scamperly
Well-Known Member
Background:
In 2004 I bought a 1972 scamp with 31,000 kms on it (converted to km/h in 1974) off the original owner with a huge stack of documentation on the car. It had a little bubbling in the rear 1/4s but was otherwise in great shape.
I drove the car throughout highschool, with barely enough money for gas let alone fixing problems that came up. It started eating brakes in 2007 because of a sticky caliper that I still haven't fixed.
I became known for this car. If you say the word "scamp" around any of my friends, my name will come up immediately. it's gold with a black vinyl top. The body is still rather solid.
The dilemma:
In the last 2 years that bubbling in the rear 1/4 panels has become real rust. There is bubbling in the fenders and a little under the top but the body is incredibly solid otherwise. Never been in an accident. It needs carb work and a serious tuneup. The calipers in the front need to be redone along with the rotors. Paint is still shiny but if you're fixing rust the whole car should really be painted.
I got a quote for the body work. Since I can't do it myself, the bill is $8500 from an independent guy who does amazing work (a shop is probably more). I cannot justify throwing $8500 at this car, a finished one would be cheaper, and let's be honest: That's a starting point for a restoration.
Over the years I accrued a 390cfm holley 4bbl with an intake, a new radiator, dual exhaust headers, with the intention of freshening up the six. That appears now to be a distant dream. These will probably be sold. I have another set of small bolt rallye wheels I should get rid of. And a rad. Tons of stuff that I bought when I thought a $5000 body job was realistic.
I can't justify putting that much money into a car when there are other muscle cars I'd much rather have if I'm getting into that price range. I don't have the time, knowledge, space or experience to learn body work myself. If I keep the car it'll be run into the ground in only a couple years (if I'm lucky). Being attached emotionally to a car seems unreasonable, especially when I usually only keep a car for 6 months at best. (i'm 22, have owned 14 cars 2 motorcycles and a scooter).
I guess it's time to part with the car. I have no idea what it's worth in the Canadian market. It has ~40,000 miles on it now (70,000kms according to the kph reading). I can't stand the thought of it getting parted out. I want to put it for sale but don't know what to ask and the emotional side of me says don't do it. The logical side says I should cut my losses and put the money towards a car I really want like a '70 coronet or superbee or something else in the 10k-20k range.
Cliff's: Time to part with my first car, don't know how much to ask or how to make sure it doesn't get chopped up.
Your thoughts? Ever been in a similar situation, and if so what happened? What would you do if you were me?
Thanks FABO! You guys are the only ones who really get situations like this.
In 2004 I bought a 1972 scamp with 31,000 kms on it (converted to km/h in 1974) off the original owner with a huge stack of documentation on the car. It had a little bubbling in the rear 1/4s but was otherwise in great shape.
I drove the car throughout highschool, with barely enough money for gas let alone fixing problems that came up. It started eating brakes in 2007 because of a sticky caliper that I still haven't fixed.
I became known for this car. If you say the word "scamp" around any of my friends, my name will come up immediately. it's gold with a black vinyl top. The body is still rather solid.
The dilemma:
In the last 2 years that bubbling in the rear 1/4 panels has become real rust. There is bubbling in the fenders and a little under the top but the body is incredibly solid otherwise. Never been in an accident. It needs carb work and a serious tuneup. The calipers in the front need to be redone along with the rotors. Paint is still shiny but if you're fixing rust the whole car should really be painted.
I got a quote for the body work. Since I can't do it myself, the bill is $8500 from an independent guy who does amazing work (a shop is probably more). I cannot justify throwing $8500 at this car, a finished one would be cheaper, and let's be honest: That's a starting point for a restoration.
Over the years I accrued a 390cfm holley 4bbl with an intake, a new radiator, dual exhaust headers, with the intention of freshening up the six. That appears now to be a distant dream. These will probably be sold. I have another set of small bolt rallye wheels I should get rid of. And a rad. Tons of stuff that I bought when I thought a $5000 body job was realistic.
I can't justify putting that much money into a car when there are other muscle cars I'd much rather have if I'm getting into that price range. I don't have the time, knowledge, space or experience to learn body work myself. If I keep the car it'll be run into the ground in only a couple years (if I'm lucky). Being attached emotionally to a car seems unreasonable, especially when I usually only keep a car for 6 months at best. (i'm 22, have owned 14 cars 2 motorcycles and a scooter).
I guess it's time to part with the car. I have no idea what it's worth in the Canadian market. It has ~40,000 miles on it now (70,000kms according to the kph reading). I can't stand the thought of it getting parted out. I want to put it for sale but don't know what to ask and the emotional side of me says don't do it. The logical side says I should cut my losses and put the money towards a car I really want like a '70 coronet or superbee or something else in the 10k-20k range.
Cliff's: Time to part with my first car, don't know how much to ask or how to make sure it doesn't get chopped up.
Your thoughts? Ever been in a similar situation, and if so what happened? What would you do if you were me?
Thanks FABO! You guys are the only ones who really get situations like this.
