[skipp65]

I'm looking at a 73 catalina 2 door 400 2bbl, supposed to be one owner and garage kept for a lot of years, but the exterior doesn't show that to be true? Has 79,000 miles showing and I can believe that. Original paint that is worn thin but very little rust, actually the only rust is rear of front fenders and front of rear quarters and its not much at all. Under the doors are real nice as is the trunk. He put it up on a lift for me to see the undercarriage, it is like a California car underneath! Perfect floorboards, frame, brake and fuel lines, core support, wheel wells, all looks like it never seen salt or even rain. The bumpers are nice wheel well moldings all good. Engine sounded good and trans shifts ok, this car hasn't been tampered with at all, but its no queen, vinyl top is bad but roof is fine, carpet is junk, seats ripped, package tray is gone. Needs tires, exhaust paint, shocks. Has a/c and everything is in tact even the belt but I didn't try it. Dash is nice, no cracks and the headliner is nice also. I know these aren't real desirable cars but I kinda like them, but I don't want to pay too much for car that probably wont ever be worth a whole lot, I think its a $1000 car but I'm cheap he wants $1800 but I think he'll come down, anyone have any insight?

[blubomber]

These are actually pretty good cars. Excellent highway cruisers. Not high on the desirability list as you noted as styling suffered due to 5 mph bumpers, use of lots of plastic in the interior, and lowered performance due engine compression changes.
The problem you will face is finding parts specialty items. Carpet is easily replaced and seats can be reupholstered and a new headliner installed. All for under $1K
New paint and vinyl top can be had relatively cheap as well. Be sue to check on the inside trunk for rust issues around the lower back glass channel. Common issue.

Replace the 2 bbl with a 4 bbl, make sure the brakes are tip top, consider dual exhaust and a 3.08:1 rear end and you'll have a great cruiser quasi performance oriented car.

These cars are only worth what you're willing to pay. there is no market. A perfect example wouldn't fetch $5k just because there is NO market.

With what you listed about the car I'd be reluctant to pay more than $1300 or $1500. You could then do the needed work to the car. For a total investment of about $5K you'd have a really nice car you could get a lot of enjoyment out of.

[Ben M.]

If it's a runner and driver and needs no real basic work to make it reliable, I'd say his asking price isn't out of line. We all want to get a deal though, but $1000 is parts car territory just for an engine that will go into a Firebird and the body scrapped, so I would say $1500 or so would be a decent price if it's what you want. If you're trying to flip, good luck ;-)

[rexs73gto]

X2 on the $ 1500.00 amount. If you can get it for that & it's what YOU want to drive for your daily driver you've found a good driver. Those cars are safe because they are big & they will get ok mileage but not great. It appears to be an ok car so if YOU want to fix it up & drive it then it's a good price at $ 1500.00

[muscle_collector]

a set of rallye 2's would totally change the look of that car. i like it

[rexs73gto]

If you don't buy it how about letting me know where it's at so I can take a shot at it?? Thanks in advance.

[camerjeff]

X3 on the $1500 price, that is a good price for a under 100,000 Mile running & driving car with a 400 in it. You are correct that they don't bring much $$$ at resale.
Very nice low mileage 73's are a tough sale at the $5000 level. But if you like the car and plan to keep it for years who cars. I know people that laugh at me spending $8000 to redo a $5000 car, then I see them spend $60,000 to redo a $35,000 car, who is more Crazy?

[skipp65]

We'll I'm going to pick it up tomorrow, I offered him 1400 and he ran me off, then he called me today and said come get it. I have an extra set of ralley 2's and, it will have dual exhaust within a week. Thanks for your opinions they helped me feel like I'm not paying too much, I guess I'm just used to paying less for more. It will be a nice little winter project.

[rexs73gto]

Paying less fro more , how , when do you get to do that for a car today??

[camerjeff]

Congrat's on the purchase!!!! I think you did pay less for more, think about what a mid
60's Tempest or Lemans would cost to buy in simalure condition. At least $5000 probably closer to $10,000

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by skipp65

We'll I'm going to pick it up tomorrow, I offered him 1400 and he ran me off, then he called me today and said come get it. I have an extra set of ralley 2's and, it will have dual exhaust within a week. Thanks for your opinions they helped me feel like I'm not paying too much, I guess I'm just used to paying less for more. It will be a nice little winter project.

Make sure your Rally-II's have the 5X5 pattern.
Congrats!
I don't like the mind games a person has to go through to make something like this happen. I think $1200 would'a done the deal!

[skipp65]

Yeah the rallys are 5x5,I picked up an extra set off craigslist a few months ago for $40. I think also it coulda happened for 1200 but the guy didn't need the money and if it weren't for his buddy talking him into letting me take it it would have just sat out in a field. He has a 64 GTO just sitting there also that looks real solid,just sitting there outside abandon looking. His buddy told me he might be selling it next.

[rexs73gto]

Good Deal, I to think you got a good deal, but still we as a group don't come across these good deals very often. Keep us posted with the clean up & work you do on it so we can see how it turns out ,, even if it's just a driver we want to see how it looks when you do anything to it. Congrat's !!!

[skipp65]

I will post some pics in a few days of how it is now and with some updates. It will be a driver,that's all I ever have, I can appreciate show cars but wouldn't want one. Drivers are awesome.

[se428bandit]

I'm glad to see somebody saving a '73 Catalina. Florentine red is a great color.