Ménage à Trade?

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 01/22/2015 at 19:09 • Filed to: None

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Okay, so I've been working on selling this:

You guys have seen that a million times and are probably pretty sick of it. I paid $800 for the car, have done basically nothing to it, and it currently sits with it's reserve met at $2,025.99 on eBay. I'm in pretty good shape, but what I really wanted was to trade it for something. So I've also got it on the local List of Craig as a "for trade" deal.

Now yesterday a guy called me, really cool guy, and expressed interest in the car. He had a number of things he would be interested in trading for it, but not really things that are my style. Things such as a Willy's wagon:

(By the way, aside from the photo of my car, all the other photos aren't of the specific vehicles we're talking about, just examples.

Or a Corvair convertible with a PowerGlide:

Or a Rambler American:

All cool old iron, but not things I'm interested in.

Then he said to me "oh hey, you know what I might be able to get..."

"A '66 Pontiac Le Mans station wagon."... Hmm, interesting car, but I'd have to swap out the six cylinder...

"...with a 389..."

The plot thickens.

Now, I like station wagons. And as far as the Le Mans/GTO, '66 is my favorite year. But what I really want is a big muscle car with a manual...

"...and a 5 speed."

Wait, what? A 5 speed? In a '66 Le Mans?

Apparently it has a transmission out of a 3rd gen Camaro, which would mean a World-Class T-5. I don't pretend to be a Pontiac engine expert, but I think I remember them being known for bottom end torque...and the T-5 for not exactly being able to stand a ton of it.

That does not, however, worry me in the slightest. T-5s are plentiful, and if I really wanted to, I could step up to a TKO.

But the issue is that he no longer owns that car, a friend of his does. Fortunately, that friend of his apparently wants the aforementioned Rambler American. So we would be doing a three-way...Rambler for the Le Mans, then Le Mans for my Corvair.

Personally, I'm in favor of this. The Le Mans ticks all the right boxes for me...it's big, it has a v-8, and it's a stick. Nobody is worried about originality since it's a Le Mans wagon, so I can do whatever I want to the thing.

Now, if he can hammer out a deal with his buddy, should I pull the trigger? My gut instinct is 'yes'. Naturally I'd have to see the car first (supposed to be doing that Saturday if they can work something out), but if it's as good as the Corvair, I think I should do it.

What say you, Oppo?

JGrabowMSt > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:14

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Manual? V8? Wagon? Where do I sign?

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:17

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The lawyer risk-averse part of me says get something with at least 2 airbags, and antilock brakes. And crumple zones. And steering that actually responds to inputs.

The other part of me says take someone with you to look at the LeMans, someone dispassionate. They might spot something you overlook. Otherwise, go for it.

Blondude > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:25

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Wagon versions of anything get the Jalopnik seal of approval.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Steve in Manhattan 01/22/2015 at 19:36

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Luckily I have the airbags, antilocks, and crumple zones in my daily driver.

A friend of mine is going to come with me to see the LeMans. It has to be at least as good as the Corvair for me to make a swap, since it's looking like the 'Vair will go for good money on eBay.

Spoon II > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:36

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It's....beautiful! Yes, very much yes! Dooooo it! Also, is it weird that I like the mismatched door on your car?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Spoon II 01/22/2015 at 19:53

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Not at all! The blue door is kind of the car's calling card. When I was first going to look at it, I figured I'd paint it, but once I got there to look at it I thought there was really no way I could paint it because it's just too cool looking as is.

When I told my wife I wasn't going to paint it, she said "think of how many people will talk to you about it if you get it painted." To which I replied "less than half as many." Right now it's special looking, if I paint it it's just another restored Corvair.

Takuro Spirit > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:58

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aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 19:59

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Pixel > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 20:38

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Yes, then when you tire of it I'll buy it off you.

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 20:57

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OK - glad you drive something safe. Wagon = weekend car = project = good.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Steve in Manhattan 01/22/2015 at 21:00

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Absolutely. I've got a 100 mile round trip commute. If I had to drive the Corvair for that I'd want to kill myself by the end of the first day.

Steve in Manhattan > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 21:04

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If I had to drive 50 miles to work I'd kill meself ... thankfully it's just 4 subway stops.

shop-teacher > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/22/2015 at 23:34

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I'd do the trade!

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/24/2015 at 11:07

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My vote, keep the Corvair. Paint it, clean up the trim, you won't be disappointed. Your friends will all recognize it and complement it when they see it painted.

Spoon II > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/24/2015 at 18:46

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Sounds like along with the awesome car, you've got an awesome wife too!