Need advise on purchasing 1st G-body

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Neighborhood_OG

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Feb 1, 2015
8
0
1
In a book
So I found a gem on CL. It is and 83cutlass cialas t-top. I went go check it out and with the car being a north western car and t-top I could only expect the car to be in so good of shape body wise. the car was untouched, from whagt I could see just bad body work. here is the car and the problem area I found. Trunk looked to be solid. There was a hole in the floor board as well. What do you all think of this? Would you say its worth $2500?
 

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theoldsone

G-Body Guru
Dec 26, 2014
799
246
43
If you are going to buy a gbody 1st thing I would check even if the car has fresh paint is the frame. The rear part of the frame for these cars where constructed real thin and made out of that radioactive Japanese steel that was left over from WWII.
:banana:
They like to rust on that area. Looking at the rust its possible the frame will need repairs. Another thing about this car, did it come with factory vinyl top. Because it doesn't look it. As for the most part it is a t-top witch sort of bumps the price up. But i'm pretty sure if those seals are original it leaks. Other thing you said the floor pans have rusted out...that means waters getting in and under the carpet. Either the Windshield seal is shot or like my last point the t-tops is leaking.
Better have that original 307 if so id say its worth $1800 IMO thats with all the suspected problems.
Perfect running original minor aged condition then yea maybe $2500 or more.
Just my 2 cents.
 

williamattop

Master Mechanic
Apr 9, 2014
455
53
28
Appleton WI
It doesnt look too bad IMO. And the main trouble areas for these cars were already mentioned in the post above so you know what else to look for. But with that being said, I wouldnt pay 2500.00 for it. I live in Wisconsin and would have a hard time paying over 1800 for a g body in similar condition. Unless its a car youve been looking in this exact model and must have it I would suggest either making an offer, or holding out for another G body. T Top cars come with a whole extra set of issues that need to be taken care of sooner or later. And with the hole in the floor board, that car more than likely has some issues already. Of course these things may not matter if you plan on doing a resto of any type.
Im not trying to discourage you from this particular car, just offering some insight as I own a t top g body myself.
 

ssn696

Living in the Past
Supporting Member
Jul 19, 2009
5,544
6,663
113
Permanent Temporary
If the interior is cherry, I'd make a lowball offer, and keep looking for a sun-beaten California or southwest car and move the interior over.
 

pencero

Royal Smart Person
Feb 20, 2008
1,466
25
38
Ind.
I've had 4 g-bodies so far. Paid $1,500 or less and all were in better condition than that car. T-tops is worth Less, not more. A hardtop is worth doing a 'lot of bodywork' on but a t-tops is not worth doing bodywork b/c it lacks structural integrity and corners noticeably poorly than a hardtop w/ high miles on it. The car you're looking at is not even worth $1,500. It looks like it would soak up a lot of sheetmetal, fabrication, and bondo to ever be show - worthy again. Don't pay more than $1,500 for a car in that type of condition. It needs more than $1,500 in just restoration supplies to ever be worth anything again. + do you really want to learn bodywork? Think about it. Most people give up on bodywork fast and just get a different project because what they really want to learn is under the hood. Body work is not very fun to do. It's tedious and difficult..
 

theoldsone

G-Body Guru
Dec 26, 2014
799
246
43
IMO T-Tops cars are worth more because of the rarity and its more sport like. Why do people swap off the roof for a T-Top. Obviously the structural integrity is weaker but if your not going to build a gbody on rails then it doesn't matter 1 bit, two good aftermarket sway bars should handle better than a stock Hard top. Besides these cars need a bunch of work to handle great. Don't let people scare you from body work not 1/2 of these cars in this site would look like what they did if it weren't for body work.
JS
But yea id pass on this car
 

grandamman

G-Body Guru
Nov 7, 2005
810
415
63
up in the hills
I agree with the T-Top comment being worth a bit more. I would prefer T-top or astro roof.
But, with the rust as bad as it is, in the locations where it is, makes this car extremely difficult to repair.
It is a nice looking car and a nice 50 footer.
I've performed body work and went to school for it. I'm just sure sure there is anything to weld to once you did cut out the bad metal.
If you could get it for $1,200 and drive it may be worth it.
I seriously wouldn't put any money into it unlus it was for parts that could be removed later.
 

pencero

Royal Smart Person
Feb 20, 2008
1,466
25
38
Ind.
It's relative to geographic location whether the t-top is worth more or less. If a person doesn't have a garage a t-top project is a very poor choice. Thieves can escape with your car in 2 minutes flat - but they'll probably leave the car to rust out and just pry the driver's window down, open the door and throw your two t-tops in the trunk and peel off w/ them instead. Better have a garage or don't even consider a t-top project. speaking from exp.
 

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