1972 coupe quite possibly for sale santa barbara

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boxs

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Hello All - I have been a lurker here for quite a while, It's the first time I had anything to say. About 35 years ago, A friend of my father's inexplicably (I was 16!) Threw me the keys to his new polaris and blue 3.0CS and said "Take her for a spin! your dad and I have some drinking to do!-- So I did! It was an experience I never forgot- the stares, the thumbs up, and the ride! . Soon after, the friend died, the car was sold, and I never saw another one for about 20 years. After that, when I saw one, I would leave a note, or talk to the owner, always to be denied. Over the years, I have had a sickening amount of cars , and a number of "projects". I'm sure you all know the feeling of pouring $20,000.00 into a car, just to have it worth about 10 grand. So about 10 years ago, I said "no more old cars or projects- ever" I am a builder, and about 6 or so years ago, We started a job in town, and out front is a dark blue 74 cs automatic- the owner had just bought it for his wife from an elderly lady in montecito for 15 thou- 30,000 original miles - not for sale. A month later, he opens his garage, and there is a car under a tarp and a pile of boxes- I Ask what it is - he says-"Ah- it's my wifes old car " A '72 polaris and blue 4-speed CS! We wrangle- I buy! The day that I pick her up, I bring a new battery, put it in, start her up, and off I go! Up coast hiway out of Santa barbara, roll all windows down, open the sunroof, Drive towards Lompoc, down twisty santa rosa road back to Buellton, through Solvang, and down the twisty San Marcos pass back to town, Happy as a clam- pull into my bmw mechanic's shop, to show what I got- He drives it, says " Hm, I thought it would have more power" Pulls the oil cap- chocolate milk! I t has been in the shop for six years. Rebuilt the bottom end and the head, new exhaust, mounts, clutch, upgraded fan and fan clutch, New radiator that my radiator guy swears will spit ice cubes, pertronix, new tires. ONE DAY IN SIX YEARS, the car was left covered in the razor wire circled yard overnight, someone who was probably doing a five speed conversion from auto stole the shifter top console, with all the window switches, the turn signal switch, and the bottom of the steering column, and a few other pieces. We found sources for and assembled all the pieces, and I was ready to continue, Then I bought the Boxster S--- My god!- Although I now know its just a stepping stone to the carrerra I am now heading towards, I am torn on the coupe- My mechanic says "Hey It runs great! you should drive it" I never have, and I am not sure I care anymore- my heart is out of it. He needs his space back, and with 5 cars I have no space. So I am not sure wether I am looking to have someone talk me into selling it, or to have someone talk me into going on. What would you do? It needs paint and rear upholstery, Has a few minor rust spots, (I know, I know, this means if I drive it into a stiff wind, it will blow apart,) But my mechanic told me the only reason he took on the project, was that it was a very solid car, he has seen many rust buckets! Any thoughts?
 
boxs or briefs...?

I once had a friend, much wiser than I, that when I was asking about new job versus a current one, said, "if your heart ain't in it, your ass ain't far behind." If you don't have the passion for it, let her go, and let someone with the passion for it, spend the money/time with the car. You will feel better. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, ask me how I know. One of my new year resolutions is to let things go that I dont truly love. I have been with the same woman for 12 years, and we are getting married as soon as is possible,so, yes, I am trying to practice what I preach. Good luck with whatever your decision. Dave V. in NC
 
Sell it! I've been there, sold them, then bought some later in life when "my heart was in it" again. Doesn't sound like the car is all that special, as far as hard to find goes, so if you're interested in one in the future you can find one. Its easier to find them now with the internet! :cool:

Dan
 
A'72?

Let me know if you are thinking of selling and for what price, as I am thinking of getting a coupe for my wife. I'm down in Orange County and always love an excuse to visit SB. But then again, you may want to keep it.....

Thanks,

John
 
Thinking about it today, I realized that the amount of money spent on my Boxster would have bought 3 nice coupes, and the fact that I plan to arrange my life and finances behind a Carerra that would have bought me 3 concourse condition coupes. In light of this, the fact I havent taken the coupe for a drive with the new mechanicals, or taken it to the upholsterers, or the paint shop, tells me that I just don't care anymore. As always, to sell it, I will lose about 1/2 of the money I have in it- par for the course. John- If you brought this home for your wife- she would kill you- it needs upholstery, and paint work, all of the window switches are disassembled, p.o. put speakers in the package shelf, and bubbly cheap window tint that needs to be peeled off. For wives, immediate gratification is often the key to future marital bliss- not a "project"! To Dave V.-- I have been living with my wife for 30 years- We got married two years ago, on April fool's day. How's that for procrastination?
 
I must opine that a 35 year saga needs proper closure, not just turning your back with a casual transaction. Specifically Boxs should fix the upholstery, paint work, speakers, and untint the windows. I can do the window switches. At that point he can hand off the keys to the new owner (John) who will check the mechanicals on his way to surprising the wife, while coupe board members celebrate another happy ending at Citronelle in Santa Barbara, whose parking lot has never seen such an assembly of coupes, and never again will.

John will, of course, pay half of the cost of Boxs upcoming repairs as to maintain the tradition that we always lose half the money we put into these cars. Who are we to break such fine traditions? The car will be inspected in situ for rust by Chicane. Should there be no rust, we will apply some sulfuric acid to the usual places as to preserve another fine tradition.

The coupe caravan will then proceed up State St. with a short stop at Cafe Buenos Aires for some cheese and wine digestif to the tune of live tangos. Those unwilling to end the night with the sad taste of tangos and rust will join a spirited drive south and arrive at La Jolla just before Carl opens the shop.

Happy new year to you all in coupeland.
 
Arde, you bring an insouciance and panache that has hither to, eluded me.

Coupe well my friends.
 
Blau, just trying to spice up the dilemma with a light though
fictional outcome using real character names. Magical realism
genre maybe? My attempt was poor if it eluded the audience.
 
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