This Blighted Place

[OzHemi]

I did ask around a few people (and one Ford friend in peticular) in Melbourne to keep an eye out for a donor car (or part of one) for some sheet metal areas for you just in case.. If I do hear anything I will holler and toss them in the next container I do, soon as I get some time if you like.

Stinks to see you get stuck with the project you did without knowing it and all, just in general.

[nfpgasmask]

But he would have been so far backwards in the car once he rebuilt it, in reality it would have probably been cheaper and much,much faster of course to start over again.

That is exactly what I am afraid of.

Bart

[OzHemi]

Well, since you have gone as far as you have...perhaps just get it blasted first then you can access the situation from there. If it shows up alot more issues, might be something to help you decide your plan of attack.

[roadwarriormfp]

Bart,

While its depressing seeing a coupe in that state, its really a case of "how much money can you afford?"
Anything is repairable, but the money pit is the real issue.

Looking on eBay can sometimes help with NOS panels and its amazing how many actually appear for sale.
I have seen door skins, rear quarter panels, cill panels etc... but at a price to.

Also I dont know if anyone is aware or not, but pretty soon we shall see (this is what i was told from the dealer) brand new panels being stamped out to suit the XA. XB coupes.

At present the first items i have seen for sale are the rear exhaust panels (GT, standard twin and single hole).
But I am told that door and boot skins, complete bonnets, cill panels (complete with the front pinched area), rear quarter panels will be made available soon.

I am under the impression that the company is the same company which makes those "new" 1969 mustang bodies?
I have looked at their website but they dont mention any aussie cars on there, but the boxes I have seen the parts in have their web address printed on them. (sorry at the moment i dont remember the company)

If your willing to simply collect parts bit by bit and spread it out over a period of time that always also helps with cost.
It all depends on how much of a hurry you are i guess.

[nfpgasmask]

If there were more panels available, that would greatly help the effort. Please keep me posted with the info on that. And if any of you kind hearted lads over in Oz can offer any additional help (i.e., help me find parts, offer an address to ship eBay stuff to if I can't get stuff shipped direct, etc) that would be great.

I know that I have but 2 choices, both hard. The first being ditch this car for whatever little money I can get out of it, and save up for another car, basically, cut my losses and chalk it up to being an idiot and getting dicked over combined. Or, I keep this car and fight through the restoration and never look back. It's six to one, half-a-dozen to another if you ask me. In the long run, whichever way I go, I am probably going to end up spending roughly the same amount of money. I haven't seen a nice, complete, 90% rust free V8 coupe for less than $30,000 AUD in a long time.

So the more I think about it, the more I need to just stay focused and positive about my current car, and eat it like an elephant.

Bart

[OzHemi]

I assume you have looked at the bits Rare Spares has by now as well ? They do show abit of repair patches/panels for the coupes it looks like..

Oh, and Don't discount a good solid 6 cyl car to start with too... I just missed out of a complete car less engine and trans last time I was in Oz, back in May for around $6k (XB coupe) was not rusty and was a friend of a friend's (he did not bother mention it to me when he first heard about it because I am mainly into Holdens and Valiants) but they are still around if you look...

[roadwarriormfp]

http://www.rarespares.net.au/Parts-Accessories.aspx

http://www.xbfordfalconshop.com/

http://www.thegtgarage.com.au/

http://www.mustangautoparts.com.au/

http://www.fomoco.com.au/

http://www.fordmuscleparts.com.au/shop/

https://www.americanautos.com.au/secure.html

All of those sellers are worth looking at for spares.....

[HUMVEE Driver]

nfpgasmask, you only live once, my friend. Keep going on your project, and someday you'll be looking at that beast sitting in your driveway and saying, yep, that's right mother f*ckers, I DID IT.

Keep the faith, you'll get there.

HUMVEE Driver

[nfpgasmask]

Thanks guys, for all your words.

Bart

[rtgreen]

just keep the faith with your current car. one corner at a time. you might get into metal working and love it. you never know. at least then you know what you have. you waited this long for the car itself, why go through that again with another.
i've had a 69 dodge charger since 2001, and its been one piece at a time. sure it takes alot of cash, but its mine and always will be. i'm building it for myself so i'm not consered about resale value. its what i want, and am willing to do what i have to do to get it. i dont have a car payment going into a car or truck thats loosing value every month. just my 2 cents