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The story on the car is that my father purchased it new and he passed away 6 months ago and left it to me. The car hasn't ran since 2005 and been sitting under the carport, but it did run with no problems before it sat. I went to try to start it with a jump pack and it fried the pack, did a test light test on it and it has an open short somewhere, probably a critter chewed on a wire. The car has 49k miles, numbers matching 350 motor, A/C, 4 speed, T-tops, all original. My question is what would it cost to get it road running not to worried about the looks for now. I don't have money flowing out of my pockets so spending any money on it would be a problem and take a while to save up.
1. Should I keep it sitting and hope something changes with money issues.
2. Try to get it road running and barely drive it.
3. Sell it and how much should I ask for it.
Last edited by Jmyers456; Mar 28, 2018 at 06:58 PM.
Reason: Forgot to add info
J, that's a great car and it's cool that it was your dad's. Couple different ways you could go. A little elbow grease would go a long way with this car. Clean it inside and out, might make you feel a little better about the whole project. It wouldn't be too bad to restore as you go, as $$$ permits and drive it in the mean time. If you decide to sell, I would advertise it on craigslist in its current condition for $6K and see what happens. Good luck either way.
Greg
Thanks Greg, I have been going back and forth for months now on what to do with the car. I am going to try to find the short this summer to at least start it.
Should I keep it sitting and hope something changes with money issues.
Try to get it road running and barely drive it.
Sell it and how much should I ask for it.
That is a tough call but if you sell now, down the road you may wish you had kept it. Sounds like you have those mechanical aptitude skills which can offset lots of expense so your investment is parts. It's a great Car...great color!
If you intend to keep over six months, my first investment recommendation is a cover to protect it from the elements while it rests under the carport. Mid-America makes a Typhoon class cover that is perfect for protection outdoors. Here are some priorities tasks I would put on the to-do list:
From there, inspect wiring from the battery to under the hood
Look underneath and check for leaks, brake calipers, power steering, oil, transmission and differential.
After sitting for that period of time, I would suspect carb operation that probably is ready for a rebuild.
Clean the engine compartment, check for leaks, hoses with cracks (vacuum leaks), more wiring.
This list would keep you engaged with your 73 while you ponder its future. You may find after taking on these repairs, a decision to keep it and continue its restoration. Keep us posted!
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Mar 29, 2018 at 06:35 AM.
Hi Jmyers,
As mentioned above the big question is do you want to keep the car? It appears to still have many of the original engine parts from what I can see in your pictures. The Interior doesn't look too bad either. It's a 4 speed, power brake, AC car. I assume it also has power steering. It just needs a good careful cleaning. I suggest you do that first, then check all the safety stuff, like brakes, fluids, hoses, electrical, fuel lines and carb. Then get it running properly. Let me tell you, once you drive it you'll want to keep it! It meant a lot to your father because he kept it all these years and kept it original. It's an L48 and not a big $$$ car, but you have the originality and one owner factors in your favor. I would also guess it has all the original paperwork with it somewhere. I see the plate is from Pa., Make sure you check out the fame and birdcage for any major rust issues too. It would be nice if you could get it to a shop where you could get the car up on a lift for a better inspection. Where in Pa. do you live?
Do as hunt4cleanair suggests and get a good cover for it! Good luck in what ever decision you make with the car!
Tooch
Tooch gave some good advice. Rust or lack of is imperative. Changes the game from all aspects. Starting it with just a jump may be over simplifying it. Carb needs rebuilding and fuel tank needs cleaning out. Brakes are going to leak. If you don't have $1000 to get this car road worthy, sell it. But, if ever get to drive it, you'll love it. It's your Dad's car. Very few of us get to have a car that the old man bought new.
I bough a 73 in similar condition. I am in Canada and spent 5000 to get it in driver condition. It also needs paint like yours which would be 8-10k here. I have a brother in the bus so 2000 for me (lucky) I paid 5k for the car after a lot of haggling so will be into it with paint for 12k. It is also a 4 speed ,ac,ps,pb 350 L82 mind you.
Since you own the car plan on probably 4000 in parts if you do a lot of work. If you do not want paint you will have a great driver as I did all supension, brakes and steering as well as front and rear bushings.
Good luck either way. A great looking car!
All good answers so far, you stated "spending any money on it would be a problem and take a while to save up" so it sounds like you need to sell this car as-is where is. If that is the case I would not throw money into it just to let it go.
As Greg pointed out a little elbow grease would go a long way with this car and would make it much more presentable to a buyer. Good outside wash following up with good paint restoration products/wax and some deep interior cleaning will make this car pop.
That is a tough call but if you sell now, down the road you may wish you had kept it. Sounds like you have those mechanical aptitude skills which can offset lots of expense so your investment is parts. It's a great Car...great color!
If you intend to keep over six months, my first investment recommendation is a cover to protect it from the elements while it rests under the carport. Mid-America makes a Typhoon class cover that is perfect for protection outdoors. Here are some priorities tasks I would put on the to-do list:
From there, inspect wiring from the battery to under the hood
Look underneath and check for leaks, brake calipers, power steering, oil, transmission and differential.
After sitting for that period of time, I would suspect carb operation that probably is ready for a rebuild.
Clean the engine compartment, check for leaks, hoses with cracks (vacuum leaks), more wiring.
This list would keep you engaged with your 73 while you ponder its future. You may find after taking on these repairs, a decision to keep it and continue its restoration. Keep us posted!
Hi Jmyers,
As mentioned above the big question is do you want to keep the car? It appears to still have many of the original engine parts from what I can see in your pictures. The Interior doesn't look too bad either. It's a 4 speed, power brake, AC car. I assume it also has power steering. It just needs a good careful cleaning. I suggest you do that first, then check all the safety stuff, like brakes, fluids, hoses, electrical, fuel lines and carb. Then get it running properly. Let me tell you, once you drive it you'll want to keep it! It meant a lot to your father because he kept it all these years and kept it original. It's an L48 and not a big $$$ car, but you have the originality and one owner factors in your favor. I would also guess it has all the original paperwork with it somewhere. I see the plate is from Pa., Make sure you check out the fame and birdcage for any major rust issues too. It would be nice if you could get it to a shop where you could get the car up on a lift for a better inspection. Where in Pa. do you live?
Do as hunt4cleanair suggests and get a good cover for it! Good luck in what ever decision you make with the car!
Tooch
Well I pulled all the fuses out and did the test light test and the light still came on, so next I disconnected the alternator and did the test light and the light didn't come on. So it has something with the wiring going to the alternator or the alternator itself. 1 step closer of starting it.
When you say you pulled all the fuses some are going to be live and have power on one side. Which The only thing in the alternator is a diode but you said it ran fine before it was parked. The wire to the alternator comes from the jct box at horn relay I believe. From horn relay jct it goes down to the starter and then to the positive battery post.
You really need a meter that you can put on amperage and in series with the positve or negative cable. This will tell you how much current is being drawn and you can leave it like this and then pull fuses to isolate circuit. If it is a high current draw disconnect the battery and use the ohmmeter setting across the cables and start pulling fuses or wires. do you have a wiring schematic. I will attach a simple one that will help.
If you had th emoney would you be ok with spending it on the car to enjoy? Doesnt have to have nice paint or be a frame off to have fun
I can spend a couple dollars on it, just don't want to be broke doing it, yeah I'm not worried about the paint, just trying to get it running first then maybe some interior work, paint would probably be last. Thanks for the advice.
Sitting that long I feel it would be a huge mistake to try and turn the engine over. I would drain all fluids and change. Pull spark plugs and put some oil in the cylinders. Then I would pull the distributor and prime the oil pump. That motor is bone dry up top.
1973 Value need advice
