[Brewster]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

Gary, you have got to tell the story about the Formula that was in TN(?)... being used as a chicken coop...

Ha, gotta see that even if it brings tears to my eyes

[6 Grrrs]

I bought an engine out of an old street/race car a buddy was scrapping (4 years ago). It had 455HO (197) round ports on a '69 428 block with aluminum rods and 455 crank (clearly not original). Funny thing is it had a Formula 455 emblem on the back panel. Down the road, I started to wonder if the heads were original to the car. It was originally a copper color (I remember it from many years ago). I remember when it had a ram air hood on it back in the 80's too. It had a one piece fiberglass front clip when I pulled the engine and the car was pretty badly cut up. The floor was so badly hacked and the doors had the side beams hacked out (you can see the sides of the cowl were modified). The quarters, rear trim, spoiler, bumper, taillights and trunk lid were all that was any good and the guy who had it later cut them off and sold at a swap meet.

Unfortunately it got cut up after I pulled the engine - I never saw it again. I wish I would have grabbed a photo of the VIN and data plate.

It was a shame as I remember this car was known as the fastest street car in the town I grew up in. The guy who built it I haven't seen in 15 or so years. He sold it to his younger brother in the late 80s, who then repainted it but then later ended up in jail for some type of drug possession/trafficking. Evidently the car was in a storage building for many years and the owner of the building wanted it (and all his other belongings stored there) destroyed, since they hadn't received payment in something like 10 years. I bought the engine mainly for the heads.

[The Boss]

That didn't last long!

[Brewster]

Wow, quit a bit of work left on that restoration. Looks like it was one of those started projects that got to much for one to handle. Gotta love the sellers marketing line "I removed the carpet on the front floor boards to show condition of the metal and it is pristine." Did I miss that picture or was I distracted for all the parts???

[necdb3]

I sent an email to the seller to look at the car at about 4:45. I guess I should have hit the "buy it now" and asked questions later.

[HO Kenny]

I think they say " well bought".
I wander if someone on the forum got it?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by HO Kenny

I think they say " well bought".
I wander if someone on the forum got it?

Really?

Is it just me or does that car need 40k+ worth of work?

Better off waiting for a car like Dennis just bought.

[RamAir]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Really?

Is it just me or does that car need 40k+ worth of work?

Better off waiting for a car like Dennis just bought.

Totally agree Chris, always buy them done unless it's a labor of love.

[Judge273]

Doug and Chris define done? I see a few of these cars bought and in need of work too? Also, 40k might be light on the costs too...

[HO Kenny]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Really?

Is it just me or does that car need 40k+ worth of work?

Better off waiting for a car like Dennis just bought.

If all that you do to it is write checks, than than no it's not worth it. How many cars have we've seen that wheel barels full of money have been dumped into and are not worth it? If you can afford it those can be the best the deals after the owner has had enough. Within those parameters, very very few cars that are not finished are worth it. A lower purchase price would make little difference to the final cost of the car.

The car we are taking about has a lot going for it and may not be "worth" a 100 point restoration. However, sweat equity will go a long way on this car. I've seen, and owned, cars a lot worse than this one that are not 455HO's. It will be getting harder to find compleat non basket case 455HO formulas.

Some of us get project brain and see the end before the beginning and gloss over the middle. I can't afford a finished car anymore (it cost more than the price of a restored 73SD just to get my kids back from my ex) so, I have to stick with projects that get my hands dirty.

Well bought for the guy who gets his hands dirty and has few checks to write and wants a rare, cool, fast car.

[keith k]

Originally Posted by HO Kenny

Well bought for the guy who gets his hands dirty and has few checks to write and wants a rare, cool, fast car.

Exactly.
And frankly, for those type of guys who want that type of car... there aren't many around.

[Cerberus]

I almost pulled the trigger on the ebay car yesterday. If I was close enough to view it in person, it may have been mine. Although it looked good enough to take a chance, I don't have 11k to throw out the window............

[Brewster]

Dennis, there just like Mice and if you see one theres 9 others you dont see

[necdb3]

I think it was well bought. The sum of the parts (assuming the add is correct) is worth that. That's why I wanted to see it before I would buy it. It was only 1.5 hours away from me.

Dave

[74SDformula]

I too think this car was well bought. According to the seller it retains all of its correct components. Although it does not appear to be driveable it at least runs. Correct wheels and that color combo really add to the value. Anybody know the proud new owner?