Quote:
Originally Posted by WSSix
If this was purely a project car where you could take your time, years, and fix it up, then I would say go for it. Since you're wanting something to DD, I would start out with something that needs less work. That, or lower your expectations of what you want out of it as a DD. By that I mean, are you willing to drive it while it's simply primered and work on it as you can? You'd have to have a second more reliable car to fall back on and DD while this one was getting work done.
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I should've been more clear. I do have my regular car but I would like this Bird to be my DD, meaning not a garage queen or strictly for car shows. I fully intend to drive the heck out of it. Patience will be difficult but that's why I would like a shop to do it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregWeld
A mediocre car restoration is going to be 50 grand in parts alone... so that's hard cash - then there's an additional investment in tools... and TIME.
the reality of doing this kind of work on these cars is - it's expensive - even doing it yourself. And the car is going to have to be down most of the time. No way to do it correctly while trying to drive it every day. These cars are O - L - D and need cleaning - and in order to do that - things have to be removed. Motors and trannys need to come out to get to the filthiest parts... and the rear end - and suspension needs to be rebuilt with bushings and ball joints etc...
If you don't already have some knowledge and skills --- buy a DONE car.... and just enjoy it and tinker with it.
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50Gs is out of the question. I'm not looking to make this car a Pro-touring type. I just want it clean, nice looking and running so I can drive it everywhere just as if I lived in the 70s. I'd like a shop to do the work, but again nothing extreme of total restoration.
I would love to but can't find a done 71 in my price range. People always want to pay little but sell for a lot and people who own done 71's are typically the ones with $ who are in no hurry or need to sell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab
If its cheap where you can afford to buy and running I'd say go for it BUT....
Keep it running, don't do any crazy mods to it till you can afford to.
Right now you have the opportunity and you may not get the chance again. The worst time to buy a car is when you are looking for one. Finding the car is the hard part. Specially a 71 Formula.
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See, this is exactly how I'm thinking. If I let this one go...
But I do understand what GregWeld is saying and I don't want to put myself in the position of having sit mths/yrs at a time getting nowhere and then I end up eventually trying to sell it on here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FETorino
Now keep in mind you always end up selling a car for less than it cost you to build it. Now remember what I just said, and then read your own quote from PT. "All the 70-71 birds I'm finding that are turn-key to use as a daily and rust free are way out of my price range."
So this car will end up costing more than those out of your price range.
If that motor was rebuilt before it was parked it sat for a long time without oil circulating and with some valves open and springs fading. So it is just an old motor now. Plus look at the disarray under the hood and dirty air cleaner and ask yourself what was the quality of the rebuild?
That's a $3-4k starter (not worth the $7.5k he is asking IMHO) on a project that will cost 5 to 10 times that to complete without any big modifications.
Go grind this guy down a few grand
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All good points.
I fully intend to do my best at getting the cost down but I'm pretty sure he won't go that low. He'll put it on ebay before going that low and then I'm certain one of you will buy it. Lol. I seriously doubt you can find a 71 Bird in similar condition for that money. I've searched craiglist like a madman. There are 72 & up, but not 71s.
Am I way out of the park in thinking $10K will get it looking and running nice?
My guesstimate is ~$5K in body work & ~$3K for interior and ~$2K in motor/misc expenses. Again, not show car or street racer but respectable and dependable.