MONTE CARLO Picking up a "barn find" 83

[Clutch]

I like it! ImI thinking a good use 350 a SS spoiler and a Cowell hood then it's not so bad it would be perfect to practice PDR on

 

[ck80]

Here's my take after seeing it parally cleaned up...

1) don't get bummed because of the hail ping and dings - it was still an almost free no rust car.

2) it sounds like your daughter is a pretty inexperienced driver. Not saying (and I certainly ly hope against it) that she would get into any incidents, but, young drivers may get into a fender bender or two, even if it's bumping something in a parking lot getting to know turn radius or even just going somewhere with friends, then having some other person damage something because of the location... or whatever.

Moral of the story here, grab a 305 to stuff back in it. I see them free, and/or nearly so all the time since nobody wants them.

Let your daughter drive the nearly free, basically stock, 305 powered car for the year or two. You might have $300 or $400 in the whole thing. Once she is done learning... then decide to restore or sell.

You can't lose on it

 

[Opie Knievel]

I'd be thrilled to death to get that car for free. Around here that car would probably be listed for $1200-1500 on Craigslist even with the blown engine. If it was mine I'd probably keep it and throw a cheap V8 in it and drive it. Ultimately the choice is yours but it's definitely a good find for free.

 

[timbo512]

So the kid made the call. She said it way nicer than what Google made it look like. She said she wants it. So I started cleaning it up this afternoon. She said, "Most people arent given a car. I feel lucky." Made my day.

 

[Clutch]

So the kid made the call. She said it way nicer than what Google made it look like. She said she wants it. So I started cleaning it up this afternoon. She said, "Most people arent given a car. I feel lucky." Made my day.

She's a good kid👍

 

[Opie Knievel]

So the kid made the call. She said it way nicer than what Google made it look like. She said she wants it. So I started cleaning it up this afternoon. She said, "Most people arent given a car. I feel lucky." Made my day.

Sounds like you have an appreciative kid. From what I've seen that seems to be kind of rare nowadays. I think it's cool that a kid just starting to drive would be happy getting an older Monte Carlo. A lot of kids nowadays don't seem to be interested in older cars at all.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Stick an LS in it, at least it's not a Cutlass.

Daaaaang, spitting venom 😉!

 

[Wraith]

Sounds like you have an appreciative kid. From what I've seen that seems to be kind of rare nowadays. I think it's cool that a kid just starting to drive would be happy getting an older Monte Carlo. A lot of kids nowadays don't seem to be interested in older cars at all.

Gonna agree with this!

Also, what car these days is available with T-Tops? I would think that would be cool points?

 

[Mike T]

I just read your post from start to finish and have a couple of comments.

1. First of all, go kiss your daughter and give her a BIG hug.
2. Then give yourself a pat on the back, you have obviously raised a great child.
3. Next, put you car situation in context.
4. What you have is a free car.
5. You have the option of bailing on it anytime you want. Whatever you get for it is upside.
6. You have the option of getting it running, letting your daughter drive it and bailing anytime you want. You'll get more money than bailing right away.
7. If the headliner is already shot, pull it out and have someone help you hammer and dolly the hail marks on the top and bail anytime you want. You'll get more money than before.
8. As you come across deals, fix the interior, one piece at a time and bail anytime you want. You'll get more money than before.
9. Once the interior is acceptable to you, take the hood off and dolly the hail dents, not perfect but much better than before doing it and bail anytime you want. You'll get more money than before.
10. Next dolly the trunk lid and bail anytime you want. Worth even more now.
11. Next pull the door panels inside, roll up the window and dolly what you can reach and bail anytime you want. Worth even more now.

My point is that once the car is running, there is no downside. Unless you are already well experienced, working on this one will let you make mistakes on a car with no down side. In addition, every improvement makes the car worth more.

 

[timbo512]

Best post ever. This is where we ended up. Not really a loss once we get the motor in.

I found two things locally 1) Rebuilt 305 never installed for 300. 2) a donor car for 1500 with fiberglass SS clone parts installed and an older 350 rebuild. Decisions decisions. Thanks for all the input, guys.

And kids are great. One day you want to hug them and another day shake them..haha. More hug days than bad.