tbenvie

What is the downside of just unplugging the anti lock brake module and driving without it?

I had a company called Dr Vinyl repair a dash that was damaged when the airbag deployed and cracked it on a 93 Mark VIII. Lasted for about 8-9 years before it started to crack again. Dashes at the time were in excess of $1500, but now, 11 years later, I bought a mint one in the right color for $100. It was around $100 for the repair. Might be worth it until you find a mint used doorpanel.

I have sold a number of cars through a consignment dealer in my town, and actualy started by selling Reattas back in the early 90s that I bought from the insurancecompany and fixed. I probably sold 20-25 Reattas through him and then overnight the market fell out-I had a white 89 with maroon interior that would not move and I finally took it off his lot. I had another white/maroon 89 that I couldn't get fenders for and sold both cars for what I paid for them minus the labor. That was 1996 and I just started back with the Reattas (which are much cheaper now!). I also sold some Lincoln Marks without problems until a few years ago there were so many dealer incentives and 0% financing that someone could buy a 2-3 year old $45K Lincoln when new for less than $20K or get a new car. I still have the last Lincoln I tried to sell, deciding to just drive it myself. When I brought the cars to the dealer I told him what I wanted for them and paid him $50 a month to keep on the lot (usually only a month or two). Most were priced right and sold right away. However, I never did know what the dealer sold the cars for-not one. He gave me my price and made money also. He also had to warranty the car by Mass. state law to be sure it passed inspection and he had his reputation to protect. A couple of times he called to tell me the car would be sold if I fixed/paid to have fixed a few items but they were usually small. A few years ago my sister was trying to sell her house, with all the sentiment attached. She refused to lower the price and every month paid her $1000+ payment. After almost a year she lowered the price $10,000 and it sold but she paid over $12,000 in mortgage payments. That's a $22,000 loss in my books, yet if she came down just $15,000 it would have sold and she would be up $7K. If you are making payments, don't fool yourself.

I've seen probably at least a dozen like this car: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7908688584&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT Seems to be the same panel.

I have to change the instrument cluster from an 88 due to scratches. Will the mileage change with the cluster, or is it stored somewhere else? Thanks

I have an 89 Reatta with a sunroof and the outer metal panel is rusted through. Anyone have one? Also some grey interior parts needed-glovebox door, pass doorpanel, horn button, storage area latches. Thanks

Car #280 has a 12/87 build date. Changed the CRT this weekend and this and other dash parts were held on with small 5.5 head bolts, no torx. Will have to look at other differences.

Hello everyone-I've been away for 4 or so years. I owned a couple dozen Reattas back when they were new, buying and fixing them at the Salvage Pools. It soon got to the point when fixing them cost more than selling them so I moved on, plus I could not buy new fenders from GM and that was real hard to deal with-and the cars were only a few years old. My niece still has her early 88 and is approaching 200K miles without a breakdown! I still own a 90 and over the last year purchased 6 others. All my nieces and nephews want one, as do my daughters! I need someparts if anyone can helpout: I have a low mile 89 that has a damaged right front fender and directional light, and bumper strip in black. For this car I want a nice red fender-yes, I know I can repaint it, but I want an original red fender. I need a left side nose for a 89. the car is white but color does not matter. I need nice steering wheels for 88 and 90 tan and 89 maroon. Only one of these cars is on the database,so I'll get the numbers sent in. Thanks for any help.

I posted yesterday that I bought an 88 Reatta with a broken vent window and mirror on the passenger side. I went to a local junkyard where I used to buy my Reattas as I knew he had one hit on the right side but with a good mirror and vent. Well, it was good-someone in the yard hit them and they are wrecked. The good news is he just bought another (89) and it wasn't even in his yard yet. This car is slammed front and rear and really is beyond fixing. However, both doors and all glass are good. The maroon interior is also very nice, except for the console lid. He wouldn't sell just the vent and mirror as the whole door is good (and I can't blame him for that) but the whole door was only $250. I told him for that price he could keep the door on the car as I wouldn't want the interior exposed to the weather (especially with a blizzard coming tomorrow). So with that in mind, he still has the driver's door from the 89 and from the wrecked 88 with good mirrors and vent window. (The interior of the red 88 is already ruined as the rear window and passenger window are gone.) I don't know what shipping on a door would run, but for $250 it is worth just getting the vent and mirror and having them shipped-I could do this for someone, but don't know when with more snow coming.<P>Wheels and centers are also good, but not sold separately. Interior sold as one unit so far, but the longer it sits he sells parts.<P>Name of the yard is Chuckran's Auto Parts, Rte 104, Bridgewater, Mass.-If you need something it would probably be better to go through me as he is a high volume late model car place that doesn't deal with small parts.<P>The info on the wrecked 89 for the database:<P>89 Reatta, white, maroon interior, black molding, build date 10/88, no sunroof or seat option, VIN # 1G4ECHCXKB901875<P>Add the following to the 88 I posted yesterday-16 way seats, build date 12/87<P>thanks<P>------------------<BR>Tom Benvie

Hello everyone-I haven't posted for awhile as I sold all my reatta stuff awhile ago and dxecided to just do what I have always doen-68-70 AMC AMXs (which have remarkable similarities to the Reatta). I went to look at a wrecked 68 AMX today at a tow lot (which I bought) and they also had a Reatta headed to the junkyard-has a broken right vent and mirror, bad touch screen, no start, ripped seat, bad headliner. paid all of $200 for it and fixed the touchscreen and it runs great. I'm going to give it to my niece to drive. I thought I saw somewhere that someone was reproducing vent windows. Is this true? Any info?<P>T^he car is as follows for the database:<P>88 red tan suede interior, black moldings, VIN # 1g4ec11c9jb900280.<P>I have owned a ton of collector cars over the last 25 years (I used to teach auto shop so I had 50 kids a day to work on my cars)and besides the AMX my other 2 favorites is the 74-7 Bricklin and the Reatta. Just awesome cars!<P>Tom Benvie<BR>East Bridgewater, Mass.