what to do with a free car???

rag top · 15-03-2006, 12:56 PM

I was recently given a 70's mustang shape celica (RA28), with an injected 18R Twin Cam in it. The car has rust issues, and is not economically viable in putting it back on the road. Mechanically it is great, and loves to be taken for a flogging. It has only just run out of rego.

I have 3 choices with what to do with it:

1 - sell it whole

2 - wreck it, keeping a few bits for other projects, like the aftermarket computer.

3 - A mate also suggested that we turn it into a hill climb car before the rust gets too bad. Rust has not spread to the structural parts of the car.

What would you do, and why? I'm torn between 2 and 3 and I'm trying to decide.

15-03-2006, 12:59 PM

How bads the rust?

Sourbastard · 15-03-2006, 01:00 PM

Cut the rust out. Fab in some light steel over the holes. Remove interior. Attach Nitrous. Take it to the strip.

The Monty · 15-03-2006, 01:00 PM

Hill climb.

klawsterfobik · 15-03-2006, 01:00 PM

my dad used to have one of those cars, but it had a different engine, 18RG?

i doubt you will get much for it if you wreck it... so i would buy a good shell, strip everything out of it, and put all the good stuff into the new shell and go hill climbing in it

rag top · 15-03-2006, 01:06 PM

My mate's theory, is that the rust in panels is making the car lighter, so if the structure of the car is fine, then the car should be fun hillclimbing...

As for locations, rust is currently in the doors, hatch, bonnet, and 1 guard. The Hatch area, one hinge gave out, and the guttering has disapeared. Car has been engineered with the current setup, so reshelling it and registering it would not be worthwhile. If the only option was to reshell it, I wouldn't bother, as I could use the Haltech in another project.

harpsta · 15-03-2006, 01:10 PM

Mate what condition is the bonnet in?? If you are wrecking it I will have first dibs on the bonnet.

15-03-2006, 01:12 PM

Most of the problems there are on easily replacable panels. The guttering on the hatch or the roof has dissapeared?

The guard can be cut out and light steel replace it. Go over the whole thing with a few cans of odourless fisholine.

Honestly, If you have your own welding equipment, I can't see you spending over $500 to get it in good nick. But if your lazy (i know i am) then do whats best for you.

rag top · 15-03-2006, 01:28 PM

BlackLS,
Its the guttering on the hatch.
I don't have my own welding gear, but I can access some.

Harpsta - Bonnet is straight but rusty, not really worth repairing.

Des · 15-03-2006, 01:29 PM

Ditch the body and use the driveline in another project or sell the driveline to finance the next project.

crusher · 15-03-2006, 02:59 PM

Give it to me! Give it to me!

I say weld in some new steel and take that puppy racing. Would be a cheap and fun way to get started. And then if you dont want to keep doing it you wont have spent lots of money getting into it.

I wish someone would give me a free car like that. *hint hint* anyone? :P

harpsta · 15-03-2006, 03:38 PM

ok no worries, thanks mate, spares for the RA28 are pretty hard to come by they only made that shape for 1.5 years. The bonnets sits out the same distance as the front bumper so it is very hard to find a straight one in good condition because it takes the brunt of any frontal impact.

42.57lb · 15-03-2006, 03:44 PM

Take said engine, place in honda odyssey or similar, add beer and mates at paddock.

What's the bonnet condition like? Can I have a picture? I know a chap who's after a bonnet but not sure what model, bare with me.

SPK-250 · 16-03-2006, 05:30 PM

Replace all rusted panels, sell the engine and ancillaries and drop in one of FORD's finest bent eights then add nitrous and hit the strip.!