Project Car Hell - Talk Me Out Of It Edition - Part II

"Makoyouidiot" (makaan12)
09/04/2013 at 22:33 • Filed to: Corvair, projectcarhell

First post !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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So, over the weekend I posted about this Corvair that is next door to me...sitting in a lot with two other cars, all have been there for a few years since the business in the background closed. I got the contact info, called the folks (who live in NC, I am in TX, more on that) and they sent their son out to let me in the gate to see the car...let me share with you.
The car was originally bought as a father-son project that fell through...ran when parked, supposedly...the front end parts are all in the boot/trunk/frunk, but they lost the key for both it and the ignition, so I'd have to crack it to be sure the parts were there...although tbh I can get parts cheap from my work (O'reilly) so that's not a huge deal...moving it with no front wheels can be an issue tho. Engine appears to be all there, seats are alright, headliner and carpet are shot, and it's an auto, which kinda sucks, but on the bright side, it's a '69, final year of production, 110hp dual carb flat six, lots of tuneability there, bigger carbs + racing fuel pump + custom intake setup would be lovely....and the paint/body isn't too bad, cept the driver rear quarter, which has a dent and some rust through on the lower fender. Now here's the kicker, the guy has no clue what it's worth, which isn't much to begin with, tbh, but with him being in NC, if they ever do manage to sell the property, the car would either go to his son's house (the son says he has no room for it, because the other two cars are going to him) or be towed back to NC (ha), or gotten rid of in some way...so I reckon if I offer him scrap value, and negotiate from there, I have a pretty good shot at it for crazy cheap, like around 300 bucks. Wife was no help, she thought a car for that cheap is a good deal, as I've done the same before and made a profit. If it were a manual I'd already be making an offer, but the auto is the only thing giving me any hope of talking myself out of it, at this point...so...for 250-350 bucks...NPOCP?

DISCUSSION (17)

speedygopher > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:38

Do it. Rescue that poor baby. And then sell it to me cheap. We're even in the same state...

Casper > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:38

Wow, that is a lot of work. It could be pretty cool when fixed up... but be sure it's something you really want. That would not be a small investment of either time or money.

Go total what the parts would be worth. Make sure you have an idea of what you could make parting it out, just in case. I think for the price you could turn a profit either way, but you would want to establish budget limits early and a timeline to prevent it from just ending up in your yard like it did theirs ;)

Your boy, BJR > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:40

Buuuuuuyyyyyyy iiiiiiiiiiitttttt

Pixel > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:40

Even at that price, I would be buying it with the assumption that everything is shot. Assume the engine is locked up, assume the seals & bands in the transmission are bad, assume the brakes need complete replacement, etc. If you have the budget to redo all of it to get it drivable, then go for it, if discovering it needs a major system replaced kills your budget, stay far away.

Makoyouidiot > Casper
09/04/2013 at 22:46

Good point, assuming the steering parts aren't in the frunk, if I total that up, plus the front suspension, plus replacement lock cylinder/keys, new tires for sure, cost of stripping out the nasty carpet/headliner and either replacing them or coating the interior, plus 500 or so for misc things (I've done this a couple of times...although this time I'm not sure if I'd sell the car or keep it, tbh...) Could add up fast, even with my crazy parts discount.

Makoyouidiot > speedygopher
09/04/2013 at 22:46

Halvsies? :P

Decay buys too many beaters > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:48

Why would I talk you out of something awesome? If you have the room, I say go for it.

Makoyouidiot > Pixel
09/04/2013 at 22:50

And if I got in over my head, I couldn't even really part it out, because most folks aren't looking for Corvair parts, and most folks who are already have a parts car, since they are so cheap to begin with.

Makoyouidiot > Decay buys too many beaters
09/04/2013 at 22:51

Ack, encouraging my bad habits. :P And I have an empty garage.....craaaaap.

speedygopher > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:52

Time Share Corvair

Decay buys too many beaters > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 22:54

My dad rebuilt one when I was growing up (a '65 Corsa). Once running they are a really fun drive. Much more lively than other American cars of the time.

daender > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 23:05

Do it, but make sure you're prepared to put a bit of money into fixing it.

lone_liberal > Makoyouidiot
09/04/2013 at 23:18

If you have the time, money, space and most of all desire, go for it. But then I bought an $800 Camaro so I might not be the one to talk you out of it.

MrCrash > Makoyouidiot
09/05/2013 at 00:26

Do it! Not buying it would be un-american, and would let the terrorists win.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Makoyouidiot
09/05/2013 at 11:01

Dont think of the money. Go all in. Document everything you do so if you sell it again you will be like check this list of all these new parts. *wave shiny list at them*

corvairsomeday2 > Makoyouidiot
09/05/2013 at 11:31

Nice Price.

Buy it before I do. And I'm in MD. And dislike automatics.

Makoyouidiot > corvairsomeday2
09/05/2013 at 18:05

The auto is the only thing holding me back, really. Because I know that I could spend a bit more for a manual that needs less work and come out ahead in the end.