I would think that's pretty good oil pressure for a hot climate.
Philip Haldeman wrote:
> Thanks for everyone's input about the subject of "non-use". I've now been
> waffling about another TR3A, this time in Arizona. Same basic story.
> Fully restored 8 years ago and only "maintanence driven" to keep the
> investment alive. The owner is an F-16 pilot. He's one of these
> tough-as-nails guys who hates to be questioned or doubted. As a trained
> auto mechanic, he restored the car himself from the frame up, with
> attention to originality. He says if I want a buyer's inspection, the
> mechanic has to come to him---or he'll deal with it when I'm down there
> (for one day). His attitude has been somewhat indignant and humorless,
> though he has been cooperative.
>
> I live in the Seattle area, so my costs are a factor in going to see this
> car and having it shipped home. The car would seem to be almost perfect
> (both from photos and the owner's detailed description), except for a
> couple of significant blemishes to the (BRG) paint. He lowered the price
> from $16,500 to $14,500 when I called about the car (right after the ad
> came out), saying his kids damaged the paint. I later made a *tentative*
> proposal, contingent upon my seeing the car, at $12,500, and he accepted
> the idea. My total cost *with* a repaint ($2,500 I estimate), travel
> ($450), shipping expenses ($695), comes to over $16,000 again.
>
> The one bit of data I'm unsure of has to do with oil pressure. He says he
> shows "between 45 and 50 lbs" when the car is cruising. So here we are
> again. My understanding is that when we get down to 45, the engine is
> showing signs of wear. Or does the Arizona climate make a difference in
> the pressure reading?
>
> I've also got to admit, for $16,000, I'm feeling a little buyer's remorse
> before I've even bought! I just can't afford *anything* significant to be
> wrong with that car, given my budget. It may be I'm simply priced out of
> the "restored TR3" market (I mean the genuinely fine restorations). My
> comfort zone is partly invaded, and I know some of you think this is way
> too much to pay for a TR3. But wouldn't the market seem to say otherwise?
> And what about that 45-50 oil pressure? And does one *always* have a
> "buyer's inspection" if the car looks and drives well? The man is
> irritated about not being trusted (as an officer and a gentleman, one
> presumes).
>
> --Phil Haldeman
> haldeman@accessone.com
--
George Richardson
The Wyvern - '57 TR3, TS15559L - http://www.merlingroupinc.com/tr3.htm
The Hippogrif - '71 Stag MKI, LE8176E - soon to get a site of it's own
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