Well this car is a classic example of using your head not your heart! Looked hot, great wheels, sounded ACE and drove quite well. The manual trans was heaps of fun, but it had a bit of a rough coast. I expected it to turn heads down Lygon Street, but sadly I didn't notice anyone stopped in their tracks. Maybe that was due to the white colour? I think it's a 350 D-Jet, but lacks badges. Being a 1973 at least you could modify the engine quite a lot (or even change the engine) without worrying about the EPA (pre 1976 emission requirements). We went to look as the missus liked it and initial suggestions were she might finance it, or sell her CLC and buy a cheaper daily.
No books (of any kind) and so the speedo cannot be verified. Evidence of sill repairs and a couple of nasty oil leaks. One was a yellow-ish colour and thicker than coolant. No rust under the rear seats although I'd like to look in the plenum forward of the windscreen. The radio didn't work along with the A/C due to a broken fan knob. The temp knob was non-genuine. The hardtop came off easily and it was surprisingly light. The soft top was like new. It'd been resprayed and the paint was very nice.
But it was the interior trim that let it down even though it looks good in the pics. It'd been tampered with many times and things just didn't fit well. Big gaps around the radio and various other places. Broken seat side trims, lifting wood veneers and things held in place by silicon. I felt a little cramped, not helped but the fact the driver's sunvisor kept falling down almost into my lap due to a broken clip! I didn't like the way the driver's seat base was padded (it even tilted to the left) and I'd say it'd been reworked.
The owner did offer to put it on a hoist for me to have a look (or have a pre-purchase inspection done). It would be supplied with a RWC at the advertised price, or no RWC for less.
When we got home I fired up Blue Flame and immediately felt relaxed. Far more room and I can carry my friends in comfort. And it sounded so much better I couldn't stop smiling (despite not being able to drive it)! Being an S class I guess they're less likely to be tampered with?? So looks like I'll be sticking with the 6.9s....
That was a close one because we were just looking for something to get in, drive and enjoy. Not something to drive a few times and then pull apart to fix the various things that are driving you nuts. I don't need any more headaches!!!