Now that I have this car, I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with it. I was originally going to try to preserve it, since it was all original, etc etc....but it has been repainted, so it can't be an archival entry. I would like to completely restore it, but I'd rather do it to the convertible if I was going to restore a car to that extreme. Especially since the 4 door is a much better driver...considering weather conditions on average. Or should I drive the wheels off of it? I almost feel bad for using it as a daily driver. If I go this route, I will HAVE to remove the vinyl top. Those things are rust catchers. I was thinking of painting it the same color as the vinyl and keeping the trim around the base of the top, to appear as if it has the vinyl top still installed. Various points to consider: 42k miles runs perfectly driver quality paint (would consider a repaint even if I use as a driver) less residual value than the convertible if restored perfect interior all original engine compartment, needs some cosmetic TLC original spiral shocks:shock: fairly well-optioned for a 4 door LeSabre Can ya help a brotha out? o No:
Adam, I don't know if I would go the daily driver route just because of how rough parking lots and people can be. I would use the heck out of it though, and it is a great trip car. Do enough on it to keep it nice, give it some flash, and just have fun with it. Even though it is very nice, at the end of the day it is not a high dollar car, and you could easily get upside down on it like I am with the wagon. Their was a Bamboo creme 71 running around town with a white painted roof, that had a really neat look to it. Just a thought. I am in a similiar boat, I really want another 71 or 72 electra like I had growing up, its just hard to justify how much I could really use it. Nice car either way. Take care Tony
Paint it and drive and enjoy it.With the shape its in and the way we know you will take care of it you will get many years of enjoyment out of it.
Drive it. It will never be worth a fortune. The value of an antique four door sedan in the USA is soley based on driving pleasure. Daily?.......well, maybe don't let it get salted to death like my poor 80. My sugestions? Remove the vinyl and paint it a similar color to the vinyl top like you said. Paint the wheels body color and run blackwalls and dog dishes. Do simple upgrades like a properly set up HEI and a fresh Q-jet. Add a better radio to enhance driving pleasure. Then hit the road and don't look back! Now go out there and get to work :TU:
"I was originally going to try to preserve it, since it was all original, etc etc....but it has been repainted, so it can't be an archival entry." Adam, just an FYI, but even if the car has been painted, it can still be an archival car.
It's a nice car and a great daily driver. Just detail it nicely, give it some TLC, and a real good paint job. Then enjoy. Agree on the tough duty in parking lots. I typically just double park the Cent anyway. I'm not putting up with parking lot dings.
I'd say drive it, as much as you want. Repaint it if there are too many door dings. I drive all my Buicks daily and they only get stored in winter (and all of them have been in snow and salt a few times, or even a complete winter since I got them...) They aren't show cars but I was still able to win a 3rd prize with my 75 last year at a local show.
Do what I've always wanted to but haven't (yet). Put a stout drive train in it and enough engine to get it into the 11's. Freak people out with it!! :shock: A mild cam with an under-hood blower would be even better! Super sleeper! :TU: I know, it wasn't in the poll!
Alan, I've always wanted to build a backhalved full size 4 door. Let me hit the lottery first....it will come then. Looks like the jury is in!I've driven the car a couple hundred miles since I got it, and it's really a smooth driver. My convertible is a tank compared to this car...in terms of general quality. I guess that's why I have beaten myself for the last couple years because I sold the green car. This one has a miss at idle, I'm going to have to do a comrpession test and see if I'm losing something. It could also be a dirty idle circuit. I pulled the carb the other day, since I couldn't reach the secondary air flap adjustment. The spring hadd absolutely NO tension on it. Can you say BOG? Bog isn't the right word...."die" is, though. It was interesting trying to get on the highway with nothing but the primary circuit working on the carb. Once it is warmed up now, it doesn't miss a beat. Throttle response is more crisp than the convertible. I guess I better do some carb work on the Centurion....gotta figure out that hesitation.
You could donate it to me..... :Brow: :3gears: :beer and I'll keep it any way you want me to. :bglasses:
Drive it Adam! You will keep it in good shape for that 400 pt rebuild in 2025. Keep working on the Centurion, get it right, have fun. Ted
Eh, you can always make more money! :laugh: Actually I'm one to talk right now, I'm trying to see how cheaply I can get by! I finally figured out you can't save any if you spend it all! ou: BTW, I voted "drive the wheels off it"