I Stole another Car!

[R W Burgess]

Yep, I saw it this past Wednesday and got the wife to call on the owner Friday...it's in the yard as I type. Why do I get excited over an old car, not an antique..yet? Well, with our past Governor Gilmore passing the "No Car Tax" a few years ago for older cars, we pay no property tax on older cars. The insurance company says they're not worth anything either. The premiums are ridiculously cheap. So, I get a car for near nothing, pay hardly any insurance premiums, and no more than we drive, it'll last 10-15 years.

I read people's mind's all the time as I blast past them in an old gas burner 305 Chevy.....

"Where is that old fXXX going in such a hurry, burning up our precious resources?" <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Hey, with a yard full of old cars, I have to burn it fast to keep the gasoline from gumming up. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, here it is a 1986 Chevy Caprice. One owner, garage kept with 40,760 miles on her. Tight as a safe, A/C works and drives like a dream. Oh, forgot, paid $3200.00 for her. A lot, you say? Maybe, but don't forget, no taxes, little or no insurance. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[R W Burgess]

Hey, did I mention I bought this car from an AACA Dealer? Check it out.

Looks like a Dureya to me. Oh, you say that's a buggy(horse powered) instead of a car. Ok!

I checked on this dealership. It's locate just north of Pittsburg. Must be near Dave Berg's house. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[rocketraider]

Still not as good as my 78 Custom Cruiser wagon I paid $1200 for in 1997, and is still going with 300k+ miles albeit on 3rd engine. It was an old diesel wagon that got converted to gas at about 60k miles. 1st gas engine lasted til 279k, and was estimated to have about 250,000 miles on it at that time. It had a dead cylinder so I got an Olds 350 out of a rusted to oblivion 74 Vista Cruiser that was showing 108k when we yanked it. The old Gray Ghost is on its 3rd life now. It goes to work, Carlisle, basically anywhere I want to go. Everything works (even clock!) and it delivers a consistent 17 mpg in daily service.

All in all, I'd say you got a deal especially to look that good. I like the B-body box wagons. Anyone who says GM quality was at its low ebb in the 80s, never owned or drove a B-body. They were excellent cars. They'll take you to hell and back with minimal maintenance. Maintain it properly and it'll go forever.

[R W Burgess]

<span style="font-weight: bold">Everything works (even the clock!)</span>

Speaking of the clock. I looked at it, it was only 15 minutes fast, but on daylight savings time. I reached to turn the adjustment knob. Whoops, it was very loose! Best to leave it alone. Wife gets in the wagon to check it out, slams the door, the clock knob hits the floor! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hummm! May be why I couldn't adjust it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

I bought my first new car from Gillner's in 1986. I lived accross the river from them in Moon Twp. (hence the @Moon). It was a Dodge Colt, they sold both Chevy and Dodge at the time.

They were a medium-sized old-line Chevy dealer that had been running out of the same showroom since at least the early 1950's. By 1986 it was obvious that they were in serious decline becuase of the collapse of the area's industrial economy. They sold out out to another owner who changed the name and then closed the place about a year later. That was in the early 1990's.

They were not a high volume dealership, and that decal is seldom seen even in Ambridge these days.

I wish states that have these stupid, regressive tax and license policies towards new cars would learn to stop this sillyness. I remember when my brother lived in VA, and when I've stayed there on occasion, it was amazing what people were trusting their lives to in order to avoid the silly tax. I've never seen a state with a larger concentration of clunkers.

Would that they all looked like Wayne's! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[R W Burgess]

Dave, it's a shame it's a vinyl emblem. There's no way, you could get this off without ruining it.

Hummm, for a nice $1000.00 markup, I could send the whole car to you though, Dave! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[stock_steve]

Wayne, that's a GREAT looking car, and I have a special fondness for wagons! Good for you and have fun with it!

[ncgirl05]

I can't believe it only has 40,760 miles on it! That's fantastic! Was it owned by a little old lady who only drove it to church? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Friartuck]

Wayne, Great Find! Personally with all the hype over SUV's, I'm waiting for the station wagon to make a come back. Dodge is trying, but hasn't quite caught on....yet.

[DizzyDale]

Dear Wayne,NICE piece,had one for a tow vehicle before i could afford a Suburban.Mine was the <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />WOODY <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> model,come to think of it the Suburban was a <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />WOODY <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> also.I agree with Chris,if you hang around long enough it all comes full circle.diz

[R W Burgess]

Leigh Anne, No, it was an older fellow, who only drove it to the "Mansons" meetings whenever they occured.

My son, Mike, now owns a Computer Karaoke system, expecting to begin the cold, cold world of employment next month. The wagon should carry all of the equipment with ease and security. He's a "Doors" fan, by the way. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"People are Strange....." you know how it goes! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Matt Harwood]

Well, if you look at it by how many pounds per dollar you got, it's one heck of a deal!

I'm another guy who loves wagons--nice find. Have fun with it and nevermind the fuel economy.

[Clipper47]

Those Chevrolets are among the best cars GM ever made IMHO and the mileage, on the highway at least, is amazing for such a large car. I once brought an 86 with a 305 back from Arizona and it got 25MPG at 70MPH.. My son has one he got for $1 (yes one dollar!) <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />and after a tune up it still runs well despite over 300000Km. on the odo.

[Guest Moepar]

Wayne-

I got you beat on a steal. Bought a '63 LeSabre for a measly $100 with a gnarly 401 nailhead under the hood, drove the heck out of it with only basic maintenance & sold it a couple years ago for $900. And you wanna talk about blastin' past the rice burners?!? Went by some of 'em so fast it darn near spun em out. The <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">really</span></span> cool thing about it was it had the Buick AM solid state radio in it that acted like a radar detector - <span style="font-style: italic">any</span> time a cop was running radar & you had a strong station tuned in, it would crackle something awful, & you knew it was time to take your foot out of the gas!! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Never ever had a ticket in that car, even though I drove it with a lead foot.

[R W Burgess]

Sounds good to me, Dawn. And, I'm sure you never drove the speed limit. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Wayne

[Guest Moepar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> And, I'm sure you never drove the speed limit. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Wayne </div></div>

Speed limit? You mean there was a SPEED LIMIT?!? What kinda turkey do you think I am? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

You have a good turkey day too!

[novaman]

I ALWAYS drive under the speed limit. That darn floorboard keeps limiting the speed. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[greenie]

You've all missed the best thing about this car. It's like an enclosed pick-up truck. Imagine loading the thing to the roof with greasy old car parts, park it in a vendor space at Hershey ( or wherever), unload the parts onto the ground- and then insert an inflatible mattress in the back! It doesn't get any better than that.

[Bill Stoneberg]

Wayne,

I drive the Buick version of that wagon and I can haul 4 X 8 sheets of plywood, take 4 friends for dinner (though not at the same time) and get 18 - 20 mpg going 70. I have 140 K on it now and its still going strong.

Good find.

[Guest Moepar]

Speaking of speed limits & such, our town just had it's holiday parade on Sunday. One of the local cops (who also part times at the concrete plant with one of our Mopar car club members) stopped by where we were gathering to head to the line up for the parade. Of course, he was trying to talk trash about our old cars. Just because I am the 'trouble maker', I asked him if we got out on the main strip & if I beat him to the light that would mean he wouldn't give me a ticket and would have to buy doughnuts for all of us, right?!? He first looks at the 2 1/2 ton whale of a car & then asks whats in it. When I told him he said I when I hit the light that I could just keep going 'cause he wouldn't stand a chance <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />! Woohooo!

[R W Burgess]

Darn, you never let them see the motor until after you get paid! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Guest Moepar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Darn, you never let them see the motor until after you get paid! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne </div></div>So <span style="font-weight: bold">NOW</span> you tell me! Where were YOU on Sunday, pal?!? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest De Soto Frank]

Hey Moe,

I had a '63 Wildcat 4 dr HT that I picked-up for $300 when I was just out of college... black with red interior... paint was still decent, interior was excellent... but it had a cracked front brake drum ( the finned aluminum variety), no exhaust ( goofy cross-mount, two-in, two-out can), and scary rust around the driver's side B-Pillar... but it went like a scalded cat and made more noise than the biggest Harley with straight-pipes ! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I really liked that Twin-Turbine Dynaflow ! Like buttah !

As for wagons, they sure can't get any worse mileage than H3's and such...

I miss my '59 Edsel Villager wagon that I had to liquidate the other year... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Wayne - congrats on the cream-puff !

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Moepar]

Hey Frank

I had two of the '63 LeSabres. The nicest looking one of the two had cherry bombs on it when we purchased it (but not for long), so I know what you mean about sounds gnarly - should see me going through the tunnel. I'd pop it into nuetral & mash the gas - sounded like the whole freakin' mountian was about to come down! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Gawd I miss that! Ha. What would surprise folks is if you put that Dynaflow into Low range & mash the gas - talk about scalded cat time!!!

Hubby got a dingleberry in the brain & sold the car<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. Needless to say he suffered a year & a half til he made good. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Now he knows better than to even <span style="font-style: italic">look</span> at the title to my car.....