[CaddymanTom]

Hey I saw this car on E-bay and was wondering how much work would you guys think to get it into a nice car? Might go take a look at it later this week. Comments welcome http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4586157824&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[The Ape Man]

That would make a great donor car for one needing an interior. I'd be really worried about an X measurement of the frame with a hit like that. The driver had poor aim. One should always line the target up with the hood ornament.

 

[Night Wolf]

I'll tell ya now... a hit like that, on that car didn't do a thing to the frame.

 

[1990CaddyBrougham]

no frame damage there. Only body damage.

 

[The Ape Man]

Yeah yeah. Without taking measurements there really is no way of knowing. Those frames were strong but not when it came to shoving 1 rail south of the other. There isn't a whole lot of stuff there to prevent a diamond shape of the frame with an uneven hit.

 

[Night Wolf]

that hit the fender, it was just structor damage.... it slightly shifted the nose (body panels) of the car, it may have bent the radiator support as well, but not nearly anything to damaged the frame.... hell I'd drive the thing as it is... kinda like yeah, it's been to the edge and back

 

[sizanjdf]

fender lights and maybe a door...500 bucks for the body parts and then paint...maybe 1500 at the most to have a perfect car probably.

 

[davesdeville]

You'd definately need a driver door, quarter panel, headlight surround, lights & lenses, bumper, and probably a hood, radiator support if not radiator, and underhood support peices. That was a strong hit, I wouldn't be shocked if the frame is indeed bent.

Still, imagine what it did to the other car!

 

[Night Wolf]

on the fender there is a badge right under the bodyside trim....

now on the Eldo's it said 8.2 Litre... but IIRC the DeVille/Fleet didn't have that....

so IIRC, that says Fuel Injection.... so in that case, it is rather rare... don't see too many origanal fuel injection 70's Cad's around anymore...

 

[caddydaddy]

Yes, that's where the badge would read "Fuel Injection". I used to have a FI 1976 Fleetwood!
But that one is missing the original gold air cleaner lid. So it may either been replaced, or the engine now has a carb on it.
That FI 500 in my old Fleetwood was the smoothest running 500 cubic inches ever!

 

[CaddymanTom]

Thanks for all the comments. I guess what it comes down to is a bent frame. I don't think the parts mentioned above would be that hard to find. I am going to look at it tomorrow and will report back my findings. If i could get it for $500.00 i just might have my winter project

 

[Night Wolf]

yeah but see, a bent frame... today dosn't mean you can't fix it...

especailly with that car.... full body on frame, even if it was tweaked a bit, you could literally drive it to the frame shop (throw some air in that tire ) and I bet for a few hundred bucks they would strighten it out, it isn't all that bad.

It is simply a pulling machine, they hook up chains to the frame and pull it back, they have the exact specs for everything, once its done, you would never know anything happened...... so even *IF* there was frame damage, I woudln't throw that out.

Think about it, it needs no interior work, engine and drivetrain etc... so even with frame work, new (used) parts from a unkyard and then just get a complete paint job (you get to choose the color ) you would have a hell of a car.

 

[caddydaddy]

...a few thousand dollars later! But, he's right, there's very few cars on the road today as cool as a big long classic Fleetwood!

 

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

yeah, if i had more money and freedom (not still living at home) I would consider that. It would be a great winter project.

 

[The Ape Man]

That car does have the fuel injection emblems. You cannot be sure from the VIN until '77 where it changes to a T for fuel injection instead of an S. That fuel injection stuff looks pretty much the same as a carbonator setup and with those lousy pictures you cannot really tell.

 

[kobeck]

...a few thousand dollars later! But, he's right, there's very few cars on the road today as cool as a big long classic Fleetwood!

except for my 76 sedan deville

 

[caddydaddy]

The Fleetwood was so much more car than the Deville I've owned several of both!

 

[Night Wolf]

lol, they were pretty much the same car...

 

[davesdeville]

There wasn't too much difference. Just 3 inches, which isn't much when you're talking 19'+ cars. I personally love the Sedan Deville because of the lack of B pillars, put a sunroof in there and you almost have a 'vert...