2, Auto, not turbo so checks the wrong boxes but you don't see them like this anymore

https://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/d/ronkonkoma-1986-nissan-z31-turbo/7267299356.html This one is turbo, a stick and nice color. Ad is a little hard to follow but this could be a decent deal

explorerx4 · February 2021

I wonder how a Nissan dealer would react to be asked to perform a recall service on a 1986 Z car?

qbrozen · February 2021

gsemike said:

https://longisland.craigslist.org/ctd/d/attleboro-classic-alfa-romeo-gtv/7278537721.html Nice Alfa. I'm not learned in these cars, but this looks nice. Would like to see a price

You know the saying: if you have to ask ...

xwesx · February 2021

...'69 C20. Man, that guy is highly optimistic in that truck! Generating interest at local shows is one thing, but when it comes time to pony up cash....

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

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles