You guys are two great examples of the "artist" in many classic car guys. In spite of how bad a car is, you can both see the hidden value....the phoenix waiting to be re-born.
The average Joe wouldn't look twice at those cars. People who saw them being carried/towed home probably thought they were on the way to the wreckers.
Good job Carl. Judging by the color of the engine it looks like it may have been freshened up sometime along the way too. Might have a bonus there. Looks like the right guy got it.
Congrats Carl! Is the back bumper good for a core? How bout the trunk lid? Just surface rust or is it distorted? Perhaps there is still some value in some of the parts behind the cowl..
Believe it or not, the moldings around the back window are fine! They are all scorched but not warped. I took a pad to buff the moldings and they shine up perfect. Stainless steel is amazing!
I think the back bumper core is likely fine.
It sure is a shame the right quarter burned. It looks like a perfectly straight rust free original 1/4. That is a RARE find on one of these cars. I suspect the fire has ruined it though, it was so hot. I think all the sheet metal behind the windshield is junk, sadly.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Good job Carl. Judging by the color of the engine it looks like it may have been freshened up sometime along the way too. Might have a bonus there. Looks like the right guy got it.
I am thinking too it may be fresh and at worst it should need a carb kit, distributor, coil and valve seals (from the heat).
I may check it over in the spring and try running it in the car if it all checks out otherwise.
And thanks, I think the right guy got it too!
I recognized one of the guys bidding against me. He buys older stuff and flips them or parts them out. In 1979 I first saw my Acadian in Winnipeg, although I only bought it in 1986. The same week I discovered my future Acadian I bought a 70 2+2 hardtop off this guy. It was crashed light, right front. 350, 2 barrel, TH350, disc brakes, small center rallys and a 12 bolt posi. I paid him $260 for it!
I don't think he recognized me. He walked out of the auction looking a bit annoyed as I went to stand in the cashier's lineup after I won it. I didn't bother to say "Hey Mel, do you remember me?"......
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I seen a guy restore a 71 Z28 that was no better than this-easier to change quarters on a burnt car than a rusty one-whats all this talk about parting it ?
I seen a guy restore a 71 Z28 that was no better than this-easier to change quarters on a burnt car than a rusty one-whats all this talk about parting it ?
-- Edited by 67BBSD at 23:09, 2009-02-15
The roof is warped real bad from the heat. It would take a complete parts car to donate harnesses, glass, interior etc. It would be easier to find one needing rust repair and use this one to donate the front clip, maybe the floors etc.
The clincher is, the title is branded as "irreparable" so this serial number can never be put back on the road regardless.
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I seen a guy restore a 71 Z28 that was no better than this-easier to change quarters on a burnt car than a rusty one-whats all this talk about parting it ?
-- Edited by 67BBSD at 23:09, 2009-02-15
The roof is warped real bad from the heat. It would take a complete parts car to donate harnesses, glass, interior etc. It would be easier to find one needing rust repair and use this one to donate the front clip, maybe the floors etc.
The clincher is, the title is branded as "irreparable" so this serial number can never be put back on the road regardless.
cars are always worth way more in parts-by the looks of e-bay more and more people are parting restored cars-so parting a burnt one is OK with me-Flip and feed the family-keep what ya need-good score !
That's why I came here with my story. I knew there is a whole group of people who can see past wreckage and recognize all the potential for a junker to donate to keep other cars alive!
Thanks! It was very exciting for me. If any Americans read this, they will likely say "Yeah, so a factory air 283 Nova. Big deal, I have 3 of them!!!" Sometimes I'm just a bit jealous of their seemingly endless supply of classic car stuff!
__________________
1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Carl great buy. Since i've joined here i notice those diamonds in the rough more. I just need to start taking my camera with me to snap pics for all of you guys.
