Let's say all of these cars are in the $7000 neighborhood and are equally distanced away in the middle of the country...Which would you choose? All have original drivetrains... -1968 GS 400 hardtop: original owner, clean, no rust/ rot. PS, PB, air, bench interior. Green/ blk vinyl top. Excellent grille, clean brightwork. Nothing missing or destroyed. -1968 GS 400 hardtop: blue, white top, white bucket interior (nice but worn- no rips). Grille needs work, little rot on the DS rear quarter- easy fix. -1969 GS 400 convertible. Bench interior, needs some body work, some incorrect items... -1968 GS 400 ragtop: originally M code paint (burnished saddle) for 68, white (code 1) power top (new), black (?) bucket interior, floor shifter, PS. Motor recently rebuilt, nice brightwork, excellent grille, maybe some old bodywork in the fenders (light/ small area), same w/ the quarters. Second owner. No A/C. Everything on the car is original and correct (ribbed centers, extra set of NOS ribbed, original spare, etc). Looks like it needs a LIGHT amount of work... So, there are the options.... Your thoughts??? :TU:
I would go with car #1 the 68 from original owner. Reason being all there nothing missing, best way to start a nice show car. I bought a 70 Olds from original owner not a high optioned car, but arrow straight and no rust (Arizona car) never regretted it get lots of :shock: when they see original underside of car oh and was and still is garaged kept. :TU:
Same here, #1 68 GS. Really like the 68's. That's what I was after before I bought my 71, as I couldn't find a 68 at the time. AC car too! :TU:
I'd take the 68 You know my answer would be the 68 ragtop but that is me. I can see you in the 69. Your son by your side. Teaching him the finer points of looking good while cruisin'.
Only advantage to car #2 is the buckets, but you could swap the bench out of car #1 for some buckets and still spend far less than you would fixing rot on #2. Plus a little visible rot generally leads to more hidden rot. And #1 is undamaged and original ? Definitely #1 over #2. Car #3 sounds a lot like car #2, except it's a drop top for pete's sake! So if they both need some repairs and some part searching, gotta be #3 before #2. But for the same reasons listed above, I'd probably pick #1 over #3 also. Car #4 sounds good except for the body work issue, plus it has buckets and you say it's all original with automatic on the floor. As a ragtop it clearly outrates #2, a hardtop with the same body issues, and the originality issue pushes it in front of #3. I see it coming down to #1 and #4. Since #1 and #4 are both all original, that'a a push. The decision is whether to deal with the bodywork on #4 in exchange for getting a drop top and the added value / cachet over the long term. Do you want a car that's nice and ready to go now, or one that will be ready in four to six months? (me: I'd drive the drop top as is over the summer and get it painted over the winter) Or do you just prefer hardtops? My ranking: First by a nose: car #4 Close second: car #1 a lagging third: car #3 (though I prefer them, obviously.) Distant fourth: car #2 -- Steve
68 / 69 George, Just my two cents... If you are looking for a car to drive soon, #1 then #2. If you are looking for an investment, #4 then #3. I would really prefer the buckets and console in the 68. A car is worth more if you keep the original options. Now, if you want a car to fix the way you want, drop in another drivetrain, paint, and change interiors, etc... I would go with the 69 rag. By the way, which ever ragtop you do not buy, turn them my direction! Good to converse again! Stay in touch, Gil :beer :TU:
Thanks for the input thus far :TU: ... #2 was at the bottom of my list= it is out.... Now, lets say #1 (@ $7000/ bo..) and #3 (@ $6500) are within 4 hours away and #4 (@ $8000/ b.o) will need to be shipped....(figure $700-$900 for shipping). o No: Would that effect your decision??? o No: BTW- Gil- I may have a favor to ask...PM coming :TU:
68 / 69 After your last post #4 offer $6600, then barter #3 offer $5500, then barter #1 offer $6200, and stand firm
If shipping is because the car is from the left coast I would lean towards that car, and avoid down the road rust bubbles and problems, repairs not-with-standing..
Um.... I just brought home result of the 'sex without a *on*om' thing (after 2.5 months of being in the NICU) :grin: ... Anyways, updates: -The 69 Ragtop- 1 week late- went to the owners son ou: -Number 2- the blue 68- is NOT in the running -the 68 ragtop turned out to need WAY more work than anticipated.. -The 'original owner' 68 hardtop is in the works :beer Thanks everyone for your input and let you know what happens :3gears:
Alan, look in the 'member's feedback' area... :moonu: For those of you who didn't look... Alan Wander (69gs400s) and Gil Esterby (68 GS) were involved with both looking at these cars and speaking with the owners. My hat goes off to both of these gentlemen :TU:
Shhhh !!! Now EVERYONE will know where they are ... ou: As always - any unspoken for cars will be passed the board's way..... George - I just found another ....#5 ???
Well, she's a 69.... :ball: The last ragtop I saw in that condition is being restored as we speak :grin: That one looks like it's a bit on the 'rough' side Remember, Alan, strategy :Smarty: :TU:
