Need Help with a Car

[Xasthur]

I'd call this car a project for when you're old and have other modes of transportation.

Honestly, I don't know how parents let their kids drive around chitty little cars because it's 'their first car and they'll just ding it up'. That's what insurance is for, you cheap arse.

Why let your children drive the least safe car when they're most at risk of being in accident either through their lack of experience and crashing into someone or through their lack of experience in avoiding other bad drivers?

I don't know how I'll do it when I have kids but it will go something like this:

1 - They save their money and give me what they can (in order to give them a sense of 'earning' it and owning their car) and I go out and buy them a reasonably priced, modern car with all of the modern safety features. A Ford Falcon of the time (if they continue on with their focus on safety), for example.

2 - They take my car (if it's safe enough, which it probably will... my car now is pretty safe) and I take their money and buy whatever I can for myself, whatever that may be. Even if it's a 10 year old V8 for me to have fun with.

I just don't get parents who let their kids drive death-traps when they're in their most vulnerable driving years. It seems very counterintuitive to me.

[Ghosth]

Don't sweat any critters that got inside of it. Chances are they got mummified several years ago. All your going to find is the dried up shriveled husk of their carcass.

Yes, more than likely a money pit. No don't pay more than 500 for it.
Any chance you can work out a deal where you come and work summers for him to pay it off?

[Cougar68]

Let me add that I'm all for building your first car.  My first driver was a '66 Chevelle that I built from the ground up.  I knew her inside and out and if I did anything stupid, it was my hard work I was putting on the line.  Really taught me a lot about cars as well as respecting your property.  I just don't think this is the car to do it with.  Your first project shouldn't be a rust bucket that needs every part gone through.   Find a more solid starting point and build from there.  Just too much rust on this one. 

[Bark0]

How deep are your pockets at 14?

I got 180 in a savings account. I could probably babysit a lot in the summer.

or want to use the car as an excuse for you and a family member (who knows how to restore cars) to get closer, I would not touch it.

My Uncle Rob was in the navy for 28 years fixing Airplane engines. Before that he was Fixing car engines...And even made a 350 block for my Uncle's 69 camaro. This was when he was in High School .H e now Recides in Gig harbor Washington. give it a few years...he may move back to Minnesota.

Any chance you can work out a deal where you come and work summers for him to pay it off?

IMHO no. I only go there 2 times a year. Why? It's a 6 hour drive from St. Paul to 30 miles from the Canadian border. However. each year we stay up there for a longer time. Last time we were there we stayed a Full 2 weeks. so next time I may be able to work something out.

Chances are they got mummified several years ago. All your going to find is the dried up shriveled husk of their carcass.

Ewwwwwwww. *opens car and gets in*      *steps out...pukes*

lol.
The last time i opened a car door that was laying on he farm it got stuck and could not close. it took everyone on the farm to get it shut. I felt really embarrassed. More pics to come when i get home.
BTW it has a collectors license plate and a Weird trailer hitch.

My Cousin martin is a drag racer...Uncle rob fixes Engines. I think I got a lot of help  Ty. Keep the responces coming

[CAVPFCDD]

edit: I just realized I turned into my father, I was in your shoes back in 1986, looking at a Corvette. He told me the same thing...

    buuuut he was right. I thought like this when I was looking at my first car. Sorry to shoot your dreams down kid but it's just really expensive and just not a reasonable first car.

I got 180 in a savings account. I could probably babysit a lot in the summer.

that won't cut it for funding(unless you meant 180,000). This is however a great father son project, if your dad is interested. I still don't think this is a good first car, you need something way more reliable. I'd say can't go wrong with a honda, I used to work for them, great cars.

[Roundeye]

I should have added this:

  Very first thing you need to do when you talk to the owner is ask why it was parked.  For all we know it could have a rod laying in the pan   Trannie could be shot.  Big ticket items that would take you a long long time to save up for not to mention the other things that ARE wrong with it.

  At a minimum, you are going to need to replace all rubber brake lines, replace/rebuild brake cylinders, calipers and master cylinder, ignition system parts (points at minimum), belts, all fuel lines, rebuild carb, inspect pump, clean gas tank, replace all coolant lines and water pump, replace engine oil, replace trans fluid, replace rear end oil.  Inspect wheel bearings and re-grease.  Replace all tires.  Grease all fittings (don't forget U-joints) Basically any fluids or grease need replacing and any seal or hose that carries fluid needs replacing.

  I've brought back many many cars that have sat for years and can tell you from experience that if it holds fluid, its going to leak.  Maybe not right away, but in the near future.

  First thing is to see if it even runs.  If it runs OK and you want to proceed with the project, WORK ON BRAKES FIRST.  If you dont take in anything else in this post, take this in: WORK ON BRAKES FIRST.  Here is why:  If you get the car to run, you are going to have an overwhelming temptation to test drive it.  You may have a good brake pedal to start with but when you get that beast moving, that is not the time to realise that the lines are swelled shut, or a cylinder is about to puke a rotten seal or one caliper is frozen, sending you off to the left or right with a quickness.

  Do not be discouraged by all of this though.  Just realise up front that it is going to be a project that will not have instant results.  It will take time and money.  Possibly alot of it.  It would make a really cool first car and it would be a great way to learn mechanics by getting your hands dirty with it.  If you are going to drive a car like that, you are going to need to know what makes it tick and how to fix it.

  Good luck and keep us posted.  If you have any questions, post em and myself or someone else will be glad to help.  There is alot of experience on this here board.

 

[Bronk]

IMHO

Way too much car for a 1st car. If you can get it to learn a little restoration great but get  a beater also ... you'd be much better off.

[Hungry]

I had 2 64's and a 68 Chevelle, sorry but I allways thought that style of Chevelle was not the best.  Which just means that if you put to much money into to it you won't get it back when you try and sell it unless for some reason only 10 of that style were ever made.

Get the Vin number and do a little searching.  Is it all matching numbers?

I've got a 78 Chevy C10 truck, lowered, shortbed, 350 four bolt main motor, with a 400 turbo trans, headers, flowmaster exhaust da da da sitting in the garage stripped down for the last two years, know what your getting into its allot of work!

On the other other hand it would be your car and if you like it, who cares.

Just ask the guy, Hey what are you going to do with the Chevelle, he will probably give you the story then ask why are you interested in it?  Good Luck on what ever you decide.

[Bark0]

Well here are some more pics. Not the best...will try to get some better ones in May.













Remember what I said about the Dust?


 

[AAJagerX]

Early 70's model GM sports cars like this are so easy to find parts for that it's almost ridiculous.  If you're not worried about TRUE collector value, it'd be an easy restore.  Hit up ebay and junkyards for the body work.  It literally saved me THOUSANDS rebuilding a motorcycle a couple of years ago.  Good Luck.

[ridley1]

Hey, I've seeen that chevy sitting in the barn. I'd be interested in buying it.

As for fixing it up....don't most high schools have an auto mechanic, body shop program?

Just sayin'

[Bark0]

As for fixing it up....don't most high schools have an auto mechanic, body shop program?

There is a Car-care Class at my Local High school But that's not until 11th Grade.
There is A small engines class I will be taking Next year. 

[redman555]

Hey, I've seeen that chevy sitting in the barn. I'd be interested in buying it.

As for fixing it up....don't most high schools have an auto mechanic, body shop program?

Just sayin'

good point, alot of schools will work on it for free if u let em use it to train kids with


-BigbobCH

[Coshy]

From ebay:

Entirely too long ebay Url

$3500 for one in excellent condition.

Body and interior parts aren't going to be easy to find, most of these cars were crushed when they stopped working. They have essentially no collector value unless they have extremely rare options/equipment. Since you seem to have access to the car, you could check the VIN number, you might have come across a rare Canadian model, doubtful, but possible.

I bought a 1975 Chevelle Malibu about 10 years ago for $975 that was in near perfect condition with less than 100,000 original miles on the odometer, that might give you an idea on what this one is worth.

If it were me, and the asking price was 500-800, I'd pick it up. But I'm also 39, have a good job, a garage full of tools and another car to drive while I'm waiting to find parts.

[Megalodon]

From ebay:


$3500 for one in excellent condition.

That car is far from excellent condition and is in worse condition than the one in his moms friends barn.

Does the owner know you like the car?
I would suggest when you get there you show a true interest in the car..ask the owner if you can 
wash, polish it.. with soap, wax, and glass cleaner you earned the money for and brought with you, 
vacuum the interior just generally clean it up.
Tell the owner you will be getting your license in a couple years and ask if there any are plans for fixing the car?

I would start there you never know what might happen. The owner might even help ya out and make you a deal.
Maybe the next time you go there you show up with some good used tires and the money to get them mounted and balanced.
Brake lines and new fluid the next. Next time  oil,  plugs, cap and rotor and filters.
You will have a few more trips before its time to get it. 

If you can find a 73 chevelle SS in matching #'s good condition it's worth more than you might think 
I used to say some of the same things these guys are saying about the 50's & 60's cars..   

Good Luck