new acquisition

[So Cal Mark]

I picked up a 1971 coupe this weekend, from the original owner. He and his wife both work for Road and Track and the car was featured in the mag a few times, long ago. It's been sitting for 15 years and has rust holes below the rear window. But the car is complete and has a set of Cromodora magnesium wheels with the original caps! I haven't decided if I'll part it out or help it find a new home.

[narfire]

Between that one and another coupe an hour or so from here,I know you could make one
What is the interior like?
Just don't have the $$$ at the moment.
Chris

[kmead]

I believe that would be Dorothy Clendenin's car. When I lived out there I tried to track that car down, I wasn't successful.

According to an article I have she picked it up in June 1971 and has had it ever since. Is it still missing the trunk molding? It was repainted in 1976.

Congrats on a great purchase. I am most envious!

Don't part it! Please!

Let me know what you want for it and what is up with it, beyond the rust below the rear window.

[So Cal Mark]

it is Dottys' car, the first new car she bought. I haven't had much time to check the whole car out, but there is rust on the left front door lower edge besides the holes below the rear window. The car is completely intact though. The seats have all split on the seams and the headliner is sagging. But the dash, door panels and console are all decent looking. The motor is quite dirty, but again, all intact. I was told that the car didn't have any real issues, but they were/are always driving test cars for the magazine and the Fiat just starting sitting for longer and longer periods as it got older. While I was picking up the car, they showed me a brand-new BMW 760 they had for an extended test. I'm going to see what shape the motor is in, but I'd be happy to find someone that wants to put it back on the road rather than parting it out. The glass is all good, and I believe all of the outer trim is in place. I'll spend more time with it the next couple of days. Dennis, Dottys' husband, is going to get copies of the R&T features on the car for me.

[sptcoupe]

I drove the car about a year after R&T painted it for them to do the article, but couldn't persuade them to sell it to me. Don't part it out - its too close to original not to be brought back to original shape.

[ital]

Hi Mark,

Part it out, are you kidding? This is the most desirable series coupe in North America. You should have no problem selling this one.

Would be great to add this car in the world wide owners registry that I administer

Plus add those road and track articles in the website

ciao

[So Cal Mark]

finally got a chance to take pics inbetween rain storms. I did get the R&T articles that featured this coupe.

[So Cal Mark]

got the coupe fired up today, and it actually ran on 12 yr old fuel! Here's the link to the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw1bbIk47Fc

[TulsaSpider]

Wow that rocks! sounded pretty good too

[So Cal Mark]

all it took was a battery and a little sanding on the points and voila! The accelerator pump really doesn't work of course and it idles like the low speed circuit is gummed up but I was pleasantly surprised Oil pressure is about 40psi at 2000rpm.

[Exit98]

Mark,

Really awakened old memories. Now I can recall reading her articles about this coupe.

I bought my 72 Spider probably 9 months or so after she got this one. I felt we were kindred spirits.

R & T was the bible then.

[manoa matt]

That patina should buff right out.

[So Cal Mark]

"real" patina is so valuable though!

[sptcoupe]

I think this is a really special car and you should be thrilled to have it. Dead original, solid, and one of the few coupes to evewr get national attention in a mag like R&T. I kept after them for ten years to sell it to me, but every time they would charge the battery up and get in running and cleaned up, they would have a change of heart.

I've been around coupes a long time, and really urge you to bring her back to her all-original trim. She's a special find, for sure.

[karhawk]

I don't think the association with R/T has any added value, by the looks of it it's been outside for years. Saving this car would cost much more then the value would be once everything is made right. Even parting it is no great money maker, the wheels being the most valuable commodity.

Chris
Oakland, Ca.