by "maximillious" (maximillious)
Published 03/21/2017 at 11:34
by "maximillious" (maximillious)
Published 03/21/2017 at 11:34
No Tags
STARS: 3
Disclaimer: The car in the photo is not my dad’s car but it is Identical to what he has.
TL:DR Parents found a new condo, not big enough garage, dad might sell the Cosworth Vega he bought new in 1975. Offers it to me for free. Looking for advice from OppO’s
So my parent’s just had an offer accepted on a new condo. I am really excited for them because they can move out of the pohdunk town that i grew up in. Everything about the new place is great. It’s in a bigger city, it’s a nice location with tons of entertainment around for them. The only problem is the 1.5 car garage.
Currently their fleet of cars includes a Ford C-max and a Cosworth Vega. I’ll let you guess the daily driver.
Since they live in an area with heavy winters ideally they would like to have their daily driver stored in the garage so they don’t have to scrape snow off every day in the winter but my dad would not allow the Cosworth to sit out in the winter. Rather than leaving it outside to rot in winters he is considering selling it to a collector.
To side step a bit, my Dad and I have talked about selling this car in the past. The context was always so he could buy a newer, more reliable fun car. I was always supportive of this because it seems like it would make him happy. In this case however it does not appear that a second (newer) fun car would be part of this plan since there would be nowhere to store it.
So back to my point. This car has been in my family my entire life, and my older bros entire life and as long as my mom has known my father. There have been track days, and back country drives and oil changes (lots of oil changes), break downs and surprising start-ups. I learned how to drive manual on this thing. Our whole family is very sentimental about this vehicle, but we are always careful to not pressure my dad into keeping it because it takes a different level of commitment when something does go wrong with it. Parts are nearly impossible to find and one of the last remaining specialist for this vehicle is going on 80 years old.
So we were talking about the new condo and the fate of the Cosworth as they make this move and my dad says to me. “Well I can drive it out to Colorado and give it to you and you can store it.” This has sent my mind into a complete overdrive. There are so many things about this decision that I have to consider. Aside from the monthly cost of storage, insurance and registration (the latter two being rather cheap as its a classic and by no means a high value car), I have to consider the possibility of failure on the car. With this in mind I will tell you a bit about the Cossy itself:
So my dad purchased the Cosworth Vega new back in 1975. He has had this car since that day and is the one owner on the car. The paint and body are in great condition considering the age of the car and the fact that it is a Vega. There are no rust patches or holes on either the frame or body. There is some chipped paint that has given way to some rust specks but we have been controlling those pretty well. The interior is near flawless with no wear or rips in the seats. The Dash is crack free and all components in the dash work well. The engine had a complete rebuild and all of the government fuel restrictions were removed. The engine last dyno’d at about 170hp, just shy of the Concept’s quoted 180 hp. The only known problem at this point with the car (aside from any paint wear) is that the fuel gauge no longer works. The float broke and replacing this part requires removal of the tank and the tracking down of an exceedingly rare part, as is the case with almost anything that breaks on this car. The car is BONE stock, apart from upgrades to more modern materials for standard parts.
So at this point. I don’t know what to do. I think my dad would be fine selling it. I wish he was going to have something new and fun to use once its gone but that doesn’t appear to be the case. If I kept the car I could get it climate controlled storage a mile from my apartment. I would be able to get it on the road more often and throughout winter since there are so many nice days here in Colorado (and no road salt). But the unknown with this vehicle is weighing heavy on my mind. I am by no means mechanically inclined...i just like cars. Any repairs that this thing needs I would have to find a pro to take care of it, which might not be easy (in terms of sourcing parts). My parents do come to visit quite often so I could have it out and ready for my dad when he is around so he can run it around. Its definitely unique. I do think I could give it a shot caring for it, and if it all goes to shit, or i don’t feel the car is getting enough attention then we could revisit the sale of the car out here in CO. (Which i think might be a better market to sell than my parents home state.)
So OppO’s what do you think you would do in this situation. A truly rare classic falls in your lap, you have the financial means to care for it but there are lots things that could go wrong with it (although My dad has even said its probably more reliable now than the C-max.)
Sorry for the long winded stream of consciousness, as you can tell I have lots to think about.
Cheers
"S65" (granthp)
03/21/2017 at 11:43, STARS: 1
I’d take it
"vondon302" (vondon302)
03/21/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 1
If you don’t take it you’ll reget it .
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
03/21/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 2
if it were me.....AND ITS NOT ME, i would most definitely jump on the chance to keep it. i would have it at the house as the runaround car. the car that doesnt go to work everyday, but after you get home, and need a quick drive to eat or go to the store car, something to cruise the backroad corners.......
sure there are lots of cosworth vegas, but there is just one dads car. there is a guy, been looking for his dad’s bronco for some-odd 9 years, so that he might could get a SHELL back. he found out just recently it was scrapped years ago. point is, IF the car really means much, if anything to you, then dont let it slip off.......
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
03/21/2017 at 11:54, STARS: 0
Tangent, but for a second I thought it had a firebird bird painted on the hood lol.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/21/2017 at 11:56, STARS: 0
How could you possibly not take it. If I had the chance to have my Dad’s 78 Volvo 242 I’d jump at it. My dad bought it knew, drove it through high school and it was the reason my parent got together. Sadly he crashed it before I was even born.
You don’t usually get the chance to keep important cars in the family like that.
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
03/21/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
Well, how much would it cost for you to store and insure it per month?
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
03/21/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
I wouldn’t worry about what could go wrong with it, rather your ability to deal with it. Would that be financially viable for you? Are you planning on keeping it forever? Will getting this car prevent you from getting something else you do want?
Also, would you consider it possible that your other siblings could take better care of it?
If you do love it you should keep it but not if it is going to collect dust or fall apart. At that point it should go to someone who can enjoy it.
"19JRC99" (19jrc99)
03/21/2017 at 12:06, STARS: 1
KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 1
Well at this point there are not alot of Cossy Vegas... about 700 estimated to be in driving condition. This being one of them. I definitely understand what you are saying with the guy and his dads bronco. I would hate to get to a point where I am trying to get it back. All of what you said is why I am leaning to yes on this decision.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 0
Financially I could deal with what this car could throw at me. Granted, at some point, a big enough problem or repair requirement could result in it being sold to a collector. This wouldn’t block me from getting something else I wanted, I already have an S2000 that i plan on keeping as long as my dad kept this vega and at this point i would only consider another car as a daily driver once I am in a higher earning bracket. And I completely agree with your last sentence. If I find that I do not have time for it or it is starting to be neglected I will find a buyer for it, which I already know my Dad is ok with.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 1
I agree completely. Which is why I am leaning to yes on this.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 1
I certainly think you might be right.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:20, STARS: 0
And my brother is in Brooklyn, he is not as much of a car enthusiast as myself. He is emotionally attached to the cossy but I think it would receive far less attention under his care and no real good road near him to take it for a spin. Plus the weather is far more shit than colorado. The beauty of CO is its usually warm out and it is bone dry so rust would be far less of a concern for me. And no road salt.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:20, STARS: 0
I thought the same when I first found that picture.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 1
Lol. Im not sure I understand where you stand on this? Can you please clarify? Just kidding. Thats about where I am on this.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
03/21/2017 at 12:29, STARS: 0
theres a TON of vegas. theres a lot of cosworth vegas. not so many that are all original runners.and not too many that are cheap. but this is THE one dads car. and dont misunderstand me. the CAR is not dad. you could always take a screwdriver to the badge on the fender, and have a keepsake “this is the vega badge from dads car” and move on. it just depends on how sentimental you are.
cosworths bring nice decent money. money you could use to build your own memory machines. its just nice to be able to take some memories for a drive around the block again.......
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 1
Yup. I agree. The car is a blast, with the engine unlocked back to what Cosworth had intended it really is amazing. Its a head turner for sure at shows and C&C. It would be great to bust it out when my dad visits (which is frequently) and it would be awesome to take through some canyon roads outside of denver. Sentimentals certainly are part, but a big piece is that its a cool fucking car :D.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/21/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 0
All your concerns are valid and appropriate, but it would be hard to let it go. I think you should take it, and if any of your fears come to pass, you can always sell it later, as you said. Hard to let a unicorn go, plus it’s part of your relationship with your dad.
Also, it’s beautiful.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 1
Yeah... I really love the car.. and I really love owning a cosworth tuned vehicle. 15 people hand built that engine 42 years ago... And it would be awesome to have my dad drive it through the mountains on a visit or take it to Boulder Cars and Coffee to show off with him.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
03/21/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
This just screams keep it to me. It’s a part of the family, and brings back good memories for all of you.
It’s worth some money, so you could sell it, but it’s not life changing money.
Once you do sell it, you can probably never undo that decision, and you may regret it.
I would think there is a club for these cars that you can join, to better enable finding spares when needed. That’s the one headache with this car, that parts won’t be easy to find. But the wrenching won’t be bad- it’s not complicated, especially since you’ve removed the smog equipment.
As a bonus, 170 Hp seems like it would be a lot of fun in this thing. They supposedly handled pretty well for the time - you know that better than I do.
"carcrazydan738" (carcrazydan738)
03/21/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
That’s a great looking car from your description, One owner classic cars are really hard to find. If I were you, Keep it, enjoy it when your father can’t and share it with him when he can. If it does come down to selling it post it for sale on the Hemmings website because at least that way it would go to somebody else who would appreciate it the way your family does. They also might have the rare parts it needs too.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
03/21/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 0
No real reason not to keep it then. Do it.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 1
Yeah we are members of CVOA already. They are a huge source of help and ultimately if we did sell it would go to one of them. The car is an absolute blast to drive, in turns in beautifully and is seriously such an odd duck car. My brother and I are already discussing the cost splitting to keep it in the family which it looks like we will be doing. Just have to be sure Dad gets what he wants first and foremost out of the situation.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
03/21/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 0
Keep it. Use it to learn a thing or two about working on cars for the items you think you can handle, and find a good pro for the harder stuff. If it takes a long time to find parts or fix it, that really doesn’t matter because you don’t need it to get to work. If something fails and it takes six months to find a part and/or fix it, well that’s a bummer but not the end of the world by any means.
That car is exceedingly cool, and it’s history with your family makes it all the cooler.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/21/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 0
Keep it! They’re so cool and I can’t imagine there are too many running around Colorado. If it’s not your daily driver, it can sit for a while if something goes wrong as long as you have someplace to store it. And it might be a good way to learn how to wrench.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/21/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 1
Yeah... for now that is the conclusion the bro and I have come to. He is early 30's im late 20's both gainfully employed. We can afford to store the car and as long as we dont fail on ambition, drive and keep it up. It would be fun to have that car around here for all the summer Colorado Cars and Coffee. Im sure another wont be showing up at those meets any time soon. And you are correct about not many driving around. About 700 estimated to still be in working drivable condition.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/21/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0
It’s also pretty neat to have that car stay in the family so long. 700 is actually more than I was expecting. I remember seeing them when I was a kid. I always thought they were really sharp.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
03/21/2017 at 15:37, STARS: 0
Good luck with it and keep us posted!
From what I’ve read, the Cossies deserve a lot more respect than they get — especially considering what else the big 3 were pumping out during the mid 70s—
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/22/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 1
Yeah, we love it. We grew up in it. I remember one hot summer day jumping into the passenger seat when i was like...8 years old. I had shorts on and the black vinyl seats had gotten so hot from the sun it burnt and blistered my legs. My dad coulsnt have thought it was funnier. It was always a gamble sitting on those in the summer.
"maximillious" (maximillious)
03/22/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 0
Absolutely will! I mean the engine was hand built by 15 people at cosworth, aluminum block, electronic fuel injection (one of the first mass produced ever) if they had released the car without all the emissions restrictios it would have had a much bigger legacy. When the restrictions wete removed from our car and the engine was blueprinted it was like driving a new car all together. The experience was night and day. I felt like i was in a civic si not a 75 chevy.