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Geting a classic droptop..

S

Syringer

Lifer
So I'm considering getting a convertible of some sort to enjoy the Southern California sun out here--but don't want to be like every other douche out here in their 3-series drop tops--so I wanted to look at something more unique.

I'm looking toward more of an antithesis approach to the CLKs/XKRs of the world with something like a first gen Trans Am convertible, which gets my panties more wet than any exotic out thee..

The only question is is how reliable can I expect a 40 year old car to be? I wouldn't drive around all that much, but wouldn't want it in the shop more often than on the road of course..

Are there any guides towards purchasing classics, or anyone have personal recommendations for one?
 
Make sure you have garage space. Those Jags are awesome, but from what I've heard, can be a monumental amount of work to keep rolling.

TBH, I'd recommend a nice kit car with a new drivetrain.
 
number one enemy of old convertibles is RUST. most I've ever looked at, no matter how nice they were at one time or another, tend to be more rusty then normal hard tops. They end up being more susceptible due to leaking roofs and neglect over time.
 
Originally posted by: kevman
number one enemy of old convertibles is RUST. most I've ever looked at, no matter how nice they were at one time or another, tend to be more rusty then normal hard tops. They end up being more susceptible due to leaking roofs and neglect over time.
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Shouldn't be a problem in SoCal, but definitely something to check for.

Regarding reliability, most of those older cars are fairly solid. Yes, things will go wrong, but without the vast amounts of electronics that modern cars have, repairs are much less expensive. In most cases, the car will develop small "issues" that do not stop it from running long before any problem becomes big enough to sideline the car. Pay attention to these and the repairs are inexpensive. Also, remember that these old cars have a great following in the aftermarket, so there are lots of parts available, which drives prices down a bit.

Overall, while it certainly won't be as reliable as a brand new car, a well-maintained classic can be perfectly good as even a daily driver.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Look for a 1st generation Trans Am, in good to excellent condition, to cost you at least $15-20k.
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Maybe a parts one....1st gen T/A is one year only and less than 1k were produced, most stats put it at under 800 produced though.


 
Originally posted by: mooseracing
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Look for a 1st generation Trans Am, in good to excellent condition, to cost you at least $15-20k.
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Maybe a parts one....1st gen T/A is one year only and less than 1k were produced, most stats put it at under 800 produced though.
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He probably means 1st Gen Firebird. Many people use "Trans/Am" and "Firebird" interchangeably.

ZV
 
I hope you meant Firebird. The first Trans Am was made in 1969, and they only made about 697 total, and of those, I think 8 were convertibles.

Good luck finding one of those you can or are willing to afford.

 
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
I hope you meant Firebird. The first Trans Am was made in 1969, and they only made about 697 total, and of those, I think 8 were convertibles.

Good luck finding one of those you can or are willing to afford.
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A friend of mine has a '69 Trans Am, white with blue stripes - rotting in his garage in Michigan. 🙁 From what I remember, it is complete (although in parts), virtually rust free, and unrestored. No plans to sell it either. I know for a fact that it's been there for at least the past 10 years - although, I'm sure it's been quite a bit longer than that. It's really a shame.
 
Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
I hope you meant Firebird. The first Trans Am was made in 1969, and they only made about 697 total, and of those, I think 8 were convertibles.

Good luck finding one of those you can or are willing to afford.
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A friend of mine has a '69 Trans Am, white with blue stripes - rotting in his garage in Michigan. 🙁 From what I remember, it is complete (although in parts), virtually rust free, and unrestored. No plans to sell it either. I know for a fact that it's been there for at least the past 10 years - although, I'm sure it's been quite a bit longer than that. It's really a shame.
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That engine will be need to be torn to pieces and rebuilt before that car will ever move again. What a waste.
 
Every few years I get the urge to buy a classic, then I drive one & realize the cheapest POS made currently is worlds better by just about every measure and I get over it. 🙁
 
If it was me doing this, I'd find someone who got tired of their "project car" (doesn't have to be rare or extremely valuable if you just want to cruise in it), transplant a newer more reliable (and probably better performing) powertrain, have the suspension retrofitted with urethane bushings and 4 wheel disk brakes then get it upholstered to your comfort/taste. IMHO you should be able to get all that done for between $5k to $8k if you're good at shopping and dealing.

60's and 70's GM products have lots of aftermarket parts available. I had a 67 Tempest that was quite reliable, never any trouble with emissions, the main things I did was urethane bushings, HEI ignition and switched the alternator to internally regulated.
 
Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Every few years I get the urge to buy a classic, then I drive one & realize the cheapest POS made currently is worlds better by just about every measure and I get over it. 🙁
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Engine note, ride quality, spaciousness, fahrvergnugen...
 
Fiat Spyders are fun but look it over real good before you buy it, I once had to drive 20 miles in city traffic without a clutch because the spot welds that held the clutch pedal to the pivot shaft broke (fortunately I only got stopped at one red light and it started easily in gear).
 
Spyder? Ahem, I mean spider?
Lol.

If it was me buying a convertible, I'd want one of those folding hardtop jobs. Rag tops suck and disintegrate after a couple years.

If you're looking at older muscle cars with convertibles why not a late 60's Mustang with the 289? Parts would be easy to find as those cars are pretty common and there's a lot of aftermarket/reproduction parts available too.

Also maybe one of those V-12 Jaguar convertible from the early to mid eighties? Although parts are a bitch to find and I'm sure reliability is crap. They are cool looking cars though.

Number one convertible on my list would be a 67 Shelby AC Cobra. The kit replicas out there can be bought for around $25-30k already put together I think. Most of the replicas use parts from the late 80's early 90's Mustangs with the 302.
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: mooseracing
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Look for a 1st generation Trans Am, in good to excellent condition, to cost you at least $15-20k.
Click to expand...

Maybe a parts one....1st gen T/A is one year only and less than 1k were produced, most stats put it at under 800 produced though.
Click to expand...

He probably means 1st Gen Firebird. Many people use "Trans/Am" and "Firebird" interchangeably.

ZV
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I know it drives me nuts....It is Firebird, Firebird Formula, and Firebird Trans Am. They are models not seperate cars.


Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Every few years I get the urge to buy a classic, then I drive one & realize the cheapest POS made currently is worlds better by just about every measure and I get over it. 🙁
Click to expand...

I like to have something backing up the tone of my car. There isn't many new ones that have the torque of the classics.
 
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