My 1973 Cadillac, Huggy Bear

[eddyramrod]

That might be a sensible approach, yes.... but this is Autoshite!  Once I've finished what I'm doing and had the brakes fixed, I'm probably done with bodywork for a while.  I know this car is so bubbly it makes Champagne look flat.  I kind of expect it.  It's nearly 50 years old!  I really don't need to dig to see it's rusty.  The only reason I did start digging on the rear apron was because the old repair was breaking up and there were visible holes.  The front wing was a surprise addition, but I've been at it today and it's not as bad as it might have been.  Once I've dealt with that, it'll be a good few years before it falls off again!

[chaseracer]

No wonder Huggy was so heavy to push at Chumley that time... ?

[eddyramrod]

Yeah, he should be a good few pounds lighter now!  (Even allowing for the extra strengthening I've put in!)

[GingerNuttz]

Strengthening you say ? 

[eddyramrod]

Angle, bolted across under the apron, from shoulder to shoulder.  No pics because it's a pig to get at!

[Split_Pin]

I would say you need to poke around to make sure it's safe. I'd be concerned more about suspension mounting points than anything else.

I really didn't want to investigate the rust on my Corsa but I'm so glad I did. The front lower arm mounting point was holed and I reckon a few more years would see it break off the chassis rail.

I then had nothing to lose and went around the rest of it and gave it a thorough stabby corrosion assessment, and was actually pleasantly surprised. Now I know what I'm dealing with which is one concerning bit, and 2 others which just need a small patch at each rear spring seat.

Anyway, when you know, you know.

[eddyramrod]

I've walked around under Huggy both on a lift and over a pit, so I know there's a bloody good chassis under there!  Strong and substantial are the key words.  The visible bits are just decoration really.

[PhilA]

It's got the original engine and transmission so generally that'll have been liberally coating underneath in rust prevention agents over the years.

Like mine, the bits where water sits rusted through, the rest is solid and the chassis looks like it was made last week.

Phil

[GingerNuttz]

Could always put it through a pre mot and let someone else judge if it's safe. 

[PhilA]

So long as the brakes work there's not much else to go wrong. 

Phil

[Bren]

Just makes sure you don't run anybody over in it. If the impact does'nt see them off the lung cancer from the filler will.

[jonathan_dyane]

This is something with a separate chassis built like a brick shithouse.

It will be fine

[stripped fred]

I now want an American car. How do I get on Craigslist..?

[eddyramrod]

Plenty in this country!  Huggy came from Derby, off eBay, as did my previous Cadillac.  So they are about!  You just have to look for them.

[eddyramrod]

49 minutes ago, PhilA said:

So long as the brakes work there's not much else to go wrong. 

Phil

And they will be working soon!  I have the parts, I can get it round to the garage when I've done with this batch of bodywork.

[Bren]

I would love an american car. Muscle cars? Boat has sailed. An early 70s LTD or blues brothers monaco would be nice - even a ford 150 would be useful.

[Datsuncog]

Unloved Yank tin aplenty, round these parts anyway...

Well... maybe not aplenty, but there are some out there which will doubtless provide hours of misery entertainment without all that faffing around with import taxes.

I just found out the other day that someone I know has a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle drop-top in their garage, parked up for 20 years... it's pink...

[Roobarb]

5 hours ago, stripped fred said:

I now want an American car. How do I get on Craigslist..?

@stripped fred This is my ‘local’:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org

But this covers most of the US depending on what you put in:
https://www.searchtempest.com
My zip code (Midwest of the US) is 55364 if you want it as a valid zip code starting point. 

I hope it brings you as many happy hours of enjoyment that this and a Craigslist App has brought me!

[eddyramrod]

I just followed that Craigslist link.  I searched for 8 cylinder automatics, 1949-90; no other refinements.  There's some nice stuff around the $3000 mark, but it's then going to cost you that to get it here, and you don't get to inspect it until it arrives.  Danthecapriman and Joloke both got bitten by that when importing theirs; Jo's Mustang still isn't on the road.  Buying over here, you do at least get that chance.  I didn't do it with Huggy; 200 miles each way would be a bit much (for me) just to inspect a car.  I took a chance and while I've had jobs to do, the only one that was expensive was the front brakes, at £400 including labour.  What I'm doing now should have been done when the previous filler-work was done, then I wouldn't have to be doing what I'm doing for some years yet.

But, those of you who are saying you'd like one: do it!  Even a cheap ratty one is so much better than anything built on any other continent.  Maybe not for build quality, ok, but there's nothing to touch them for character.  They also tend to be very well equipped, especially at the top of the range (Cadillac, Lincoln, Imperial).  One thing I will say: get the oldest running car you can find within your budget.  Older tends to be simpler for DIY repairs!  Oh and join a club, such as the American Auto Club North West, which is Manchester-based.

[motorpunk]

6 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

Unloved Yank tin aplenty, round these parts anyway...

Am I alone in wanting to take the handbrake off that and give it a gentle nudge to encourage it into the sea?

[eddyramrod]

I think you mean take it out of Park!  But why would you?  It'll make a perfectly acceptable daily driver so you don't need to use your V8 for little town trips,which they generally don't like.

[mitsisigma01]

What is the blue car and how much is the unloved yank.... Asking for a friend ?

[danthecapriman]

90’s Dodge Spirit.

[eddyramrod]

Plymouth Reliant, one of the much maligned K Car family, looks like late 80s.  It's most likely a four pot auto, FWD.  I would have no hesitation at all using it as suggested.

Edit: or it could be a Dodge Spirit, yes.

[bunglebus]

Hasn't it got the Chrysler "bumhole" badge?

Not that I know much about yanks after the 70s really

(It says Dodge on the grille on closer inspection)

[danthecapriman]

15 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Hasn't it got the Chrysler "bumhole" badge?

?

[eddyramrod]

Actually if that little Dodge is cheap enough I would like that as my daily!  Anyone want to buy it and swop for a Volvo?

[mitsisigma01]

Calling Mr Cog to the beige phone, pricecheck on Dodge Spirit please? 

[mitsisigma01]

I can see some similarities to the Mitsubishi Sigma, they were cohabiting with Chrysler and Dodge around the late 80s early 90s

[danthecapriman]

22 minutes ago, mitsisigma01 said:

I can see some similarities to the Mitsubishi Sigma, they were cohabiting with Chrysler and Dodge around the late 80s early 90s

Pretty sure some of those Dodge/Chrysler cars had Mitsubishi engines.