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Lost in the 60s


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Restoration nightmares
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I know I come off as very skeptical and negative about cars people post pics of and ask for opinions. I'd like to show 1 of the reasons why this is. This 1971 Camaro came into Centerline because the rear spring shackles were coming up thru the trunk floor. The owner wanted the rear frame rails REPAIRED.

This is a "complete restoration".... new quarter panels, rockers, paint, interior and a very nasty sounding big block with TH 400 and 12 bolt posi that a young guy bought last summer. He thought the frame/floor failure was because the engine was so powerful that it was bending the frame rails and trunk floor.

This is the trunk floor.

THIS is what the underside looks like...

This right rear frame has been completely hand made from angle iron. Not all bad, EXCEPT, it was BOLTED to what was left of the rotten, original frame rail further forward.

Both of the outer wheel house lips are GONE...the quarter panels are just hanging in air.

This is the frame rail forward of the axle. You can see where it was plated years ago and rusted out further. When you see pics of cars on lifts that everything has been painted black with no close up detail THIS is what can be hidden from view.

Inner rocker panel and torque box that the front spring mount bolts to.

I cut out the floor pan under the left rear seat. There's nothing left to build to.

This guy is just sick. You want to see a defeated depressed person, he was it. I hate bringing customers in and showing them what they really have and what it is going to take to do the job correctly. He has too much invested to part it out and is now many thousands more into it for us to build it right. Complete 1 piece trunk floor, rear seat pans, torque boxes and outer wheel houses. We are going to try to install all this WITHOUT messing up the paint...doh The plan is to bond the wheel houses to the quarter panels to eliminate plug welding.

This is a classic example of why I have very little faith in pictures to tell an accurate story of a cars build quality or value. The ones with no pics of the underside, to me, are just hiding what they don't want you to see. Obviously, this guy had no idea what to look for or to have someone experienced look at it for him. He "fell in love" with the shiny blue paint and the nasty sound of that chromed out big block and bought it. Think he has buyers remorse ??  I really feel sad for people like this but it can be easily avoided.

Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call for anyone considering buying a car sight un-seen, especially long distance, from just pictures. You NEED to hire a local inspector or have a knowledgeable friend look at it with you to protect yourself from cars that are slapped together like this for profit.



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
SShink


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Oh so true Mitch... Even with the car life experience's I've had and learned from throughout the years, I still ask someone to look with me, or send up close pics to those I trust for another opinion and help me not fall in love with it as you described.  Sounds like the owner sure could of used some of your guidance/experience, or someone that knows 'restoration' like you do.

I agree 100% to never buy an old car again without someone putting eyes on it, and poking around a little.  Metal can look solid until you push on it with a solid device, like the 3/4" wood chisel that I watched Dr. Tim lovingly apply to my car when we were hunting for hidden rust.  Or, finding the tell tale signs of patchwork like you found.

I guarantee you the owner will NEVER buy an old car like that again without having someone check it out for him now that he knows what to look for!  hyper

Unfortunately, it really is 'buyer beware'.



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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

2001 Mustang GT Convertible 

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Excellent example Mitch, should be a sticky for this post. Very good example, because the car looks so nice yet it's really a death trap.

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Kevin

Northwestern Ohio
John D


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What was that old saying about polishing a turd??

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John D. - St. Louis Park, MN.

1965 El Camino - LT-1, 4L60e, 4wh discs, SC&C susp.
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Lost in the 60s


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John D wrote:

What was that old saying about polishing a turd??

 Lipstick on a pig....etc....etc



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
Chris R


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Perfect example that you cant buy a car with your heart instead of your head and with all that pretty paint and a nice motor under the hood. You cant assume the underside of the car is going to be just as pretty underneath.



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Chris - Ramsey, MN.

Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.

While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!

Sincerly,

The opportunist.
BLyke


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That is why you need to know what your really looking at and be willing to walk away. Can't let your emotions get ahead of your logic.
Mental note to self, repeat these words anytime i look at a old car!!

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Bruce L. - Lakeville MN

1971 Malibu Convert

 
Scott Parkhurst


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This is why I love southwestern cars...

That is among the worst I've ever seen Mitch!

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Scott Parkhurst

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more ambition than brains


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Biskwik was a dry car. As were the two El Caminos and the Malibu four door. Have several others. I hate rust!!!!!!!!!

That one looks like the "Ready for Ebay patch up" Not even a Restoration.
Happens way too often,

Karl

P.S.
I don't remember the high left location for the Z28 emblem, should be lower right?
Anybody?

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Looked at a 66 vert the other day. Pop riveted floor and trunk repairs. Needed new floor and trunk pans along with inner and outer wheel houses. A pair of quarters, door and fender repair. And frame repair. Complete interior and then paint. I walked away. 



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Jim L

Lake City
Chris R


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Whats the story with the chopper under the tarp?



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Chris - Ramsey, MN.

Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist.

While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water. I drank it!

Sincerly,

The opportunist.
Lost in the 60s


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more ambition than brains wrote:

Biskwik was a dry car. As were the two El Caminos and the Malibu four door. Have several others. I hate rust!!!!!!!!!

That one looks like the "Ready for Ebay patch up" Not even a Restoration.
Happens way too often,

Karl

P.S.
I don't remember the high left location for the Z28 emblem, should be lower right?
Anybody?

 Pretty certain it isn't a real Z, Karl. That's another way to attract attention for resale. The 12 bolt codes out to a '69 and the spring perches were cut off and moved out for the '70's wider stance. The welder also left a pin hole that leaks gear lube too...rolleyes

Chris, the chopper belongs to the shop owner. I think he said it is a 08 or 9 Titan.



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
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