View Full Version : New Chevy in the house
Cameano
01-10-2010, 12:09 PM
My son sold his Scion TC last month for a decent price, and set out to buy something different to drive. So we've spent countless hours scouring the internet looking for a decent driver / project for him to own. We found a nice looking '49 Plymouth business coupe in San Diego and came to a prospective agreement on price, but then my son's financing fell through. He still has the old loan on his credit report, and even though his own bank acknowleges it's paid off, they won't loan him any money until it reflects as paid. :confused: So we looked around locally some more. Looked at a severely rotted '68 Ford Fairlane GT for $5k, a '65 Plymouth Satellite with enough bondo to give Andy's '69 a run for the money, and a few others.
Last weekend I spotted a single ad on Craigslist that was about to expire for a '78 Z/28, 350, 4 speed, 3.73 posi. The car looked really clean in the pictures. So I called to see if it was still available. Yes, but he couldn't show it until the 9th about 4pm. Okay, got an address, looked it up, then set it aside for a week. Yesterday we hopped in the Firebird and took a drive to town to get a K&N oil filter for the 'bird. I'm going to run it on the dyno on the 30th, need to get some fresh oil in it first. So we get done in town and head down there to see the car. Get to the address, no car outside. Drive down the street, turn around, and there's the car, just pulled out of the garage. That's when I started to believe there might still be some deals out there. Pull up, and a quick scan tells me this could be original paint, as the original gold/dark gold striping on the car is all there. Car is white. There's one small 2"x3" spot of rust in the passenger door, rear corner. Easy fix. Confirmed with the owner, this is the original paint. He's the original owner. Car is number's matching, has a Lakewood blowbell installed, headers and dual exhaust, intake and carb, etc. Then he pulls out a Crower cam card to show me what's in it. The cam card is clean, neatly folded, and has an ink stamp dated 1984. Nice! Wheels are late 80's Camaro Iroc 16", with some really new looking Goodyear Eagle GS-C's. Although it's a somewhat dated design, they were the original run flat tire for the Corvette back then. Interior is in great shape, although it was missing the visors and armrests. Door panels are a custom diamond tuck design, seats and carpet are original. No headliner sags. Took a test drive around the block, since the car isn't tagged, plates are in storage, so no back taxes. Other than a loose belt that finally warmed up and grabbed, it felt real good. I looked at the mileage real quick, I believe it's in the high 70k range. The seller said he has a 2" 'glass cowl induction hood, brand new, that he'd like to sell for $500. We made a couple of offers to include the hood into the deal, but he didn't bite. So we offered him his full asking price on the car.
$3000.00
We're going to get the insurance on it tomorrow (Monday) and go pick it up in the evening. I'll have the wife follow me close behind, so there shouldn't be any problems with the short drive home with plates missing. It's only about 6 miles. :)
I did forget to take the camera, so everyone will have to wait for the pics. :p
Chevelle_Nut
01-10-2010, 12:13 PM
Great find! I would imagine it is hard to find old iron on the islands.
piette
01-10-2010, 01:24 PM
Definitely want to see some pictures of that when you get it home Darren, sounds like a very good find. That car around here would be a $10,000 car.
Jeff
Cameano
01-10-2010, 01:49 PM
That car around here would be a $10,000 car.
Jeff
That's why I was surprised too. It's one of those cars people probably thought the pics were old, or it was a scam. I don't think anyone ever actually looked at it. He mentioned someone had offered $2k, but I doubt they did in person. This car here is more typical of a $3k car around here.
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/1521504001.html
Everyone thinks their junk is golden.
My buddy Mike paid $7k for a nice '78 Trans Am 400 4 speed t-top last year, and I thought he made a decent deal, seeing as the seller wanted $10k. I think he's gonna be jealous. :D
Hank70SS
01-10-2010, 01:55 PM
Sounds like great find to me. If your son doesn't like it I'm sure you could have fun with it.
Cameano
01-10-2010, 02:08 PM
Oh, he likes the car, Hank. He warmed right up inside when he saw something not covered with rust holes and bondo for once. And a 4 speed car to boot! When I was his age, my El Camino had a 327, M-20, and a pegleg 3.08 out back. Not to mention, I paid $8k for it in '87. How lucky is he? I tell you what, if he'd have turned it down, I'd have bought it for myself for a daily driver. ;)
Hank70SS
01-10-2010, 03:40 PM
Oh, he likes the car, Hank. He warmed right up inside when he saw something not covered with rust holes and bondo for once. And a 4 speed car to boot! When I was his age, my El Camino had a 327, M-20, and a pegleg 3.08 out back. Not to mention, I paid $8k for it in '87. How lucky is he? I tell you what, if he'd have turned it down, I'd have bought it for myself for a daily driver. ;)
That's what I was thinking, I would have bought it, fixed up the little rust and had some fun with it. I need to find something like that with an auto so Lynda can drive it. She always says I bought a 4spd Chevelle because she can't drive it. She probably could but she's pretty short and I don't think she wants to try and learn. Yesterday Ray Barnes offered to let her drive his Chevelle this summer, he has an auto.
Highway Star
01-11-2010, 11:16 PM
I have to.....
:worthless:
OutCast
01-12-2010, 12:32 AM
Sounds like a great score, Darren.
PS, where's the beach cam ?
Cameano
01-12-2010, 01:40 AM
John, Hank laid down rules, no Beach Cam until it's warm enough for him to be comfortable outside in his Speedos. :D
Went and got the car this evening, brought it home uneventfully, except for mistakenly turning off the hidden electric fuel pump switch when I started it up. The belts need some serious help though. Squealed for almost a mile before they shut up. They're running on some really old chrome pulleys, so I think I know what's in order. ;)
Here's a few pics. The camera isn't all that great at night shots, so the colors are kinda funny. My son has a Nikon D40, I'm sure I can get some better pics from him tomorrow. He's still at work, and I've been tinkering already.
http://i46.tinypic.com/35bv0xk.jpg
Check out this spare tire, with the original co2 inflator. Sweet!
http://i50.tinypic.com/ayoakg.jpg
Cameano
01-12-2010, 01:41 AM
Interior. Custom door panels, but my son's already mentioned he's going to get some stock reproduction panels. Vintage cassette 2 knob radio and Alphasonik EQ. I turned it on and it made a hell of a racket with the speakers, sounds like a bad ground. There's and Alphasonik amp in the trunk too. Seatbelt retractors work real nice, doors don't sag or squeak, power windows work strong and fast, very nice overall.
http://i45.tinypic.com/ka05jl.jpg
I was wrong when I mentioned the mileage. It was lower than I thought. :)
http://i48.tinypic.com/2pt2xq8.jpg
The pedals kinda confirm the mileage.
http://i50.tinypic.com/14bnl1x.jpg
Nice steering wheel. No, perfect steering wheel. Beautiful.
http://i45.tinypic.com/dfeu1k.jpg
Cameano
01-12-2010, 01:41 AM
Front quarter pic. For original paint, this car is really nice. It's in no way perfect, but it's going to make for an easy repaint when my son settles on a color. I'm hoping he goes with a stock color, but it's his car, his choice.
http://i49.tinypic.com/2v8ofmx.jpg
Last but not least, the engine compartment. It needs some help here, but it's not bad. The engine is dry, the subframe underneath is dry, about the only thing that needs some attention right now is the brake master and booster. The master looks to be leaking slightly. I also noticed a wet backing plate on the driver's side rear brakes, so we'll square the brakes away this week before the safety inspection on Saturday. Some goodies are an Edelbrock intake and carb, MSD 6AL, external MSD Blaster coil on the HEI, MSD 8mm wires, Lakewood blowbell, Hooker Super Comp headers, and who knows what else. Haven't pulled the valve covers, but they're tall, and might be hiding some more goodies. :)
http://i49.tinypic.com/54hlqh.jpg
The seller's brother was there, I think he's the one who did most of the wrenching. He mentioned that this was the guy's first car, and he's in his early 50's now. Nice car from back in the day, ended up spending most of the past 20 years in the garage, babied, but not driven much. We'll take car of that. ;)
One more goody that came in the trunk. :)
http://i49.tinypic.com/10r5leg.jpg
More pics to come.
66BuickSpecial
01-12-2010, 07:37 AM
Very nice! You guys scored big time.
I agree with your son, I'd prefer the stock door panels too. Maybe those can be ebay'd.
Obviously the brakes come first, freshen the fluids, upgrade the stereo and enjoy it while he decides what comes next.
Keep us updated!
BillsCamino
01-12-2010, 08:53 AM
Awesome find Darren!!! :cool: Congrats.
grumpy
01-12-2010, 09:21 AM
Thats one lucky kid you got there !
Cameano
01-12-2010, 09:22 AM
Thanks guys! More pics later. Off to work I go. Waving
Looks like a decent ride. Had an 80 that ran like a scalded dog. They can be built to handle well. Congrats to your son. Be sure to get hooked up with www.nastyz28.com Those guys are the 2nd gen dudes to check out.
flash
01-12-2010, 08:10 PM
Wow ,dont see them that nice anymore especially with a 4 speed.
66SSFan
01-12-2010, 08:19 PM
I agree, that's a cool find with the 4 speed. I think the Iroc wheels look great on it too.
Cameano
01-13-2010, 09:29 AM
Checked the car out a bit more last night. Popped a valve cover, checked everything out. Heads are 041's, dated J xx 8, and the vin stamp on the block is matching, so the car is legit so far. The heads have a dual spring in them, and no valve rotators, so they've been worked on. Mr. Gasket grade 8 headbolts. Carb is a Carter AFB Comp. Series. It appears that when something needed to be done, money was spent to do what was right for the job. New clutch (Centerforce stickers in trunk) = blowbell, etc. :) When my son got home from work, I showed him how to align the hood a bit better. Adjusted the latch and bumpers. Then we worked on his horns, and I ended up not noticing it was getting late. Didn't come in until about 10:55, and I get up before 5a.m... Oh well, gonna be another long one. Extra cup of coffee today.
Hank70SS
01-13-2010, 02:52 PM
Car looks really good. That's one heck of a deal your son got, I would have jumped on that in a second if I had a chance.
Langss
01-16-2010, 11:54 PM
That is a great find.We had a 78 for a short time,it was my wife's DD and was pretty rough when we got it.It provided great fun as long as it lasted.I hated getting rid of it but it was starting to need work and I could not see the point.If it had looked as good as yours I would still have it.
shadowgray396
01-19-2010, 08:41 PM
I agree a great find, and very nice looking car.
Ray
Cameano
01-19-2010, 10:18 PM
Thanks guys. We've been workin' on it for the past few days, and it's just about ready to hit the street. Ran the valves, tweaked the carb and timing, cleaned up the brakes, changed the master cylinder, new shifter bushings, new belts, and a couple new hoses were installed. Still left is extract the broken cross shaft bolt from the rear diff., then pull the axles, change the leaky axle seals, and install longer studs to use the 1/4" spacers that were in the rear. With the Iroc wheels and acorn nuts, they were only gettin' about 3 threads with the spacers installed. :eek: We're gettin' there, though. :cool:
450HP
01-24-2010, 06:03 PM
Very nice price on a very nice car!
Truly there are still some deals to be had out there!
Scott
Ms Grumpy
01-24-2010, 06:38 PM
Wow... Nice car. When my oldest daughter graduated from High School we found her a 1982 powder blue camaro. She loved that car, drove it to College, got herself a vanity plate. It was one of those cars that, when people saw it, they knew it was Jens car. A few years back, she knew that it was becoming a money pit for her. So months, yes I said months, she decided to donate it to a nonprofit organization. She still talks about that Camaro. It was a perfect fit for her personality.
Cameano
01-25-2010, 02:01 PM
Very nice price on a very nice car!
Wow... Nice car.
Thanks! We've had time to thoroughly check out the engine. It's been gone through, as it has some domed pistons in it, and the 041 heads are a '68 vintage (I looked them up, they were cast in '68-70), along with the cam, intake, etc. We picked out a modern cam grind last night, got it ordered up. We also picked up a Performer RPM intake from a small auto swap meet at one of the speed shops yesterday for $60, already bead blasted. There was also a brand new one for $100, but we passed in the spirit of lower price. :) It'll be interesting to get this engine running properly, see what it'll really do. I'm going to throw on a good used set of Flowmaster mufflers today. The Cherry Bomb turbo mufflers on it now have center inlets and outlets, which moves the muffler over away from the driveshaft a few inches, and also moves them down a bit due to the floorpans. The Flowmasters I have are side inlet and outlet, which should allow the muffler to move inboard where it needs to be for much needed ground clearance. Not fun scrapin' mufflers goin' down the road. Right now, there's only about 3" under the mufflers without me and my boy in the car. Probably half that with us in it. :D
Cameano
01-25-2010, 09:58 PM
Mufflers are in, tucked up nice and tight, about 1/2" off the floor pans, but rock solid, doesn't move, and clears everything nicely. The lowest point is about 5" off the ground now, instead of 3. We got the kit to extract the broken pinion shaft lock bolt from the rearend today in the mail. We'll do that tomorrow, then we can change the axle seals.
Edit: Took it out for a spin, what a difference a pair of mufflers can make. Feels much crisper, stronger, faster, etc. All the good stuff. :D
lev8trmn
01-28-2010, 06:01 PM
Lucky kid to have such a nice car and nice Dad to do the necessities. Hopefully he's right by your side learning as you go.
Cameano
01-28-2010, 10:08 PM
Thanks Bob. Yes, he's been gettin' dirty with me. We'll do the cam and intake swap when he's got a day off, too. Although he's at work tonight, and I'll probably go tackle the rearend repair and axle seals tonight.
70SS454
02-18-2012, 04:34 PM
Nice barn find!
grandsport
02-18-2012, 06:21 PM
Very nice car!
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