In Two Hours

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 07/26/2016 at 16:33 • Filed to: RatNational

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I go and see the Rat National in the metal for the first time. I’ve seen pictures of the Rat National, the pictures posted here, but I haven’t yet seen it for myself.

The Rat National, of course, is the ‘87 Buick Grand National I can afford that has fallen, shall we say, on hard times. It’s been hit, it’s been outside, it’s been neglected. It’s in need of some parts, some attention, and some driving.

The main issue facing it, as you can see, is the side swipe damage on the passenger side. While largely cosmetic, the angle of the rear end is definitely not cosmetic. The seller said the impact ripped one of the trailing arms in half, but the chassis, axle, and their associated mounts are okay. It also needs a fender (which the seller has), a door (which are SHOCKINGLY pricey for a car they made so many of), and a quarter panel (which I’ve already found on Craigslist for $200, a fantastic deal).

So today I’ll give the car a look over, hear it run, and take better pictures to share with you guys. If it’s what it’s made out to be, I’ll buy it next week after my truck sells. If it isn’t (like if the frame or the axle are damaged), I’ll be really disappointed and go on my way. Here's to hoping it's as good as it looks in these pictures!

Chasaboo > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 16:38

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Wow! That thing hasn’t been loved in ages.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Chasaboo 07/26/2016 at 16:41

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Fifteen years, to be exact. Current owner bought it at auction in 2001 and never did anything with it, because he’s a Mopar guy. I’m buying it from him for what he paid in 2001, so he’s losing whatever that is adjusted against inflation.

I just looked at up, $4000 in 2001 is about $5500 now, so not too bad!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 16:43

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The front quarter and the door shouldn’t be hard to fix, but that body damage behind the door looks like it may be a PITA...

lone_liberal > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 16:44

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I hope it’s salvageable because it would be a shame for one of those to go to the big junkyard in the sky.

LongbowMkII > lone_liberal 07/26/2016 at 16:46

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THANKS OBAMA!

/will never get over c4c

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/26/2016 at 16:53

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I've looked into it, it's actually not so bad. Cut it all out, weld in a new one. It helps that this is a body on frame car, so the panel isn't structural like a unibody might be. The fender is easy, unbolt one on and install a new one...same with the door.

jkm7680 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 16:54

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Nooo, why are you selling the 7.3?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 16:55

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Despite all the problems it has, i gotta say the interior looks to be in pretty nice shape

Good luck!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > lone_liberal 07/26/2016 at 16:57

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I think it’s salvagable. But if it’s any consolation, a lot more of them exist than should: in 1987 they extended production due to demand, building 20k cars when they planned on about 10. This is one of the ‘continuation’ cars, built pretty late in the run.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > jkm7680 07/26/2016 at 16:59

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Mostly so I can make this happen quickly. Plus, I bought the truck figuring at some point I'd sell it and make a few dollars, which is happening.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/26/2016 at 17:00

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The interior is really super mint, headliner aside. The car only has about 75k on it, no wear on the bolsters or anything. I mean really, that's where I'll be spending my time, so what do I care about how the outside looks?

petebmwm > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:02

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you need to bring this car back!

Sweet Trav > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:03

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Rust repair. These cars (g-bodies) are unadulterated rust buckets. Every last one

Ask me how I know

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:04

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Honestly I’d buy that, fix the mechanical issue, and drive the piss out of it all beat-up but with a minty fresh interior. Take it to car shows, make people scratch their heads. At that price even a bent frame wouldn’t deter me too much.

Sweet Trav > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:05

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These cars only have 5 digit odometers. Could be 73k, could be 273k

LongbowMkII > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:06

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This could be an EPIC ratrod build. I love the faded, damaged neglected look. I personally wouldn't touch a thing cosmetically.

Like death proof’s turbocharged bastard son.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:06

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Yeah, I knew the fender and door would be easy. :)

Is the B-pillar tweaked at all from the hit? Also, looking forward to updates. I’m not a big American car guy, but I definitely respect them, and this would prove an interesting build! :)

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/26/2016 at 17:12

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Dunno, the damage looks like it's all down low but I'm gonna have myself a gooooood long look at that pillar and door jamb.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > LongbowMkII 07/26/2016 at 17:13

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This is basically my exact plan. I'll change the fender and door if I need to to make the door open, but I might just leave the quarter panel like that for a while.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 07/26/2016 at 17:15

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I like things like this that piss of purists, so I wasn't planning on doing any cosmetic work that it doesn't need to function...like if the door opens and closes like that, it stays.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Sweet Trav 07/26/2016 at 17:15

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See, now that's funny, I've heard a little on the frame is normal but the bodies are pretty stout.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:19

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I’m off to a meeting, but I’ll look for your post when I get home in a few hours on how things went in case you write one :)

Sweet Trav > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:25

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No my car was the other way around. Frame was solid floor was solid, the rest was rust.

Slant6 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:33

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Did you check the Vin to make sure it’s not a clone?

Die-Trying > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 07/26/2016 at 17:52

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are you paying full asking............??

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Die-Trying 07/26/2016 at 21:29

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It's not an asking price so much as a telling price: he paid $4000 for it in 2001, and he won't sell it for less than that.