New Toy? Not sure... May go look later today.

[Spectre38]

I have been in the market ( sort of but not really ) for a new toy for a bit now. When I was in highschool, I bought a 1963 Nova SS that I had for about 18 years. When my son was expected and we found out there were going to be medical issues, I sold my car to free up funds. My car has been gone for about 24 years, and I still miss it.

I found another 1963 Nova SS that is relatively local ( within an hours drive or so ) that I may go look at today. I have spoken to the owner a couple of times and received the specifics, but have not seen it yet. It has some good points and some bad... naturally.

I have spoken at length with my girlfriend about it and her opinion is "Buy the car ... You're not over her". She if fully supportive of whatever decision I make. What I am struggling with, is that for the price of the Nova, I could buy something with modern suspension, power steering, power brakes... newer but with less soul.

It will take probably another 15k on top of the initial investment, to get her the way I want her... I am torn.

[GB-man]

Tough call. I’ve never owned a car without power steering so I won’t offer advice lol

Let us know which way you end up going

[Dr.Brian]

Do you need a modern car with power steering, airbags, traction control, etc? My guess is you already have one, so if you want a second toy car, go for it! It sounds like you know what you’re getting into.



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[Spectre38]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Do you need a modern car with power steering, airbags, traction control, etc? My guess is you already have one, so if you want a second toy car, go for it! It sounds like you know what you’re getting into.

Yes, I have a modern car, and yes... I know exactly what I would be getting into. Having had my previous Nova for 18 years... I know the ins and outs of this car.

This is NOT the car... but this is what the car is...

[enjoythemusic]

Go for it, and DOUBLE whatever you think is really gonna get her the way you want. Did that with a Euro spec 308GTS QV. Loved every minute of it. You're turning wrenches yourself on her or ???

[rmlovett1]

If it’s still on your mind after all this time… I’d say go for it, if it’s not a nightmare to get it to the way you want it. Not to mention, it’ll be a fun project.

[Spectre38]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Go for it, and DOUBLE whatever you think is really gonna get her the way you want. Did that with a Euro spec 308GTS QV. Loved every minute of it. You're turning wrenches yourself on her or ???

Yes, I would be turning the wrenches. I am in a better position now than was in highschool to be able to do some of the things I wanted to with my previous Nova.

Originally Posted by Richris1

If it’s still on your mind after all this time… I’d say go for it, if it’s not a nightmare to get it to the way you want it. Not to mention, it’ll be a fun project.

It would be less of a nightmare now, than it would have been previously... due to parts availability and better engineering.

[1st amg]

You are asking the wrong guy here for advice.....do it!! YOLO, besides, the price today is what it is. The longer you wait, the older you get, the more your life depreciates by the second. It sounds like this purchase will not affect your daily life financially wise, so just do it.....you can also ask Seth(Superdog) for his opinion too!

[swils8610]

Go for it! That’s how it was in 1963! Get the full experience


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[daveathall]

I think that this is one of those times that, if you dont do it, you will look back later in life and really regret it.

I didnt know what the car you described looked like until seeing your photo of one similar, it looks fabulous. In your position, I would buy the car.

[superdog]

Seize the moment.

[East Bay Rider]

My first car in HS was a '62 Chevy II Nova. I think it'd be fun to get it back, only better.
I say if it checks out, go for it.

[Moondoggy]

just go buy it, I am a classic car nut, you will not regret it more so if you are handy with the spanner. Also the classic car market is hotter then the Rolex game.

[ludetuner]

I’d say go for it! I read your post a while ago about your son and him getting a job....here’s your celebration!!

[MrGoat]

Given what the car means to you, the memories you and your sons can create while wrenching on her and the inevitable Sunday drives with your girlfriend, I say go for it.


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[DLRIDES]

You have already made the decision, just asking us for confirmation of such.

IMO, buy as close to your specifications as possible ! The cost of modifying is not what you remember it to be.

[brandrea]

You have our blessings Paul. I’m looking forward to the incoming

[1William]

I have been down the rabbit hole with vintage cars, watches and other items. I would pass on a fifty seven year old car. Maybe the memory of your earlier car is better than the reality of owning another. I would find something else to tinker with and enjoy.

[Greenp]

When I was in high school, my dad a Chevy Nova (no power steering, drum brakes, 3 speed manual transmission). Even to this day I can remember how difficult it was to parallel park. You'd get an upper body work out.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Spectre38

I have spoken at length with my girlfriend about it and her opinion is "Buy the car ... You're not over her". She if fully supportive of whatever decision I make.

Your girlfriend knows how to turn a phrase and is obviously a keeper. She already gave you your answer.

Please post pics of the "as is" condition when you pick up your new old classic.

[Blansky]

Some older cars are keepers and some models never were.

This is a great year. Should be fun and a bit of a money pit but I'd do it.

I had friends back in the day that had that model.

[Spectre38]

The girlfriend and I went to see the car yesterday, it's a no go... at least this particular car.

It always amazes me how perceptions vary from person to person. I got the feeling that this guy actually believed what he was saying, although we had very differing opinions.
Car was described as "Rust Free"... what that meant was you couldn't actually see the rust, but the blisters in the paint and holes in the floor boards ( visible from underneath ) tell a different story. Apparently if you can't actually see the color of the rust... it doesn't exist.

"Body is extremely straight, small areas where some body filler was used"... equates to at some point, this car had been hit in the rear quarter rather lightly, but instead of actually doing metal work, there was an area approximately 10" X 18" with body filler at least a 1/2" thick. As well as several other areas where a pretty strong magnet wrapped in a piece of soft cloth, would not maintain adhesion. ( Rockers, rear quarters, front quarter passenger side, lower rear window channel )

"Front end rebuilt recently", meant front end rebuilt in 2003 according to the receipt. I guess in the lifespan of the car... 18 years is relatively recent.

I wasn't there to insult the guy, and I wasn't putting the car down, but when he asked me directly " What do you think of it? Pretty sharp right? " I told him that I thought there was a bit more work involved than I had anticipated.

The guy seemed a bit irritated that I was giving it a thorough once over, and commented " You're being a bit critical, aren't you? The damned thing is 58 years old... it's seen things."

I thanked him for making time to show me the car, and left. The right car is out there... I just have to find it.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Spectre38

The girlfriend and I went to see the car yesterday, it's a no go... at least this particular car.

It always amazes me how perceptions vary from person to person. I got the feeling that this guy actually believed what he was saying, although we had very differing opinions.
Car was described as "Rust Free"... what that meant was you couldn't actually see the rust, but the blisters in the paint and holes in the floor boards ( visible from underneath ) tell a different story. Apparently if you can't actually see the color of the rust... it doesn't exist.

"Body is extremely straight, small areas where some body filler was used"... equates to at some point, this car had been hit in the rear quarter rather lightly, but instead of actually doing metal work, there was an area approximately 10" X 18" with body filler at least a 1/2" thick. As well as several other areas where a pretty strong magnet wrapped in a piece of soft cloth, would not maintain adhesion. ( Rockers, rear quarters, front quarter passenger side, lower rear window channel )

"Front end rebuilt recently", meant front end rebuilt in 2003 according to the receipt. I guess in the lifespan of the car... 18 years is relatively recent.

I wasn't there to insult the guy, and I wasn't putting the car down, but when he asked me directly " What do you think of it? Pretty sharp right? " I told him that I thought there was a bit more work involved than I had anticipated.

The guy seemed a bit irritated that I was giving it a thorough once over, and commented " You're being a bit critical, aren't you? The damned thing is 58 years old... it's seen things."

I thanked him for making time to show me the car, and left. The right car is out there... I just have to find it.

Sounds like a goofball waiting to hit the jackpot with this car due to the ever increasing shortage of vehicles world wide. Good thing you walked away. Keep us posted!


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[enjoythemusic]

Remember when I said DOUBLE expected costs to get her as you want. Turning wrenches is fun, but yeah the bones needs to be in good shape imho. Are you doing a full resto down to chassis or ???

[Spectre38]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Sounds like a goofball waiting to hit the jackpot with this car due to the ever increasing shortage of vehicles world wide. Good thing you walked away. Keep us posted!

Yeah, he seemed like the kind of guy who had watched a lot of those car resto shows and thought his car was made of gold. Those shows kind of ruined the market for the average guy.

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Remember when I said DOUBLE expected costs to get her as you want. Turning wrenches is fun, but yeah the bones needs to be in good shape imho. Are you doing a full resto down to chassis or ???

It all depends on the car. You're right about it having to have good bones. If I find a car that hasn't been monkeyed with too much, a clean resto-mod is kind of the direction I would like to go.