Well

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
06/27/2016 at 10:45 • Filed to: None

Upon closer inspection and a lot of personal introspection, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve purchased a parts car.

The body is bad, which I knew going into this purchase. But allegedly the car was solid underneath, and the more I look under the car the worse it looks. Every time I get under there I find a new hole in the floor, or a rotted brace, or a badly rusted spring mount. Couple that with the things I need to do to make the car viable, and this just isn’t the right car to start with.

So what do I have? Well, I’ve got a stuck 273 which will shortly become an unstuck 273. I’ve got a good A833 transmission and a factory Hurst shifter. And I’ve got a bunch of good ‘64 Barracuda parts which I’d rather just have somebody take all at once.

My plan now is to sell the shell of the Barracuda, but keep the engine and transmission to build for another, less rotted car. A-bodies are plentiful, so I’ll find something and stuff this engine into it. Sucks, but better to discover it now than after I put a bunch of time and money into a car that’s maybe too far gone to feel okay about operating on the road.

DISCUSSION (47)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 10:49

Sucks, but seems like the wise decision.

Maybe plop that motor into something like this:

http://www.marshallmotorsclassics.com/1965_Plymouth_…

crowmolly > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 10:51

No shame in bailing on a time and money pit. None.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > crowmolly
06/27/2016 at 10:55

My investment into it right now is small, so if I get $500 for the shell then I’d have paid somewhere around market value for the stuff I’m keeping. It sucks, but it would suck worse if I spent another $1000 on parts for it.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 10:56

Counter-suggestion: be That Guy and save the grill, rear roof/glass/trunk top/etc. and plan on making a four-door Barracuda out of a Valiant.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 10:56

Exactly. Maybe not another Cuda, but I'll find myself a solid A-body (I'm partial to Dusters and Scamps) and stuff it in there.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/27/2016 at 10:57

That’s a bold suggestion. I also considered a ute, but I could just use a Valiant for that.

E92M3 > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:01

That realization sucks doesn’t it. I’ve been there. When you have to buy a parts car (that’s in better shape than your car), to cut panels and patches from, it just doesn’t make sense. Might as well just fix up the parts car.

crowmolly > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:01

You might be able to make money on it by parting out the rare trim, rear glass, etc.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:03

Dusters are definitely available.

And it sounds like you’re like me, rather have an oddball muscle car than your off the rack Camaro or Mustang. Tends to be cheaper that way too!

Die-Trying > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:05

does it look THAT unsafe structurally??

nothing wrong with using it for a parts car.....but maybe you could have a “running” parts car, that you can take around the block until you find the replacement car build.......

its got a clean vin ?........................

Nothing > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:13

That sucks. I know I need a floor on the Cougar, but *think* it’s fairly rust free otherwise. This is the first vehicle, though, that I didn’t go over at all after I’ve bought it. Usually by now, it’s been on jackstands, wheels off, etc, but I think knowing that it needs everything, it’s kept me from doing that.

Good luck in your search. There was one out this way last summer that looked like fairly solid driver for $5k. That was the top of my budget for a project, and the wife didn’t like how it looked, so I moved on.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Die-Trying
06/27/2016 at 11:17

Yep, clean title and all that.

For somebody that has some experience fixing structural stuff it probably isn’t unfixable. For me, who wants to patch up the body and go, I worry that in six months to a year I’ll be driving it and something important will fall off it.

I thought about doing the driving parts car thing, work on it for a year until I find something else and then swap everything I've done onto the new car. But I've got the equivalent of holes in my frame (this is a unibody car, after all) and I wouldn't feel comfortable having a passenger in it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 11:18

Exactly. That's what drew me to this car, you don't see them like you see Mustangs and Camaros. A Dustpan (as my dad is fond of calling them) is just different enough while still having great parts support.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:20

Same with the Montego, it shares Mustang, Cougar, Torino, and Fairlane parts but I’d bet you’ve never seen a 68 Montego in person before.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:21

Had the same thing with my red 65 mustang. Took it apart, took a good loook, realized that even with the knowhow and tools, For what it would cost to put on the road, I could just buy one. kept the guts and sold the shell as “dash knobs, radio, and carpet, comes with free mustang $400".

Die-Trying > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:23

put a note on the dash???

..... yeah i can understand that, just a shame to cut and run before you got it moving...... money ahead without a doubt.

you might see if you could find a solid shell/tub of a car near you.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 11:32

Isn't that the car lot from an article a really long time ago?

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 11:42

You could always sub-frame the front and rear and then tie it all together. Then you have the possibility of the street legal race car that they tried to do on roadkill. Then you can pick what type of suspension you want. That’s what I’m probably going to do to my 62 Lancer. It’s too far gone to restore or even resto mod, but it was my wife’s first car. I’ve been seriously contemplating putting a 2JZ in it instead of another slant six or 360. I’ve got enough stock A-bodies.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/27/2016 at 12:00

Probably, Marshall Motors aka gearhead heaven commonly gets brought up on here.

Whenever I get bored I just surf their website haha

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 12:36

I was actually looking for a Montego a while ago, haha. It's nice to have something like that though and not have to worry about parking next to an identical one at a cruise night.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Nothing
06/27/2016 at 12:38

I would have been totally fine with the outside of this car if it was just the floors, I’d just cut and patch.

Is your Cougar an early one with a 289 and a 3 speed? I remember somebody on here buying one of those recently and being crazy jealous.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 12:48

Closest I’ve gotten:

Kinja'd!!!

The Blue one on the left is a 68 Torino which is also a 2 door hard top coupe. (he has a big block too)

Nothing > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 12:55

Yes it is, 289, 3 spd, date code correct to the car, so most likely original. The wife would’ve preferred a Mustang, and it’s what we were looking for. Then I showed her pictures of ones in our price range, and prices of daily driver-ish ones (V8 required, so no 6 cylinders were immediately ignored.) Found the Cougar and picked it up as a decent driver after 2 weeks/month of back and forth with the previous owner.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 13:01

Don’t give up! Opponaut GenuineAlexReid has worked miracles with his rusty Datsun. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/before-and-aft… It just takes time and solid effort. The Barracuda is a worthy car to be saved.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 13:13

I remember once upon a time I found them, forgot the name and then there was an article on the front page. One thing that really grabbed my attention was a Grabber Green Mach 1. I emailed them about it and it wasn't for sale yet. I've been on their emailing list for two or three years and still nothing.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 13:30

It’s still fixable, buy 2 sheets of steel, which should be about $50, and a box of rivets, some PL Premium, and get started! I would definitely recommend using steel instead of aluminum for structural pieces, as sheet aluminum can be very brittle, especially when you start drilling holes in it for rivets, but it can be done! do you have any pictures of the worst spots?

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus
06/27/2016 at 14:54

Kinja'd!!!

This is the worst spot on the body. The big hole there actually doesn’t bother me, since I’d just stuff some sheet steel in there and rivet it up. But that curved bit would be tricky to make strong, even though I’m not concerned with making it pretty. There was a trim piece covering up how bad that part was when I bought it, I’m actually shocked it was still attached to the car, haha.

That still doesn’t even bother me a ton, but I’ve got holes in strengthening pieces underneath the car that scare me, along with rotted spring hangers. Just looks like one big bump will send my rear axle up through my floor.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/27/2016 at 15:15

I’m not sure if it’ll make you feel better but I don’t see any mach mustangs on their site right now.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 15:47

I think in the background of the mud dragster I see it peeking through. However it may be that Scout.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/27/2016 at 16:08

When I have to make a complicated piece I usually just make it out of 2 or more pieces of metal, it’s easier to shape that way I find. The spring hangers do sound little sketchy, but still not totally unsalvageable. I for one am hoping you can save it! I think the best thing to do would be to work on the engine first, get thar together, and keep your eye for a donor shell like other folks have said, that way you can marinate on the idea of fixing the body while you’re being productive still, and if a body comes up that’s a great deal, go for it! I wish you good luck on all fronts my friend.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/27/2016 at 16:17

Haha, I’m wondering if I should trade them my Montego for that BUBBLEBACK Capri, and be the first ever RallyBubble

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 16:33

I'm not seeing it on their website. Where is it?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/27/2016 at 16:38

http://www.marshallmotorsclassics.com/1985_Mercury_C…

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 16:42

That may be why, I was looking for Ford and not Mercury.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/27/2016 at 16:59

That would indeed be the problem.

I’m seriously considering this right now.

Sounds like it might needs some trans work but mine needs some engine work.....

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 21:04

Capri is the best Foxbody. I love that bubble. If that is your type of thing it seems like a solid option.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/27/2016 at 21:09

http://www.marshallmotorsclassics.com/1966_AMC_Rambl…

This has me dreaming of a stripped out, two seater, Rambler race car. I cannot find it but it sound fun.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/28/2016 at 10:05

That does sound fun, but the 4 door kills me!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/28/2016 at 10:05

I love the bubble, but I feel like a notchback would probably be more efficient for racing.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/28/2016 at 10:07

Kinja'd!!!

Probably, unless you are truly insane and do something like the Hemi Under Glass.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/28/2016 at 10:11

Depending on the car I like four doors. The Rambler is one of them.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/28/2016 at 10:12

Hahahaha, yeah that won’t be happening.

I mean, I know the bubbleback was Ford’s legit racing attempt, it was faster than the fox by a few MPH at top speed, but that won’t help me at all in a rally cross event and I imagine that back glass weighs a lot more than the simple notchback set up.

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/28/2016 at 10:25

Screw the turns you only need to go straight, THIS IS AMERICA!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/28/2016 at 10:26

Hahaha.

I’d also be a little worried about the glass being stressed and cracking with off road usage. I imagine those back glasses are EXPENSIVE

Frenchlicker > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/28/2016 at 10:39

It can’t be anymore than an original Barracuda’s or the old F100 with wraparound back glass. Wait...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frenchlicker
06/28/2016 at 10:42

there it is lol

Spridget > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
06/29/2016 at 13:56

You could turn two into one:

http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/5606939430…