I have just purchased a SV parts car. It is pretty shot, but almost 100% complete and has some great parts I need/want for my SIV V6 project. My original intent was to take what I want, part out the rest, then junk the rusty remains. But, here’s the dilemma: the car itself may be salvageable and may be worth saving from the crusher.
It is a very late SV (B395017894), with the original engine (supposedly ran when last parked a few years ago), non-peaked rims (sorry, those are some of the parts I want) and the hybrid early/late bumpers (I probably want those too, as they are very straight and worth having re-chromed). I have a clean title for it and it appears as though the same person has owned it since 1974. (I bought it from a middle man.)
I’ve posted pictures of the car at http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=832111184157993635/l=282007314/g=61458443/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB. Chief among its many bad points is the extensive rust. The trunk is more gone then there. The driver’s floor is completely shot; someone might be able to salvage some of the passenger floor, but I’d guess that is also beyond repair. The driver side rocker panel and the lower part of the front fender have been removed (it came with replacement panels that I believe were purchased from VB). The inner panel is there, but should be replaced too. The other rocker is also shot and the lower front fender is so rusty that it is no longer attached to the car.
The interior, although complete, is also shot. The chrome is all there, and ‘ok’, but not great. The driver’s seat is now just a frame, which I think has been welded and repainted. Passenger seat needs new foam and vinyl, but I believe the frame and mechanism are ok. Among the good points are the doors, boot lid and bonnet, which all seem to be in surprisingly good condition with very little rust. The wire wheels look good, although I haven't removed them yet to check on the condition of the splines or the hubs. The convertible frame looks very good and I will probably keep that for the SIV, too. It has a Moto Lita steering wheel that belongs on an older car (off to eBay no matter what) and the adjustable hub, plus a terrific set of rear lights. Both of these will go to the SIV.
Now, here’s my dilemma: based on the extensive body rust I expected to find a rusty frame underneath. However, at first look, it’s not really too bad. I haven’t spent much time under it yet, but while I think it will need some work, it appears to be repairable. I emphasize “appears†because the door gaps are slightly less at the top than at the bottom. That might be due to the frame sagging, or it might just be misalignment. I’ve posted lots of underneath pictures on the Snapfish site.
Among the parts I wanted for the SIV are the front and rear valences. Despite all of the other rust, those appear to be salvageable. I may also take part of the right rear quarter panel to repair the panel on my SIV. Of course at that point, the car is truly junk and ready for the scrap heap.
So, I am left with several options, and I would like opinions from those more knowledgeable than me.
It is a very late SV (B395017894), with the original engine (supposedly ran when last parked a few years ago), non-peaked rims (sorry, those are some of the parts I want) and the hybrid early/late bumpers (I probably want those too, as they are very straight and worth having re-chromed). I have a clean title for it and it appears as though the same person has owned it since 1974. (I bought it from a middle man.)
I’ve posted pictures of the car at http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=832111184157993635/l=282007314/g=61458443/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB. Chief among its many bad points is the extensive rust. The trunk is more gone then there. The driver’s floor is completely shot; someone might be able to salvage some of the passenger floor, but I’d guess that is also beyond repair. The driver side rocker panel and the lower part of the front fender have been removed (it came with replacement panels that I believe were purchased from VB). The inner panel is there, but should be replaced too. The other rocker is also shot and the lower front fender is so rusty that it is no longer attached to the car.
The interior, although complete, is also shot. The chrome is all there, and ‘ok’, but not great. The driver’s seat is now just a frame, which I think has been welded and repainted. Passenger seat needs new foam and vinyl, but I believe the frame and mechanism are ok. Among the good points are the doors, boot lid and bonnet, which all seem to be in surprisingly good condition with very little rust. The wire wheels look good, although I haven't removed them yet to check on the condition of the splines or the hubs. The convertible frame looks very good and I will probably keep that for the SIV, too. It has a Moto Lita steering wheel that belongs on an older car (off to eBay no matter what) and the adjustable hub, plus a terrific set of rear lights. Both of these will go to the SIV.
Now, here’s my dilemma: based on the extensive body rust I expected to find a rusty frame underneath. However, at first look, it’s not really too bad. I haven’t spent much time under it yet, but while I think it will need some work, it appears to be repairable. I emphasize “appears†because the door gaps are slightly less at the top than at the bottom. That might be due to the frame sagging, or it might just be misalignment. I’ve posted lots of underneath pictures on the Snapfish site.
Among the parts I wanted for the SIV are the front and rear valences. Despite all of the other rust, those appear to be salvageable. I may also take part of the right rear quarter panel to repair the panel on my SIV. Of course at that point, the car is truly junk and ready for the scrap heap.
So, I am left with several options, and I would like opinions from those more knowledgeable than me.
- If it looks like it is too far gone to save, then my life is easier. I’ll remove everything of value, take orders on parts to bring to the Invasion, put other stuff on eBay and take what’s left to the junk yard. My expectation is that this option gives me what I want and probably returns my original investment of $1000, which was my goal from the start.
- If it is salvageable and anyone here wants it, I am very open to discussing it and could even be persuaded to bring it with me to the Invasion. I will be judicious about what I take from it in this case.
- If it is salvageable and no one here wants it, then I will probably take everything I want, everything worth selling independently (e.g., brake booster) and try to sell the shell with the engine on eBay. If there is no interest there, see Option 1.