[techweenie]

My philosophy on deals like this is quite different.

1. Extricate and remove the car in no more than 24 hours.

2. Give a reasonable amount over and above the asking price if it's ridiculously low.

The longer you wait, the greater chance the seller will casually remark to someone that she has a buyer for that old car in the barn. interest begets interest, and you could have a bidding war on your hands.

As for engine parts -- well, a real 4-cam 550/Carrera engine costs as much as a small vacation home. And many in the business would not sell you an engine unless it was numbers-matching tot he chassis. So if it's not a replica, let's hope the engine is mostly or all there.