Dr.Jass
Pastor of Muppets
I finally got a chance to look at the Conquest(s) that my friend's kid has for sale... I think I'm going ahead with this plan.
The package deal includes two cars, both TSi models; one is an '86 and the other is an '87.
Both cars are identically optioned, being red with black leather guts and 5-speeds; both cars are complete except the '86 is missing the front seats (he claims he still owns them but I think they're gone for good) and the left front fender. The '87 was the car he was working on; it's got a full 3" exhaust after the turbo with no converter. He completely smoked the shortblock in that one (I've not seen four heat-blued rods before
), but there's a good core shortblock in the '86.
As is customary, the front spoiler on the '86 is a total loss; the '87's is cracked but repairable. Both cars still sport all four of their cool-looking factory 16" wheels, the '87 even has new rubber. The wheels on the '86 are literally mint while the clear is flaking on the '87 wheels (but no apparent corrosion).
The only real problem other than some minor quarter rust on the '86 (easy fix) and a fair dent in the right-rear of the '87 is that both cars have a soft section of frame in the exact same place. Coincidentally, this is right where the converter sits; I think the heat of the converter probably accelerated the corrosion here. Luckily, the bad spots are short sections (about converter length... hmmm) and in a perfectly-straight section that appears to be nothing more than 2" x 2" square tubing. The floors are solid on both, and the frames are good everywhere else. Sadly, the roof on the '87 has been cut for an aftermarket sunroof; I'd likely remove it and put in a replacement section if possible. At least it doesn't leak.
Both cars have clean MI titles... sorta. There's a story behind that.
Since I have time to kill before I can drive again, my thought here is to rebuild the 2.6 Turbo and install it in one car, and do the other with a 318/340. On the joyous occasion of my license returning, I'd have a decent-mileage driver and a pretty-cool hot rod. Or, I could sell the 2.6L car and recoup some cash.
He's asking $1500 for the pair, but upon my pointing out the soft frame sections, he was really deflated. I'm thinking I should offer less than half that... thoughts?
I'd forgotten how much I really like these cars until I got up next to 'em.
The package deal includes two cars, both TSi models; one is an '86 and the other is an '87.
Both cars are identically optioned, being red with black leather guts and 5-speeds; both cars are complete except the '86 is missing the front seats (he claims he still owns them but I think they're gone for good) and the left front fender. The '87 was the car he was working on; it's got a full 3" exhaust after the turbo with no converter. He completely smoked the shortblock in that one (I've not seen four heat-blued rods before
), but there's a good core shortblock in the '86.As is customary, the front spoiler on the '86 is a total loss; the '87's is cracked but repairable. Both cars still sport all four of their cool-looking factory 16" wheels, the '87 even has new rubber. The wheels on the '86 are literally mint while the clear is flaking on the '87 wheels (but no apparent corrosion).
The only real problem other than some minor quarter rust on the '86 (easy fix) and a fair dent in the right-rear of the '87 is that both cars have a soft section of frame in the exact same place. Coincidentally, this is right where the converter sits; I think the heat of the converter probably accelerated the corrosion here. Luckily, the bad spots are short sections (about converter length... hmmm) and in a perfectly-straight section that appears to be nothing more than 2" x 2" square tubing. The floors are solid on both, and the frames are good everywhere else. Sadly, the roof on the '87 has been cut for an aftermarket sunroof; I'd likely remove it and put in a replacement section if possible. At least it doesn't leak.
Both cars have clean MI titles... sorta. There's a story behind that.
Since I have time to kill before I can drive again, my thought here is to rebuild the 2.6 Turbo and install it in one car, and do the other with a 318/340. On the joyous occasion of my license returning, I'd have a decent-mileage driver and a pretty-cool hot rod. Or, I could sell the 2.6L car and recoup some cash.
He's asking $1500 for the pair, but upon my pointing out the soft frame sections, he was really deflated. I'm thinking I should offer less than half that... thoughts?
I'd forgotten how much I really like these cars until I got up next to 'em.
