I saw this car today
Very nice dealer (Steve).
Body
Trim off repaint to very nice driver level. I could see areas where the prep could've been better (surface roughness under the color coat), but overall very well done. Thckness meter didn't identify any bondo work at all. Just the factory areas which have some lead filler on them.
No signs of obvious signs accident damage in the trunk or engine bay
Rust: front fenders. The OEM padding on the front fenders was cracked and it was "hollows" underneath in the area between the shock and the firewall. We didnt' want to pry up the cracked padding to see what was underneath. The "pockets" on the inner fenders had a good 1"-2" of dirt in them (hardpacked, probably never been cleaned out since the car was new). I'd guess there might be a bit of rust under the dirt. The hidden "gutters" under neath the front fenders was also full of dirt and gravel. It's my experience that if you take these fenders off you'll find rust. But, cars like this should have their fenders pulled, the entire area (including lower a-pillars) taken to bare metal and then properly painted so they'll never rust again.
I really didn't like the black sealant that had be slathered in the cowl area (area where the wiper motor sits). Makes you wonder what's under it.
No sign of rust above both glove boxes.
Both front doors had rust in the front bottom corners. Both floor plug areas were heavily gooped up with some sort of shiny back stuff. Laid on really thick. I'd guess the floor plug openings were slightly rusty and the PO sealed them up.
I didn't see any other signs of rust on the car.
Front valence (behind the air dam) is a bit beaten up from kissing parking blocks.
Engine bay was overall very clean. Obvious line where they stopped the new paint (about 1" down on the sides of the inner fenders. Radiator was damaged as if it had been pushed into the fan, but the rest of the front end looked fine.
There was a fair bit of incorrect hardware under the bonnet.
Trunk was nice. Almost no tools. Tool box cracked in the usual place. Incorrect trunk gasket, but it seems to work. Spare is a stock turbine FRP wheel.
Chrome: Bumpers were okay. Micropitted and not very shiny, but straight and all there. Chrome was overall good, but typical crazing on rear quarter window sills.
Engine: started and ran fine. We didn't drive it (brake problems). Stumbled when you blipped the throttles. Probably just needs a carb rebuild. Looked by and large all original.
Transmission: didn't drive it, but throw out bearing was quiet. Shift linkage was quite loose/sloppy. For this and other reasons I don't think the 9k Odo reading is correct. THere was also plenty of wear and grime on the undercarriage. It could be a 50kmile car, but not 9k miles.
Interior: it's an old tan velour which has faded and looks old and ugly. It would be much nicer in a new Saddle leather. Otherwise interior in good condition. Rear windows don't work at all. Speakers look horrible. Best to source some good used tan door trim and return it to stock.
Overall I thought this was a wonderful car. To be all done, it needs
(1) door rust fixed $1500?
(2) the front fender areas should completely cleaned out and rust proofed. Cost? $8k?
(3) The engine seemed fine but I think it likely needs a carb rebuild and some minor fettling. $1000?
(4) Needs new shifter bushings (cheap plus an hour of labor)
(5) I'll bet the brake MC is on it's last legs (too little driving over the last 25 years). Figure $300 for the MC an $250 to flush all hydraulic lines and bleed
(6) rear window motors and wiring should be replaced ($100 parts, $200 labor)
(7) I would redo the seats and door cards ($4k)
(8) New radiator ($500)
(9) Front windshield is delaminating and should be replaced $500
(10) suspension felt original (e.g. pretty soft). A set of sport springs/bars and some Koni's would do wonders ($2000)
So, for between $10k and $18k of work/parts will clean this car up and turn it into a super nice, super clean driver. I didn't budget anything to upgrading the powertrain from the 4spd and 3.0 liter.
If you want a super nice driver for $50k to $60k, this is a perfect car to start with.
