- Joined
- May 19, 2021
- Messages
- 1,627
- Reaction score
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- My Car
- 73 Grande will be used to build 73 Vert.
Well, I guess I did it. I got a second 73 Project car. Now, while my 73 Coupe (Grande) looked like a basket case (BC) project when I got it, I might have just found one that is one basket short of a BC. Ok, the Pros and Cons:
PROs
Looks like it was a well optioned car; I will be ordering the Marti report on it.
I cannot locate any rust in the floors, trunk, cowl, firewall, etc. Yes, a very small rust spot under the battery tray. No kidding, can’t find any, and I looked critically and used a magnet.
I can’t locate any external body damage. I mean, I really looked to get it cheaper, but could find any. A few parking lot dings and dents, but nothing else.
It’s a convertible; my coupe wasn’t my first choice.
It has a new fuel tank in the box.
It looks like all of the body trim is there (I brought the Assembly manual page with the conv trim pic with me to verify)
The front bumper looks like it’s in incredible good condition.
It was $2100 and is registered as Non-Op in Ca.
CONS
The previous to this soon to be PO dismantled the car, and it is in literally 5 crate containers, excluding the body panels and unibody
I’m 100 % sure there are missing parts
It has no engine or trans (was H code with FMX). But, it does have a rusty correct block; no internals.
It has the engine mount brackets but only one of the capture motor mounts.
The interior consist of the front seats, the center console, and the rear seat spring bases only. It does have the dash complete. No door panels, and non metal trim looks missing.
Beside the headlight/buckets, bumper, backing, and front valance, all the rest of the front grill parts are missing or I haven’t exactly located them in the containers.
Beyond the frame, there is no convertible top.
I’m sure there are more Cons, but that’s enough. What I like about this, if there ever was a blank slate, and a great starting point at that, this is it. Sure, I would have been happier to find a seemly pristine body with a complete car, but it’s that Yikes factor that kept this car unsold and affordable and something that couldn’t be passed off as a “almost ready to drive Barrett-Jackson steal.”
I’m going to get it on Tuesday, take it to my Vaca home in Az, and go from there. I’ve got to first do a complete inventory on what I have, and especially, what’s missing. I’m glad I have the Ford Assembly book to help there. Then, after that, I’ve got to make a big decision: do I use my 73 Coupe and just move all of the new parts from it to the convertible? I’m not looking to eventually have two cars. I’m a one car guy. So, I’ll be looking for the logical and illogical reasons to do either that or finish the coupe and then start on the convertible. I’m not ready to have that discussion yet; I don’t know what I don’t know yet. So, hope you follow along and as usual, provide the gentle prodding like you did on my 73 Coupe project so far.
PROs
Looks like it was a well optioned car; I will be ordering the Marti report on it.
I cannot locate any rust in the floors, trunk, cowl, firewall, etc. Yes, a very small rust spot under the battery tray. No kidding, can’t find any, and I looked critically and used a magnet.
I can’t locate any external body damage. I mean, I really looked to get it cheaper, but could find any. A few parking lot dings and dents, but nothing else.
It’s a convertible; my coupe wasn’t my first choice.
It has a new fuel tank in the box.
It looks like all of the body trim is there (I brought the Assembly manual page with the conv trim pic with me to verify)
The front bumper looks like it’s in incredible good condition.
It was $2100 and is registered as Non-Op in Ca.
CONS
The previous to this soon to be PO dismantled the car, and it is in literally 5 crate containers, excluding the body panels and unibody
I’m 100 % sure there are missing parts
It has no engine or trans (was H code with FMX). But, it does have a rusty correct block; no internals.
It has the engine mount brackets but only one of the capture motor mounts.
The interior consist of the front seats, the center console, and the rear seat spring bases only. It does have the dash complete. No door panels, and non metal trim looks missing.
Beside the headlight/buckets, bumper, backing, and front valance, all the rest of the front grill parts are missing or I haven’t exactly located them in the containers.
Beyond the frame, there is no convertible top.
I’m sure there are more Cons, but that’s enough. What I like about this, if there ever was a blank slate, and a great starting point at that, this is it. Sure, I would have been happier to find a seemly pristine body with a complete car, but it’s that Yikes factor that kept this car unsold and affordable and something that couldn’t be passed off as a “almost ready to drive Barrett-Jackson steal.”
I’m going to get it on Tuesday, take it to my Vaca home in Az, and go from there. I’ve got to first do a complete inventory on what I have, and especially, what’s missing. I’m glad I have the Ford Assembly book to help there. Then, after that, I’ve got to make a big decision: do I use my 73 Coupe and just move all of the new parts from it to the convertible? I’m not looking to eventually have two cars. I’m a one car guy. So, I’ll be looking for the logical and illogical reasons to do either that or finish the coupe and then start on the convertible. I’m not ready to have that discussion yet; I don’t know what I don’t know yet. So, hope you follow along and as usual, provide the gentle prodding like you did on my 73 Coupe project so far.