I consider my car to be in pretty good condition. I hesitate to use numbers
as a rating but I will venture to say it is a 3+ now. It is still a project
and always will be. There is always something more that can be done to
improve it. For example while the paint is nice and shiny there are some
body imperfections, minor rust bubbles, nicks etc that I would like removed.
So when I get the $$ saved I intend to get a good quality repaint and
related body work done. The engine runs fine, but someday it will need a
rebuild and when the day comes and with $$ in hand I would like to have it
pulled, have the block repainted and get it looking good. So as I said the
car is always a "project car" in my view.
Mark T. Boehme
65 Crown
925-671-3160
mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David.Whitney@xxxxxxxx [SMTP:David.Whitney@xxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 2:46 PM
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: IML: What exactly IS a "project car"?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello, fellow Imperial enthusiasts --
>
> In the interest of getting people excited about reading their IML digests
> again while continuing to wade through endless to and fro regarding milky
> taillights and leaf spring separators, I would like to initiate on the
> topic of the Project (up suitably ominous music from background).
>
> Topic 1: What is and is not a "project car"?
>
> Does it have to be a 5? Is it a sliding scale depending on the buyer's
> skill and resources? Does it depend on how much time it takes to finish?
>
> Are there lines you cross that determine the difference between fixer
> upper
> and project? Body rust? Frame rust? Engine bottom end? Tranny rebuild?
>
> Is it the ratio of total cost after purchase to purchase price? Buy a car
> for $500 and spend $3000 afterward?
>
> Is it where you stop? If you bring it up to a 3 is it still a project, or
> does it become a project once you start moving toward show quality?
>
> My car was a solid 3 minus going on 4 when I found it. My goal was to make
> it my daily driver. To me, that's a project. Happily, bonuses descended
> on
> us from above and I was able to get the entire project finished in a month
> from acquisition to 3 plus fully trimmed. I spent $800 to buy the car and
> $2200 in parts, labor and government fees and taxes. In other economic
> circumstances it may have taken half a year or more to do piecemeal.
>
> Before and after photos coming as soon as I get the hood ornament and the
> wire wheel center caps installed. She's not perfect, but she's good
> enough
> for a 100-mile round trip commute and holds her own, appearance-wise,
> against anything on the road.
>
> -- David
>
> '91 K-Imperial
> -- you know your car is cool when your 17-year-old daughter wants to drive
> it
>
>
>
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