After much thought and negotiation, it seems a deal is in place to give my wagon a new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Ive had it for ten years now, and it's come a long way from what I started with. I've done a lot more than I ever thought I would with it, and it's been a great car. I'm ready for the next project, and a fair offer came my way for it.
I'm trading it for an '87 Grand National that is totally stock and has 70k original miles. I don't intend to keep this either, but I am confident i can make it really nice and flip it for more than I could ever get for the wagon.
Several of you know I have a couple other cars in the garage that have needs. The plan is to apply the funds from the sale of the BGN to get these other cars moving.
What that means is that I won't have a Chevelle anymore, and frankly, I don't have any plans to get another in the foreseeable future. The other cars are both '50s-era rides ('50 Buick Super and '58 Impala) and neither will have any kind of performance capability.
Many of you also know that my best friend Scott is also building a Malibu wagon for performance duty. I intend to stay involved with this club and accompany him to events once his car is on the road and he becomes a more active member.
The wagon is scheduled to ship out in the first week of August. I'll share updates as things progress.
Derek69SS said
Jul 27, 2014
Sad to see it go, but happy for you if that's what you need to do in order to meet other goals.
I love those GNs too!
Lost in the 60s said
Jul 27, 2014
Derek69SS wrote:
Sad to see it go, but happy for you if that's what you need to do in order to meet other goals.
I love those GNs too!
Oh boy, it might not be going far when you sell it Scott....
I still need to get down and see the Impala. I thought I would do that at the May meeting but the timing didn't work out.
Chris R said
Jul 27, 2014
Sad to see it go as well. I'm glad I got to know that car while you had it here and it was cool to see you win the Real Street Eliminator in person with it. This is the second high end car in the club with the performance and handling to rival modern cars that was sold to that part of the country, they must love buying pro touring style cars from the midwest over there.
bowtie said
Jul 28, 2014
I'd like to say sad to hear, but I know you've been ho-hum about the car thing this year..... probably itching to get going on the other ones too.
As consolation, you've been drafted as my low budget autocross-like suspension upgrade consultant. I can pay in unpopped popcorn and Shasta.
(dibs on leftover suspension stuff.......?)
-- Edited by bowtie on Monday 28th of July 2014 08:57:43 AM
OscarZ said
Aug 6, 2014
Is the same carrier picking up your wagon and returning with the GN?
SShink said
Aug 6, 2014
Chris R wrote:
This is the second high end car in the club with the performance and handling to rival modern cars that was sold to that part of the country, they must love buying pro touring style cars from the midwest over there.
Sorry to hear this Scott, but I'm sure you've put much thought into this.
What's a stock GN going for these days? $30-35K?
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 10, 2014
Mike- I'm pretty sure that's the plan. The other guy is paying for both cars to be shipped, so the arrangements are his. I'm pretty sure the trailer will show up, drop off the GN, and pick up the wagon at the same time.
Stan- the 'drivers' are going for 15-20K. That means they've got some miles on them (100K+), some mods (not original anymore) or have had the engines replaced (NOM). The really nice ones ('87s are the most desirable, since they had intercoolers and are the last year of the breed) that are low miles/all original are pulling around 30K. To get more than that, they have to be freakish (super low miles, GNX, or superbly modified from end to end with all the best-possible stuff). You can get into one for as low as 10K, but it'll have needs.
The one I'm getting is an '87 with 70K on it, and it's all-original/unmodifed, and has original paint. It was stored for many years and has had the fuel system flushed and was tuned by a very reputable GN guy in Florida where it was originally sold. No rust ever, of course, and it's really nice. There are a couple paint chips behind the rear wheels. I'll have everything that's not perfect addressed, detail it to the best of my abilities, and I expect to get 25 out of it.
I couldn't get 25K out of the wagon. That's the reason I'm doing this. I figure I'll have it until next spring (2015) at least- maybe even 2016 if the market continues to creep up on them. We'll see.
The guy getting the wagon wants to drive it daily and run the occasional event on weekends. For that duty, I'm confident he'll be very happy with it.
Derek69SS said
Aug 10, 2014
So will we see this GN next weekend? :)
bowtie said
Aug 11, 2014
Scott Parkhurst wrote:
The guy getting the wagon wants to drive it daily and run the occasional event on weekends. For that duty, I'm confident he'll be very happy with it.
ummmmm, you think???
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 11, 2014
Derek-
It's not here yet! I expected to have a firm arrival date by now- but I haven't heard anything yet.
Unfortunately I won't be coming down this year- my Mom is flying into town that very day! But my friend Scott is anxious to come down to see you and send some lead downrange, so expect to see him there.
Bryan- I used to drive it every day as a commuter car when I lived in CA, but it didn't have all the good stuff under it. Frankly, it would depend how many hills are involved and how much traffic there is out there. That clutch pedal could suck after awhile, and if there are hills with stoplights, it could be downright creepy. It's flat enough around here to not worry. I've never even hooked up the emergency brake. I think he'll want to do that...
I saw the Fat & Furious episode where they found an all original '87 GNX in a storage unit for sale, replaced the gas tank, and I think they sold it for $40K. After looking at that link Scott, I think they left a lot of money on the table for an original GNX!
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 11, 2014
I didn't see that episode, but yes- the GNX cars are pulling in solid money.
I was pals with Mike Thermos when I lived in CA- Mike is the guy who started NOS nitrous. He sold the whole deal to Holley for a tidy profit, and he made a couple bucks from the business while he owned it too.
He bought 2 GNXs when they were new- one he raced ruthlessly from the day he got it. Duttweiler engine, every possible upgrade- the whole deal.
The other one he parked. It still has less than 20 miles on it, the last I heard.
He knew it was a very special car and would be worth a lot one day. Mike's always been a pretty smart guy that way. But, then again, it's easy to take chances on car investments when you've got money like that. I don't know what that's like...
SShink said
Aug 11, 2014
Here's a Buick forum thread beating up the FNF show and discussing the GNX that was supposedly 'found'. Someone even suggested it was loaned by a collector just for the show, in other words... staged: Forum Link
Scott, you might have to check out their forum to learn more about the GN.
Scott Parkhurst said
Aug 13, 2014
What? A staged reality show? That would never happen! LOL!!!
I know there's some local experts on these cars and since this one is staying bone stock, I shouldn't need too much help. I've got some contacts that know a lot about them, too. I'm really trying not to get into it. I don' t want to fall in love with it and end up not flipping it.
That is the plan and I need to stick to it.
Lost in the 60s said
Aug 13, 2014
Scott Parkhurst wrote:
What? A staged reality show? That would never happen! LOL!!!
I know there's some local experts on these cars and since this one is staying bone stock, I shouldn't need too much help. I've got some contacts that know a lot about them, too. I'm really trying not to get into it. I don' t want to fall in love with it and end up not flipping it.
That is the plan and I need to stick to it.
By this time next year, it will have a 6 speed and racing suspension under it.
After much thought and negotiation, it seems a deal is in place to give my wagon a new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Ive had it for ten years now, and it's come a long way from what I started with. I've done a lot more than I ever thought I would with it, and it's been a great car. I'm ready for the next project, and a fair offer came my way for it.
I'm trading it for an '87 Grand National that is totally stock and has 70k original miles. I don't intend to keep this either, but I am confident i can make it really nice and flip it for more than I could ever get for the wagon.
Several of you know I have a couple other cars in the garage that have needs. The plan is to apply the funds from the sale of the BGN to get these other cars moving.
What that means is that I won't have a Chevelle anymore, and frankly, I don't have any plans to get another in the foreseeable future. The other cars are both '50s-era rides ('50 Buick Super and '58 Impala) and neither will have any kind of performance capability.
Many of you also know that my best friend Scott is also building a Malibu wagon for performance duty. I intend to stay involved with this club and accompany him to events once his car is on the road and he becomes a more active member.
The wagon is scheduled to ship out in the first week of August. I'll share updates as things progress.
I love those GNs too!
Oh boy, it might not be going far when you sell it Scott....
I still need to get down and see the Impala. I thought I would do that at the May meeting but the timing didn't work out.
Sad to see it go as well. I'm glad I got to know that car while you had it here and it was cool to see you win the Real Street Eliminator in person with it. This is the second high end car in the club with the performance and handling to rival modern cars that was sold to that part of the country, they must love buying pro touring style cars from the midwest over there.
I'd like to say sad to hear, but I know you've been ho-hum about the car thing this year..... probably itching to get going on the other ones too.
As consolation, you've been drafted as my low budget autocross-like suspension upgrade consultant. I can pay in unpopped popcorn and Shasta.
(dibs on leftover suspension stuff.......?)
-- Edited by bowtie on Monday 28th of July 2014 08:57:43 AM
Is the same carrier picking up your wagon and returning with the GN?
Sorry to hear this Scott, but I'm sure you've put much thought into this.
What's a stock GN going for these days? $30-35K?
Stan- the 'drivers' are going for 15-20K. That means they've got some miles on them (100K+), some mods (not original anymore) or have had the engines replaced (NOM). The really nice ones ('87s are the most desirable, since they had intercoolers and are the last year of the breed) that are low miles/all original are pulling around 30K. To get more than that, they have to be freakish (super low miles, GNX, or superbly modified from end to end with all the best-possible stuff). You can get into one for as low as 10K, but it'll have needs.
The one I'm getting is an '87 with 70K on it, and it's all-original/unmodifed, and has original paint. It was stored for many years and has had the fuel system flushed and was tuned by a very reputable GN guy in Florida where it was originally sold. No rust ever, of course, and it's really nice. There are a couple paint chips behind the rear wheels. I'll have everything that's not perfect addressed, detail it to the best of my abilities, and I expect to get 25 out of it.
I couldn't get 25K out of the wagon. That's the reason I'm doing this. I figure I'll have it until next spring (2015) at least- maybe even 2016 if the market continues to creep up on them. We'll see.
The guy getting the wagon wants to drive it daily and run the occasional event on weekends. For that duty, I'm confident he'll be very happy with it.
ummmmm, you think???
It's not here yet! I expected to have a firm arrival date by now- but I haven't heard anything yet.
Unfortunately I won't be coming down this year- my Mom is flying into town that very day! But my friend Scott is anxious to come down to see you and send some lead downrange, so expect to see him there.
Bryan- I used to drive it every day as a commuter car when I lived in CA, but it didn't have all the good stuff under it. Frankly, it would depend how many hills are involved and how much traffic there is out there. That clutch pedal could suck after awhile, and if there are hills with stoplights, it could be downright creepy. It's flat enough around here to not worry. I've never even hooked up the emergency brake. I think he'll want to do that...
Oh- current listings on Hemmings are here:
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?0=0&adtypeFacet=Vehicles%20for%20Sale&makeFacet=Buick&modelFacet[]=GNX&modelFacet[]=Grand%20National&sort=sort_time_desc&page_size=30
I saw the Fat & Furious episode where they found an all original '87 GNX in a storage unit for sale, replaced the gas tank, and I think they sold it for $40K. After looking at that link Scott, I think they left a lot of money on the table for an original GNX!
I was pals with Mike Thermos when I lived in CA- Mike is the guy who started NOS nitrous. He sold the whole deal to Holley for a tidy profit, and he made a couple bucks from the business while he owned it too.
He bought 2 GNXs when they were new- one he raced ruthlessly from the day he got it. Duttweiler engine, every possible upgrade- the whole deal.
The other one he parked. It still has less than 20 miles on it, the last I heard.
He knew it was a very special car and would be worth a lot one day. Mike's always been a pretty smart guy that way. But, then again, it's easy to take chances on car investments when you've got money like that. I don't know what that's like...
Here's a Buick forum thread beating up the FNF show and discussing the GNX that was supposedly 'found'. Someone even suggested it was loaned by a collector just for the show, in other words... staged: Forum Link
Scott, you might have to check out their forum to learn more about the GN.
I know there's some local experts on these cars and since this one is staying bone stock, I shouldn't need too much help. I've got some contacts that know a lot about them, too. I'm really trying not to get into it. I don' t want to fall in love with it and end up not flipping it.
That is the plan and I need to stick to it.
By this time next year, it will have a 6 speed and racing suspension under it.
Mitch-
It'd be more like this, actually...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-Grand-National-TURBO-T-WE4-W02-BEAST-EXQUISITE-BUICK-TURBO-T-WE4-W02-SUPER-RARE-LIGHTWEIGHT-/221518217369?forcerrptr=true&hash=item339383c099&item=221518217369&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingschariot/sets/72157644699836084/
Uh huh, kind of what I suspected, already mapping out the mods....
That is a cool looking car...
And Derek thought he had a chance at buying it...
I heard they had a great show.....
(I'll be working with Jim to do his own for next year)