When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I just more or less inherited a 72 couple. It was my grandfather's, and my uncle got it when my grandfather passed away. He's just kept it in storage and doesn't want to do anything with it, so he's giving it to me. My dad visited him this weekend and got to take a look at it. It hasn't run in years, but the engine looks in good shape and it only has 37,000 miles on it. Body and paint look good, considering its been sitting in a garage for years. Interior looks pretty good. Seats and carpet need some love. Having it shipped down here in the next week or two. I've always been in love with this car, and I can't believe it's actually going to be mine! The pics aren't the greatest, but they'll do for now. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.
Fantastic stroke of good luck for you! Looks like a great car to bring back to life. And, it shouldn't take a lot to get it up and running.
I would only ask one thing of you...please take a bit of time to decide what you want to do with the car. Finding one that is in 'original' condition and in good shape gets more and more difficult as time goes buy. In effect, you are inheriting a piece of history that, once changed, will never be with us again.
The car is yours and, as it should be, you should do with it what you will. Just give it a little serious thought before you jump in to 'mod it up'. I like them all; but it almost hurts to see one that pristine get changed forever.
That's a true "barn find." Amazing looking time capsule car! Im partial to the 72's, since thats the year I was born. What a cool family history to preserve. Enjoy, and do post updates to the restoration. Enjoy!
With only 37,000 miles this maybe a "Survivor" candidate? Real "Survivor" cars are very rare.... Which means don't do anything to it until someone with knowledge can help you check it out. Including not changing out the carpet... The carpet can have some special labels that are important. And look into the build sheet on the gas tank. Because yours has been garaged for such a long period of time it may still be in good shape... Nice car...Congrats....r
Thanks guys. I'm 44, so I'm not that young, but I'm super excited. When my uncle asked my grandfather why he was giving it to him, he said "because I know you won't sell it." I feel like it's a responsibility that's been passed on to me. I've been lurking here for a few weeks since found out that this might happen, and I can already tell that it will be a tremendous resource. I just can't wait to get it down here to Florida and get her running.
It looks great, but you should expect that it wil probably cost you at least $2000 or so to make it roadworthy if it hasn't been run in a long time. You should figure that you will need to replace the battery and all the rubber components (tires, belts and hoses) since they deteriorate with time, especially if unused. You will need to have all the fluids (gas tank, oil, tranmission fluid/oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, etc) drained and refilled, and it would not be a bad idea to have the radiator flushed, etc. Replace the air, oil and fuel filters, etc. Before cranking it over it is a good idea to pull all the spark plugs and squirt some oil into each cylinder and let it sit overnight to ease the shock on the rings and prevent wear on the upper cylinders. You may need to have the gas tank and fuel lines flushed.
There is a good chance you may need to have the carb rebuilt and it is not at all common for the fuel pump, brake calipers and master cylinder to fail after sitting for a long time since they also have rubber parts in them (diaphragm in the fuel pump and o-rings in the brake calipers and master cylinder).
Your seats look pretty good, but it would be a good idea to hit them hard with some armor all or other leather conditioning product prior to putting them back into use.
Anyway, good luck... it should be sweet once you get it roadworthy again.
Beard-you have a way cool grandfather! As others have pointed out, as orginal as this car seems to be, keep it that way. Hopefully, all the parts under the hood and dash are as un-molested as the outside seems to be. But it is now your car, choose wisely. Looks like all its needs is some love and attention. Follow softwares steps above and post some more pictures of under the hood and dash. And for gods sake, buff that thing out!
On my computer screen the car looks black. Black wasn't a standard color option in 1972. It could have been a "Special" order leaving the factory in primer or repainted at some time in its life.
Could you post a pic of the Trim Tag located near the drivers side door hinges? This will tell you the build date, original paint code & interior code.
On my computer screen the car looks black. Black wasn't a standard color option in 1972. It could have been a "Special" order leaving the factory in primer or repainted at some time in its life.
Could you post a pic of the Trim Tag located near the drivers side door hinges? This will tell you the build date, original paint code & interior code.
Yeah, I've read that black wasn't a standard color. Not sure what the story is. When it gets down here in a week or two I will get a pic of the trim tag.
Beautiful car and nice to see it stay in the family and go to a good home. Very happy for you! Please keep us posted and as Shalom said you REALLY want to have someone take a close look at it for Survivor status.
A bumpers C-3, black with red chairs....you grabbed the golden ring!
Welcome to the good life.
11" of rain here last night in four hours! My '70 high and dry! Say a prayer for the folks in central Texas, 12 missing, three confirmed dead.
Bailing out in Fort Bend County Texas.
A bumpers C-3, black with red chairs....you grabbed the golden ring!
Welcome to the good life.
11" of rain here last night in four hours! My '70 high and dry! Say a prayer for the folks in central Texas, 12 missing, three confirmed dead.
Bailing out in Fort Bend County Texas.
Right there with you in East Texas, my '72 is dry for now.
05-25-2015, 08:49 PM
Just inherited a 72 coupe
Very happy for you! Please keep us posted and as Shalom said you REALLY want to have someone take a close look at it for Survivor status.
Looking forward to seeing more this car!