I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not one of my '71 Opel GTs' is worth restoring or if it should become a parts car for the other one.. I feel obligated to keep every Opel on the road.
What is has going for it.. It's still in its original color of that Cirtus Yellow. Engine is original for the year, runs and has good compression. Original interior bits and pieces are all there.. Original rims and caps. Good Glass, Suspension OK other than paint. I think more time than money is required at this time to fix all the rust.
What's against it.. Original paint has been gone over a few times and needs redone. No title but I think I can get it. It's wrecked minor in the front and average in the back. Front has bowed but fixable nose, bumper is rippled pretty good. Back end is worse. Backend panel was actually cut in half, but surrounding fenders and panels are straight. Then there's the rust. Small rust hole above driver door, driver floorpan is rusted significantly but not clear through, unibody structure under drivers seat completely rusted out (only had one bolt left holding the seat in). Passenger side fares better on the floor and under seat, but pillar coming up at front windshield to roof is completely rusted out. Rest of body has chewed through cancer rust in all the normal spots: rocker panels, above wheels, far rear lower fender corners. Mice have lived in the car for a long time and sucessfully chewed major sections of the seats, seatbelts, and other interior pieces. Wiring is chewed by mice. Ignition switch is shot. Dash is cracked as normal. Engine has good compressions, and I got it to run, but it hadn't run before me for probably 13 years (They had put distributor in backwards). Also one rocker arm stud keeps working out. How do I fix that? Radiator leaks, gastank is dented and leaks from rearender. All weatherstripping and other rubber is totally shot.
Unknowns: tranny mvoes but no doubt needs gone through. Drivetrain still unknown. Brakes unknown.
Alright, so I think I just answered my own question
.. What do you think. Sad thing is the other car I own that was supposed to be the "good" car is almost as bad, just runs.
I would do all the work myself under the resident shadetree.
What is has going for it.. It's still in its original color of that Cirtus Yellow. Engine is original for the year, runs and has good compression. Original interior bits and pieces are all there.. Original rims and caps. Good Glass, Suspension OK other than paint. I think more time than money is required at this time to fix all the rust.
What's against it.. Original paint has been gone over a few times and needs redone. No title but I think I can get it. It's wrecked minor in the front and average in the back. Front has bowed but fixable nose, bumper is rippled pretty good. Back end is worse. Backend panel was actually cut in half, but surrounding fenders and panels are straight. Then there's the rust. Small rust hole above driver door, driver floorpan is rusted significantly but not clear through, unibody structure under drivers seat completely rusted out (only had one bolt left holding the seat in). Passenger side fares better on the floor and under seat, but pillar coming up at front windshield to roof is completely rusted out. Rest of body has chewed through cancer rust in all the normal spots: rocker panels, above wheels, far rear lower fender corners. Mice have lived in the car for a long time and sucessfully chewed major sections of the seats, seatbelts, and other interior pieces. Wiring is chewed by mice. Ignition switch is shot. Dash is cracked as normal. Engine has good compressions, and I got it to run, but it hadn't run before me for probably 13 years (They had put distributor in backwards). Also one rocker arm stud keeps working out. How do I fix that? Radiator leaks, gastank is dented and leaks from rearender. All weatherstripping and other rubber is totally shot.
Unknowns: tranny mvoes but no doubt needs gone through. Drivetrain still unknown. Brakes unknown.
Alright, so I think I just answered my own question
I would do all the work myself under the resident shadetree.