Topic: 1978 Gold Special Edition Project for 1200... What do you think??

[rawkroller]

Ok my friend owns a auto salvage business and restores cars on the side and also races so he generally knows his stuff. He has a 78 Gold Special Edition that needs plenty of resto but is all there and runs and drives for $1200.

I am thinking about grabbing it but I need to get your opinions cause it'll be a long and expensive road but in the end I think it would be less then buying a restored one.

It needs the body stripped, patched up and painted, a entire interior, new hurst t tops (which I imagine is a hard find), I'd probably yank the motor and tranny to be rebuilt or at least freshened up, the frame and floors are good so I think a frame on resto rather then frame off and I am sure plenty of other things will need to be done...

What do you think 10 - 12k all said and done or am I dreaming? It doesnt need to be a concourse perfect car but a nice presentable driver..
It should be a 20k car with a frame on resto correct?
I am heading up there saturday i will take a bunch of pics..
I am nervous about a big resto especially since I drove my 80 home for 5k...

[LOMILETA]

Not a gold Se car with Hurst T-Tops

[pointman]

#1-Check the VIN, run a PHS on it! Like Russ said, only Fisher T-Tops were used on 1978 Gold SE cars, anything but-it's not an SE car period! I bought my 78 Gold SE for $1900.00 in 2005, be prepared to spend money and time on a restoration, most of all, do not get impatient. Good Luck!

[rawkroller]

Well you guys just made up my mind. I was researching it too and realized it shouldn't have the hurst tops. I am now thinking it must just be a solar gold 77. Still a nice car but I am not sure about a lengthy expensive resto!

[brian c]

You were thinking 10-12k to get a basket case on the road??? Umm IF I had paid regular prices, that would be the paint job alone on my Y88. And I needed the following patched:

Floors - front and rear
Driver's quarter replaced
Passenger's quarter re-welded - yahoo shop before thought tacking it on was OK
Rear window channel repair
Dash corner repair
Frame straightened - was in a collision that wasn't disclosed on purchase
Frame mount repaired - see frame straightened
All weatherstripping

And that's not even touching any of the mechanical stuff - engine, tranny, rear axle, suspension - both springs and shocks, etc.

As for resale price....about 2-3 years ago you probably could have gotten 20k for it. Now, guys are having a very hard time getting their money out of a car due to the downturn in the economy. Prices have fallen dramatically.

[ta78w72]

I'm with Brian on this.  It's expensive to restore a car.  You don't do it expecting to make money, at least I don't.  My Y88 is still at Mondello getting an engine and transmission rebuild.  Then it needs a minor floor pan fix.  Off to paint.  Then interior.  My guess is I'll have close to $20K in it when I'm done.  No way I'll make money on this POS.  I'm doing it because I like the car.  Besides, everyone needs at least two Trans Am's....a Y88 and a black four speed.  They look nice together.

[y88rick]

i did my former y82 100%myself and im still feeling the ouch on my back side for the loss i took on that car when i sold it. if your restoring a car to make profit, your really not "restoring it" your most likely only repainting it.

[hada76]

I am thinking about grabbing it but I need to get your opinions cause it'll be a long and expensive road but in the end I think it would be less then buying a restored one.

many have thought that...rarely true

[4SPEED]

if your restoring a car to make profit, your really not "restoring it" your most likely only repainting it.

your so true,  I dont know how many (( restored )) cars I've looked at , and find that it just a paint job.  and most not a very good one.

[rawkroller]

Believe me I know there is no money in fixing up cars! I wanted it for myself as I love the Gold Se's which its not so I will keep searching..

Why we all need more then one T/A is a mystery to me? I have a Chevelle I love as much as my T/A and I am not looking for another one of those....

[y88rick]

something to be said about a t/a i suppose.

[ta78w72]

I was joking about having two Trans Am's.....I have three

I really don't need any.  But, I agree with you...the Chevelle is a great, great car.  I would love to have one.  I'd like a 67 GTO too.  Or, a 67 corvette.  They're all great cars.