Seriously considering this 71 cutlass

It's beautiful, fuck yes, go for it.

 

The aftermarket steering wheel and shifter tell me that whoever had this had it as a "hot rod" and may have run/raced it into the ground. Not for certain, but it would be a concern if I were considering it.Be sure to have all the mechanical checked out.

 

Good Fucking Point!!! Chances are whoever made those mods aren't gonna drive like a grandma.
Also, I'm not sure if its automatic anymore. Looking at pics of other 71 cutlasses, I think their automatics have column shifters.


I cant really tell if this is an automatic, its a different car but the shifter is on the floor but they are in a straight line. It seems to be the same setup as the one im looking at

 

Crawl under it and check for frame rot, patched floorboards, patched trunk pan. See how the doors shut and latch...should close and latch without much effort. Check around windshield and back glass for rust...these are the first years for glued in windows and sometimes leak then rust. Mechanicals are not a big deal, lots of reproduction stuff available. The body/frame are where you could get into a major money pit.

 

it is an automatic still.just a previous owner did what i would do and ditched the column shifter but instead of finding the factory console and shifter for it they stuffed a B&M ratchet shifter in it.the shifter and steering wheel dont mean it was raced or anything,dont mean it wasnt either.is it worth 4 grand?not to me it isnt.its missing parts that need to be put back on it,if they come with it.i wouldnt pay more than 1500 for it.

the painted bumpers look retarded,the red piping on the seats is absolutely rediculous looking.

problem with cars is you never get anywhere close to the money you sink into them if you sell it.this car when finished is worth maybe 8,000.00.but thats with an amateur resto job on it.and everything being "factory correct"its not a husrt/olds or a 442 so its nothing special other than being a cool old car to tinker with and cruise around in.

 

That is a really difficult situation and one that there really is no easy solution for. As much as you would like the car, the harmony at home is also important.

How about if you find a part time job to just fund this dream. Make it clear that any earnings from that goes to this fund and follow through on that?