What would you do?

[MAJA]

If a vehicle that your parents owned, that you drove in your youth, became available as a bargain beater, would you buy?
The vehicle in question is a '79 Chevy Caprice luxo boat, with a 5.7 V-8. It is in fair to poor shape, for $300 and is complete. It was the last car my now deceased father (with whom I was close and miss dearly) bought. I dont have alot of memories driving that car because I had my own first car, then. But I do remember that it was "tight", meaning it had a "tow" package with bigger sway bars, wider rims, etc. I remember it cornered very well. It would run better than my 72 Pontiac, or my 77 Camaro back in those days.
I suppose parts for this car would still be easy to get, if I wanted to "restore" or just make roadworthy? It would also be a good candidate to try Auto-RX in. It also had that "Zeibart" underbody rustproofing applied, which I am curious as to how it has held up over the years. I remember that stuff was slathered on everything underneath, including shocks, "A" arms and even the oil pan, trans.
Should I get this vehicle, if for nothing else, just for learning purposes? Thanks.

 

[Evil Ron]

I say get it. For $300, how can you go wrong? My father had a '67 Buick Riviera that I'd love to have again. It was the first car I ever drove, took my driving test using it. A couple of years later I had another first in the back seat! Buy that car.

 

[MAJA]

Let me ad that I am not trying to recreate my youth. The car evidently had run recently, as it has a current licence sticker. I remember that it got 20-22 mpg back in the early 80's. It had a "mpg" guage, which was only a vacuum guage with a green range and a red range for good and bad mpg. It also had a factory CB radio/stereo, yes factory!
I also am under no illusions that it will perform as it did 20 years ago. I just see it parked, and if it must end its usefull automotive life, I think I should be the one to do it, instead of letting it get hacked up or forgotten somewhere. Am I insane?

 

[Curious Kid]

Maja,

It could indeed be a fun experience with lot's that could be learned about automotive tech (albeit somewhat dated).

Just be sure to know when enough is enough, as I found myself with matters of attachment, it having been a member of the family and all.

The "good times".

 

[TooManyWheels]

Let me put it this way - I still have a couple of my Dad's stereotypical shirts hanging in my closet, 4 years after he passed away, and they might stay there for a few more years. I would love to have the '73 Olds 88, the nicest car he ever owned, if I didn't already have Too Many Wheels.

 

[srivett]

I hope you are able to overcome your loss. I would buy the car and put it in my back yard. You don't need to drive it just because you own it.

Steve

[ March 08, 2005, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: srivett ]