No point suggesting me a cheap project car v.$5k

[Stix Zadinia]

They're not too pricey from what I can see. But I'd have to pay someone to weld new panels in, it's not something I can do myself. I want this project to be about me learning how to do various mechanical things, rather than learning how much it costs to have paint and panel work done. So if the one I'm checking out tomorrow looks better it's probably worth the extra cash up front to me.

even i can weld a new battery tray in a beetle, the rest of it will be easy too

[Tripper]

Yep, either buy it *already* done by some old bloke or put up with with off the road for years until it done.

I quite happily paid a premium to get a 260z that could just be started whenever I pleased.

About the only thing to be done is the replacement of some rubbers and if you were really fussy try to find some NOS internal plastic parts.

Love the sound and smell of the thing, beats any of my modern car hands down!

are you Richards son by any chance ?

[Captain_Slow]

You won't get a fun 1970s car with perfect panels and no rust that you can just do fluid changes and polish the chrome for $5K.
Not sure you really are the "old car guy" you think you are and you'll probably be extremely disappointed in anything you get.

Yeah, I get that and maybe it just can't be done. I'm really not going for perfection here, just want to avoid a bad car if I can get a good one instead.

Maybe I'm not an old car guy. If so, sell, move on, done. Won't die wondering though.

[darwinschops]

Is this why govco takes so long to do anything?

I kid, you'd want something you're going to be happy with, it's just you might have to compromise to some degree. Obvious point is that if you are going to take one with a bit of cancer, make sure you get someone with a clue to suss out how terminal it is.

[Chase Rockwell]

Rust adds character. And your chances of finding a rust free 70's car are almost nil.
Embrace the rust, it matters not.

[GTREA]

Yeeeeah i dont know, reading thru this thread im not sure the old classic 70s car for $5000 is really the right car for you.

Imho cars in that price range at that age are going to require coming off the road at some stage (normally earlier rather than later) to have work done and money spent, be that rust repairs, panel and paint, motor or mechanical work, or interior retrims.

I just cannot see you being content to drive around in an old beetle (or whatever) with visible rust however superficial it may look and be happy.

An old car like that at that price point is going to require money spent on it.

I once bought an e36 318is for about 5k, i just wacked some cheap M3 wheels on it and did a few minor little things and basically just drove it, polished n detailed n polished n detailed and admired it......i think this may be more what your after?

[Nero]

buy this so I don't have to!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1985-E28-...item417075209e

[Soopy]

They're not too pricey from what I can see. But I'd have to pay someone to weld new panels in, it's not something I can do myself. I want this project to be about me learning how to do various mechanical things, rather than learning how much it costs to have paint and panel work done. So if the one I'm checking out tomorrow looks better it's probably worth the extra cash up front to me.

Panel work is only about as hard as mechanical stuff. Two ends of the same stick really.

[GTREA]

buy this so I don't have to!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1985-E28-...item417075209e

Perfect!

And a free trip to Tasmania to pick up and drive back as well with your $5000 budget

[MZ21]

are you Richards son by any chance ?

Call me Jnr, but the comparing the comparing buying a "suitable for restoration" 2 seater Z for 4-5K then spending money on getting it to a condition you'd be happy with (i could imagine easily throwing 15K at it), buying a complete rust free restored car is much more appealing when it cost about the same.

It's great just to be able to start the thing up every couple of weeks to listen to the triple webers.

[MZ21]

buy this so I don't have to!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1985-E28-...item417075209e

Not bad, not bad at all.

Same seller also has a 65 Corona

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1965-RT40...#ht_500wt_1414

[sammm]

You won't get a fun 1970s car with perfect panels and no rust that you can just do fluid changes and polish the chrome for $5K.

I've done it a few times for quite a bit less that $5k (not 'perfect' panels but no serious rust) trick is to buy odd/interesting cars that don't already have a following/market and don't go looking for any particular car just buy what comes up (living in a state without roadworthy inspections probably helps too).

[KanaL]

Maybe I'm not an old car guy. If so, sell, move on, done. Won't die wondering though.

why not stump up a few extra grand then? if you're just going to sell the thing, then it doesn't really matter. spend closer to 7ish and surely you'd find something a bit better? mind you, i think you'd still find an excuse to not buy it.

[Soopy]

why not stump up a few extra grand then? if you're just going to sell the thing, then it doesn't really matter. spend closer to 7ish and surely you'd find something a bit better? mind you, i think you'd still find an excuse to not buy it.

He's not going to get anything interesting, and mint, for the price he has set. Sub $10,000 is going to need a fair whack of TLC.

Unless its an early Commodore which he's already snobbed. Hell, even early Commie's are getting hard to get hold of for cheap and not fucked.

[Nero]

every time I seem the 528 I have to think of reasons not to buy it!