I am a delivery driver in austin tx. I found a car that I fell in love with. I wrote a note on it and left it on the windshield saying it was my dream to own a classic car and turn it into a lowrider. That weekend I got a reply back 3,500 and it’s yours It’s a 1962 chevy impala 4dr no post V8 283 Anyways. When I got the car I just had a dream. It was sitting since 1999. I got it in 2019. 20 years later I knew nothing about classic cars. I met a bunch of new buddies. And about an hour a work a day for 2 years. She is my daily driver :) almost half way restored/customized looking forward to getting hydraulics and paint job here soon.
The problem with rare project vehicles is you need at least a couple of them for parts, a place to store everything, and either cash for having custom parts made or the resources to make them yourself.
For about 1-1/2 years everyday on the way to work I would see 2 68 or 9 Javelins parked outside a garage. From the road they both looked pretty straight. Same paint color even. One day they were just gone.
I would buy another one in a heart beat but them rampages were awful and front wheel drive. The slant is to long to front wheel drive one of them. And to get a rear axle and rear facing transmission with no drive shaft hump to work, good luck. Really i would love to see it. I deemed it impossible when i tried.
@@shawnterry7742 Just imagine driving a Renegade, then having that song go through your head every time you sit down in it... "Living like a Renegade Oh Oh Oh, Oh Oh Oh"....
Exactly what I was going to say. You go to every car show and see 10 Chevelles, Camaroes GTOs and Firebirds and Mustangs then people lose interest. You bring the average family car and you get more attention. Yea parts for a 70-71 Torino arent as bountiful as the same year Charger or Malibu but it attracts more interest at car shows because people havent seen on in almost forever.
As part of the Corvair cult, I'd like to attest that there's a pretty good cult community that's very knowledgeable. There's very good availability of used parts, good availability of reproduction parts (made by specialized corvair parts vendors), and a decent availability of NOS parts. Prices for cars and parts are relatively cheap too
I've really come to appreciate the production numbers and cult following that the pt cruiser has, especially with what it shares with the srt4. Basically any part is available from a handful of suppliers, and my local junk yard always has 10 of em. Every challenge or complication possible is talked about on forums and fb, be it 10 years ago or today. Its unique enough and there are few enough nice ones on the road that it still feels like a special car, but without being a pain for parts. Its also just old enough to sneak in before cars became really over complicated mechanically, so while not being on that el camino's level, there's still workability that I wouldn't have from something even 10 years newer.
If it doesn’t release right away it could also be the caliper or dirty pins. The best way to check is to brake the bleeder loose. If it releases it’s the hose, if it doesn’t it’s the pins or caliper... check to see if it pins are properly greased and not binding, if they are good, it’s the caliper.
Good advice, Thats the method i use also. Ive been in Autozone when a guy hands the clerk a second caliper because that he says that one sticks also. People forget the hose goes bad too.
This is what makes VW Bugs an excellent project. Millions made for decades with minor changes. Ridiculously strong aftermarket parts support since way back when, enough to spawn several entire businesses and performance shops that still operate today. This is also what makes British cars kinda fun (if you can fit inside). Moss Motors still manufactures almost every part. You can buy the entire car with new parts from a catalog.
Thats why I like my 90 dodge w250 3/4 4x4 360 an 3 speed 727 with o/d easy to fix an napa can order anything I need an when I bought it was need a little bit of work but was all easy stuff was trun lights brakes an windshield an passed inspection an ain't all rusted out yet
OK Uncle Tony, I watched so many of your vids I can't resist subscribing anymore. I like old Mopars but that isn't really my background so I'm not that familiar with them. I did grow up around Fords. So here's my list: - Ford Maverick CAR. So similar to a Mustang underneath, and few cars are better supported in the aftermarket Falcon-chassis Mustangs. Yeah, I know you hate the shock towers. - SN95 or New Edge Mustang. Very much like a Fox body Mustang mechanically, but the Foxes are really starting to ramp up in price. - Fox body Thunderbird. Not that much heavier than a Mustang, and again, Fox body says it all. - Approaching the bottom of the cost curve, bazillions made, plenty of following, don't need as much chassis help as the earlier cars, and they drive like a modern car.
" Anything that's worth having, you will be in competition to aquire it. But once you get passed that part of it, it makes the difference. Makes life much easier in the long run." I hope everyone really got that last part because that is the realist truth about cars and life ever depicted. Great words of wisdom Tony!
My neighbor's buddy has a jet black '73 Chevelle, I never really cared for that body style until I saw it in person, they're very good looking cars. Big, imposing, lots of presence.
I am currently restoring my Grandfathers 1987 Caprice Classic. Been in the family since new. I know not the number one choice for most, but it's an easy car that hits all your points...
I can never find parts for my 1919 Dodge Brothers model 30 touring car. I inherited a definite orphan of a project! This is a REAL dodge car, since John and Horace Dodge were still alive for another year.
This video explains perfectly why I want to build a 318 pinto, I'm in pinto communities, Mopar communities, and the 318 magnum is a fairly affordable and easy to find motor around here, thank you for your wisdom, confirming this isn't the worst idea I've had project wise
Something weird to me, I didn't realise how hard it would be to get parts for a Checker until I bought a 1965 Checker station wagon. I see them for sale on the internet all the time, but they're all either halfway across the country, or all the way across the country. You'd think something as ubiquitous as a Checker would be documented better than anything else. At least I can use GM parts for a lot of the mechanical things, but the big issue I'm running into is rot. The car is not structurally sound, the rear door pillars are rotted all the way through so the sides of the car have too much give, the tops of the quarter panels are rotted through, the back of the frame where the back of the leaf spring mounts is rotted through, there really isn't one thing on the car that hasn't rotted. Even though I bought the car from Tennessee, it was evidentally from Ohio, according to some prescription I found under the back seat. Every time I work on the car, I find another place that looked half decent that ended up being half an inch of bondo over pop-riveted metal. It's also rough how these cars are still getting crushed, considering how surprisingly rare they are.
Just picked up my (probably) last project car. My criteria: had to be a classic Chevy, had to accept Big Block Chevrolet engines from the factory and had to be 1974 or older (pre federal cat mandate). I found a rust free (but kind of rough and multicolored) 1973 Chevrolet Nova 2 door. While the 1973 did not offer a big block, the 68-74 Nova chassis' were nearly identical. Just needs a set of big block mounts to clear the steering shaft and a Big Block is in. Plans are for manual 4 wheel disc, manual steering rack, monoleaf rear springs and rear shock relocation. Ultimately, I want her to be a drag week car. Doesnt need to make all the power, but needs to be in the 10s and reliable enough to drive cross country. Wish me luck!
Very well said. All excellent points. Great advice, out of dumb luck I’ve followed your suggestions my own for over 30 years. When friends come to me about my opinions on project cars I’ll be sharing this video with them. Awesome!
Agree 100% with this advice. The two things I would add are: get a car you love, not just something that looks neat. If your heart's not really into it, every dollar gets harder and harder to spend. Also, know your skill level, and/or how much you want to put into working on it. My 65 comet was neat, but I didn't have a great love for it, and when I realized just how much work it would need, it would need 25 grand to be worth 15 grand, and just about every mechanical component needed to be replaced or refurbished. Sometimes it's better to get a better canvas to make your art on.
Eight or so years earlier and it might have been a different story. I found a wonderfully complete one I wanted to do up for my partner, (Well, a '65) and there were lots of them in the salvage yards.
My first car was a 67 Cougar, hard to find parts for it in 1982 when I got it, just as hard now. Its ok I learned how to make lots of things doing the 65 GTO, which also does not have a ton of parts repopped for it. No fenders, doors, or full quarters, patches and skins only unless they came out with those things recently 66 to 70, lots of parts. I own mostly orphans, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and a Plymouth. The chevys are all trucks, and even the 71 Mustang doesn't have as many parts for it as the 64-70s, but you can make things work.
@@SweatyFatGuy I have a 67 cougar 390 4 speed, tons of parts for this car,you can get all body parts now,just put a new hood on my friend's 67 and it's nice, there's no part you can't get now ,thanks
@@dogsense3773 at over $650 per side, and currently out of stock, I will still be repairing the quarters on my Cougar rather than replacing them when I put it in the shop again this fall. Door shells are used only, same with fenders. Its not like a Mustang where they have everything you need to build one by slapping parts together you ordered. The Mustang stuff that will work is available, most of the car is not unless they have come out very recently, in which case lots of $$$$$.
The one thing I'd add to this is to be honest with yourself regarding your limitations. Most of us don't have the mad car-fu skills Tony has so we have limits as to what we realistically can and can't do to a project car. Decide what your limits are and try to find a car whose issues/needs fall mostly within your abilities to solve
I would add to that an honest self appraisal of what you are willing to learn. If you don't have the skill, but want to, this could be the project that gets you there.
I don't totally disagree with you, and no disrespect, but true project cars present challenges to learn from. Aside from blatant problems that are nightmares ( to avoid altogether ), what's the point in taking on a classic project car, if you're not willing to learn beyond your current limits? Buying a classic car that needs next to nothing to fix it up, really isn't "a project". Someone else has already brought it to that condition. Generally, classics in great condition cost more. A true project car needing lots of work costs much less, but learning to fix it is a price to pay. Just sayin'. Have a great evening my friend.
@@BearBudgetgarage Limitations aren't necessarily limited to skills...somebody living in an apartment isn't going to be able to do as much major work on a car as somebody with a big pole barn out behind their house, even if he has the skills to do a nut and bolt restoration
Regardless of any project to start, there are 3 things that MUST be present for the project to be a success: 1) Time 2) Resources and 3) Money…… Project Management 101. 😊👍
On the corvair comment, the use to be the corvair conection, last month the owner passed away. I knew him for years, we traveled in the same train world. I saw him about a week before he passed and went to his memorial. There was over 100 corvair owner there. had many talks about how nobody restores cars any more.
One of my 70's mopar friends was into Monaco cop cars. we spent endless weekends scouring junkyards for the rare parts... The hunt for those parts was the most fun of tje project
Tony you are wrong the Corvair has a following; CORSA, The Corvair Society of America, with chapter clubs in USA, Canada, and Europe, Clark's Corvair Parts in MA (they have 25 employees making parts and a huge catalog of parts, The Corvair Ranch in PA, California Corvairs in CA, and about a dozen other repair or specialist parts suppliers across the USA.
And try to get something running and driving within reason also . If it runs and moves it seems to be more of a incentive to keep at it and the project going forward . A lot of times people get frustrated and give up after some time . And that's sad , I've done that a few times also unfortunately
That can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Some people never get the finishing touches done because once it's running, they're too busy playing to get the job finished. I've had a few blokes tell me the trick is to keep it on the edge of "almost running, almost (or barely) moving under its own steam...but not well enough to actually drive. Then keep it there until everything else is completed...interior, paint, the works." Either way, it's gonna take discipline. :-)
I'm restoring a 69 Lincoln Mk III, and I am alone on my own island. I had to make molds and pour epoxy resin, then reapply the vinyl covering to replicate the drivers door armrest/pull handle, as an example. A week's job. If you enjoy constructing your own parts out of thin air, it's fun. If you don't, you're never going to get it done.
In 1970 when I was just starting at a Chrysler Plymouth dealer I had a customer that made a 64 Plymouth Fury into a pickup. He was a body guy and my boss volunteered me to help him finish the mechanical mods , mostly brakes and drive line. It was an experience I will never forget.
tony's not lying about oldsmobile parts, inherited my grandparents parked, non running 68 442 convertible...a headgasket set alone for this car is ridiculous...and it needs a new convertible top been saving for 2 years to get all the stuff i need
A more basic Cutlass has a lot more parts available, but as you move into the rarer editions proper parts do become more scarce. It's made worse by people who create clone versions of cars like the 442.
@@JG-fe1gx thats what Im saying. I went to a car show back in 2018 Upstate NY and it was the MOST boring program. EVERY GM car had a Chevy 350. Every Ford had a 302, except for the guy who had a 69 Montego convertible with a 390 in it. Even the 32 Fords and Model A roadsters had 350s in them. It may be easier and more common but very uninspiring.
The full size Olds have few parts available too. Cutlass or 442? Parts are no problem. But try to find parts for a Delta 88. I almost bought a 1969 Delta 88 convertible until I found out there were almost no parts available. The running gear isn't hard, especially if it's a 350 or 455, but it's things like trim, body panels, Gas tanks, brake kits, radios....stuff like that, are just about impossible to find, you have to get it from a salvage yard, or you end up fabricating or getting something "custom" for the job...
@@joshn938 thing is at some point the interest level wanes and the market becomes over saturated with the same cars. 88s and 98s are few and far between as are Starfires and Toronados but the too many GTOs and 442s and people start to drop off. This conversation really has already been had 10-20yrs ago when magazine sales dropped dangerously low where some magazines got killed.
True useful info Uncle Tony. I had an 86 Pontiac Parisienne and LOVED that car, indestructible 4.3L V6, my dad and me swapped the thm200 for a thm350 (vacuum modulator style) and she rode just smooth and had nice styling, but those Pontiac parts were HARD AF to find, the Caprice parts were everywhere lol. I hit a deer at 55mph and all it did was break half my grill/header panel and dent the hood, got a 87 caprice header panel and she was all good. Keep coming with the awesome videos we all appreciate your help. Thank you.
My 79 camaro is all of these, absolute abundance of these things, insane cult following, people reproduce everything, and its a Chevy 350. Its a damn near perfect project car lol
Yeah I love Cadillac and I also love when people thing front wheel drive Eldorados are as simple as the rear wheel drive devilles and Fleetwoods especially the early front wheel drive Eldorados
I love that El Camino. My dad had a 1976 when he was a kid and it had a custom tow hitch welded to it, he said that one time he towed a big block crew cab dually chevy with it.
The way I always checked for a bad brake hose is if the caliper is sticking, you crack the bleeder and try to push the piston back in. If it pushes in easy, it’s the brake hose. If it’s still stiff is the caliper.
Best advice to give someone looking for a project car, pick the body/chassis you like the best and start there... Engines, tranny's, wheels, etc can all be changed.
in high school I had a 76 ElCamino that someone shoehorned a 350 Olds Rocket into........I am lucky to be alive. Anyway the 73-77 GM A-Body is the red headed stepchild of detroit. As far as I know NO ONE produces new fenders or hoods and that is a shame.
Gotta have a keen eye, because sometimes rust likes to hide. Have the same problem in Missouri. See more than a couple bubbles, run. Also look out for misaligned panels, which are signs of accident damage and shoddy body work, and bring a magnet to check for bondo.
Very wise words. My favorite project car to this day was a Subaru WRX for this exact reason. The community around these cars was amazing at the time. Forums were raging, local shops were wrenching on them, they were new enough to be exciting but had been around long enough that parts were plentiful and cheap (oe takeoffs and aftermarket).
The main mistake I made was getting a rarer car. My Oldsmobile Toronado doesnt have much aftermarket support and there arent many out there but I'm in love. Working on my Toronado has made me more creative and getting to the roots of hot rodding. The front brakes are drums and no conversion kits. I found out I can swap newer Corvette hubs on it and make some plates to put discs on. Lots of headache to find stuff out but its making me smarter. Great Video as always Uncle Tony. I love every video.
I'm 100% with you about the project vehicles. I'm currently in the middle of working on a 1980 Jeep J truck. Body parts can be like finding hens teeth. I looked for over a month trying to find a front fender that wasn't a disaster. When I did find one, the guy wanted 500 bucks for it. There's no real aftermarket for body parts. One place has fiberglass replacement fenders, but they are 500 too. Go figure. Thanks for another great video. Keep up the great work.
When I was looking for a project car, I made the mistake of picking one that had a small cult following and no aftermarket support what so ever. I chose the 1997 Aerostar XLT 4x4. When drivetrain parts wear out/break on this pos, you will have to make/re-use irreplaceable parts, or use what is available to adapt. I have lifted mine a few inches and rebuilt almost every section of this van, it has been one of the biggest headaches and one of the best projects I have done so far.
El Camino I own a 77! They’re beautiful. I want to get a rampage as a beater. Unfortunately these years of El Camino 73-77 are like completely skipped as far as parts and info go.
I agree Tony. Parts availability is the number one issue for a first time old car buyer. I went the other way myself. Even back in the '80s it was hard to find parts for my 1962 New Yorker Wagon with 792 cars made.
My first car was a ‘72 Skylark and it took me almost 5 years to find a decent passenger side fender. I sold that car last year and bought a ‘68 Nova and I can find just about anything I need now. Chevy is the way to go for cheapness and ease of ownership.
Yeah,,, they sure should have,,, you know,,,so many times people just forget history,,,I still live outside Toledo,,,, so much came out of our city relating to the auto industry,,, not to mention all the smaller shops that are now gone!,, 😔
I have a 1972 Chrysler New Yorker extremely clean I picked up for $900...they guy was young and into imports and it fell into his lap. I have a 1978 D150 that came from California i got for $3,000 last October, all parts are extremely easy to get with the exception of C-body body parts. These vehicles were very well kept and only need gaskets and things of that nature.
Can completely agree on the chevelle/bop a body comments. I own a 67 skylark. Some things, like chassis and suspension parts, are super easy to come by. I hit a deer with the car a couple years ago abd had to pay an arm and a leg for a grill. But it’s the nature of the beast.
My Oldman worked for the Chicago Transit Authority and they had a 76 Fury B body 4 door converted by a shop worker to a Mopar ElCamino called the El Severino after the guy who built it.
@@johnmolands2326 I would think you could. What engine & transmission? Buckets & console? Does it have the factory rally rims? Would be a five spoke looking rim. Miles/kms on it, etc?
The Australian term "Ute", is actually short for "Utility". Which is short for "Coupe Utility". A single panel from door to taillight differentiates them from a small truck. (as per ElCamino, Ranger) If you think about it, there actually a sports car, with a rear tonneau. handy for tradesmen.
100% right. The parts market is determined by: 1) How popular the vehicle is (e.g. potential for sales), 2) What else it interchanges with (e.g. a 41382 Delco pump fits a Pontiac 400 and it also fits a 301 and other Pontiac V8s), 3) How many are left on the road (related to #1), 4) How easy the part is to make (is the tooling available, cheap to run, etc.). 5) What it might be worth restored. My father sold Cadillacs from 1984 until he passed away in 1988 and managed the dealership as sales manager before he passed away. He used to joke, "There's an ass for every seat". Cadillac had the traditional cars then and the "new" front wheel drives that at first sold very well because they were new and some customers did want a smaller Cadillac with some European flair (it didn't work). Of course, the smaller vendors for the Corvair and the like make up the parts surely to make a profit, but also because no one else will and they enjoy the challenge and seeing the cars get back on the road. That's pretty noble. But you're right, for the mass market of collector/hobbyist, it's best to go with something that won't break the bank and when you need a part and it's not weeks on end to get it. That's how projects get stalled. Makes like Pontiac, Buick and Olds have enough support (depending on the model) to get you going. Most mechanical and functional parts are still out there and for a car like the Firebird or GTO, the aftermarket catalogs are just as big as for the Chevelle and Mustang. As you alluded to, those cars can be restored "out of a catalog" and have been that way for years. When I first got my 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am in 1999, the interior was "un-obtanium" for the most part. For several years now, PUI reproduces it (This is the T/A with the gray leather seating and embroidered rear seat and door panels). Now there were only 7500 total cars made and probably half of them are gone for good. Yet, the kit is still available, as is the decal kit for it. Because those that are left eventually have to be restored and those are high impact things that will make the car look good (decals and interior).
I own one complete orphan, and two step-children. Totally understand what you mean about lack of support. Its fun in a way to have a car that nobody has, but actually living with it sucks at times.
My friend, Craig, had El Camino just like this one with 350, an a suburban with 454. He wanted better mileage in suburban an a burn out car in An Camino, so we switched motors!
I had they 400 sbc siamesed quadrajetted 350 turbohydramatic 2:73 diff 1976 Elcamino SS metallic med blue with double white stripe down the side. Loved that truck (ute) swivel bucket seats.
All good suggestions,...sometimes you have to make a part, or just resto-mod a car,....like upgrade to disc brakes, or 12 volt systems,...etc....Its a Hobby, have fun, make it your own.....just like winky the mopar/miata ....destined to be a classic.....
I learned this lesson trying to restore a 1956 Lincoln Premiere 2 door hard top..one of the most well made cars I've ever owned but I couldn't get ANYTHING for it!...supply and demand...they only made a small handful back then,even less around now..a weird motor they only made for 2 years (368 4bbl) And nothing was interchangeable from the year prior or after,not even a door roller...i had to repair whatever was bad or go without it..eventually traded it for a 1943 Harley and a willys jeep,both in pieces,package deal..and all parts on those are available which helped get them done that much faster..if you're gonna get an oddball car sometimes it's best to buy it already restored
I have a 1997 chevy c1500 base model truck and there is a huge following I can buy parts almost anywhere and people do all kinds of things with them and there is so much info about them online. My dream car is an el camino simply because it will do anything I want
"Widespread cult following" can often also mean "all examples are overpriced because everyone wants one." If I'm doing it for my own enjoyment and not bothered with how trendy/cool/valuable the end result will be, I do a little research and try to find the less-desirable variant...like when everyone wants a hardtop, I go for the 4-door version. Often, the mechanicals are virtually identical, but you'll save a bunch on the initial outlay when buying the car, and the likelihood of theft also drops accordingly. Just be ready for odd pieces like rear door trim to be a little harder to find, especially if you're looking for repro stuff.
Hi Tony. I used to work with an aussie Chrysler guy and he had a CM ute with a mild 318. We were talking one day and he was telling me the aussie market had unibody cars with a combo of A body and B body front and rear. Last i knew he was hellcat swapping it. It would be great to see you get one of these aussie valiants or chryslers in your fleet. I'm sure you could find somebody interested in a trade for one of your beasts. Keep up the good work. UTG is one of my favourite youtube channels.
Mopar did make a Camino type,...The Dodge Rampage was a three-year experiment, sold from 1982-1984. A front-wheel-drive pickup based on the Chrysler L platform.
Had a 66 Plymouth Valant slant 6. Car Quest had every thing for this car. Even the Chrysler dealership. They didn't have the part numbers in their computer. However I provided them with part numbers. For instance I needed a new windshield washer reservoir. Chrysler had it for a little over $5.00.
I'm about 99 percent with you on this except for C-body Mopars. I have a '68 Plymouth Fury VIP that's been in the family forever. If you're talking about the parts that make the car a driver, I can get everything easily from Rock Auto, my local parts store or other online vendors. I've found that because of the cult following of Chargers and Road Runners, I can get air conditioner parts I could have only dreamed of not that long ago that B's and C's share between them, and things like gas tank sending units, window, door and trunk seals etc., are now being reproduced. Now if you are talking body parts, trim pieces that are very specific to the various C-body models, there are places like Murray Park at cbodiesdotcom or eBay to get things like that if one is patient. The Mopar guys who really feel the pain are the R-body guys who have a 79-81 St. Regis, Newport or New Yorker or the guys who have an 80-81 Gran Fury. As luck would have it, I have a '79 Dodge St. Regis that's also been in the family forever. Everything that makes it go and stop is almost as easy as the Fury VIP, but once you get into body parts, trim, interior stuff finding those parts is painful unless you luck into NOS stuff or know what fits from a late B body Cordoba, Charger or Magnum. Outside of that, I completely agree with you.
My Chrysler Turbine car is just gathering dust unable to drive right now cuz I can't find a relay for the cruise control warp drive enhancement fob. Don't even ask how I bent an irreplaceable rim and cracked the transaxle case housing for the helicopter motor trying to do midnight drifting in my Tucker!
I have a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 2dr ht for a couple of years. The fact is that even when parts for the engine and transmission (Fe390+C6) are easy to find sometimes even in Finland where I live. Same for the chassis and some other parts. Problem comes with some interior parts and exterior parts that are impossible to find but thats the life I chose and I love the car and it was for me the only car I would ship from USA. Luckily I have opportunities to make or modify parts. For the time im not that concerned about keeping everything looking like it came from the factory. I have time to find the necessary parts for that. The way I figured it was that these old cars are all in need of attention and you have to get the car you really want and dont settle for anything else.
Sage advice Uncle Tony…you should have added…always try to buy the nicest example of the non orphan vehicle that your budget will allow…it’s almost always cheaper to acquire a nice vehicle than to make one nice.
This is why I decided to put a 5.0 into my ranger. Everything to swap is easily available and there is a massive cult following for Rangers and parts are dirt cheap, Plus it is lighter than a Mustang so I get more per HP. When I restored my 74 Satellite I ran into issues getting OEM parts at a reasonable price as there is just not an aftermarket place for them because that B body era was just not desirable or available.
I hear that, when I was in high school in the 90's I found a 56 Dodge Coronet. I loved that car it had so much funky coolness and a 1 year only 315ci poly engine. Unfortunately trying to source parts was just painful. Anything that was used on multiple years was OK but many things on that car were unique to it. Took me 2 years to locate a new wind shield for it. Eventually it became too much to source parts and keep it on the road. I sold it for 1500 bucks, always wondered what became of that car.
Ignored all advice in choosing an Audi 5000 CD as a first project car. Still though, very rewarding, you learn a lot when you have to fix everything; something is ALWAYS malfunctioning in these overcomplicated boxes.
Thats why i got a 85 Corvette. In the Netherlands Chevy parts are easy to get and Corvette has lots of followers and knowledge on the internet + it has a galvanized chassis an glassfiber body panels. It wil last forever and is a beautiful car (I think) It also has a holley Pro- jection, you can tune it with a screwdriver.
That's where the box foxbodies(fairmont,cougar,tbird etc) come in. Different, yet all the mechanical parts are available. I'm over the 60's and 70's, too much hassle.
Agreed... I picked up an 88 GT (in pieces) a year ago for 500... it's been a fun little project. I've also owned my 89 GT since 1995, so I already had some stuff laying around for the 88.
I'm here in N.C. I don't care if I ever see another fox body mustang. It's all that's at the dragstrips. People ask did you see that fox body. I say which one? Only 200 of them here. So boring of a car . So cheap of a car. And a ugly car. A mustang of those years was nothing more than a beefed up ford escort.and slow as shit on top of that. Everybody that had one thought they had a full blown race car.untill they put slicks on them and went to the track.then they were depressed.not to mention those sorry ass 5 speed transmissions they came with. Junk is all they were.
If the Bel Camino is still out there somewhere, I MUST see it. I know you have many irons in the fire, but it would be amazing to see it.
He should re-create the BelCamino. He has the room now, there's no excuse!
I am a delivery driver in austin tx. I found a car that I fell in love with. I wrote a note on it and left it on the windshield saying it was my dream to own a classic car and turn it into a lowrider.
That weekend I got a reply back 3,500 and it’s yours
It’s a 1962 chevy impala 4dr no post
V8 283
Anyways. When I got the car I just had a dream. It was sitting since 1999. I got it in 2019. 20 years later
I knew nothing about classic cars. I met a bunch of new buddies. And about an hour a work a day for 2 years.
She is my daily driver :) almost half way restored/customized looking forward to getting hydraulics and paint job here soon.
The problem with rare project vehicles is you need at least a couple of them for parts, a place to store everything, and either cash for having custom parts made or the resources to make them yourself.
For about 1-1/2 years everyday on the way to work I would see 2 68 or 9 Javelins parked outside a garage. From the road they both looked pretty straight. Same paint color even. One day they were just gone.
Nope . Ingenuity over buying at all times ..
@@mpetersen6
What's your point?
@@MrJohnnyDistortion
Just be aware of what you are getting into. Do not go into a project car all dreamy eyed.
I'm finding that out with my 1977 Ranchero it's in great shape but a few odds and ends got me looking into to parts
I think utg needs a rampage with a slant in it for a shop truck 😆
Thanks, I was trying to put my finger on that daytona looking truck thing.
I would buy another one in a heart beat but them rampages were awful and front wheel drive. The slant is to long to front wheel drive one of them. And to get a rear axle and rear facing transmission with no drive shaft hump to work, good luck. Really i would love to see it. I deemed it impossible when i tried.
Blown hemi in the bed!
Nah, Jeep Comanche. Basically a Cherokee pickup truck.
@@shawnterry7742 Just imagine driving a Renegade, then having that song go through your head every time you sit down in it... "Living like a Renegade Oh Oh Oh, Oh Oh Oh"....
The common cars are ok and cheap, but I like rolling into a car show or cruise night and not see a bunch of other cars like mine there.
Exactly what I was going to say. You go to every car show and see 10 Chevelles, Camaroes GTOs and Firebirds and Mustangs then people lose interest.
You bring the average family car and you get more attention. Yea parts for a 70-71 Torino arent as bountiful as the same year Charger or Malibu but it attracts more interest at car shows because people havent seen on in almost forever.
Rat rod baby
I glide into the car show passing rows of muscle with my 63’ Caddy original paint ,survivor car …… crowd forms beside the drivers door .
But everyone has to start from somewhere and for a first project car a common one is the best.
Bingo!!
I have been driving an el Camino just like that since I was a sophomore in high school 2015. Car was my dads and now it’s mine 1973 Chevy el Camino ss
Nice! I've got 2 from the 80's, no rust. My favorite were the 68/69 but never could quite square with the vent windows being good, bad or what?
As part of the Corvair cult, I'd like to attest that there's a pretty good cult community that's very knowledgeable. There's very good availability of used parts, good availability of reproduction parts (made by specialized corvair parts vendors), and a decent availability of NOS parts. Prices for cars and parts are relatively cheap too
I had a 62 Rampside they have plenty of parts California Corvair and Clark’s sold it though live in San Diego guy drove from Nevada to buy it.
I talked to him right before he dropped it off. He wants you to put a slant six in it!
Yea I'm sure that's what he wanted..
I've really come to appreciate the production numbers and cult following that the pt cruiser has, especially with what it shares with the srt4. Basically any part is available from a handful of suppliers, and my local junk yard always has 10 of em. Every challenge or complication possible is talked about on forums and fb, be it 10 years ago or today. Its unique enough and there are few enough nice ones on the road that it still feels like a special car, but without being a pain for parts. Its also just old enough to sneak in before cars became really over complicated mechanically, so while not being on that el camino's level, there's still workability that I wouldn't have from something even 10 years newer.
If it doesn’t release right away it could also be the caliper or dirty pins. The best way to check is to brake the bleeder loose. If it releases it’s the hose, if it doesn’t it’s the pins or caliper... check to see if it pins are properly greased and not binding, if they are good, it’s the caliper.
Good advice, Thats the method i use also. Ive been in Autozone when a guy hands the clerk a second caliper because that he says that one sticks also. People forget the hose goes bad too.
This is what makes VW Bugs an excellent project. Millions made for decades with minor changes. Ridiculously strong aftermarket parts support since way back when, enough to spawn several entire businesses and performance shops that still operate today.
This is also what makes British cars kinda fun (if you can fit inside). Moss Motors still manufactures almost every part. You can buy the entire car with new parts from a catalog.
Then again there is this guy named adolf
Thats why I like my 90 dodge w250 3/4 4x4 360 an 3 speed 727 with o/d easy to fix an napa can order anything I need an when I bought it was need a little bit of work but was all easy stuff was trun lights brakes an windshield an passed inspection an ain't all rusted out yet
Same here...I have a 2WD 1978 D150 w/360 and 727. I can get parts from anywhere!
@@C_71 napa has be able to get what ive need so far but I live in Canada
OK Uncle Tony, I watched so many of your vids I can't resist subscribing anymore. I like old Mopars but that isn't really my background so I'm not that familiar with them. I did grow up around Fords. So here's my list:
- Ford Maverick CAR. So similar to a Mustang underneath, and few cars are better supported in the aftermarket Falcon-chassis Mustangs. Yeah, I know you hate the shock towers.
- SN95 or New Edge Mustang. Very much like a Fox body Mustang mechanically, but the Foxes are really starting to ramp up in price.
- Fox body Thunderbird. Not that much heavier than a Mustang, and again, Fox body says it all.
- Approaching the bottom of the cost curve, bazillions made, plenty of following, don't need as much chassis help as the earlier cars, and they drive like a modern car.
" Anything that's worth having, you will be in competition to aquire it.
But once you get passed that part of it, it makes the difference. Makes life much easier in the long run."
I hope everyone really got that last part because that is the realist truth about cars and life ever depicted.
Great words of wisdom Tony!
I chose a Nissan D21 as my project truck for just this reason.
I had a 73 elcamino ss with a 454 it was a blast to drive. Had the swivel buckets.
My neighbor's buddy has a jet black '73 Chevelle, I never really cared for that body style until I saw it in person, they're very good looking cars. Big, imposing, lots of presence.
It's like having the front half of a Chevelle and a pickup
I am currently restoring my Grandfathers 1987 Caprice Classic. Been in the family since new. I know not the number one choice for most, but it's an easy car that hits all your points...
Has a history to it.
"Why'd I build a Caprice? Because it's *grandpa's* Caprice!"
@@ScottKenny1978 Oh wow, thank you for understanding :)
For Me Personally.... RWD is a must for me.... S10s and GBodys are my main thang... But Im in the works to expand my skillset some.
Thanks, Great Vid
I had 1978 Valiant Ute. 318 with a 904 column shift. Made here in South Australia.
I have a 1970 VG Valiant Ute, 245 hemi six, three speed column manual. Still going strong 50 years later!
@@XLesky have you seen mirabito performance channel?
@@allanharvey3939 yep, spoken to him last week about what to do for an exhaust system in my VJ Charger with a sixpack 265 setup
I can never find parts for my 1919 Dodge Brothers model 30 touring car. I inherited a definite orphan of a project! This is a REAL dodge car, since John and Horace Dodge were still alive for another year.
Dodge Deora concept vehicle made from an A-100. Had one in my hotwheels collection back in the 60s, as a wee nipper.
Malcolm Ottawa Valley
This video explains perfectly why I want to build a 318 pinto, I'm in pinto communities, Mopar communities, and the 318 magnum is a fairly affordable and easy to find motor around here, thank you for your wisdom, confirming this isn't the worst idea I've had project wise
Something weird to me, I didn't realise how hard it would be to get parts for a Checker until I bought a 1965 Checker station wagon. I see them for sale on the internet all the time, but they're all either halfway across the country, or all the way across the country. You'd think something as ubiquitous as a Checker would be documented better than anything else. At least I can use GM parts for a lot of the mechanical things, but the big issue I'm running into is rot. The car is not structurally sound, the rear door pillars are rotted all the way through so the sides of the car have too much give, the tops of the quarter panels are rotted through, the back of the frame where the back of the leaf spring mounts is rotted through, there really isn't one thing on the car that hasn't rotted. Even though I bought the car from Tennessee, it was evidentally from Ohio, according to some prescription I found under the back seat. Every time I work on the car, I find another place that looked half decent that ended up being half an inch of bondo over pop-riveted metal. It's also rough how these cars are still getting crushed, considering how surprisingly rare they are.
Just picked up my (probably) last project car. My criteria: had to be a classic Chevy, had to accept Big Block Chevrolet engines from the factory and had to be 1974 or older (pre federal cat mandate). I found a rust free (but kind of rough and multicolored) 1973 Chevrolet Nova 2 door. While the 1973 did not offer a big block, the 68-74 Nova chassis' were nearly identical. Just needs a set of big block mounts to clear the steering shaft and a Big Block is in.
Plans are for manual 4 wheel disc, manual steering rack, monoleaf rear springs and rear shock relocation. Ultimately, I want her to be a drag week car. Doesnt need to make all the power, but needs to be in the 10s and reliable enough to drive cross country. Wish me luck!
Very well said. All excellent points. Great advice, out of dumb luck I’ve followed your suggestions my own for over 30 years. When friends come to me about my opinions on project cars I’ll be sharing this video with them. Awesome!
Agree 100% with this advice. The two things I would add are: get a car you love, not just something that looks neat. If your heart's not really into it, every dollar gets harder and harder to spend. Also, know your skill level, and/or how much you want to put into working on it. My 65 comet was neat, but I didn't have a great love for it, and when I realized just how much work it would need, it would need 25 grand to be worth 15 grand, and just about every mechanical component needed to be replaced or refurbished. Sometimes it's better to get a better canvas to make your art on.
Learned this lesson in 1996 when I was 18 with a 66 comet.. no source for nothing for the mercury, but plenty for the 66 fairlane
Eight or so years earlier and it might have been a different story. I found a wonderfully complete one I wanted to do up for my partner, (Well, a '65) and there were lots of them in the salvage yards.
My first car was a 67 Cougar, hard to find parts for it in 1982 when I got it, just as hard now. Its ok I learned how to make lots of things doing the 65 GTO, which also does not have a ton of parts repopped for it. No fenders, doors, or full quarters, patches and skins only unless they came out with those things recently 66 to 70, lots of parts.
I own mostly orphans, Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and a Plymouth. The chevys are all trucks, and even the 71 Mustang doesn't have as many parts for it as the 64-70s, but you can make things work.
@@SweatyFatGuy I have a 67 cougar 390 4 speed, tons of parts for this car,you can get all body parts now,just put a new hood on my friend's 67 and it's nice, there's no part you can't get now ,thanks
@@dogsense3773 at over $650 per side, and currently out of stock, I will still be repairing the quarters on my Cougar rather than replacing them when I put it in the shop again this fall. Door shells are used only, same with fenders. Its not like a Mustang where they have everything you need to build one by slapping parts together you ordered. The Mustang stuff that will work is available, most of the car is not unless they have come out very recently, in which case lots of $$$$$.
The one thing I'd add to this is to be honest with yourself regarding your limitations. Most of us don't have the mad car-fu skills Tony has so we have limits as to what we realistically can and can't do to a project car. Decide what your limits are and try to find a car whose issues/needs fall mostly within your abilities to solve
Good point! Gotta be realistic.
I would add to that an honest self appraisal of what you are willing to learn. If you don't have the skill, but want to, this could be the project that gets you there.
Skill sets evolve thru doing. Nobody ever learned a damn thing by not doing something. Determination is key.
I don't totally disagree with you, and no disrespect, but true project cars present challenges to learn from. Aside from blatant problems that are nightmares ( to avoid altogether ), what's the point in taking on a classic project car, if you're not willing to learn beyond your current limits? Buying a classic car that needs next to nothing to fix it up, really isn't "a project". Someone else has already brought it to that condition. Generally, classics in great condition cost more. A true project car needing lots of work costs much less, but learning to fix it is a price to pay. Just sayin'. Have a great evening my friend.
@@BearBudgetgarage Limitations aren't necessarily limited to skills...somebody living in an apartment isn't going to be able to do as much major work on a car as somebody with a big pole barn out behind their house, even if he has the skills to do a nut and bolt restoration
Regardless of any project to start, there are 3 things that MUST be present for the project to be a success: 1) Time 2) Resources and 3) Money…… Project Management 101. 😊👍
On the corvair comment, the use to be the corvair conection, last month the owner passed away. I knew him for years, we traveled in the same train world. I saw him about a week before he passed and went to his memorial. There was over 100 corvair owner there. had many talks about how nobody restores cars any more.
What do you think about the MORRVair ? (4WD Corvair Wagon)
One of my 70's mopar friends was into Monaco cop cars.
we spent endless weekends scouring junkyards for the rare parts... The hunt for those parts was the most fun of tje project
Tony you are wrong the Corvair has a following; CORSA, The Corvair Society of America, with chapter clubs in USA, Canada, and Europe, Clark's Corvair Parts in MA (they have 25 employees making parts and a huge catalog of parts, The Corvair Ranch in PA, California Corvairs in CA, and about a dozen other repair or specialist parts suppliers across the USA.
I've been restoring a g-body el camino since Tony started his channel - finally get to see an Elco on the channel hahaha.
And try to get something running and driving within reason also . If it runs and moves it seems to be more of a incentive to keep at it and the project going forward . A lot of times people get frustrated and give up after some time . And that's sad , I've done that a few times also unfortunately
That can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Some people never get the finishing touches done because once it's running, they're too busy playing to get the job finished. I've had a few blokes tell me the trick is to keep it on the edge of "almost running, almost (or barely) moving under its own steam...but not well enough to actually drive. Then keep it there until everything else is completed...interior, paint, the works." Either way, it's gonna take discipline. :-)
@@aussiebloke609 absolutely yup completely agree
I'm restoring a 69 Lincoln Mk III, and I am alone on my own island. I had to make molds and pour epoxy resin, then reapply the vinyl covering to replicate the drivers door armrest/pull handle, as an example. A week's job. If you enjoy constructing your own parts out of thin air, it's fun. If you don't, you're never going to get it done.
In 1970 when I was just starting at a Chrysler Plymouth dealer I had a customer that made a 64 Plymouth Fury into a pickup. He was a body guy and my boss volunteered me to help him finish the mechanical mods , mostly brakes and drive line. It was an experience I will never forget.
tony's not lying about oldsmobile parts, inherited my grandparents parked, non running 68 442 convertible...a headgasket set alone for this car is ridiculous...and it needs a new convertible top been saving for 2 years to get all the stuff i need
That will be the best car in town when you're finished, no matter where you live.
A more basic Cutlass has a lot more parts available, but as you move into the rarer editions proper parts do become more scarce. It's made worse by people who create clone versions of cars like the 442.
@@JG-fe1gx thats what Im saying. I went to a car show back in 2018 Upstate NY and it was the MOST boring program.
EVERY GM car had a Chevy 350. Every Ford had a 302, except for the guy who had a 69 Montego convertible with a 390 in it. Even the 32 Fords and Model A roadsters had 350s in them. It may be easier and more common but very uninspiring.
The full size Olds have few parts available too. Cutlass or 442? Parts are no problem. But try to find parts for a Delta 88. I almost bought a 1969 Delta 88 convertible until I found out there were almost no parts available. The running gear isn't hard, especially if it's a 350 or 455, but it's things like trim, body panels, Gas tanks, brake kits, radios....stuff like that, are just about impossible to find, you have to get it from a salvage yard, or you end up fabricating or getting something "custom" for the job...
@@joshn938 thing is at some point the interest level wanes and the market becomes over saturated with the same cars.
88s and 98s are few and far between as are Starfires and Toronados but the too many GTOs and 442s and people start to drop off. This conversation really has already been had 10-20yrs ago when magazine sales dropped dangerously low where some magazines got killed.
True useful info Uncle Tony. I had an 86 Pontiac Parisienne and LOVED that car, indestructible 4.3L V6, my dad and me swapped the thm200 for a thm350 (vacuum modulator style) and she rode just smooth and had nice styling, but those Pontiac parts were HARD AF to find, the Caprice parts were everywhere lol. I hit a deer at 55mph and all it did was break half my grill/header panel and dent the hood, got a 87 caprice header panel and she was all good. Keep coming with the awesome videos we all appreciate your help. Thank you.
My dad bought a brand new Chevy Vega sedan delivery which he modded into a small El Camino a month after purchase.
My 79 camaro is all of these, absolute abundance of these things, insane cult following, people reproduce everything, and its a Chevy 350. Its a damn near perfect project car lol
Yeah I love Cadillac and I also love when people thing front wheel drive Eldorados are as simple as the rear wheel drive devilles and Fleetwoods especially the early front wheel drive Eldorados
I love that El Camino. My dad had a 1976 when he was a kid and it had a custom tow hitch welded to it, he said that one time he towed a big block crew cab dually chevy with it.
The way I always checked for a bad brake hose is if the caliper is sticking, you crack the bleeder and try to push the piston back in. If it pushes in easy, it’s the brake hose. If it’s still stiff is the caliper.
Best advice to give someone looking for a project car, pick the body/chassis you like the best and start there... Engines, tranny's, wheels, etc can all be changed.
in high school I had a 76 ElCamino that someone shoehorned a 350 Olds Rocket into........I am lucky to be alive. Anyway the 73-77 GM A-Body is the red headed stepchild of detroit. As far as I know NO ONE produces new fenders or hoods and that is a shame.
Everyone looking for a project needs to watch this, great advice
I would add rust into the conversation. Don't fall in love with a rust bucket! See it all the time here in Minnesota.
Gotta have a keen eye, because sometimes rust likes to hide. Have the same problem in Missouri. See more than a couple bubbles, run. Also look out for misaligned panels, which are signs of accident damage and shoddy body work, and bring a magnet to check for bondo.
My project is a ‘78 F250. Cheap, easy to work on, and turns heads with its looks and the rumble of its 460.
Very wise words. My favorite project car to this day was a Subaru WRX for this exact reason. The community around these cars was amazing at the time. Forums were raging, local shops were wrenching on them, they were new enough to be exciting but had been around long enough that parts were plentiful and cheap (oe takeoffs and aftermarket).
The main mistake I made was getting a rarer car. My Oldsmobile Toronado doesnt have much aftermarket support and there arent many out there but I'm in love. Working on my Toronado has made me more creative and getting to the roots of hot rodding. The front brakes are drums and no conversion kits. I found out I can swap newer Corvette hubs on it and make some plates to put discs on. Lots of headache to find stuff out but its making me smarter. Great Video as always Uncle Tony. I love every video.
The Olds share the same frame and driveline platform as the Cadilac Eldorado
I'm 100% with you about the project vehicles. I'm currently in the middle of working on a 1980 Jeep J truck. Body parts can be like finding hens teeth. I looked for over a month trying to find a front fender that wasn't a disaster. When I did find one, the guy wanted 500 bucks for it. There's no real aftermarket for body parts. One place has fiberglass replacement fenders, but they are 500 too. Go figure. Thanks for another great video. Keep up the great work.
When I was looking for a project car, I made the mistake of picking one that had a small cult following and no aftermarket support what so ever. I chose the 1997 Aerostar XLT 4x4. When drivetrain parts wear out/break on this pos, you will have to make/re-use irreplaceable parts, or use what is available to adapt. I have lifted mine a few inches and rebuilt almost every section of this van, it has been one of the biggest headaches and one of the best projects I have done so far.
El Camino I own a 77! They’re beautiful. I want to get a rampage as a beater. Unfortunately these years of El Camino 73-77 are like completely skipped as far as parts and info go.
I agree Tony. Parts availability is the number one issue for a first time old car buyer. I went the other way myself. Even back in the '80s it was hard to find parts for my 1962 New Yorker Wagon with 792 cars made.
My first car was a ‘72 Skylark and it took me almost 5 years to find a decent passenger side fender. I sold that car last year and bought a ‘68 Nova and I can find just about anything I need now. Chevy is the way to go for cheapness and ease of ownership.
For your reference, the Aussie Valiants utes were based on the wagon platform
I own VW 's very popular parts galore i have a 68 and a 71 beetle✌
My father in law painted all those jeeps in the 70’s-80’s Toledo og plant 👍🏻
Northwest Ohio here 👍🏼
👍👍👍,,, grew up in Toledo,,, long live the old willys parkway plant !!!,,,
Mafia Henschen Sadly, all that remains is the big overland stack :-( They should have made a museum.
Yeah,,, they sure should have,,, you know,,,so many times people just forget history,,,I still live outside Toledo,,,, so much came out of our city relating to the auto industry,,, not to mention all the smaller shops that are now gone!,, 😔
Hey Uncle Tony, Front drive Eldarodo? Buy it cheap and use the drive train to build a 4 seat sandrail
I have a 1972 Chrysler New Yorker extremely clean I picked up for $900...they guy was young and into imports and it fell into his lap. I have a 1978 D150 that came from California i got for $3,000 last October, all parts are extremely easy to get with the exception of C-body body parts. These vehicles were very well kept and only need gaskets and things of that nature.
Excellent advice. That’s one of the reasons I own a 55 Chevy BelAir 2dr sedan.
Can completely agree on the chevelle/bop a body comments. I own a 67 skylark. Some things, like chassis and suspension parts, are super easy to come by. I hit a deer with the car a couple years ago abd had to pay an arm and a leg for a grill. But it’s the nature of the beast.
My Oldman worked for the Chicago Transit Authority and they had a 76 Fury B body 4 door converted by a shop worker to a Mopar ElCamino called the El Severino after the guy who built it.
I live in Norway and bought a 1975 Charger. Think I missed that Cult part 🤣
Yes you missed the cult following with that car, but enjoy it and have fun! Mom had. 75 Dodge Coronet (they are 4doors) same car as your 2 door.
It looks like it would be possible to change out the header panel to one from a 1975 coronet.
@@johnmolands2326 I would think you could. What engine & transmission? Buckets & console? Does it have the factory rally rims? Would be a five spoke looking rim. Miles/kms on it, etc?
I have a 318 with a 727 automatic, buckets and console. And floorshifter. Only some black steel wheels at the moment.
88600 miles
The Australian term "Ute", is actually short for "Utility". Which is short for "Coupe Utility".
A single panel from door to taillight differentiates them from a small truck. (as per ElCamino, Ranger)
If you think about it, there actually a sports car, with a rear tonneau. handy for tradesmen.
VW beetles make great first cars and parts are abundant and the systems are simple enough to learn the basics of car repair and maintenance.
100% right. The parts market is determined by: 1) How popular the vehicle is (e.g. potential for sales), 2) What else it interchanges with (e.g. a 41382 Delco pump fits a Pontiac 400 and it also fits a 301 and other Pontiac V8s), 3) How many are left on the road (related to #1), 4) How easy the part is to make (is the tooling available, cheap to run, etc.). 5) What it might be worth restored. My father sold Cadillacs from 1984 until he passed away in 1988 and managed the dealership as sales manager before he passed away. He used to joke, "There's an ass for every seat". Cadillac had the traditional cars then and the "new" front wheel drives that at first sold very well because they were new and some customers did want a smaller Cadillac with some European flair (it didn't work). Of course, the smaller vendors for the Corvair and the like make up the parts surely to make a profit, but also because no one else will and they enjoy the challenge and seeing the cars get back on the road. That's pretty noble.
But you're right, for the mass market of collector/hobbyist, it's best to go with something that won't break the bank and when you need a part and it's not weeks on end to get it. That's how projects get stalled. Makes like Pontiac, Buick and Olds have enough support (depending on the model) to get you going. Most mechanical and functional parts are still out there and for a car like the Firebird or GTO, the aftermarket catalogs are just as big as for the Chevelle and Mustang. As you alluded to, those cars can be restored "out of a catalog" and have been that way for years.
When I first got my 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am in 1999, the interior was "un-obtanium" for the most part. For several years now, PUI reproduces it (This is the T/A with the gray leather seating and embroidered rear seat and door panels). Now there were only 7500 total cars made and probably half of them are gone for good. Yet, the kit is still available, as is the decal kit for it. Because those that are left eventually have to be restored and those are high impact things that will make the car look good (decals and interior).
I own one complete orphan, and two step-children. Totally understand what you mean about lack of support. Its fun in a way to have a car that nobody has, but actually living with it sucks at times.
My dad has the El Camino and the same year version from GMC called a “Sprint”.
i've seen the gmc version labeled as a cabalero or something like that
@@Lecherous_Rex
Yes, it was renamed Caballero in 1978.
@@Lecherous_Rex From 1971 to 1977, it was called the Sprint. From 1978 on, it was the Caballero as mentioned.
my 78 is a Caballero that's been converted to Chevy badging-wise. I've been living a lie for my entire ownership.
@@relco9825 it’s ok. It’s better than being the guy who thought he had a real 1969 RS/SS Camaro to only find out it started life as an L22 Stripper.
Good advice for anyone looking to buy a classic/ vintage car.
Like Jay Leno always says find the car club for whatever you're looking for, you'll find the most honest cars and tons of parts!!!
My friend, Craig, had El Camino just like this one with 350, an a suburban with 454. He wanted better mileage in suburban an a burn out car in An Camino, so we switched motors!
I had they 400 sbc siamesed quadrajetted 350 turbohydramatic 2:73 diff 1976 Elcamino SS metallic med blue with double white stripe down the side. Loved that truck (ute) swivel bucket seats.
Your definitely right on this,, obscurity is cool,,,but expensive,,,
I just bought a 79 Chrysler Cordoba....and I've never been happier and more excited to have this as a project car.........p.s. im a Chevy guy
All good suggestions,...sometimes you have to make a part, or just resto-mod a car,....like upgrade to disc brakes, or 12 volt systems,...etc....Its a Hobby, have fun, make it your own.....just like winky the mopar/miata ....destined to be a classic.....
Just got my first car a 69' bug and it's my first project.
And its got the good rear suspension so it wont bite you.
I learned this lesson trying to restore a 1956 Lincoln Premiere 2 door hard top..one of the most well made cars I've ever owned but I couldn't get ANYTHING for it!...supply and demand...they only made a small handful back then,even less around now..a weird motor they only made for 2 years (368 4bbl) And nothing was interchangeable from the year prior or after,not even a door roller...i had to repair whatever was bad or go without it..eventually traded it for a 1943 Harley and a willys jeep,both in pieces,package deal..and all parts on those are available which helped get them done that much faster..if you're gonna get an oddball car sometimes it's best to buy it already restored
The elcamino was the best of best worlds car and truck I have a 82
I have a 1997 chevy c1500 base model truck and there is a huge following I can buy parts almost anywhere and people do all kinds of things with them and there is so much info about them online. My dream car is an el camino simply because it will do anything I want
"Widespread cult following" can often also mean "all examples are overpriced because everyone wants one." If I'm doing it for my own enjoyment and not bothered with how trendy/cool/valuable the end result will be, I do a little research and try to find the less-desirable variant...like when everyone wants a hardtop, I go for the 4-door version. Often, the mechanicals are virtually identical, but you'll save a bunch on the initial outlay when buying the car, and the likelihood of theft also drops accordingly. Just be ready for odd pieces like rear door trim to be a little harder to find, especially if you're looking for repro stuff.
Hi Tony. I used to work with an aussie Chrysler guy and he had a CM ute with a mild 318. We were talking one day and he was telling me the aussie market had unibody cars with a combo of A body and B body front and rear. Last i knew he was hellcat swapping it. It would be great to see you get one of these aussie valiants or chryslers in your fleet. I'm sure you could find somebody interested in a trade for one of your beasts. Keep up the good work. UTG is one of my favourite youtube channels.
Mopar did make a Camino type,...The Dodge Rampage was a three-year experiment, sold from 1982-1984. A front-wheel-drive pickup based on the Chrysler L platform.
UTG knows whats up. Keep dropping these truth bombs on us.
Thanks for that elco love uncle Tony! Been rockin a 72 ss for a few years now 👍
Had a 66 Plymouth Valant slant 6. Car Quest had every thing for this car. Even the Chrysler dealership. They didn't have the part numbers in their computer. However I provided them with part numbers. For instance I needed a new windshield washer reservoir. Chrysler had it for a little over $5.00.
I like how they take just a little time after the video is done, and Uncle Tony looks into the camera like a puppy. LOL. Keep up the great work.
I'm about 99 percent with you on this except for C-body Mopars. I have a '68 Plymouth Fury VIP that's been in the family forever. If you're talking about the parts that make the car a driver, I can get everything easily from Rock Auto, my local parts store or other online vendors. I've found that because of the cult following of Chargers and Road Runners, I can get air conditioner parts I could have only dreamed of not that long ago that B's and C's share between them, and things like gas tank sending units, window, door and trunk seals etc., are now being reproduced. Now if you are talking body parts, trim pieces that are very specific to the various C-body models, there are places like Murray Park at cbodiesdotcom or eBay to get things like that if one is patient. The Mopar guys who really feel the pain are the R-body guys who have a 79-81 St. Regis, Newport or New Yorker or the guys who have an 80-81 Gran Fury. As luck would have it, I have a '79 Dodge St. Regis that's also been in the family forever. Everything that makes it go and stop is almost as easy as the Fury VIP, but once you get into body parts, trim, interior stuff finding those parts is painful unless you luck into NOS stuff or know what fits from a late B body Cordoba, Charger or Magnum. Outside of that, I completely agree with you.
What about spares availability for the Dodge Diplomat?
My Chrysler Turbine car is just gathering dust unable to drive right now cuz I can't find a relay for the cruise control warp drive enhancement fob.
Don't even ask how I bent an irreplaceable rim and cracked the transaxle case housing for the helicopter motor trying to do midnight drifting in my Tucker!
I have a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 2dr ht for a couple of years. The fact is that even when parts for the engine and transmission (Fe390+C6) are easy to find sometimes even in Finland where I live. Same for the chassis and some other parts. Problem comes with some interior parts and exterior parts that are impossible to find but thats the life I chose and I love the car and it was for me the only car I would ship from USA. Luckily I have opportunities to make or modify parts. For the time im not that concerned about keeping everything looking like it came from the factory. I have time to find the necessary parts for that. The way I figured it was that these old cars are all in need of attention and you have to get the car you really want and dont settle for anything else.
Sage advice Uncle Tony…you should have added…always try to buy the nicest example of the non orphan vehicle that your budget will allow…it’s almost always cheaper to acquire a nice vehicle than to make one nice.
This is why I decided to put a 5.0 into my ranger. Everything to swap is easily available and there is a massive cult following for Rangers and parts are dirt cheap, Plus it is lighter than a Mustang so I get more per HP. When I restored my 74 Satellite I ran into issues getting OEM parts at a reasonable price as there is just not an aftermarket place for them because that B body era was just not desirable or available.
I hear that, when I was in high school in the 90's I found a 56 Dodge Coronet. I loved that car it had so much funky coolness and a 1 year only 315ci poly engine. Unfortunately trying to source parts was just painful. Anything that was used on multiple years was OK but many things on that car were unique to it. Took me 2 years to locate a new wind shield for it. Eventually it became too much to source parts and keep it on the road. I sold it for 1500 bucks, always wondered what became of that car.
Surviving S10's and GMC Sonomas are the last of a breed to make fly for cheap and easy fun!
Ignored all advice in choosing an Audi 5000 CD as a first project car. Still though, very rewarding, you learn a lot when you have to fix everything; something is ALWAYS malfunctioning in these overcomplicated boxes.
One tip ( from someone who has some low production project cars). Interchange manuals become your friend.
Predictably, I love that two tone green. :)
Thats why i got a 85 Corvette. In the Netherlands Chevy parts are easy to get and Corvette has lots of followers and knowledge on the internet + it has a galvanized chassis an glassfiber body panels. It wil last forever and is a beautiful car (I think) It also has a holley Pro- jection, you can tune it with a screwdriver.
That would be a good choice I think. Easy to mod the engine for more power too.
That's where the box foxbodies(fairmont,cougar,tbird etc) come in. Different, yet all the mechanical parts are available. I'm over the 60's and 70's, too much hassle.
Fox body, super common and great cars when built.
getting too expensive though, especially for me up north where the strut towers are trash
@@adam0bt I'm in Michigan, I've got one seasoning in my driveway.
Agreed... I picked up an 88 GT (in pieces) a year ago for 500... it's been a fun little project. I've also owned my 89 GT since 1995, so I already had some stuff laying around for the 88.
I'm here in N.C. I don't care if I ever see another fox body mustang. It's all that's at the dragstrips. People ask did you see that fox body. I say which one? Only 200 of them here.
So boring of a car . So cheap of a car. And a ugly car. A mustang of those years was nothing more than a beefed up ford escort.and slow as shit on top of that.
Everybody that had one thought they had a full blown race car.untill they put slicks on them and went to the track.then they were depressed.not to mention those sorry ass 5 speed transmissions they came with. Junk is all they were.
@@kevinblackmon6990 how do you really feel?