Restoration?

[Wicked_D]

Hello guys, this question has been on my mind for years but I've finally made up my mind to either do it or forget it. Hoping you're experience can help me make the right decision for me.

The situation is this, ever since I was a kid, and a crazy lil Mad Max fan I loved the XB Coupes. All my life I have wanted to own one, to restore one, and to drive one. The major issue here is money, and skills. To be frankly honest, I barely have any knowledge of cars, except how to drive one. On the other hand, I could buy an 00 VT SS Commodore, which I'm fairly certain I would be happy with, knowing that they are safer and more reliable then an older car.

My budget for a car is $20,000, I'm not even sure if I could buy a 1973-1976 Ford Falcon XB Coupe for that.. I'll have to buy a copy of Unique Cars or something on payday. So what do you all think? Should I live out my dream while I'm still young and crazy enough to do it, despite the costs and learning curve? I know that soon older cars like this wont exist, and that they are rare enough already.. I can see my dream slipping through my fingers as we speak.

I think I'm pretty aware of some of the issues in buying an older car, apart from $$$. I know that mechanically it will probably be toast, with all the running gear needing work/replacing/upgrading, not to mention the car would definitely need to be sent somewhere to have any rust removed, panel beating work, part sourcing, I've been told that finding replacement glass is almost impossible and that having new glass made costs an absolute mint, respray.. all this adds up and up. I don't need a car immediately, as I have a little run around bomb, and I'm fairly certain I have room in the back yard to keep a project car undercover while I could work on it.

So guys.. this is really tearing me to bits. I know that financially it's plain suicide, but in the end what is money anyway? (I bet you all wish I was a girl and you're wife with that comment eh?!)

Please, no: OMG FORD SUCK..

[MikesVT]

I've heard of shells of those mad max cars going for insane amounts of money. They're crazy for them in the states apparently.

I think if you wanted to go the restoration way, you would need to do most of it yourself, otherwise you'll be paying a hell of a lot for someone else to do it.

An 00 VT SS is a very nice car, you'll be more than happy with one.

It all comes down to how much your willing to spend (as in after the purchase) i suppose.

Either way, you'll be a happy man good luck with your decision

[DANNY8]

How much does the average coupe go for? A mate has an XA coupe and it looks hell nice.

Personally if I was u I'd try and find a cheap shell and work from there. Even if it has a bit of rust, it can always be fixed. I'd definitely go the coupe project as I have a soft spot for them. You said u already have sumfin to drive around in, so if it's a good reliable car then just keep that while u build up the coupe.

[88GreenVN]

Go the coupe. If it all gets too hard - some one is going to buy it off you.

Then the VX will seem like a limo if you go that way down the track!!

[JD]

Hello guys, this question has been on my mind for years but I've finally made up my mind to either do it or forget it. Hoping you're experience can help me make the right decision for me.

The situation is this, ever since I was a kid, and a crazy lil Mad Max fan I loved the XB Coupes. All my life I have wanted to own one, to restore one, and to drive one. The major issue here is money, and skills. To be frankly honest, I barely have any knowledge of cars, except how to drive one. On the other hand, I could buy an 00 VT SS Commodore, which I'm fairly certain I would be happy with, knowing that they are safer and more reliable then an older car.

My budget for a car is $20,000, I'm not even sure if I could buy a 1973-1976 Ford Falcon XB Coupe for that.. I'll have to buy a copy of Unique Cars or something on payday. So what do you all think? Should I live out my dream while I'm still young and crazy enough to do it, despite the costs and learning curve? I know that soon older cars like this wont exist, and that they are rare enough already.. I can see my dream slipping through my fingers as we speak.

I think I'm pretty aware of some of the issues in buying an older car, apart from $$$. I know that mechanically it will probably be toast, with all the running gear needing work/replacing/upgrading, not to mention the car would definitely need to be sent somewhere to have any rust removed, panel beating work, part sourcing, I've been told that finding replacement glass is almost impossible and that having new glass made costs an absolute mint, respray.. all this adds up and up. I don't need a car immediately, as I have a little run around bomb, and I'm fairly certain I have room in the back yard to keep a project car undercover while I could work on it.

So guys.. this is really tearing me to bits. I know that financially it's plain suicide, but in the end what is money anyway? (I bet you all wish I was a girl and you're wife with that comment eh?!)

Please, no: OMG FORD SUCK..

have a good look round mate, my brother has a 1974 XB Coupe that he picked up for $2500 and the body and interior are pretty decent he also got a f*** load of spare parts including 4.1L 250 c/f ( in car ) 5.8L 351, 2 4spd manual ( for 6 ) C6 auto ( for V8 ), bumpers and whole buch of other stuff i cant remember so $20k should get you a nice one.

[Wicked_D]

I think that for $20,000 I should be able to buy a decent XB Coupe, hopefully running and registered, and I can build from there. Also someone said to me that being the car that it is, if for whatever reason I want to sell it, someone will want to buy it as they are getting harder and harder to find. And if I need to I could have the vehicle transported .. I assume that trucking companies will transport cars?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

I had an XA GS Coupe I bought for $1000, swapped it for a Bedford van (IDIOT) and sold the van for $4000 (not so idiot). Kicked myself for selling the coupe and I've been trying to find another one with your idea in mind. Though not a Mad Max clone resto. There was a guy here that did the motorcycle stunts in the movie and he had one of the yellow Interceptors. Dunno what happened to it, I think he sold it. It's good plan, and a nice car to do too.

[88GreenVN]

Is this what your looking at??

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Apart from the fact that it's an XC and a pretty piss poor job at that. (Unless it's yours then it's a great job)

[jNINE]

$20k doesn't leave you alot of room when it comes down to it. I've got one restored classic car and in the process of doing another (1971 Mitsubishi GTO's) and it really adds up - in both money and time.

But in the end I love them, even though it hurts thining of the money sometimes, finding parts for these things is near impossible!

I guess If you have the time then go for it, my 2nd car has sat for 5 years with slow progress because I don't have that much spare time which is the most frustrating part.

[NOT.BT1]

yeah get the coupe it will be easy to offload if you change your mind and if you got the 00 vt ss you will still want a coupe the ss will always be around but the coupes are disapearing fast find a coupe and do it up even if it takes you a few years it will be worth it in the end

[88GreenVN]

Apart from the fact that it's an XC and a pretty piss poor job at that. (Unless it's yours then it's a great job)

Nar not mine - Its the real deal Mad Max thing. Fake blower n all.

[Wicked_D]

I was thinking something more like this..




But I imagine there are legality issues that would need to be addressed.. I don't think that giant blower sticking out of the bonnet would be legal, and I'm not sure about the exhaust pipes either.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Have a look at this, it tells you pretty much all the bits and where to get them.
http://www.madmaxmovies.com/cars/Rep...ack/index.html

[adam69]

If you are doing a complete resto then dont buy a really good one.Find a good body,forget the running gear as they are easily sorted.
Where i grew up there were a few black coupes and they were blown and tuff as.Where i an mow there is a red XC GS coupe that is perfect and running either a 295 or 305 rear tyre.You can fit a 295/60/15 under a coupe without any mods and thats a HUGE tyre.

[88GreenVN]

Where i an mow there is a red XC GS coupe that is perfect and running either a 295 or 305 rear tyre.You can fit a 295/60/15 under a coupe without any mods and thats a HUGE tyre.

I thing the tyre size is what made them so sexy Just sooo big

[SweetWagon]

well my mate has nearly finished restoring an old EH, looks absolutely mint. only the interior needs to be done but he cut out all the rust using 2 cars for the best parts of both. done all the body work, engine and painted it matte black himself now with red rims and whitewalls looks like a ratrod/gansta sorta look. only spent bare minimum on it but the result was well worth it, money only really comes into it when you upgrade/modify parts and outsource the work.

hes just bought a really old chev (not sure what year? 50's i think) and thinkin about restoring that now, again a ratrod sorta look, but definately getting a v8 for this one

[adam69]

well my mate has nearly finished restoring an old EH, looks absolutely mint. only the interior needs to be done but he cut out all the rust using 2 cars for the best parts of both. done all the body work, engine and painted it matte black himself now with red rims and whitewalls looks like a ratrod/gansta sorta look. only spent bare minimum on it but the result was well worth it, money only really comes into it when you upgrade/modify parts and outsource the work.

hes just bought a really old chev (not sure what year? 50's i think) and thinkin about restoring that now, again a ratrod sorta look, but definately getting a v8 for this one

Sounds good,get him to do the bumpers on the EH a silver colour instead of chrome.

[Jo3_Blo]

Do the coupe mate. Leave it for later and you may not get the chance, and you'll regret it.

Just get a cheap one and do it up.

Personally, while I loved the Mad Max films, I would never put one of those mad max front ends on a coupe if I had one. But each to their own I guess.

[BeNoS]

yeah must say id love the coupe and mayby the mad max resto 1 thing is for sure though it would stand out anywere it went good luck mate

[SweetWagon]

Sounds good,get him to do the bumpers on the EH a silver colour instead of chrome.

it looks tons better in chrome, it already has chrome badging, headlight bezels ,trims etc. i'll try get pics of it

[Stupa]

Go the coupe mate, otherwise you'll be kickin yourself till the day you die

[Bent_6]

Honestly mate i wouldn't touch the coupe unless you can get one that is fully restored already or as close to it and i doubt you will get one for that money.
The coupes are well known for there rust in places that the untrained eye wont find and repairs can be very expensive.
Things like around the bottom of the rear window, the boot inners, plenum chamber.
I saw a headlight switch go on ebay a few weeks ago for $710 alone and there not that hard to find.
Buying a shell would be a waste of money because the outlay for the individual parts would proberbly cost more than buying a genuine GT example.

If you are serious about it have a look on Fordforums.com, they have a wealth of knowledge and will point you in the right direction however unless you have an endless supply of cash i wouldn't touch one.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Unless you have an endless supply of cash don't buy a car full stop. For that matter, don't get married either.
There are examples of parts going for big sums but you don't need the exact same genuine bits to make a replica. If you are fanatical about it sure, but have some fun and get some experience. It's all about the process.