So this weekend while browsing craigslist I ran across something I couldn't turn up.... Now, deciding what to do.... Do I try to fix it? Can I source a frame without hacking up my other buick? Can she be saved? Not that I can afford to fix up two....
HA HA HA I hear ya. Not a lot of money, but a lot of resources around me.... I've got the 55 buick with the 6.2 diesel in it, also on this thread, but also not on the road. Do I make one out of two? Dare I try to fix both? This one will likely have a salvage title... My other one is clear title.
Would it really? How so? Suppose you fix it up and just register it? Who would know?. Better question would be, who would care?
Im just guessing. It has a Mass. title that the owner signed to the insurance company......which is now reassigned to me.
The frame can be pulled . I bet if you took the nose off and pulled the motor and tranny it probably wouldn't be too expensive to straighten. Then there would be one less lost to time.
Would b a pretty cool rat rod project. Nice satin black paint, some pinstriping, red painted steel wheels and wide whites:TU:
I think that corner of the frame is beyond pulling, maybe I'm wrong but it's nasty!!!! I guess I could fix up both.... it would take some time and tons of money.... Not sure I can find another frame to fix it either...
I'm with Jason on the title thing - in CT you dont need a title for cars over a certain age (I think 1981), just a bill of sale. Even if you do, just apply for aduplicate title from the registry. I doubt they have it on file as totalled. I'd fix that car all day long... nice piece
We'll see when I get to the DMV. I have the title in hand, with the insurance company signing it over to me, I don't see anything that says "totaled" other than the fact the insurance people owned it temporarily before me.
I don't think it's as bad as I thought.... Looks like the piece I was looking at was not the frame. The frame is only torn up back to the crossmember. I am getting a quote tomorrow on putting it on the frame machine, and welding a new piece of rail on the front.... we'll see.
Pulled some of the bent up front end off. She starts up and runs like a champ (didn't run long with no water though). I put a tire on the messed up front corner to try to roll it around the yard. I noticed the left rear of the car is sitting down lower than the rest.... possible bad shock?? (I am not too familiar with the old knee action shocks). Had two collision shops look at the frame, neither wanted to mess with it. It "looks" like its just the front rail where the radiator support, sway bar, and bumper mount.... but I'm sure without a frame machine, looks can be deceiving.
For comparison, here is the frame rail on the unwrecked car.... So I decided at the very least I'd have to cut the front off the other car.... Notice in the next two images how "pushed in" the metal is near the crossmember.... not sure I'll ever get that curve back in it.. Thinking it may just be time for a frame swap.....
