Should I or shouldnt I ?

[Guest Dans 77 Limited]

Get rid of the 77 Limited? I love this car, but certain things in my life have changed, and they havent changed for the better. I can no longer afford the luxury of having more than 1 classic car.My biggest problem is that I have always been into the cars with mags, raised whites and loud mufflers. Even though my Limited is a nice car it just doesnt have these things and in fact would look down right silly if it did.The car I have kept over the years that had all of these qualities (a 72 Dodge Dart) has become a serious financial burden and all around general pain in the @ss. It has to go.It is no longer worth the trouble. So now that will leave me with just the 77 in all of its luxurious, smog equipped, white walled glory. Once again a great car , but not qualified to be the ONLY car. Unlike my wifes 67 Skylark it just doesnt look like a muscle car and never will. Even if her Skylark is a paper tiger , its better than no tiger at all! On the other hand the Electra has provided me with much more than I thought it would. I cant say I havent had a rewarding ownership experience. It has introduced me to the National Pike /Pittsburgh Tri-Shields chapter, some of the nicest most genuine Buick people you would ever want to meet. Its even won a few awards along the way...... which frankly surprised the hell out of me. But I just dont know if my hot -rod heart can be happy cruising only a luxury car, I dont think it can. What would you do ?

Dan

[BUICK RACER]

Dan, if you sell it, you'll wish you didn't so hang on to it, if you can!

[Dave@Moon]

Sorry to hear of your dilemma, Dan. Hope things work out for the best.

Just remember that the car (any car) is just a part of your life for a while anyway. As best you can take your time to find it a good home and you'll sleep better all around. If it works out that that home is yours, all the better! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And if not and it's meant to be, maybe you'll "run into it", <span style="font-style: italic">again!</span> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Good luck!

[JohnD1956]

The answer is NO...NO... NO...

Look at it this way. Even if you cn't afford more than one car right now, can you replace that car when things change? Take a better look at the car too. It is a two door, right? Any two door can be outfitted with mags and blackwalled tires, and neatly trimmed dual exhaust without compromising it's luxury status. These cars can be outfitted with heavier shocks, anti-sway bars, wider tires, and already come with disc brakes, and what, a 403 Olds motor? So how much more hot rod do you really need?

I love my GS, and my 56, but nothing beats the comfort of the Riv or a nice Electra when traveling 100 miles or more to a car show. If you are anxious for a unique car, cut the top off an make it a permanent convertible, whatever, but if you let that car go while you are uncommitted to the decision, I believe you will regret it. Note, this is entirely different than when you are committed to letting a car go.

Just my $2.89, which today is equal to one gallon of premium gas in this neck of the woods.

JD

[NTX5467]

There should be some rwd Impala (not the last gen Impala/Roadmaster) police cars that would yield the f/r sway bars from their F41 suspensions, combined with a set of KONIs (a little pricey, comparatively, but worth it), plus some P225/70R-15 whitewalls (yep, they do exist) and it would enhance both ride and handling from stock levels. Wheels? What about some Buick factory aluminums to add to the incognito hot rod orientation.

Dual exhaust on those cars was not a factory situation, so both of the pipes w/converters (ala later '80s IROC Z-28s, basically side by side, but staggered) would have to run on the passenger side where the clearance is in the transmission mounting bracket. Some reasonably quiet mufflers (except when "throttle is being used") in 2.25" or 2.50" piping would work too.

Although I like more incognito performance cars, that might not quite go with the "loud" orientation previously mentioned. Yet with some mix-n-match GM B-C car parts, plus some aftermarket items and ingenuity, something unique and interesting could be hidden beneath the luxury sheetmetal of a Buick automobile. Something that, at first, looks stock until you start looking further and more closely -- unfortunately, these things go right over the heads of people that look for multiple carbs, loud "entertainment" systems, Playstations, and chrome to "make" the car . . . with all due respect.

Still, it's your decision and your finances that are the determining factor.

Just some thoughts,

NTX5467

[Guest JDHolmes]

Personally, I'd say keep it even if you have to drop the insurance, that would then be a "free" car with no cost associated. If you don't have room in your garage, storage can be had for $30 a month for outside storage. Put a good cover on it. (At least here in the South I can do that).

If you HAVE TO HAVE a hot rod, make it the big car. You see Dart's everywhere...Mopars answer to Mustangs. Be different, draw attention rather than that blase, oh, another Dart hot rod...kinda like a 57 Chevy...they all look the same.

[Reatta Man]

Dan,

I don't know why you can't afford to keep it, and that is your business if you don't want to explain further, but I would think the cost to keep the car is minimal.

If it is your daily driver and the cost of gas is killing you, then get a daily driver, put classic insurance on the '77 and enjoy it on the weekends.

If you need some cash (at one time or another, we are ALL in that situation) then look around the garage, basement, store room or work shop and see what else you can sell. Not too late in the year for a big garage sale! Besides, a '77 isn't going to be worth much unless you can sell it to the right person who appreciates it for what it is. To most people it is just a 29-year-old Buick.

I could go either way as for the question of selling it vs keeping it. I've owned nearly 50 cars in the last 25 years (my wife reminds me of this on a regular basis) and I keep them for as long as I'm enjoying them. Some I wish I still had ('87 El Camino) and some I wish hadn't been wrecked by a careless driver ('72 El Camino SS) but all in all, the buying and selling has been part of the fun.

Hope this helps.

Joe

[Guest GRANNYS 70 SKYLARK]

You should keep it unless you sell it to me! Just kidding about the selling it to me part, here's a little story: My dad is a Buick guy and he had a '79 Electra similar to yours that he wanted me to take for my son who at the time and even now wasn't interested. I was going to take it but didn't have room at the time so I told my dad to give it to one of my cousins. I have regretted not taking it ever since and have been trying it to get it back to this day. That's my 2 cents.

[Guest imported_MrEarl]

You can't sell this car. It sounds like you are at a point in time where you actually NEED this car for mental health reasons. Look at all the friends and acquaintncies it has brought you. In your words, you love this car. Not like this car, but love it. Don't sell sometning you love unless there's no other way. But if absolutely necessary try and be sure it goes to a good home as there are many not so good homes for cars of this vintage.

[Guest Dynaflo2]

Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?

[Guest my3buicks]

you would hate to see it turn into a daily driver and then after a couple winters go as a demo derby car, and the daily driver scenerio is all to real.

[Budd]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

And if not and it's meant to be, maybe you'll "run into it", <span style="font-style: italic">again!</span> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Good luck! </div></div>

I'll second Dave@Moon's comment-- I *was* fortunate enough to find my 'ol Buick again when the "life happens" dilemma had me sell her the first time. ... or was that "wife happens".... I'll have to check <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Unfortunately, the gravity of our decisions sometimes don't manifest until years down the road. It is just a car, afterall, but the memories and emotions that are attached to it are a different story.

Best of luck,

Budd

[Guest ZondaC12]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The answer is NO...NO... NO...

Look at it this way. Even if you cn't afford more than one car right now, can you replace that car when things change? Take a better look at the car too. It is a two door, right? Any two door can be outfitted with mags and blackwalled tires, and neatly trimmed dual exhaust without compromising it's luxury status. These cars can be outfitted with heavier shocks, anti-sway bars, wider tires, and already come with disc brakes, and what, a 403 Olds motor? So how much more hot rod do you really need?

I love my GS, and my 56, but nothing beats the comfort of the Riv or a nice Electra when traveling 100 miles or more to a car show. If you are anxious for a unique car, cut the top off an make it a permanent convertible, whatever, but if you let that car go while you are uncommitted to the decision, I believe you will regret it. Note, this is entirely different than when you are committed to letting a car go.

Just my $2.89, which today is equal to one gallon of premium gas in this neck of the woods.

JD </div></div>

this is EXACTLY what i was thinking of. like for the exaust--get some duals, and make the tips (even if thats all you do) be those thin chrome tips, not the roundy-bubbly ones with vents on them or this and that...just sharp, to-the-point, chrome exhaust tips, with a triangular cut off the end, basically like these: http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/images/mac/MAC-T8693-PIC1.jpg

i see them all the time on old musclecars, and at most shows i see chevy malibus between 77 and 81 ish and they look just like yours, but not as nice because theyre not buicks <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. but that look, compounded with those tires with the raised white lettering and mag wheels or even the wheels you find on early 70s skylarks and stuff (the 5-spokes) i think would be enough to make that real mean, but be sure you can HEAR it too!

do what you wish, but i figured perhaps another opinion like those expressed already, coming from someone a part of the "hip-crowd" (im 18 y.o.), a group who usually judges cars based on excessive amounts of chrome in the wrong places, huge flat tv screens in the most random places, and stereo systems that sound like a 5000 lb guy farting all the time, might make you look at my view a little differently.

the fact that your is a 2dr is a BIG part of it too. im sitting here now imagining your car with that stuff on it and it looks like something i wouldnt mess with on the street. and if you hop up the engine a little or even swap it (i think someone suggested 403 olds? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />) then itll talk the talk AND walk the walk.

OTHER IDEA: just take the friggin smog crap off it! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> run it straight pipe into a flowmaster or magnaflow or something, disable the egr, stick a hot cam in there and/or heads, and shell get up and GO.

no matter what though my vote is KEEP THAT BUICK!

EDIT----- attached is my concept, result of 10 minutes in Photoshop with an image i found on google and other images found the same way, hence the rather poor quality of the superimpositions, but i think it conveys the idea well and personally i think its beautiful.

[JohnD1956]

Cool Pic Zonda...How about editing that up again with a set of those understated turndowns like I have on my GS?

BTW, Any decent exhaust shop ought to be able to rig up a custom exhaust for the drivers side which goes around the tranny frame member and does not require sending the two pipes down the passengers side. Also dual catylitic converters are not a really big expense either if you get the aftermarket ones.

JD

[Guest ZondaC12]

uh...sure...uh im afraid i dont have any pics of your GS from the back lol. could you post one? id be glad to add em in and see what they look like!

[JohnD1956]

Turns out I don't have many good pics of that part either. Oh well, I'd still keep the 77..

JD

[Guest ZondaC12]

well come on how many friggin versions of turndowns could there be!? ill just go and get one one google and throw it on! just a curved-almost-90-degree-bend-downward, right? tomorrow if i get around to it therell be a new pic here!