I went and saw this car last night. The engine, carbs, and other stuff
is completely rebuilt. The body is OK, cheap repaint (yellow), no rust
in the obvious places, but there is a 4 " crack in the trunk floor
board. Fenders, may have been off, due to "wavy" fender seam and mis
matched screws. Slight dimple in right front of car, Grill dented too.
Rubber trim new, bumpers good, Luggage rack, and some type of sport rims
with good tires. Side molding needs work; one sheet metal screw helping
to hold tip in place. Emblems need replacement. Goofy, after market
driving lights, which work via a switch on the console. "Black"
California license, which the Seller, thinks is a selling point.
Original dash, seats, new carpets, very good top, after market radio in
the glove box recently stolen.
The rebuild was done by an independent shop, Valtellina Automobili (yep,
Italian Stallion specialty) which is across the street from the seller's
house. The engine compartment was painted black, wires are stuck
together using electrician's tape. That day the seller replaced the
thermostat, because he said it was running too cold. Smog equipment
removed; seller said distributor was new, but was unclear about type.
Tail pipe was sooty black.
Car started with slight choke pull. Brakes squeaky (pedestrian made a
face at me as I stopped, because of brake squeal). Car idles rough;
seller says carbs need balancing. On the freeway it does move. Shifts
nicely, but my downshift from 5th to fourth, caught "reverse" - slight
noise and probably my fault. Seller says trans rebuilt too. No strange
engine noise, no speedo whine. I think the drive train is OK.
The Seller is very accommodating and has recently put a ton of money
into this car, which explains his asking price of $11,400.
Conversational bits: he bought a new in the box head, for $2,000; His
mechanic thinks Webers, would be better carb, than the new SUs; Seller
bought parts and had mechanic work hourly to assemble ($100 @ hour);
encourage me to speak with mechanic.
I am looking for 2000, but to make this car cheery, will take a sizable
investment.
I thought a good car would be closer to $8K. Mike Young, wants $18K for
his perfect "Stroker 1600". I am whimpering a bit...
Comments please.
Michael Tarelka
Alameda, CA
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