Old classic car question

[daveleau]

Hi everybody!

I have an old $500 1990 Mercury Sable that a friend sold to me as a favor since my Celica was on its last legs and I couldn't afford to buy a new car. My wife has a 2000 Miata. In the next year or so, I plan to get a new (to me) car. The catches for buying a car for me are:
- they have to be AT LEAST 2 years old (IMO it is not smart financially to buy a brand new car b/c of depreciation and cars last so long now anyway)
- The car must be paid for in cash (I don't believe in credit except for buying a house for more info on my financial ideas listen to the radio casts on www.financialpeace.com or www.daveramsey.com )

ANYWAY, I bet you are all wondering what I meant by classic cars by now ) I want my dream car when I buy in the next year or so. I either want it to look like this (royal blue and white) or this (white w/ orange - not convertible though). (For the classic car knowledge impaired, this is a 69 Camaro. I want a 67 to 69. While I love this car and do not expect to buy one already restored, is it a reliable car? I want one with a 327 instead of the 350 and I don't plan to try to make it original. I just want it to look nice inside (interior, not engine) and out, be fast, and have a nice stereo.

What are your thoughts on this car's mechanical reliability and the potential to buy one worthy of restoring that already runs for $5K or so?

Thanks
Dave

[caddmannq]

Pretty good relaibility actually, though you'll find the cost of restoration varies widely, depending on how authentic (a restorer would say "how correct") you want to keep it.

The initial cost will depend on the overall condition, and how authentic it already is.

These are pretty reliable cars, if you don't thrash them too much. Most of the basic mechanical parts are as cheap as they come too.

But there are a few rare parts that are priced out of sight.

I'd find one that's basically sound and very straight. Expect to pay about $6000 (in my neighborhood) for the basic model (not a Z28 or anything) if it's straight, runs well, and the interior isn't total trash.

Expect to spend that much over again, if you want to make it really fine (not totally original...just nice) and expect to do a bunch of the scut work yourself.

If you want to make it reasonably high performance, well, at least another $4000 more, but the sky's really the limit there.

[Cruez]

Reliability....hmmm.. 350's are pretty easy to work on...the 327 is almost identical, with a little difference...either the bore or stroke...can't remember off the top of my head....I think the stroke...

Reliable...fairly good...they have a tendancy to start leaking at the main seals....if its the old "cork" type gasket...Also, it should look for decent carbuerator on it...it will cause you the most grief....unless you want to add an automatic tranny to the situation....

Anyway.. I had a '68 w/ 396 .060 over, roller rockers,two holley double pumpers sitting on top of a Weiland intake the whole nine yards......sucker took me $5.00 in gas just to adjust the rocker arms....the exhaust ports on the heads were bigger than most cars tailpipe ......but it would fly........

[daveleau]

Yeah, I don't care if it is a Z-28. I would like it to be a SS (not sure if that is the same...

Actually, what is the difference?

That sounds good so far. I don't want it to be "correct". While I know that would make many collectors and affectionados cringe, but my budget isn't condusive to "correct".

I love the look of the car and have wanted one since before high school. I figured I can buy one in decent shape for about the price you said above and then fix it up as I go. New paint, new engine (later on)... Just a nice looking car (not modified in any funky way like lowered or wierd lights or anything...

[daveleau]

NO AUTOMATIC TRANNY!!!!!

lol

Why would anyone put an automatic in a sportscar???????

Got any pics Cruez? Sounds sweet.

[Brainchild]

I don't know the price of Muscle in TX, but you certainly could do that in MO. I just seen a 68 SS Camaro, 396, turbo 400, 12 posi 373 gears. Purple, and black interior. A little rough, but did run. It was a daily driver. It made someone a good starting point at $3800.
Too bad it wasn't me
I think a little shopping, and looking you will find the one just for you. The more picky you are, the more it costs. AS far as reliability, It's still a Chevy, wrapped in Camaro Steel.
327 4 speed






*BC crawls under the workbench again, there's that holley carb and tho.............*

[daveleau]

Is the 396 a god engine? I had a friend when I was a kid who's dad said the 327 was the best b/c it had faster pickup than the 350, but I didn't know there was a 396 that came in it.

[Brainchild]

I'm not sure if it was an option in 68, but it is a big block. Likes the gas, and would run very well. What kind of prices have you seen in TX.Personally I like 350s, I had one that ran low 11s- high 10s in my Nova, really good engine IMO.

Anyway.. I had a '68 w/ 396 .060 over, roller rockers,two holley double pumpers sitting on top of a Weiland intake the whole nine yards......sucker took me $5.00 in gas just to adjust the rocker arms....the exhaust ports on the heads were bigger than most cars tailpipe ......but it would fly........

WooHoo, sounds like fun.
This thread is too fast

[Ed_S]

396 was a big-block engine,like the 454.
283, 327, 350's were all small-blocks. And I'd agree the 327 was the pick of the litter for performance.

[fritz the cat]

Originally posted by Ed_S
. And I'd agree the 327 was the pick of the litter for performance.

Especially with the factory stock forged crank! Had one once, wish I still did.