Do you also have 1:1 project cars?

[Falcon Ranchero]

3 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

That's all part of a project. You're fortunate to have a mostly complete, running vehicle. Buying a basket case may seem cheaper, In The long run it costs more in time and money. The one basket case I have is a long term, very valuable harley project. I've slowly accumulated parts over the past five years for that one. And mainly it's been that long because a want all oem, original parts and pieces. You'll be able to track down everything that Lemans needs, very popular platform, and a ton support on them. Don't forget G.M.'s have a ton of interchange with parts, any old junkyards around you may have what you need.

I have to agree that we made the right call on buying the LeMans; I mentioned before somewhere on the forum that we also looked at a 1980 Camaro Z/28 that had been parked in a garage since 1982-ish. That car was exremely complete, but since it sat for so long, it definitely needed quite a bit. Price was $10,000 firm, no lower, and I can guarentee by the time you could actually get it on the road you would've spent maybe an extra 10-15 thousand on it. The LeMans was $25,000, and it is in pristine body/interior/mechainical condition, but so far we might have spent an extra $2,000 already, probably won't spend any more than $5,000 to get it all together.

As for junkyard parts, there maybe used to be an option like that, but living on a border town that makes metal, any cars in a junkyard or in the bush were at one point totally extracted due to a metal shortage a while back. Only places where there's no chance of ever being retrieved easlily are there still some cars. That being said there are people in town with parts; our own mechanic has a friend who might have quite a bit of parts we need so eventually we'll get everything. 

[johnyrotten]

13 minutes ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

I have to agree that we made the right call on buying the LeMans; I mentioned before somewhere on the forum that we also looked at a 1980 Camaro Z/28 that had been parked in a garage since 1982-ish. That car was exremely complete, but since it sat for so long, it definitely needed quite a bit. Price was $10,000 firm, no lower, and I can guarentee by the time you could actually get it on the road you would've spent maybe an extra 10-15 thousand on it. The LeMans was $25,000, and it is in pristine body/interior/mechainical condition, but so far we might have spent an extra $2,000 already, probably won't spend any more than $5,000 to get it all together.

As for junkyard parts, there maybe used to be an option like that, but living on a border town that makes metal, any cars in a junkyard or in the bush were at one point totally extracted due to a metal shortage a while back. Only places where there's no chance of ever being retrieved easlily are there still some cars. That being said there are people in town with parts; our own mechanic has a friend who might have quite a bit of parts we need so eventually we'll get everything. 

As long as you have options,  that's all that matters. Nice looking exhaust on there, by the way. 

[bobss396]

20 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

That's all part of a project. You're fortunate to have a mostly complete, running vehicle. Buying a basket case may seem cheaper, In The long run it costs more in time and money. The one basket case I have is a long term, very valuable harley project. I've slowly accumulated parts over the past five years for that one. And mainly it's been that long because a want all oem, original parts and pieces. You'll be able to track down everything that Lemans needs, very popular platform, and a ton support on them. Don't forget G.M.'s have a ton of interchange with parts, any old junkyards around you may have what you need.

My '59 Ford was a basket case. I was very close to being over my head with it. I dug and scoured for everything I needed. And I still need a few things.

I found out later that the car was sold as part of a divorce settlement from the wife of a famous Ford restorer. He likely withheld a slew of parts as an "up yours" gesture.

Chrome trim pieces set me back, along with new clips, around $1700. Missing interior pieces another $500.

The doors took a donor Edsel door and some Ranchero door guts from Washington state. With the glass and puzzles, seals, etc that total was $800.

[johnyrotten]

3 hours ago, bobss396 said:

My '59 Ford was a basket case. I was very close to being over my head with it. I dug and scoured for everything I needed. And I still need a few things.

I found out later that the car was sold as part of a divorce settlement from the wife of a famous Ford restorer. He likely withheld a slew of parts as an "up yours" gesture.

Chrome trim pieces set me back, along with new clips, around $1700. Missing interior pieces another $500.

The doors took a donor Edsel door and some Ranchero door guts from Washington state. With the glass and puzzles, seals, etc that total was $800.

I've been slowly assembling a 1950 Harley FL. The parts hunting pain is real. I'm lucky enough to know a small "indy" shop with a very knowledgeable old-timer. Pan head harley parts fetch a premium for oem,good condition.

[Tabbysdaddy]

Since it's very hot out and the A/C doesn't work, I finally decided to change the passenger side window motor on the old work truck. It would go down about a third, but a few weeks ago it quit completely. I've done plenty of window motors before but this one was more of a pain than usual. Mostly because the included bolts interfere with the mounting and operation of the regulator. First I had to grind the heads mostly off two of the three motor mounting bolts so the regulator would even move. Then I had to clearance grind two of those on the nut side to get the regulator to sit properly. But it works now.