Hey all:
Just went and looked at a '79 cruising wagon in North Texas. Man, nothing like getting the blood going again as checking out a car you used to own.
Here's the skinny on it - I will post pics sometime this week, I took my camera with me but the batteries were dead (GRR)...
1) Motor/drivetrain - Has a 4 bbl 302 in it, with stock exhaust manifolds; started and sounded pretty good, though conversion looks kinda sloppy. It just didn't seem like the engine was sitting in the compartment squarely, and in fact there was a length of chain going from the block to the right inner fenderwell!! Battery relocated inside to the spare tire well; long cable sloppily runs through firewall and inside.
Hood mount of course was gone with a different radiator, so there were hood pins installed. There was an aftermarket scoop on the hood (hole cut for air cleaner clearance). 4 speed on the floor. Dual exhaust with mufflers beneath main floor (NO pipe exit over axle), did not see rear end, had traction bars. Could not drive as it was parked in behind several other cars.
2) Body - small 1.5 inch gash in drivers floorpan, some minor surface rust otherwise (carpet missing there), door bottoms look good, rear hatch bottom looks good, front air dam missing (new radiator gets in way). Mix of paint and primer, some rust "lines" where the panels meet the body (would need to be ground out, refilled, reworked), all body panels smooth, both doors operational. Fender wells solid, no apparent rust around drain gutters and/or vent intakes. Needs all new weatherstripping, and there was primer overspray on the side windows. Seals around porthole window seemed intact but trim was missing.
3) Interior - typically messy for this vintage, dash pad completely missing, no radio, some aftermarket gauges added but hanging down inside dash, dash trim gone, front seats ripped up, most front carpet missing (were covered by floor mats), two different door panels, rear internal panels missing, headliner OK, overall needs a complete restoration. All other gauges intact. Factory A/C controls, but all OEM A/C equipment is long gone. Heater box bypassed at firewall.
4) Tires/wheels - older style 4 bolt slotted aluminum mags, tires fair.
Overall a good builder; no cancer rust, reasonably dry. Mostly complete. Concerned about V8 position in compartment. Mostly concerned about price. $2950 - OUCH. I did NOT talk about price - yet. Good news is, last year it was inspected and titled, SO, the last six months of sitting outside have not really "killed it." Really WANT this car but I need a price in the upper $1000's, $2k max. Don't know if it will happen.
Opinions welcome!! Pics in a few days...
Chris
Stock exhaust manifolds...good. Unsquare engine...-50. Chain...-1000. Battery location...good. Sloppy cable run...-25. Hood mount gone...-50. Exhaust ruN normal...no room. Four speed...-100. Needs all new weatherstripping...-150. Interior...-500. Offer him a grand...you could find a v-6 car that has not been pillaged and do your own conversion for about 2500...not counting interior and window rubber.
High_Horse
THAT'S the kind of feedback I'm looking for, thanks High_Horse for taking the time. I figured more would chime in, I guess words don't tell the story as well as pics. Pics tomorrow.
Chris