78 spider-how much of a project should one take on?

[giuliot60]

I'm looking at a 78 spider with 72000 original miles with a new timing belt, some rust but nothing structural (front under grill was cut out, and edges of front & back bottom fenders) and a decent non-original paint job. The current owner was going to turn it into an auto cross car, but decided not to. The car needs brakes (MC & Calipers/rotors), an exhaust system (has after market headers), carpet, top, tires (nice mags), and tie-rods to get it running. The smog controls taken off. The driver's seat has a couple of split seams.

$1200 gets me the car, an extra 5-speed in good condition, a couple of extra heads, and two extra radiators. The runs well and the installed tranny in good condition.

I'm thinking that parts will run me another $1200.

Do I buy it?

[blurple124]

I would low-ball it. I have a '78 that I got for $600, when the guy originally wanted $2500. It didn't have the best paintjob, but it might have been at or just above the value of the one you were looking at. $1200 isn't a terrible price, but with these cars, I would imagine that $1200 could get you a lot more than what you have described.

[giuliot60]

Well I decided to not go for it. I'd hate for it to go to parts.