Ed Luddy

Thats too much for a 3/4 ton 71 Chev. He's dreaming if he thinks it will bring that much at an auction. If you dont often get the chance to drive an old 3/4 ton I suggest you try one out for a test drive 1st. They are not at all like a modern 3/4. Very vague steering and handling. Harsher ride than I'm betting your wife will enjoy in the long haul. Try out all Big 3 brands in a 1/2 ton version 1st. Remember, if you are planning on keeping this for life take your time to find the right one!

Seen this for sale on kijiji today in my hometown, Wow! there is some odd cars coming up for sale around here. Also was a Cord Beverly sedan for $4200, parts car http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/tatra-603/1101258003?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true " Very rare Tatra 603. Particular by the whole concept, including the rear mounted aircooled 6 cylinder engine. The body of this car is completely solid, so free from serious rust. The red cloth interior is still totally original. The engine runs well'

Still one of the best Post-War designs ever stamped in steel!

Yes I think so called social pundits have been predicting the demise of the automobile and it's Cult of worshippers (ie; us) since about....1905. If these dorks think that a smartphone replaces a car for meeting friends and a mode of transportation they truly are delusional. Or they just spew this crap out to see if anybody reads it and takes them seriously. If I recall we were supposed to out of all the world's oil by 1999, coastal regions wiped out by Global warming, and TelePorting around.

The Wagonaires are about the coolest wagons of the 60's

I use SeaFoam additive to the gas in my boat and my 79 Avanti as well as my 66 Parisienne. It seems to help smooth out the idle noticeably. It's not cheap though and I only do so when I can feel a bit of rough idling. Anyone else try it?

I have lots of favorites from that so called "Malaise Era" 1987-93 Cadillac Allante' I've had 3 over the years. They are dirt cheap now. 1975-76 Chev Laguna S-3. When was the last time you seen one? 1979 Chrysler 300. I know its a Cordoba but they have the E58 360 Interceptor engine. 1982-4 Buick Riviera convertible. Nice driver, cheap on parts and very dependable. 83-88 Monte Carlo SS and it's G-body cousin Buick Grand National. Have had several. Lots of fun for under $10 G's

Don't know if the price is reasonable, but it's in Canadian dollars which gives you USA buyers a minimum 25% discount!

I couldn't agree more. That POS TV show has ruined one of the all time post-war great cars into a hillbilly cartoon car. As a former 69 Charger R/T owner and lover it really irks me!

This car popped up for sale in S-W Ontario. Very striking looker! I'm not educated on Packards, but is this a factory offered model, or one off? here is link http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/chatham-kent/1953-packard/1098722476?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Not many of those left! I've read that by 1982 GM had most of the 5.7 Diesel problems worked out. I did have a few of the 1979-80 Oldsmodiesels and a 80 Parisenne Diesel back in the day when they were 2 yrs old and quite cheap to buy. Hard to start in the Canadian winters but all 3 ran fine when warm and local farmers bought them from me to run the country roads with in style on the cheap.

I do enjoy driving old cars, just not to work in the city. Defensive driving has become an art form that needs constant practice to drive in London Ontario Canada. Incompetence is rampant on our city roads. Texting, drunks, people who just came to the country and dont read english or even have a valid license swerving in and cutting you off are commonplace. And yes, old geezers who really shouldn't be on the road as they have totally lost their ability to handle a vehicle are very scary! Good brakes and steering are a MUST. I know a lot of members look down on dual master cylinders, and disc brake retrofits but multiple lane, heavy volume driving make them a lifesaver. I know, I know, we didn't have them back in the day, but traffic was lighter and it seems to me the drivers were better too. I also have a growing need for air conditioning as I turn 60. It helps to keep me calmer! So what ever you buy to drive consider the above for safety. A dash cam is my next concession. So I can have a pic of old cars coming at me as well as a video record of whats happening.

I doubt it was a publicity stunt. Two other cars were also taken at Woodward as well as a few taken from Chryslers at Carlisle I'm told from a friend.

Very nice car in a great color!

Good advice here! As you have not said what the car is other than a 50's GM convertible I would hazard a guess that there will be a few more of them for sale somewhere across the USA or up here in Canada. As everyone said, buying and restoring a 50's GM 'vert is a costly venture and more often than not doesn't return the expected result. The time lost and frustration involved is never to be recouped. Pay the money for a original NOT needing resto, or buy a resto'd and turn the key to start enjoying a car!

I've had a few Studes back in the 70's when they were dirt cheap orphans. Both the 63 & 64 Larks were decent cars that ran well for less than $200 each. Mechanically they were straightforward and I liked the yellow colour on the engine vs. Chevy orange on the 66's with the transplanted "McKinnon supplied" 230's and 283's. I currently have a post Stude Avanti II that had a neglected past but came back to life with very little tinkering.

Very nice car indeed! A late 30's coupe in that condition is worth the buy it now price of just under $20k. Chryslers had a distinct style, nice little Art Deco tail lights and dash. A lot of Panache for the cash!

Had the same problem. I just unplugged it.

I'm a minority here as I don't believe there are not cars from the 80's and up that someday in the future will be collectible. Computers and fuel injection may be a bad thing to most members here as well as plastic parts. But look at it this way. A 2005 Mustang GT for example. Most young car guys are very computer savvy and don't know anything other than modern EFI systems, carbs are more of a mystery and source of amusement to them. Fried computer? No problem download an app on a smartphone and plug it in. Plastic parts, Scan and have printed in newer better plastic. This kind of technology is amazing to me at 60 yrs old. A 1991 Trans Am GTA is another example. How about a 2006 Dodge Charger Hemi Daytona? These cars are at least 10 model yrs old and go back to 25 yrs old. how about a 96 Impala SS? Keep an open mind and you will find lots of good cars that should be saved for down the road!

Is that original paint? Nice looker!

The doors used a GM convertible top power electric motor with hydralic fluid. Very inadequate. Doors too heavy, and sloppily assembled. If you have ever had the same misfortune as I did you'll never get in another Bricklin. The motor was failing, line decided to burst on a very hot day trapping me inside. Last time I ever sat in it. These cars were built in New Brunswick by a untrained workforce and devil-may-care management. Malcolm Bricklin was a world class shyster. A true shame about the whole Bricklin fiasco and the Canadian taxpayers who had to foot the bill!

I have a 79 Avanti that has A/C. I might have a spare bracket. Will check this weekend and let you know.

This topic is like poking a stick in a hornets nest around here. I prefer stock. Not concours, but real stock. No factory ever wet sanded and clear coated chassis or frame. That seems very acceptable now, not custom. But Custom (or Kustom) cars have a place among car people. No need to be snobby about your personal preference, if it dont turn your crank, ignore and move on is how I have learned to look at it. Yesterday I went to see a 40 year old Laguna S-3 still owned by the guy who bought it new and maintained it at Chevrolet dealers since. Fully documented, very well kept. I realize it holds no weight around here, but this thing is so original I had to have it. Well what's beeen going thru my mind is take the orig. cat. converter and single exhaust off and change to duals, low restriction modern cats. Next is aluminum intake, better cam, maybe lower it an inch in the front, change out the factory Rallye wheels for a set of modern 16' lighter wheels. So is it blasphemy, or doesn't matter because its a "Malaise Era"GM psuedo or post-muscle car?

I live in Ontario and have never heard any bad stuff about them. Most of their inventory is priced out of my range so I've never gone to inspect any of the cars for sale.

Funny thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I've been kinda looking for an Avanti for the last 2-3 years. Just locally and not a priority but always searching. Last few that came up were a distance away, priced out of my range, needed too much or a combo of all 3. I finally found one about 2 hours away that was a Florida car brought to Ontario in 1989 and stored since. Coincidentally it was within blocks of the original Canadian Studebaker plant! I bought it even though I couldn't get a very good look at it due to it being jammed in a storage spot and piled with stuff, flat tires, couldn't crawl under it, but was told it was good under, not rusty. My mistake! Once again I realized it's worse than I was told, but it's mine now so I have to suck it up and carry on. So a few weeks ago my online search list brings up a 1963 Avanti within 30 mins of me that has been restored 20 some years ago but never fully put back together for a very reasonable price I thought. Of course I e-mail then phone. Turns out it's the owners son selling it and other Stude stuff as his Dad passed away. He told me I couldn't see it for a few days because he was working double shift, etc. I assured him I was a cash buyer and very interested as mine is parked around the corner from where his was in storage. I called again the evening before I was supposed to see it and he just said SOLD IT, BYE. Yep I was very ticked off, but I've learned to deal with that kinda thing. Next day a guy stops into my friends shop where my car is sitting outside and asks if it's the one from close by. I say no that one was black and was in Alymer and sold. He said no the silver one (mine) was in Ingersoll parked and tarped in the backyard since the late 70's but was kept in very good shape. Until the week before when he went by the house was bulldozed down, Avanti gone no trace since! Another one I've never seen Boggles my mind how many cars are sitting that I have never seen or heard of. Right in my backyard.