[Wayne 962]

While my opinion is that the early cars are overvalued right now, I'm certainly not going to argue that the prices are rising. The condition that you described is sortof what I see quite a lot here in SoCal (with less rust, I suppose). Given the rising values of these cars $11K may have been a fair price, but it would have required another $8K to bring it up to the level that you expected. You're probably not going to find the car that you're looking for, for less than $20K.

The question is why do you want an 'S'? Simply for the badge? Collectibility? I really think that you get more value from a T with a modified engine, than you do with an original 'S'. And if you have an original 'S', then you're handcuffed from doing anything cool to it, because you don't want to jeopardize it's "originality."

I personally would have more fun with a T car with a larger engine in it (like Jack's car!)...

-Wayne