I talk to so many people who spend big bucks on classic cars and then are disappointed with the car when they get it. I think people need a reality check. TV shows like "Overhaulin" and "Counting Cars" and others have contributed to this. People are asking insane money for cars that aren't worth it, and some people are paying it, sadly. I saw a 1970 RAIII, 4-speed Trans-Am advertised the other day. It was touted as numbers-matching and having factory A/C. Asking price was $85,000. The car looked nice in the pictures and had the vents in the dash, but the underhood pics showed no compressor or hoses or reciever / drier!!! Excuse my language-but are you fucking kidding me??? You advertise a car as having "Factory Air" and you want $85,000 for it, but the fucking compressor and hoses, etc are missing??!! How much would it cost to put a compressor, reciever / drier and hoses on it? $ 1,500? Come on, Man!!! I saw 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible that the guy wanted $89,995 for. Except is was 454 backed by a Powerglide. The original 390 hp 427 was long gone. You want 90K for a 'Vette with a non-original engine?? On tons of websites 90K will buy you a 427 / 435 hp, tri-power 427 Stingray with a 4-speed and a numbers-matching 427. I've seen 400 hp tri-power models for 50K all day. 390 hp models-ditto-all day. I saw a 1970 454, 4speed LS5 model for $40K. Anyhow-back to the '67- This guy wants 90K for a Vette with the wrong engine and a Powerglide!! At least if it had a TH350-that would be something. A TH350 is the same size and length as a Powerglide and uses the same rear trans mount and driveshaft yoke, basically a bolt-in-and offers a stunning improvement in performance and drivability. If it has the wrong engine-why would the wrong tranny matter? And the performance would be enhanced. The other thing is the "Coolest" model isn't always the "Coolest". I talked to a guy who lived 60 miles from town on a ranch. His 440 4-speed, 4.10 geared 'Cuda is not fun to drive with the motor buzzing at 3,800 rpm at 75 mph on the freeway. If you live in a big city with a lot of stop-n-go traffic maybe an automatic would be a better choice than a 4-speed. If you live where it gets 100 degrees in the summer then a car with factory A/C should be at the top of your list. If you live where it snows 5 months a year-then I'd stay away from convertibles. And unless you just "Gotta Have" a '55 T-bird or '57 Chevy-or whatever-I'd avoid anything built before 1960. If your going to drive the car at all-power steering and power brakes make a big difference in safety and drivability. The other thing I'd avoid is cars with massive modifications by the previous owner. Now-like I said-a TH350 in place of a Powerglide or ST300 makes a '57 283 Bel Air or a '65 389 GTO a much nicer driver. 70's Camaro / Firebird spindles and front disc brakes, and the booster / master cylinder is a great safety upgrade over the 9.5 inch drum brakes on a '66 SS396 Chevelle, Stuff like that is a godsend. But a '64 Impala that's been low-rided with leaking air suspension and hydraulics, and has electric door handles and a mega watt stereo system that constantly blows the 35 amp alternator on the car-I would avoid. Or the Shelby Cobra replica with a for-real 600 hp side-oiler 427 and Top-loader 4-speed, that has a Pinto / Mustang II front end and a Jaguar rear end with inboard disc brakes and an aftermarket master cylinder on it. Your going to slam on the brakes at over 100 mph with confidence in that? I wouldn't. At least the Factory Five models use Fox Mustang parts-a real car that was designed as a system. Anyhow-be careful. Something that seems cool can be a headache and a money pit-and there's a reason the guy that's selling it is getting rid of it-and if it's anything other than needing money-chances are you don't want it either.
