Flooded Parts Car

[ScottG]

I stumbled upon a '74 Spider parts car advertised locally for $400. Current owner says he was going to put the 124 body on a Chevy S10 chassis to create a "roadster" (HeeHaw) but the S10 rusted out before he could get around to it. And, by the way, says the current owner, it's been flooded twice.

So, I'm wondering if there's any value as a parts car in this. Obviously everything electrical is a waste and I can only imagine how bad the interior smells. But something must remain that's worth saving, right? (Or maybe I'm just a sucker for wanting to save this wreck from being used for target practice in the 'back 40!) So, could you guys and gals that have parted out cars before give me and idea if anything on a flood victim like this is worth salvaging?

One side note: the current owner claims the car has fiberglass front fenders and hood---anybody here ever hear of that for a non-Abarth car?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[So Cal Mark]

the price might be a bit high if the motor has been flooded also. Fiberglass replacement fenders are available from some vendors. I'd offer the guy $100 and if the car has a title, those early numbers are gold in smog states like Calif. You could sell the title and vin tags for more than the cost of the car

[mbouse]

reminding the guy that flooding a car makes it near valueless, fan a fist of fivers in front of him like Mark said, and see if he bites.

with the right amount of time, and storage space, you could turn that small investment into several hundred dollars of cash towards mo' parts for your driver!

with the right amount of patience and wrenching skills you should triple your money.

for example, i will buy the springs off you... all four. those certainly were not hurt in the floods.

[ScottG]

Very interesting thought about the title and VIN plate. Not that I wouldn't love to stick it to the EPA, but isn't there some question regarding the legality of switching VIN numbers and titles to cars that they don't belong to? Let's face it, if I don't earn enough parting this out to make bail, than it's just not worth it. (Ha!)

[mbouse]

if you can't make bail, can i have your other Spider?

[katsi]

It seems to me that although flooded, a lot of parts could be harvested. I suppose it would all depend on how long ago was it flooded and to what extent. Was it totally submerged or are we just looking at a lot of body rust from being up to it's floor pans in water?

Here are some ideas I have.

Door handles
Mirrors
Windows
Springs - as Mark said
Rear end
Transmission
Oil pan
Hood
Deck Lid
Latches for both
Heck, I bet you could get 40 bucks for all 16 lug nuts.
Those dash screws are kinda nice to have
Not to mention, aluminum does not rust so the head may be rebuildable.
Carb could be salvaged
Linkages
Plastics - ie light lenses
The list could go on an on depending on each paticular part's condition.

Would be a lot of work though.

[ScottG]

Mike-I'd love to let you have it but if I end up in jail I'll need somewhere to sleep. (That's according to my wife!)

Katsi- Good points all. The car was completely submerged --twice. So, I'm wondering, did the current owner forget to set the parking brake and let it roll into his pond or did it get caught in a couple of hurricanes which would now leave everything coated in saltwater?

I'm trying to set up a time to look at this fish...everyone's advice has been helpful! Keep it coming!

[katsi]

Salt water bad - Salt water very very bad

[mbouse]

Scott, if i bring another car home we will both be able to sleep inside a Spider, cuz i won't be sleeping under this roof either.

[ScottG]

I looked at this car today. Current owner reports that it's been submerged under the Grand River not once, but twice. Same car...same garage...different floods.

The car is very complete with solid bumpers, a pair of fiberglass front fenders and a fiberglass 'big bulge' hood. It does, of course, have the usual body and undercarriage rust. Many of the chrome bits, glass and lenses look usable. The owner has a clear title to go with the car although I did not verify the validity of the title.

Although folks here suggested offering $100, I thought enough was usable and offered the owner $200 in cash. The owner turned me down flat saying he'd rather keep it and focus on moving the body to an S10 frame. He also mentioned using the TC engine in a "home-built buggy." Ughhh! I told him to keep me in mind if he lowered his expectations but I doubt I'll hear from him again.

If anybody here lives in the NE Ohio area and wants to spend $400 salvaging these useful parts from an unholy union with an S10, you can find the ad at http://cleveland.craigslist.org/pts/1287238472.html . The car is located in Jefferson, Ohio about 50 miles east of Cleveland.