So what shape of a car should I be reasonably looking for a car to be in for in the $5,000 price range? Im not really in a rush so i dont mind waiting around for that great deal but what condition should it be in?


Thanks

 

You can get a decent 73-77 Cutlass for that.

 

http://www.racingjunk.com/search?sea...lass&search=Go. That place has a 69 cutlass for 4200 but its a bracket cars. It also has a nice looking 67 cutlass for 5500 and that only on the first page.

 

Sorry i forgot to add that im looking to buy a 1971 or 1972 Cutlass S style body

 

Found my 71 convertible for $5700. It is drivable project car that was partly done. Moter and front end were rebuilt. It was being sold because he was working on a 66 convertible. Body and paint are rough with basic rust in normal places. I have put 1500 miles on it since I got it in May. Will start on body this winter.

 

I know that cash today is always an issue but after almost 35 years of building these cars, I can GUARANTEE that you will be dollars ahead to buy the nicest car you can afford. Rust never sleeps and there is always way more than you can see. Repairs are very expensive when done correctly. Unless you can properly weld patch panels yourself, you will pay a lot to have it done.

Of course, I never follow my own advice and I'm looking at spending about $1000 for a parts car to use on a car I got for free...

 

Given todays economy, your buying dollar is probably going to stretch a little further since having a toy or project car isn't in a lot of household budgets.

I would expect the car to have a straight frame with minimum rust, driveline in good / repairable condition, semi worn tires, interior in decent shape (rips in material are ok since all interior can be redone) good to fair paint (maybe some minor surface rust), likely to have rust perforation behind front and rear wheels, reasonably good overall sheet metal, Glass in good condition, Chrome and stainless accents in reasonable condition, rubber weatherseals in worn condition, minimum options.

Then the fun starts. You can personalize it or restore it. Just don't crush it. These cars have more value to the owner than they do on the open market. Once you get into it , you'll know what I mean.

Anyway, that's what I would expect for 5 grand. If you find something cherry that's going for less, get some pics and details and post it for us, ok? Good luck with your search.

 

Joe,

Can you say AADD

 

My wife and I bought a 55 acre farm 10 years ago. I tell her that all the space is for her horses...

I made the mistake of putting together a list of all the vehicles I have accumulated on the property:

1952 Chevy 6100 truck (2 ton)
1952 Chevy 6400 truck (also 2 ton - to become a rollback)
1964 Jetstar 88 convertible
1966 442 convertible
1968 W-30
1969 H/O
1969 442
1970 W-30
1971 Cutlass (parts car)
1972 442
1978 El Camino (plan to turn this into a Cutlass pickup)
1979 Chevy K30 dually tow truck (parts car)
1984 Custom Cruiser
1986 Caprice Wagon
1986 BMW 325ie (will get a Northstar someday)
1986 Chevy C30 dually flatbed (to be built as the wife's horse trailer hauler)
1987 Toyota FX (built in the same Fremont, CA plant as my 66, now has a twin cam 4AGE motor)
1990 Honda Civic LX
1990 Honda Civic LX (parts car)
1993 Cadillac Allante
1993 Cadillac Allante (parts car - guess where the Northstar for the BMW comes from...)
1999 Chevy K3500 Crewcab dually (first and only new vehicle I've ever bought)