"flyingmetalbird" (jonsavage)
10/07/2015 at 22:21 • Filed to: None
7
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"flyingmetalbird" (jonsavage)
10/07/2015 at 22:21 • Filed to: None | 7
| 30 |
Oppo! Yesterday was my 17th birthday and as I said the day before, I was going to buy either a Volvo 780 or a ‘77 Honda Civic CVCC. Welp, against almost everyone’s opinions that I received ( thank you oppo) , I bought the CVCC.
Here it is! Well..... (continue below)
Besides the fact that mine is orange! And maybe has a little rust... all over... and it’s falling apart... This one also appears to be moving at speed, something that mine is less good at doing. But hey! It’s mine! And it was 300 dollars! Not a bad deal if you ask me!
I’ve had a countless number of people tell me in the last 30 or so hours of ownership tell me how much of a dumb ass I am, and how I’m never going to get my money back, and how I can’t fix it well enough to ever make it worth having. And to tell you the truth I don’t get what they’re on about! I’m so tired of listening to that crap!
I understand what I’m doing people. I did not buy myself a car to make a profit, or to win a concourse, or to even fully restore. I knew going into the ordeal that buying a rusted out 39 year old Japanese economy car was not going to fetch me a return. That’s not why I bought it!
I bought myself this car for FUN! OH MY GOD IMAGINE THIS! WHAT A NEW AND UNHEARD OF CONCEPT! I enjoy wrenching. I enjoy the concept of taking a car that is on its way out, and essentially giving it a second chance at life. The guy I bought the Civic off of was sending it to the junkyard the next day if no one bought it. How could I let that happen to such a cute little gem! So I went down to his house with $300 cash and drove it home! It still drives even!
My plan is to have the car ready for the first Saturday in April. The first Minnesota Cars and Coffee of 2016. Here, I will show all the fools and doubters that I in fact can fix a 300 dollar 39 year old rust can and have a good time doing it. Here is a list of all the things I know it needs right now...
Cylinder Head, Head Gasket, Some coolant leak fixed, Brake Master Cylinder, The brakes are also stuck on sort of, Seals because when it rains the car fills with water, Lots of welding and rust fixing, a mirror, and a little love.
I’ll write every week on Sunday night. I’ll also find out how to upload pictures of the car. Thanks for reading!
V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:28 |
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At 300 dollers it’s a pretty good deal Jon. Also define “Small rust hole.” I can fist your car ;)
Amoore100
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:29 |
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I would have preferred a 780 (that’s just my weirdness) but I do love the first gen Civics! Just be careful out there...3/4 of a ton of Japanese rust is gonna be a lot more dangerous than two tons of Swedish steel but the driving experience should be worth it! Also remember, 780s are pretty cheap nowadays...who says you can’t have both?
Spaceball-Two
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:29 |
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My older sister had one a VERY long time ago and they are really pretty easy to work on. Keep us in the loop!
CB
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:31 |
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Best of luck, and have fun. Remember: duct tape is probably not the best idea for repairs, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t the most useful.
WilliamsSW
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:34 |
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Congratulations! Enjoy - they're rustbuckets, but otherwise should be a fun and unique car - and a good one to work on and learn from.
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flyingmetalbird
> Amoore100
10/07/2015 at 22:42 |
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That’s what I was thinking! I feel like I could get a profit off of it too if anything. He wants 800 for it! It runs and drives and has no real body damage! It needs a wash real bad but in the typical rust areas, (under the rear side glass and rear wheel arches mostly) it has no rust! I’m tempted to get that one and try to flip it maybe... What do you think?
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:45 |
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How about a D-series swap? Even just a little 100 or so HP D15a2 would be a blast in that car.
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flyingmetalbird
> Amoore100
10/07/2015 at 22:45 |
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Damn I love the 780 though
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flyingmetalbird
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/07/2015 at 22:47 |
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That wouldn’t be a bad idea! I have a weird love for the tiny CVCC engine though... It makes the coolest little noise when you rev it and its just a blast to have your foot down almost 100% of the time:)
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Amoore100
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:48 |
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800 is a smoking deal if the car is solid and reliable! Not sure of the dependability of the PRVs since we have only owned red block fours before but preventative maintenance should keep the gremlins away. I was thinking as long as it isn’t too costly in insurance and maintenance, keep the Volvo as a daily driver and use the Civic on weekends, just so you have something more comfortable for, say, rainy and snowy winter days (well, that depends on where in the country you are...here in CA it has barely even rained in the past three years...) Also, no rust because Swedish bodyproofing ;)
Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:50 |
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You and I have something in common now. My first car was one of those, only green. Have fun!
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flyingmetalbird
> Amoore100
10/07/2015 at 22:51 |
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I’m in good ole salty winter Minnesota... Still think I should maybe?
Seat Safety Switch
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:51 |
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Awesome car. ‘77 is new enough that some parts are still widely available (just try getting a gas cap for a ‘75 that actually fits, no matter what RockAuto says).
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flyingmetalbird
> Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
10/07/2015 at 22:52 |
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Cool! How did you like it?
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:52 |
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That pretty much sums up why I loved my 91 Civic. It had a D15b2(which is what I meant in my first post) which makes like 90hp, and considering the way it burnt oil, it was probably more like 70hp... at the crank, So not much more than that CVCC haha.
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Amoore100
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:53 |
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Perhaps even more so. If you plan on using the Civic as a winter beater it might dissolve within a few months...the Volvo at least should keep you safe even if the cranky PRV acts up or the RWD antics get somewhat exciting in the snow...plus you’ll look super cool muscling the giant airbag steering wheel of a mid-80’s Italian Swedish brick all around town...
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flyingmetalbird
> Seat Safety Switch
10/07/2015 at 22:53 |
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Thanks! Any other preventative repairs you think I should do?
Bandit
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:56 |
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Awesome! I love the looks of these little guys. That’s not too much work to tackle. I did all of that stuff on my Trans Am when I was in high school. Fix what needs fixed first to make it a better driver. Then fix what you want.
E92M3
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 22:56 |
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T
This little gem isn’t worth restoring, or putting any money into. Most would agree that it should of been scraped a longgg time ago. but someone is keeping it going. Too many cars are sent to an early grave.
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flyingmetalbird
> Amoore100
10/07/2015 at 23:01 |
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You make a good point... I’ll have to think this over. Space to park is the only problem here. I would have 3 cars then with the Miata, the Civic and the 780. And when I head to collage I’ll have a ‘92 Legend LS (My dads current daily) So I might have to hold out on the Volvo. I love it but I REALLY love the Legend. On the other hand, I could use the 780 for a year and maybe turn it over for a 100 dollar profit when it’s done! I’ll have to sleep on this one. MAYBE consult the folks of oppo
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Amoore100
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 23:07 |
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Definitely. Rash decisions don’t end well in Volvo world as our fellow Oppo JQJ213 found with his old V70R...good to consult others, get more opinions, and see if it fits the circumstances...just remember, there will always be another 780 waiting, and if it has the red block turbo four, you’re probably looking at the brick you will keep forever :) In the meantime, it probably wouldn’t be too horrible idea to keep the 780 short term, and I suspect the Legend will be a more reliable DD for college anyways. In the end it’s your choice, so I’ll leave you up to it!
Mattbob
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 23:08 |
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The knowledge you will gain alone is worth $300. Good buy. I hope you get it up and running soon. Good luck.
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flyingmetalbird
> Amoore100
10/07/2015 at 23:09 |
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I always love the input! Thanks man!
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Amoore100
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 23:13 |
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Hah, not sure if my lucid rantings are the best source of input considering I’m still a year younger than you and don’t have a license yet, but I do try to learn as much as I can before putting words into my own mouth...
Berang
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 23:18 |
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If you’re going to keep it, then pour money into it (well responsibly pour money into it anyway). I think it’s well known that you will never make money back on any proper restoration - the real issue is not bankrupting yourself for the sake of a crusty old car.
Wacko
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/07/2015 at 23:43 |
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I had a 91 dx hatch back in the late 90s. Before i got rid of it is was basically making a blue smokescreen. I would joke that you have to check the gas when you fill up the oil.
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Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> flyingmetalbird
10/07/2015 at 23:50 |
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It was great and used very, very little gas. The electrical system kind of died all at once though and we were never able to sort it out right
Dunnik
> flyingmetalbird
10/08/2015 at 02:24 |
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Grats and do keep us updated. Pretty sure you’re the only Oppo with one. In Canada they’re almost impossible to find - or see - since rust killed most of them ages ago.
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Wacko
10/08/2015 at 12:23 |
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That’s pretty accurate. I ended up blowing the original engine at about 236,000 miles, because I left for a 100 mile trip without checking the oil. I ran it completely dry and it went “poom” while doing 70 on the freeway. Then I had the engine replace since I didn’t have the tools or courage at the time to do it myself, and the new engine also burnt oil like no bodies business. Still the most fun car I’ve ever owned, and car I’ve put the most miles on, and technically I’ve owned it for over 6 years now. Altho she hasn’t seen a paved road since July 2012. Now she’s a dedicated offroader with 239,5xx miles.
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flyingmetalbird
> Dunnik
10/08/2015 at 21:25 |
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Yeah, rust has got this one pretty good too... I’m from Minnesota so not too far away from you guys. I’m determined to mend it though! Someday I’ll drive it in the rain and I’ll stay dry and I’ll say to myself, “Atta kid”