On Mon, 7 Sep 1998 16:27:26 -0500 dresden@tiac.net writes:
>So I went out to New Salem, MA today and looked at a B. The seller
>doesn't
>have the title; sound familiar Bud? Well, this one his father had but
>lost,
>so it shouldn't be that much of an issue. I gave him a deposit
>(post-dated
>check) balance due when title is received. It's probably not air-tight
>but
>he seemed like a straigtforward guy.
>
>So it's a '78 roadster, BRG, that has sat for many years (let me
>finish).
>The seller was careful to soak some oil in and says it started right
>up. I
>let it get good and hot, oil pressure never less than 30 at idle,
>usually
>50-75 when given a little gas. I don't know if that's good but at
>least it
>has some. It has 40,000 miles on the clock, and has plenty of power,
>shifts
>smoothly, and the clutch feels normal. The brakes are a little spongy
>but
>functional and quiet (It sat for many years! Have to do those seals,
>change
>that fluid). Doesn't idle well when hot, probably because it has the
>same
>plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc that were on there when it was parked.
>Parking brake cable disconnected. Drives fine too, no funny handling
>or
>noises.
>
>Now, the bad parts. Did I mention that it sat for many years OUTSIDE?
>There
>is no top, but the rail frame is there and works. The carpets have
>been
>pulled out of it (probably a good thing), revealing a hole just under
>the
>driver's seat and a hairline crack as well. Passenger floor, trunk
>floor,
>firewall, sills and rockers are all solid. Amazing. The quarter
>panels
>need work, the section near the doors on all four panels are quite
>rusty,
>holed through, who knows what I'll find inside? Also, the door tops
>right
>under the back edge of the vent windows (you're all nodding heads in
>recognition) are starting holes as well. But that's about it, if you
>don't
>count a lot of parts with surface rust that should be removed, wire
>wheeled
>or sandblasted, and replaced. The trunk lid is a little misaligned,
>but the
>rest appears straight. The paint is badly faded, and peeling like
>crazy
>from the hood.
>
>And the big aggravation, a broken ignition switch, which inspired a
>screwdriver operated type replacement, which means that almost none of
>the
>accessories or gauges work. I hope that with a new switch and harness
>I'll
>find that most of them come back to life. Oh yeah, needs new exhaust,
>of
>course, but the tires are actually still good.
>
>The total damage? An even one thousand. For New England, I think
>that's
>fair. Anyone want to tell me I'm a fool or gimme an attaboy (Nory?)
>
>So now I wait, hoping no title obstacles arise.
>
>Nev ('78 B, tentative)
>
Im really at a loss for words.....................did you actually drive
this? If so, dont do it again until you have the brakes fixed and
everything else in the safety dept. for that matter. Im never one to
criticise anyones use of their dollar - its a matter of personal opinion
how much work can be invested in a project but what you have there sounds
suspiciously like a parts car, or at tthe very least an ambitious
project - if the drive train is operable (as it sounds) be prepared at
least to be looking fr a donor body for it - anything left outside
without a top for that long is highly suspect - be careful
mike robson
69 roadster
70 BGT
53 riley
(and has had a couple of cars that sound just like that one - but never
got them on the road !)
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