Camino LS6

Balthy: Just looking for comments overall. Ocn: The prices were a mix of OEM and aftermarket, NAPA might do better. Oh, and I really don't want to do the job for them.

Beat that with the LS1 in my 2002 Firehawk - just sayin. Technical question: What is the height measurement of a fully-dressed ecotec? And of an LSx? And your Firehawk is a good 1,500 lbs lighter, not a giant sedan, and not AWD..... just sayin. Quite true, but ten years later I'd expect better. Especially from a car that can't also do sub 13 second quarter mile runs out of the box.

Here's the deal: My employers/landlords have a 2000 Volvo V40 wagon. About a week ago, I found a broken hunk of a front spring under the car and told them to have their mechanic check it out since I consider it a safety issue. I dropped the car off and had a chat about it with the mechanic. I agreed with him that the proper way to deal with it was to replace the front springs and struts (original and at about 90k miles). No big deal, I thought - standard wear stuff. Wrong. I should have known something was up when I asked the mechanic for a ballpark on the pricing and he came back with a number twice what I expected: $1,500. The first issue is that everything is a separate part on this car( struts, springs, spring plates, Isolaters even special locknuts...) A dozen separate pieces per side, and all expensive. The official estimate comes in even higher, around $2k. My employers are elderly folks that no longer drive so the car mostly sits except for local runs that a hired driver takes them on. So, they immediately think about giving the car up entirely. Today, I finally asked what they were going to do with it, and sure enough, they had decided to get rid of it. The mechanic is "asking around". Then Mrs. "C" says that she wonders if they can "junk it" straight from the shop. At that point I tell her about scrap value and remind her that the car runs well and is inspected. I volunteer to clean the car up, take a few pics, and list it on craigslist for them. She agrees. So I start doing a bit of research and find that these cars are holding alot more value than I would have ever guessed and that this one at 90k is quite the low-mile example. In excellent condition (this one doesn't quite measure-up) they book at almost 5K! I'm stunned. I'll tell them about the value tomorrow. If I were more mercenary, I think I could have bought the thing for scrap value, fixed it, and made a couple of grand. The parts price out to almost 1k (quick internet search) - and that's just insane for struts and springs. Whatya think?

Which is probably why the cars are still listed rather than sold. Some folks just don't know how to get the job done. Which can be to our advantage as enthusiasts... The psychology of craigslist ads can be fascinating.

That thinking works as you go larger too, my 2001 2500HD with the 6.0 was a real pig on fuel when compared to the same truck with the 8.1 big block.

Beat that with the LS1 in my 2002 Firehawk - just sayin. Technical question: What is the height measurement of a fully-dressed ecotec? And of an LSx?

There's still some hope for the Jeep after all. I decoded the part number on the box the bearings came in and, with a few minutes of research, discovered that we still have three more bearing sizes to try. I'll get all three before I crawl back under the thing.

It's really hard to tell if it has a roof or not, but I don't think it is a convertible. There is a rusty rear package shelf visible that I don't think a vert would have.

I just realized that I hate the taillights on all of them (not as bad on the Buick).

All but the Caddy (and the Pontiac to a degree)seem way too overdone with chrome, but that Olds is downright ugly.

Maybe he should have pruned the jungle away - I thought the red car was roofless too. 'Nother detail - it appears that the backlight for the silver car is sitting on its trunklid.

Boy! Was I ever out of date on this project. Really good to see all that you've done since last I checked. Nice job so far.

I find this '58 Chevy much better to look at (even if it is a sedan). http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3051481611.html Not so overblown.

Pretty much how I feel. The Caddy is the best of the bunch. It would have been the Chevy but for that terrible color...

I also doubt that it has been sitting outside with the top down for anything like 10 years - but I'd bet it has spent some time that way. I think Balthy is right about the basic value - but that doesn't mean the car is restorable. But I'm betting that it is as the paint makes me think that this car was a beater in a dry climate. I don't see the quarter rot I would expect in an east coast car. If the frame and floorboards are solid, then this car isn't just worth the price - it's a bargain.

I was hoping you'd shed some light here, seemed to me that there was value in this deal - glad you could confirm my guess. And I agree, the silver car looks far more viable.

First question that came to my mind as well. It almost can't have any floorboards left at that price.

I never said that I was married to the idea of the Atlas in particular. But I think what we've discussed here in this thread shows a surprising potential viability for an inline 6 of some sort. As for the dream vs. reality thing, GM had better start setting itself apart from the crowd right now if it wants to survive. "Me too" will never get them there.

Sometimes it's not good to throw time and money away on Junk... Yeah, probably the case here. I'm going to check to see if there is yet a thicker bearing available since the pan is still off. The bearings are cheap so it's worth one last shot, Otherwise, this Jeep is only good for someone who wants a project.

Notice the Chevelle wagon in the background...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3023414374.html

Point missed - again.

Found on Craigslist For sale a pair of 61 Pontiac Ventura's 1 was an original 425A car with drag Racing history from new in Florida. The other is a complete running 389 auto. The 425 A car has PHS , 8 Lugs, HP manifolds, 3:64 posi, still on it but it is good for parts to build the other car. Worth well more than the asking price in parts alone. Also selling off a 1963 Grand Prix 1 owner from California complete with A/C and 8 lugs for $2400.00 http://philadelphia....3036308980.html

I just read that article - you got me interested, so I did a search. Quite cool. Phantom possibilities are everywhere!

Pontiac didn't do a bubbletop in '62? Chevy did.