[Roadsters] What's it worth??

[nmleeds at mindspring.com]

There's a big difference between "ran when parked" and "runs now."  If you seller is so confident that new fluids, plugs, gas tank cleaning, and tinkering with the carb will get it running why don't you suggest that you would pay $1,500 - $2,500 (depending on condition) for it "as is" or $2,500 - $5,000 for it running.  

The "refresh" can end up being a lot more expensive then you would expect, particularly if the car was not carefully stored.  Here are some of the questions I'd ask: 1) was the engine filled with oil (all the way up to the top of the valve cover) when parked -- if not, take off the valve cover and check for rust in the head -- bad rust and you'll need a rebuild; 2) was it stored on blocks or on the grounds -- if stored on the ground you can expect that you'll need to attend to the shocks, tires, and possibly other suspension parts 3) was it stored in a animal friendly, or unfriendly environment -- mice love wires -- an "open field" storage could have turned the car into the home for destructive menagerie of wire, cushion, and vinyl and leather eating creatures.

I had a car once with mice living in the doors (yep, you can imagine that cleaning job) wires eaten, a rusty cam and every rubber part of the suspension either hardened or powdered.  A "freshen up" didn't even begin to cover it.



-----Original Message-----
>From: Tim <tputland at charter.net>
>Sent: Apr 22, 2009 10:54 AM
>To: "datsun-roadsters: autox.team.net" <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
>Subject: [Roadsters] What's it worth??
>
>A 68 1600 that "ran when parked" about 10 years ago. No major bondo, decent paint, no obvious rust, just about 100% there. Current owner knows Roadsters very well and says it should be able to be made to run with just the basics after sitting for this amount of time: new fluids all around, plugs, wires, gas tank cleaning, carb refresh, etc.
>
>What do you all think?
>
>Thanks
>
>Tim
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