Hello all,
I have the opportunity to buy a 77 Olds Cutlass Brougham. Seems to be all original 350/3spd automatic, interior looks good, dash is cracked. Trunk, floors look good. The car has small size rust area behind rear tires and a small area in front of the rear tires (low fender area). My biggest fear is the vinyl top, there is rust under the top, it has cracked and bubbled up. You can feel the rust "crunch" when you push on it. The seller won't let me cut the top to investigate the extent of the rust. Overall the car looks really good except for the worrisome top issue. Asking $2000. Appreciate any advice...I have been told the repair associated with possible roof rust can be tough. Also, the inside of the car is completely dry. Thanks

 

Im paying a guy to fix the rust on my 78 Eldorado underneath the vinyl. You are probably looking at $2500. If not too bad. Im getting rid of the vinyl. Stupid vinyl

 

You will pay well over $2000 to fix the rust under the vinyl top. Pass on this one and find a better one.

 

If the rest of the car is in very good condition, and you can budget for the $2500 or so, then by all means go for it. On the other hand, you can just buy it and fix it much later, if at all

 

thanks for the advice...just what I thought. afraid the repairs will exceed the value of the car.

 

Thanks...I spoke with the owner, he has agreed to peel the top back so we can check out the rust damage. If it is rusted through I will pass.

 

these roofs are so thin. It probably is rusted through. It can be fixed though.
With old cars, if you get them at a good price, repairs will often be more than what you paid for the car. You have to remember however that the same math does not apply to old cars as new ones. A friend of mine bought a $8,000 Hyundai two years ago. The car is now worth $3000, and it will continue to depreciate
If you buy a $2000 older car. That car will probably be worth around $2,000 next year, and the year after that. If you now spend another $2,000 on the car, the car isn’t necessarily worth $4,000, but certainly more than $2,000. Just like improvements on your house. Every classic car that I have had, I have been able to sell for more than I paid for it. I did not make money, but these cars do increase in value when you fix things. Usually you don’t get out as much as you put in, but its still a lot better than any new car.
Old cars don’t depreciate, but they will cost you in repairs and maintenance.

 

Wanna bet?

First problem is that the roof rust isn't going to heal itself. The rust means that water has already gotten under the vinyl top. As the rust gets worse, water enters the interior, damaging the headliner, interior panels, and eventually soaking the carpet. This, in turn, causes rust in the floor pan or elsewhere.

Fixing roof rust means removing the vinyl top, removing the glass, removing the interior, cutting out the rusted metal, and welding in new metal (without warping the low-crown roof panel). Now you need to repaint, install a new vinyl top, and reinstall the interior. You tell me if this car is worth the effort. You'll easily have $5000 into a car that will never be worth that much. Rust-free versions are available for less money.

 

I agree, find a better candidate. If you just have to have one of that year and model, see if you can find one that someone else already invested a bunch of time and money in that is trying to get rid of in a fire sale. I know this sounds harsh, but capitalize on someone else's misfortune.