Barn Find or bust?

**BillP 98201** · June 25th, 2013, 09:45 PM

A buddy of mine approached me with a Futura for sale. The owner doesn't believe in email, and sent me some pics. The car is bare bones, with no motor or trans. I think it's a 62, there is no grill. The seats and parts are in another part of the barn. Is in Eastern Wa. I would be starting from scratch. They will deliver car and parts to my house for 200 to 250. The body is straight, and I don't see a rust issue. All the glass is there. It's been sitting in a barn for 15 plus years. Any thoughts? Suggestions? Should I run? Or should I just stick with my Sprint?

**ew1usnr** · June 26th, 2013, 02:50 AM

They are essentially giving it to you for free if they will deliver the car and parts to your house $200 - $250.

You could then spend the next several months thinking about it and re-assembling the parts that you have and making a list of the things that you would need and estimating how much a restoration would ultimately cost.

If you then decided not to go forward and just left it at a junk yard, you would only be out $250.

**doghows** · June 26th, 2013, 07:21 AM

You could part it out a d make your money back easy. If you have the room and time I say go for it. Especially since they are brining it to you.
Maybe the club can get together and reassemble it with all our resources and raffle it off if we ever do a regional meet.
Post up some pics I love barn finds. I'm looking at a couple right now.

**doghows** · June 26th, 2013, 08:43 AM

Have them ship it to my house, I have plenty of room...

**Luva65wagon** · June 26th, 2013, 09:48 AM

Having just brought a car in really good shape back to life and knowing what that cost me - and looking at the things before I shelled out the cash I had to assume were "potential costs"... here's some quick math on this one:

Initial investment - $250
"Good" motor and trans, say from someone on Craigslist pulling a 6 to do a V8 swap - minimum $600-$800
Cooling system - $300
Gas tank, sender (95% chance of being rusted out) - $150
Tires - $500
Suspension - $250
Rust repair - $500
Complete Brake system (M/C, all lines, hydraulics, shoes, drums) - $500
Grille "core quality" - $100
Seals (doors and windows) - $250
Interior repair (minimum to be de-ratted and de-moused) - $500

Car cost for basic gift of new life ~ $4100
Car worth at this level of restoration ~ $2000- $3000

You may get by cheaper if some of these things are good or can be had for less money, but there is always the incidentals you can't think of yet 'til you get into it.

Would still be worth getting if you have the space, or send it out to Steve's for a future "parting party." There's always $250 worth of parts on it or it may be a great foundation (assuming rust is minimal) for someone wanting to do a full-fledged restoration on it.

**SmithKid** · June 26th, 2013, 10:01 AM

Seems to me that very few of us could make a profit on our cars if time is considered (I know for sure, I couldn't). So the question to ask yourself might be: Do I really want another car?

**Luva65wagon** · June 26th, 2013, 10:11 AM

Oh heck no... Flarechero would have cost $100,000 in labor! And that was just what Gene did on it!

**SmithKid** · June 26th, 2013, 10:20 AM

Actually, I kinda kept track. I think it was $67,381, but you must have about the same invested in my Ranchero. It must be a wash by now, or maybe I owe you? Did you keep track of that? How much do you have in time on that one.

**Luva65wagon** · June 26th, 2013, 10:38 AM

I averaged about 40 hours a week on the Flarechero for 9 months straight. That, at a shop rate of $80 an hour, is $115,200. And that was bare-minimum body work and paint. I'd have had to add another $10K or so to have it professionally finished and painted. Even buying the cheapest parts and scrimping on parts where I could, that car (NOT including the initial cost to Steve for the two I bought from him to make this one) cost me about $5000 by the time I was finished. Is it worth $5000 now, as-is?

**Luva65wagon** · June 26th, 2013, 10:42 AM

Anyway Bill, I guess the point I've made here is that it takes a certain crazy kind of logic to justify doing the thing we do with old Falcons. I guess you could say the same thing about paying $50 to take your family to the movie, or to a nice dinner. Entertainment value is whatever you are willing to pay.

**doghows** · June 26th, 2013, 12:44 PM

Holy crap batman, I wonder what I have invested time wise in my delivery. Thanks for making that abundantly clear.
Do you think I could sell mine for 1.5 million?? (Hard number is closer to 7K)

You are right I mean the amount of knowledge (or lack of) gained by doing this and the (mostly) enjoyment of having done it myself is priceless in my book...

And by all means if anyone finds a good parts car and doesn't have a place for it, call me up. I can store 4 right next to the shop and have another 2-3 acres I can hide them in...

**Luva65wagon** · June 26th, 2013, 01:11 PM

AKA - Yard Art.

**Jeff W** · June 26th, 2013, 08:42 PM

Bill, I think you tag line says it best: " Looking forward to learning new things".

I say if you have the room, go for it

As far as cost of things... I have roughly $8,200 in my wagon including the $3,600 for the original car. I have done most of the work myself (with club members help) and haven't even touched the driveline yet.

Why do we do this again?

**BillP 98201** · June 27th, 2013, 06:25 AM

Thanks guys! That definitely gives me something to ponder. I don't think I would keep the car. If it was a Ranchero..... Maybe. There is just so much going on at the house....lol my shop just got the power on today.

Thanks Denny! I'll keep in touch with the guy, and see what else comes of this. I will try and post pics in a day or two.