Classic – Muscle Car Shopping – Primer Part I

If you are following a long you know I’m on the hunt for my next project car and boy are my fingers tired and I can’t get this thing off of me:

Maybe WD40?

It’s a lot of work when you search nationwide.  Setting up searches on different web sites and on those that don’t offer that feature you are continually recreating the same search.  Then there are emails with questions like, “Is it still available?’  and other questions that often get ignored.  Here’s an actual example: (Setup – the ad said make an offer)

12:24 PM Jun 06 (ME)

I’d consider $4K…thoughts?

12:46 PM Jun 06 (Seller)

6500 is what I’m looking to get

01:34 PM Jun 06 (ME)

Ok…a few more questions if you don’t mind. How’s the interior? I can tell from the pic but the tires seem to be good enough to get it on a trailer. Has it been driven recently or at least started? Thanks. Tim – Tucson AZ

10:23 PM Jun 07 (Seller)

The car runs and drives fine

06:57 AM Jun 08 (ME)

I’d like to take a look at it and hear it run. I’ll be up in Phx late Saturday afternoon.

NO RESPONSE.

That’s nothing but fun!   Just as fun are the sites that don’t know anything about the car and people listing  cars they don’t actually own. My a favorite phrase has become “I was told it runs great.” right up there with “ran when parked”.

I just got of the phone with an interesting site – consignment site of course.  That went something like this:

Me: Hi I had a couple of questions that I emailed about the car. Those weren’t answered but you sent me an invoice for purchasing the car.  Can you answer these questions?

Lady on the Phone:  No I can’t.

Me: Is there someone there that can? Or can I call back later to speak to someone?

Lady on the Phone: No it’s just me here.

Me:  Ok.  I have a question about payment.  The invoice says you are located in PA but you want me to “wire” money to an account in FL.  Is there another way I can make the payment?

Lady on the Phone: No.  I’ll just cancel the invoice. – CALL ENDED.

I’ve saved the best for last!

www.hotmusclecars.com has a lot of cars for sale. The problem is they allow anyone to post an ad and  many are scams. VERY ELABORATE SCAMS. (Found this problem with Facebook marketplace and Offerup as well). The same car is listed in 8-10 different cities and at different prices but the same pics. There aren’t that many tall pine trees in the middle of LA, CA.

For fun, I decided to chase one down. It was a Mach I for $6k, which is a stupid price for such car (1969). The car was listed in Los Angles and she was in FL. I sent the obligatory “Is it available?” email. Response said it was and the story.  It was her husband’s car and he died, and she had to move to Lakeside, FL with her two children.

She said she had arranged to ship through eBay (which according to eBay – isn’t a thing). I told her I’d be fine buying through eBay and if there was a buy it now page I’ll pay through eBay as well. She said ok and sent me a link to a buy it now page. The problem was it wasn’t actually on eBay. The website looked just like eBay, but there was no VIN listed (that’s required by eBay) and no pictures. I told her that the listing wasn’t working and that I’d call eBay and let them know. She said “oh don’t call them. Just tell me what you want to see and I’ll add it to the page. ” As a former IT guy (20 years – in web development) red flags popped up. I did call eBay to let them know and they said “Yup” happens all the time. They recommend that if it looks odd call them with the item number. You can leave a number and they’ll call you back.

The search continues.

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

 

Tailpipes – The Movie #ProjectSportsRoof #SR73

When I added the Delta 45’s  to #ProjectSportRoof – #SR73, the tailpipes came up short.  I’m not sure why that happened  and I’m not sure why I didn’t notice it.  But hey it gave me a quick project while I’m on our fall break.

I was going to polish up the ends but I’m going to shop for some chrome ends.   Drop Me some suggestions.

Here is the video:


Thanks for check in.

Tim

Update on #ProjectSportsRoom – 1973 Mustang.

Here is a quick update/preview of what’s next for #ProjectSportsRoof – #SR73.

 


 

Thanks for checking in!!!

Tim

 

#ProjectSportsRoof – In the Beginning – Throwback

I was chatting with someone online about cars and I recalled driving home with my first Mustang project car.  It was a 1970 Coupe, not fastback, or Mach I, not even a Grande. You can still find so of the work on that car here on my blog.   I purchased the car in Phx, Az. from a lady who got the car from her mom. Her mom was the first owner.  It was 6 cylinder (250) with a/c and in pretty good shape.  I remember driving it down the freeway not knowing much about it mechanically and I didn’t want to temp fate by turning on the a/c, just needed it to make back to Tucson.   I wish I had recorded that drive, but it would not have been comparable to the ride home in #ProjectSportsRoof.  Now that one I did record.

So, I thought I’d put together a quick video showing the drive home and toss some before pics and a  “now’ video snippet.  Here ya go!


Notice I didn’t tout the “now’ snippet as the “after” because it’s not complete….then again, in the world of project cars, is there ever really and “Final” after?

I think not.

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof – Gas Leak and What’s Next

Temps weren’t in the triple digits this morning so I thought I’d fire up the Stang (#ProjectSportRoof) and runner down the main drag a bit.   As I started her up and let her idle a bit and wrapped up the car covers I noticed a dripping underneath.

Details:

 


Here’s a quick follow up to my video Petrol-box subscription.

I have a few Petrol Box supplied products to test out. Get ready for those videos!!

 

Lots more coming!!

Thanks for checking in.

 

Tim

 

 

 

 

#ProjectSportsRoof – Something Fun!

Too hot to work on the Stang.  Here is something I like, car related.

 


Thanks for checking in!!!

Tim

Dusting Off the Blog – Lets Start with Drive in #ProjectSportsRoof

Pandemic starting to fade, school about to end, I think it’s about time to get to the auto parts store, minus the mask and get some work done.

But first let’s start with a drive in 73 Mustang (#ProjectSportsRoof).

Enjoy the drive.

 


Average Guys Car Restoration – Product Review – Olsa Tools Magnetic Socket Holders.

I’ve been driving #ProjectSportRoof a lot but there’s still work to do, but I have a back log of products that I need to review.  So the next few post will be dedicated to testing out some of the those items, include other helpful tool organizers  and a few products for detailing your car.

Olsa is a Canadian company that has their tools and products made in Taiwan and tested in auto shops in Canada.

I saw the ad for the Magnetic Socket Holders and purchased them, because my case for my socket set, well over 20 years old has final given up (not with out a fight) the ghost.

Here’s the video:

Thanks for checking in.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof

#AverageGuysCarRestoration

 

#ProjectSportsRoof – Leaf Spring Test Drive.

Thanks for following along.

After finishing up what was a 9 hour day of just leaf spring work, I took a couple days off to recover (not as young as I use to be) and now it’s time to see if there’s any improvement in handling and ride with #ProjectSportsRoof.  Oh…O.K.  and to see if any ‘parts’ fall off.  So I took the 73 Stang out for a walk.

Check it out:

 


Successful upgrade!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Tim

#ProjectSportsRoof Leaf Springs Install Part-ll

Welcome back.

Install of the new leaf springs on #ProjectSportsRoof was pretty straight forward.

Check it out:

 


 

The left side went a bit smoother (lessons learned).

Now a test drive in order!!! That’s coming up.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Tim