Hey you all, I need some opinions as to when it's time to throw in the towel on a car. It's a "64" Signet 200, 2 dr hrdtp, buckets, and, 3-spd "push-button" auto. The 225 has been rebuilt, ($860 at the machine shop alone), the tranny has been rebuilt (another $900), new brake system ($750), custom exhaust system, with split "Dutra" manifold set-up, ($900 combined). That's just the "big" stuff! All told I've got $3500-$4000 in the car, which I paid $875 for. But, it just keeps having "new" problems, like; cracked windshield, brake system problems again, dented front fenders, (from a hammer I took to it trying to figure out how to set TDC, which I did the following morning!), and, a lot of body, (rust), and, interior work, I could go on. I love the car though, and, am having a tough time giving it up. Any insight? Thanks, Gene.

h.ahart@worldnet.att.net

Buy a second rust free 64 and start swapping parts.
Sell-off or part-out the rusty one when you have your "cream-puff" finished.
(also sell all your hammers!)
DD

I've got well over $12,000 in my '63 Dart GT convert after hauling it out of a junkyard in '78. Ask yourself this: What can I get for it? Then what can you get to replace it with for that amount? And what will you have to do to the replacement car?

In my case, I love the car, converts are hard to come by, and for what I have in it I would be hard pressed to get a better car. Mine has a basic SL6 w/ custom cam & Super Six carb, power disc brakes, Rallye wheels, 8 3/4" axle, custom drive shaft (B&T replaced with U-joint), power steering, leather steering wheel ($250!), new upholstery with NOS Chrysler material, high quality canvas top ($1700) & custom 6-leaf springs.

Chuck


webmaster@omnipages.com

I'm with Doug here, the rust will be the deciding factor. My Duster looked pretty good before we started on it. You wouldn't believe the places we've found rust after we started taking it apart. Fortunately, it's still saveable. Rust sucks! Good luck with yours. Dennis

slantzilla@excite.com

Sounds like any hobby to me.

Will

slantsix@netzero.net

What is the use of a car that needs no more work??

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Its so nice out side, I think I'll go lay under my car..

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

This sounds like it might be less costly than fixing the raft of problems your chassis has. In your case the parts are greater than the whole.
No attachment to rust.
Pay no attention to the rustbucket in the driveway.

I gotta laugh at this thread! I recall hearing an interview with Jay Leno where he refers to himself as the "President of the more money than brains club." That said, if you're paying someone to do all the work, then you prolly ought to get a cherry car to begin with. Most of us really have deep rooted insecurities and a light bit of animosity someone we knew in a previous life that we haven't seen since we drank some foul smelling tea and turned into a crow and flew under a rainbow only to find that little green folks with crystal abacuses were shaking their fingers at us upon arrival asking if the dogs were fed and if the stuff in the dishwasher was clean and did you send the mortgage check when it was due and why the hell can't they move the huge vintage speakers because it can't possibly affect the sound since they just moved a giant useless table in the room and.......
WHOA.
Just go work on your car man. PLEASE!

-James

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Whoa is right...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

James, your pills, don't forget to take your pills.

Gene, work on your car because you love it and are mildly obsessed with vintage tin (hopefully, like the rest of us) If your concerned about the amount of cash you are hemorrhaging on this project then you should consider learning some of the simple tasks like brake work and other smaller tasks that can be done at home. As far as when to stop...never, because it never ends and when it does then it's time to move onto the next rust bucket.

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Edit: I see now that this is an old post! Still, it is relevant to all of us with our projects.

It's not easy to make a determination of how far to go in terms of restoration or other repairs on a car. Here, the brake system should be an easy fix, since he already has $700 invested, I'd imagine that every component has been replaced, even all the lines.
Donor cars or parts can be found, just bide your time and one will turn up. Costly decisions can be made when you are in a hurry. Try to get the car out of the weather. There's a lot of peace of mind that comes from knowing that the rust isn't getting any worse while you are working on it. It's a psychological thing, as well as a matter of logistics. Determine what your priorities are (safety/reliability/looks/power) and what you expect the car to be (show car/sharp driver/average/rolling rat) so you don't go too far over budget.

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Never seen a Valiant I didn't like!

I say...get it dependable and safe first, the rest is cosmetic and can be done one door at a time.....enjoy it, learn from it.......other then that the worst you can do is ...Mess it all up

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Its so nice out side, I think I'll go lay under my car..

If it's fun, it will equal $$$...

With that said- I have learned this. Learn to do whatever you can, even if you just start small with brakes or whatever. This will save you $$ and often times the aggravation of getting screwed by shop that may or may not have done the work you wanted done.

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Michael Glass. Mopar stuff and some rusty Mopar stuff!
1965 Dodge Dart with 66 Valiant front clip. Other stuff...