[gshiwota]

Update: I'm thinking the car needs $8K if mechanical work right off of the bat. Is it unreasonable to assume this is a $5K-$8K car now?

I received copies of the maintenance history on this car and they went all the way back to the original purchase paperwork in 1973. The car has 91K miles (documented and verified) but I am concerned about the mechanical restoration required on the car. By my rough estimates, it'll take about $8K-$10K in work to bring this car back to reliable road-ready condition (basically an engine, trans and brake overhaul). Of course if I did the work myself, I could drop this number in 1/2 (however I'd most likely outsource the major mechanical work).

Based upon the records, the only major service was back in 1981 when the car received new 930 chain tensioners. The car is still running on it's original clutch!!!

As of now, the car is not running due to fuel leaks and the batteries are dead. The car has only been driven about 1000 miles in the last 8 years. Basically it's been sitting since the early 90s.

Summary of work needed:
Trans - needs new 1st and 2nd syncros
Trans - replace shifter bushings

Brakes - replace all lines and rebuild calipers (last brake job was in the early 80s).

Engine - The following is stuff I know it needs. It may have pulled studs or other major issues found once the engine is out. The engine had good compression when it was checked at 65K miles but that was back in the late 70s. It appears that the owner changed the oil every 10K miles (regardless of how much time passed) and fixed stuff as needed (cheap on maintenance) so I assume that the engine needs to be gone through completely. I'm not sure how tough these 2.4 motors are and if 91K is near the end of their practical lifespan.

Engine - Fix oil leaks (it probably needs new oil lines since the majority of lines are original)
Engine - replace clutch etc
Engine - All tune up parts including plug wires
Engine - Tensioners replaced at 80K miles in 1981 - it's probably a good idea to check / replace these while the engine is out
Engine - Needs pop-off valve (this car is on it's 4th airbox which was last replaced in the early 80s)
Engine - RR all fuel lines (I'm sure anything rubber needs to be replaced)
Engine - I'm sure we'll find more "while you're in there" issues once the engine is out
Engine - needs new heat exchangers - the last mechanic noted that the heat exchangers are severely rusted and needed replacement in 1990


Thoughts... what would you pay for this car? Don't forget, it still needs cosmetics.


Thanks,

Gabe