1962oldsguy

I purchased a 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible when two years ago and have put over $5000 into restoring it ontop of $4000 to purchase the car.
The car has a BRAND NEW drivetrain, brakes, 700R4 conversion, new wheels, stock wheel covers, tires, and exhaust. I have $9000 invested and I havent even started on paint or interior!
I am 16 and money is very tight, I was planning on having the car finished when I was 16 and I am not super attached to this car, only my 64' Fiesta.
I am trying to decide whether to part the convertible out, make my money back and purchase a finished car since these sell in good condition from $7500-$12000.
I have TONS of extra parts that I am always trying to sell off via ebay or thru classicoldsmobile.com

I have a feeling I could put another two years into this car and easily 10k to finish it, when I am not really looking to spend that kind of money with college coming up. But I do want a sweet 63' Olds.

If I parted the car out I believe I could get, (Please correct me if I am wrong)
New 394 (1143 miles on rebuild) 4brl, dual exhaust $2000+
700R4 conversion setup for 394 $1200+
Tires and wheels (less then 500miles) $500+
New Dual exhaust (Straight pipes with blue streak packs) $250+
New Radiator $300+
Rebuilt clock with quartz option and tach. rebuild $200+
Convertible special interior in fair shape and rust free $500+
Rust free convertible body, with 25% body work done $750+
Refurbished fuel tank $300+
New brakes $450+ (Paid $900)

Total that is about $5500. I feel I could get about $7000 total, along with sales from other parts and cars I have, and money from my job I could easily have a great looking 63' Olds in my garage within a year or two.

I love working on these cars, but working on a 64' Fiesta and the Convertible is just too much. I have about $2000 into the wagon and its worth much more then I have into it.

Let me know your opinion!! I honestly think I took a ton of wrong turns on this Convertible and need to get what I can out before I get too far.

Thank-you
Happy Holidays!
541-678-0606

billmerbach

Hey man I'm 16 too but to have that much invested in the car you might be able to trade it for a 63 if you get lucky does it run

1962oldsguy

Hell yeah it runs! Haha.
Its the fastest car ive ever driven, and it has never shut off on me even in 15 degree temperatures! It fires up on the first click even if its sat for a month! I would trust this car more then my 91' 4-runner. I switched all the running gear to a convertible that had a better body and frame so I driven it around in two different bodies. With the high compression of the 394 backed up by the high geared 700R4 its one heck of a "Sleeper".
Thanks!
-Dalton

billmerbach

Oh I believe you haha I'd try to trade it just in cade you can't get you're money back outta it

oldcutlass

Tuff choice, mine has been a driving resto. I work on it a bit and drive it a bit. In the last 5 tears, I have $17k in it and still counting, bought the car for $5k. If it's not your main mode of transportation keep at it and drive it for a while. A running old car still has a lot of cool factor no matter what it looks like.

Olds64

Dalton, do you have receipts for your rebuilt engine and transmission? I suggest selling the car outright. Don't part it out unless you have alot of property and don't mind sitting on it for a number of years.

Sampson

Tough choices ahead. You are in pretty deep and I doubt you will recapture as much in the parts as you have in them if you part the car out. Sometimes restoring an old car is like eating an elephant, One bite at a time. I have way more in my car so far than I can ever recapture but that is really not the point. I am building the car for me! Great to see someone like you keeping the hobby alive.

69ishHoliday

After two years of putting time and money into the car and still not being super attached to it means you should probably move on. I would take a shot at selling it as a whole before selling it in pieces. It's probably a body and paint man's dream with all the mechanical being done. Consider the headache of selling the pieces when you get an offer on it. Good luck with your decision. - Steven

redoldsman

A 63 Starfire convertible is a desirable car. Post some pictures on here and list it for sale. Somebody might be interested and it doesn't cost you anything. Good luck.

Gary M

Selling as whole car leaves the prospect of what it could be when finished. People will pay more for a possibility of what could be than for one part. Besides, it is a desirable car and I'd bet some one is looking for one.

Oldskeeper

Dalton, PM sent

ziff396

I have learned from experience, that take your budget about double it and you should be close with these old cars. That's without adding a lot of performance parts. And, I do most of the work myself! It's just an addiction. To make them nice is not for the faint of heart. Most will not recoup the money invested. Good luck with what you decide.