Classic Cars

[Big_Hitter]

nice monte

[John Galt III]

Up until 2009 my daily driver was my 1985 Chevy Caprice Classic. Traded it in. But I still have my 1988 Firebird GTA which I picked up in 2000 for $2,500. I estimate I've only spent about $1,000 on it in all this time.

[Capwest28]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doneat58 This one I didn't restore, just wrote a check for. Bought in 2010 as a 20th anniversary gift for my wife (if you can read the vanity plate). 1969 Mercedes 280SL. Really fun car to drive, has been all over New England including a Ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard for a weekend.

Oh I love this. Before the purchase of my new-to-me E class, I test drove a mid 70s SL. Loved it but hubs would rather work on his British oil leaker than a German vacuum leak queen.


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[jazz4cash]

Vacuum leaks suck
Sorry couldn't help it


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[stargazer08]

This gem left our possession this July.
67 Firebird convertible 400 manual transmission. All original unrestored with 57,000 miles. My husband was the 2nd owner and had original bill of sale, original spare tire and other documentation that came with the car. We owned it for 20 years or so. It was a sad day when it left.

[Keim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer08 This gem left our possession this July. 67 Firebird convertible 400 manual transmission. All original unrestored with 57,000 miles. My husband was the 2nd owner and had original bill of sale, original spare tire and other documentation that came with the car. We owned it for 20 years or so. It was a sad day when it left.

Did it go to Washington? Saw its twin if it didn't...

[Nodak]

The first car I owned was a 1948 Cadillac Fleetwood model 75 in the attached picture. I bought it in 1965 for $300 and soon realized that I do not have the talent or interest that it takes to restore something like that so I sold it in 1970 for $1000. It might actually be considered a classic today.

[stargazer08]

Keim it stayed local (southern Illinois).

I still can't believe my husband sold it. He had been talking about it for a few years. Didn't even have it listed anywhere.

[OneDay]

GTOs are one of my favorites, is that a ram air 3 or 4 car ?

[Car-Guy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneDay Anyone working on or own any classic cars, muscle cars, etc. I plan on spending a good deal of my free time working on them once I'm fire.

One other comment. A key word in the OP is "spending". You can certainly "spend" a lot of time working on classic cars but you'll likely be "spending" a lot of money too "depending" on the car(s) and particularly on the levels of restorations/customizations. It's been a hobby for me but I'd estimate just in the last five years, I've spent a lot more in real dollars than I could get back today based on "current" estimated resale values. (difference is probably between 150 and 200k). That's not counting or putting a value on my time/labor.

[eytonxav]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Car-Guy One other comment. A key word in the OP is "spending". You can certainly "spend" a lot of time working on classic cars but you'll likely be "spending" a lot of money too "depending" on the car(s) and particularly on the levels of restorations/customizations. It's been a hobby for me but I'd estimate just in the last five years, I've spent a lot more in real dollars than I could get back today based on "current" estimated resale values. (difference is probably between 150 and 200k). That's not counting or putting a value on my time/labor.

Especially true if you buy a bad car to restore and don't know what you are looking at. Had a friend that thought he was getting a great deal on a 67 Mustang that supposedly had a new 351 Windsor engine. Turned out the chassis and pan were badly rusted out and the lower side panels were filled with bondo. Motor was only a rebuilt 351 and it had a racing auto transmission unbeknownst to him. He spent $4500 and would probably need to spend $20-30K to make it into a street car. Now he is trying to sell it as is, but I suspect it can only be sold as a parts car, and its doubtful he will get his investment back.

[Big_Hitter]

anyone know how to troubleshoot convertible tops?

[38Chevy454]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneDay GTOs are one of my favorites, is that a ram air 3 or 4 car ?

I assume you may be referencing my 68 GTO I put picture up a couple pages back? Not a RA car, has the 400/350 hp base GTO engine. Still a strong engine, but not the RA which had different cam and heads with slightly bigger ports. My car has the Turbo 400 auto with the Hurst dual gate shifter in the console. Black interior that looks a lot like the interior pics stargazer posted, with a black vinyl top. Mine has P/S, P/B, A/C, and the hideaway headlights.

I've owned the GTO for 36.5 years now, with no intention to sell it anytime soon. My father actually bought the car new, and I got it when I was 16. Rebuilt the engine and repainted it when 16, it was a real nice car. It has followed me around the country in my various moves, but looking a big ragged now with the original vinyl top finally giving up with rips and tears, and the lacquer paint is all checked. Still runs and drives great though.

[Tom52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Hitter anyone know how to troubleshoot convertible tops?

What's the problem? What is make and model?

[Big_Hitter]

95 pontiac firehawk

went to take the top down this morning and about halfway through it made a nasty POP...kept going and it made another POP and then it wouldn't go down all the way, maybe 5" off where it should sit - it was fairly cold this morning, 45F, so I wonder if something got stuck - I tried taking it up and down 5 times did the same thing every time so I drove another car to work

[Keim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Hitter 95 pontiac firehawk went to take the top down this morning and about halfway through it made a nasty POP...kept going and it made another POP and then it wouldn't go down all the way, maybe 5" off where it should sit - it was fairly cold this morning, 45F, so I wonder if something got stuck - I tried taking it up and down 5 times did the same thing every time so I drove another car to work

I don't know anything about rag tops. But, I do know that 45 degrees shouldn't be cold enough to have any adverse effects.

[HFWR]

I know zilch about convertible tops, but the pops may have been worn gears skipping teeth.

[cantlogin]

How about this?




And this?

[Big_Hitter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR I know zilch about convertible tops, but the pops may have been worn gears skipping teeth.

there were two stabilizer bars that were bent. I'm going to have to get some fabbed since they no longer make that part.

[eytonxav]

Not a GTO fan, but always loved this color on goats and 442s: