Cars?

[Corry]

Corry, I think this is the most visited and commented thread I've ever seen
congrats!

Hey, thanks! I was just thinking myself that I haven't started a thread this popular before!

 

[hobbes28]

I wasn't planning on bringing it. But, if you're feelin up to the challenge, I might be convinced (with the proper motivation ) to let you take it for a spin. Chase and I are picking you up on Thursday too? I hope.

We're planning on coming in on Thursday. Be sure that ya'll will know as soon as we do.

I'll make sure to pack some bail money with me if you do bring it. :shock:

 

[photogoddess]

So goddess, what car is this?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?&pos=-178

1973 Pontiac Formula Firebird 455 with a Muncie 4 speed. It originally had an auto trans in it but the guy that built it put a stick in it and installed a Trans Am spoiler kit on it. It's fast and a ton of fun! I bought it just the way it sits but had to Un-Mickey Mouse the car. Dummy had the distributer in backwards and another assortment of stupid little stuff. I'm still working out some clutch slippage issues since he didn't do things correctly. :roll: I'm building another car just like it myself. It's taking a long time since my hubby and I are also building a 70 Nova for my daughter, restoring my grandpa's 1948 Cad, a 1964 Chevy Nova and a 1967 Firebird convertible. When all that's done, I have a 1937 Buick Century that needs attention. :roll: Ain't cars fun?

I love your other ride. I bet that's a blast!!!

 

[MDowdey]

So goddess, what car is this?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?&pos=-178

1973 Pontiac Formula Firebird 455 with a Muncie 4 speed. It originally had an auto trans in it but the guy that built it in the stick and installed a Trans Am spoiler kit on it. It's fast and a ton of fun! I bought it just the way it sits but had to Un-Mickey Mouse the car. Dummy had the distributer in backwards and another assortment of stupid little stuff. I'm still working out some clutch slippage issues since he didn't do things correctly. :roll: I'm building another car just like it myself. It's taking a long time since my hubby and I are also building a 70 Nova for my daughter, restoring my grandpa's 1948 Cad, a 1964 Chevy Nova and a 1967 Firebird convertible. When all that's done, I have a 1937 Buick Century that needs attention. :roll: Ain't cars fun?

i really want to buy and old car and try to fix it up...what kinda money am i looking at to restore a car?


md

 

[photogoddess]

i really want to buy and old car and try to fix it up...what kinda money am i looking at to restore a car? md

Usually, more money that it costs to buy one done. If you do ALL of the work yourself it's better financially. It depends on what you want. Prices for 60s and 70s Mopars and Camaro's (and some others) are through the roof. Pontiacs (except GTOs), Buicks and Olds are still fairly reasonable.
We restore cars ourselves for several reasons. Not necessarily in any order...

#1 We can nickel and dime the car together instead of having to come up with big bucks all at once.

#2 When we do it ourselves, we know it's exactly the way we want and that it's done right. (This is REALLY important!)

#3 Because we love to do it.

Best advice for anyone doing a car... Find a car that has a clean, rust free body. If you start with a good base, the project will go much smoother. Learn to build your own engines. Talk to the old dogs that know what they are doing, get advice and listen to it - carefully! Worst thing I see is guys building their first engines and they put the biggest, most hp stuff on it. It's a recipe for disaster. Components need to compliment each other or the car will run like crap or not run at all. Interior is easy. Just look at how it came apart. You'll know how to put it back together. Year One sells some amazing interior kits for most of the 60s and 70s muscle cars. Most of all, expect to spend a ton of money on a car that may not be worth that much down the road. It's ok - It'll be fun and the best education in cars that you'll ever have. Besides, there isn't anything better than pulling up in a hot car and knowing that you built it yourself. :sillysmi:

 

[MDowdey]

i really want to buy and old car and try to fix it up...what kinda money am i looking at to restore a car? md

Usually, more money that it costs to buy one done. If you do ALL of the work yourself it's better financially. It depends on what you want. Prices for 60s and 70s Mopars and Camaro's (and some others) are through the roof. Pontiacs (except GTOs), Buicks and Olds are still fairly reasonable.
We restore cars ourselves for several reasons. Not necessarily in any order...

#1 We can nickel and dime the car together instead of having to come up with big bucks all at once.

#2 When we do it ourselves, we know it's exactly the way we want and that it's done right. (This is REALLY important!)

#3 Because we love to do it.

Best advice for anyone doing a car... Find a car that has a clean, rust free body. If you start with a good base, the project will go much smoother. Learn to build your own engines. Talk to the old dogs that know what they are doing, get advice and listen to it - carefully! Worst thing I see is guys building their first engines and they put the biggest, most hp stuff on it. It's a recipe for disaster. Components need to compliment each other or the car will run like crap or not run at all. Interior is easy. Just look at how it came apart. You'll know how to put it back together. Year One sells some amazing interior kits for most of the 60s and 70s muscle cars. Most of all, expect to spend a ton of money on a car that may not be worth that much down the road. It's ok - It'll be fun and the best education in cars that you'll ever have. Besides, there isn't anything better than pulling up in a hot car and knowing that you built it yourself. :sillysmi:

where do you find cheapo project cars?

md

 

[RadialPrincess]

So goddess, what car is this?

http://www.thephotoforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?&pos=-178

1973 Pontiac Formula Firebird 455 with a Muncie 4 speed. It originally had an auto trans in it but the guy that built it put a stick in it and installed a Trans Am spoiler kit on it. It's fast and a ton of fun! I bought it just the way it sits but had to Un-Mickey Mouse the car. Dummy had the distributer in backwards and another assortment of stupid little stuff. I'm still working out some clutch slippage issues since he didn't do things correctly. :roll: I'm building another car just like it myself. It's taking a long time since my hubby and I are also building a 70 Nova for my daughter, restoring my grandpa's 1948 Cad, a 1964 Chevy Nova and a 1967 Firebird convertible. When all that's done, I have a 1937 Buick Century that needs attention. :roll: Ain't cars fun?

I love your other ride. I bet that's a blast!!!

Very cool! I've seen a lot of "Mickey Mouse'd" cars too! Its amazing sometimes... and quite humorous to those that have any inkling. I'd love to see some photos of the Century... in the process and finished!

 

[photogoddess]

where do you find cheapo project cars?

md

Recycler.com (classifieds) or just driving around looking for the car that the little old lady from down the street doesn't drive anymore.

I got 4 of my 5 Firebirds on eBay. The other was found behind an egg market (glorified chicken coop). One Nova came from an auto pawn shop with a bad engine and the other was a "grandma" car that had been wrecked and parked. $9,900.00 is the most that I paid for any 1 car (1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible) and the lowest was $150.00 (1964 Chevy Nova 2 door hardtop). Deals are out there. You just need to look and have cash ready.

 

[hobbes28]

I would love to find an 86ish Grand National. I hope that doesn't get me barred from this conversation.

 

[photogoddess]

Very cool! I've seen a lot of "Mickey Mouse'd" cars too! Its amazing sometimes... and quite humorous to those that have any inkling. I'd love to see some photos of the Century... in the process and finished!

After I bought the car, my hubby found it on a website for sale. It was an old listing that they guy left up to generate calls for his other stuff for sale. Still up now. :LOL: www.firebirdcountry.us It's the car in the 4th and 5th rows down. I call the guy up and he's clueless. Completely!!! :shock: He must have picked my and my hubby's brain for over an hour trying to figure out the nuances of Firebirds. Funny since restoring Firebirds is WHAT HE DOES! :lmao: Turns out he sold the car for over $20k. Less than a year later, I own it for less than half of that AND in the same condition that it was in when left his shop.

The Century will be a ways off but I'll make sure to document it well and post pics. My father restored it in the late 70s and it's just so worn. :cry: My hubby and I were driven to his prom and our wedding in this car so it will be getting some extra special treatment.

 

[photogoddess]

I would love to find an 86ish Grand National. I hope that doesn't get me barred from this conversation.

There's one for sale close to me. Pretty cheap too. My neighbor keeps trying to get me to go look at it. I won't do it cause I know I'd be bringing it home.

 

[MDowdey]

i went to recycler.com and there was nothing at all within 250 miles of me...is this the twilight zone?

md

 

[Corry]

I would love to find an 86ish Grand National. I hope that doesn't get me barred from this conversation.

BARRED?? Um, no. And I'm sure Goddess will agree. Aren't you a big Grand National fan?

 

[photogoddess]

i went to recycler.com and there was nothing at all within 250 miles of me...is this the twilight zone?

md

Ha ha - Yes!

BARRED?? Um, no. And I'm sure Goddess will agree. Aren't you a big Grand National fan?

Yes I am!

 

[MDowdey]

i went to recycler.com and there was nothing at all within 250 miles of me...is this the twilight zone?

md

Ha ha - Yes!

BARRED?? Um, no. And I'm sure Goddess will agree. Aren't you a big Grand National fan?

Yes I am!

thats not funny, that little emoticon scares me!


md