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Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

25654 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 2:52 AM

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Messages Page 2527 of 2566

#25255 of 25654 Speaking of Fintails... by andre1969

Mar 10, 2013 (6:12 am)

I was flipping through the channels last nite, and came across "Fun with Dick and Jane" on Antenna TV. In one nighttime shot, there's a quick glance of a Fintail, in sort of a medium/dark gray hue. Must have been a really obscure, quick shot, because it doesn't show up in the IMCDB.

#25256 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [Mr_Shiftright] by fintail

Mar 10, 2013 (10:12 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 09, 2013 9:29 pm)
I was thinking about this car. It might be cheaper to simply replace the seats with a junkyard set rather than fix the upholstery - tex holds up well and it's not a hard job. I doubt an upholsterer could redo it cheaper, even if he's your friend.
 
For the engine, if it has many needs, it will quickly pass the point where an engine transplant would be easier and cheaper. Maybe drop in a healthy 240D or even 300D unit into it - I have no doubt it would fit without much mess, and the car needs the power.
 
If you keep it stock, here's what you get to look forward to
 
So say $500 for junkyard seats, $2500 for engine work, and if it has no other needs (and you pay $1500 for it), you're in $4500, which might be as deep as you want to go, unless its a labor of love. Price goes up with a higher purchase price or more needs. Paying asking price has you in for 7K, which will be tough to recoup.
 
Were the bumper guards standard or optional on these? I know on W111s, they were an option - my car has them ("Gardmeister" brand, real name).

#25258 of 25654 Re: Speaking of Fintails... [andre1969] by fintail

Mar 10, 2013 (10:37 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Mar 10, 2013 6:12 am)
I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
 
If you like odd old films , there's one called "Pretty Maids All In a Row", where Rock Hudson plays a psychotic high school counselor, and drives a car virtually identical to mine, same color.

#25259 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [Mr_Shiftright] by boomchek

Mar 10, 2013 (11:18 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 09, 2013 9:29 pm)
Yeah, you don't see too many for sale, I was more curious than actually wanting it. I figured the engine issue could be more than just a gasket and you probably have to find a good mechanic who knows these cars. I doubt that even a Mercedes dealer would touch one.

#25260 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [boomchek] by fintail

Mar 10, 2013 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: boomchek (Mar 10, 2013 11:18 am)
If everything on the car was fine, the price would also be fine. It could be a fun car, if you don't plan to do freeway driving.
 
I suspect the old MB dealer in Van would touch it, but it might scare off some of the other branches. It would be financial suicide to take it to a dealer though, simply due to labor rates. A car like that needs an old timer independent, and an owner who is patient.

#25261 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [fintail] by bhill2

Mar 10, 2013 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Mar 10, 2013 10:12 am)
OMG! The 190D in that video was an automatic! I can't even imagine what it would be like to drive it. I'm surprised it moves at all.

#25262 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [bhill2] by fintail

Mar 10, 2013 (2:23 pm)

Replying to: bhill2 (Mar 10, 2013 2:10 pm)
Worse yet, I am sure it is the same transmission as my car, which means 2nd gear start. You must have to floor it to make it move. I suspect 0-60 in that 190D is 30 seconds or so.
 
Speaking of old diesels, this late run diesel ponton sounds and looks wonderful

#25263 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [fintail] by stickguy

Mar 10, 2013 (4:40 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Mar 10, 2013 10:12 am)
will a Hemi fit? That is my 1st answer to all power issues.
 
I imagine you could easily squeeze in a smallblock Chevy if you wanted a real sleeper!

#25264 of 25654 Re: Similiar to Fintail's Fintail [stickguy] by andre1969

Mar 10, 2013 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Mar 10, 2013 4:40 pm)
will a Hemi fit? That is my 1st answer to all power issues.
 
Well, if it'll fit in a PT Cruiser, you never know!
 
I imagine you could easily squeeze in a smallblock Chevy if you wanted a real sleeper!
 
I wonder which engine is physically smaller, a Ford 302 or a Chevy smallblock? I know they're both notably smaller than a Mopar smallblock. I think one reason that the Sunbeam Tiger went away was because when Mopar took them over, their 273/318 A-engine would not fit in there, while the Ford 289/302 block would.
 
One thing the Ford has going for it is light weight, around 500 lb. In comparison, the Chevy smallblock was a bit of a porker, around 575, although with modern technological advances, I guess newer crate engines are lighter. The Mopar smallblock, while physically larger, was only around 525 lb, 550 for the 360.

Messages Page 2527 of 2566

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