- Original, Unrestored
- Very low original mileage (15k or less)
- Always taken care of / stored dry inside
- The less it had seen a mechanic, the better
- Ideally from an older person that wasn't driving much
- Looks like stated above & can be proofed
- Pre excessive electronics and computers at all
- Basically one year old car condition
Just thought about this today when i was working on my 69 charger r/t.
Its a nice original survivor with 90k miles (that i can proof) but still far away from perfect.
Things like
- The passenger door has been poorly repainted
- The radiator isn't original
- The fan shroud was missing and does not fit the aftermarkt radiator so adapters had to be made
- Fan clutch was not stock and broken (Replaced it recently)
- Looks like somebody already messed with the wiring harness
-- Wiring harness shows typical signs of wear for 90k miles use
-- clock and temperature gauge currently not working
- Heater core has been bypassed and probably needs to be replaced
- Not sure about A/C but probably needs to be fixed also (R12 has been removed by customs in germany, anyway)
- Transmission bangs (late) into 3rd gear, looks like the linkages aren't connected/adjusted right, hopefully just that
So while it still is a nice car with no serious rust, not been in a wreck, numbers matching, great options and overall "base" condition,
it still is far away from perfect or "take anywhere with confidence" condition. It still needs some work.
I also think 99% high dollar completely concours restored cars WONT be turn key either.
Crappy restoration parts these days and then lot of "restorers" doing crappy work...
These probably often turn out to be an expensive nightmare. (I think jay leno once said he has to redo almost any restored car he buys)
Buddy bought a 1990 Lincoln Mark VII that currently has about 13k original miles. (Has never sat for decades, but driven only sparingly)
Except for some electrical problems (that's why i said pre excessive electronics and computers) he had zero problems with it.
He just performed a big, normal service (fluids, brakes etc.) and that was it.
(If you followed one of my other threads the nailing sound was just because it was low on oil and the dipstick wasn't telling correctly.
He was very lucky since there seems to be no follow up damage.)
So obviously finding a car like this is very difficult and it is probably even more expensive than a completely restored one.
But in my opinion, if you want the most worry free and best car there is, this is the way to go.
- Very low original mileage (15k or less)
- Always taken care of / stored dry inside
- The less it had seen a mechanic, the better
- Ideally from an older person that wasn't driving much
- Looks like stated above & can be proofed
- Pre excessive electronics and computers at all
- Basically one year old car condition
Just thought about this today when i was working on my 69 charger r/t.
Its a nice original survivor with 90k miles (that i can proof) but still far away from perfect.
Things like
- The passenger door has been poorly repainted
- The radiator isn't original
- The fan shroud was missing and does not fit the aftermarkt radiator so adapters had to be made
- Fan clutch was not stock and broken (Replaced it recently)
- Looks like somebody already messed with the wiring harness
-- Wiring harness shows typical signs of wear for 90k miles use
-- clock and temperature gauge currently not working
- Heater core has been bypassed and probably needs to be replaced
- Not sure about A/C but probably needs to be fixed also (R12 has been removed by customs in germany, anyway)
- Transmission bangs (late) into 3rd gear, looks like the linkages aren't connected/adjusted right, hopefully just that
So while it still is a nice car with no serious rust, not been in a wreck, numbers matching, great options and overall "base" condition,
it still is far away from perfect or "take anywhere with confidence" condition. It still needs some work.
I also think 99% high dollar completely concours restored cars WONT be turn key either.
Crappy restoration parts these days and then lot of "restorers" doing crappy work...
These probably often turn out to be an expensive nightmare. (I think jay leno once said he has to redo almost any restored car he buys)
Buddy bought a 1990 Lincoln Mark VII that currently has about 13k original miles. (Has never sat for decades, but driven only sparingly)
Except for some electrical problems (that's why i said pre excessive electronics and computers) he had zero problems with it.
He just performed a big, normal service (fluids, brakes etc.) and that was it.
(If you followed one of my other threads the nailing sound was just because it was low on oil and the dipstick wasn't telling correctly.
He was very lucky since there seems to be no follow up damage.)
So obviously finding a car like this is very difficult and it is probably even more expensive than a completely restored one.
But in my opinion, if you want the most worry free and best car there is, this is the way to go.