Got a new car today
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Got a new car today
My '78 project came to a dead end and I decided to buy another car. I wanted a '69 but just couldn't find one in my price range right now. I ended up with an '81 that the previous owner had already done a lot of the restoration on. Still needs some work, mostly the engine which is original but for $9500 I felt like this was a good deal. I think it still gives me room to restore a little more without being in too big of a hole.
Did get a scare bringing it home. Had to drive it 2 1/2 hours to get it home and 15 minutes before getting there, I went to pass a truck and it downshifted, surged and died. Being such an old engine all kinds of thoughts passed through my head and all I could remember was the last thing my wife had said is do not buy it if it is junk. I thought, how am I going to explain this to her. I couldn't even make it home without a wrecker. Luckily, after checking the carb and finding no fuel, I was able to chalk it up to a faulty reading on the gas gauge. 1/4 of a tank means EMPTY. Made it home without too much embarrassment.
Did get a scare bringing it home. Had to drive it 2 1/2 hours to get it home and 15 minutes before getting there, I went to pass a truck and it downshifted, surged and died. Being such an old engine all kinds of thoughts passed through my head and all I could remember was the last thing my wife had said is do not buy it if it is junk. I thought, how am I going to explain this to her. I couldn't even make it home without a wrecker. Luckily, after checking the carb and finding no fuel, I was able to chalk it up to a faulty reading on the gas gauge. 1/4 of a tank means EMPTY. Made it home without too much embarrassment.
Last edited by milo30; Dec 21, 2011 at 09:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I really don't know what the market is right now in this area for an '81 but the condition of this car was so much better than the other cars I was finding in this price range, I don't think 9.5k was over paying.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Unfortunately no. Found rust damage on the windshield that I had missed somehow and it was further gone that I felt comfortable dealing with. I dragged it outside to give the new car room in the garage and am just going to sell all the parts that I have accumulated for it's rebuild. That's on my list for tomorrow also, start taking photos and listing parts for sale.
I'm disappointed that I didn't get to finish the '78 but happy that I have a car to drive now.
I'm disappointed that I didn't get to finish the '78 but happy that I have a car to drive now.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Why not just sell the '78 "as is". Remember, you will have to remove the parts you will be selling; and that takes time and effort, too. It sounds like you are not really into the 'repair' part of ownership, so why perpetuate it with the '78? Just get rid of it, so you can focus your attention on the '81.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Why not just sell the '78 "as is". Remember, you will have to remove the parts you will be selling; and that takes time and effort, too. It sounds like you are not really into the 'repair' part of ownership, so why perpetuate it with the '78? Just get rid of it, so you can focus your attention on the '81.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Milo, really sorry to hear about the '78, I was rooting for your conversion coming together. I can see why you don't want to fight that windshield rust.
The '81 looks NICE! Great colors and in good shape too! Enjoy!
John
The '81 looks NICE! Great colors and in good shape too! Enjoy!
John
