A quick introduction

[shemphill]

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd throw in a quick introduction and a few basic questions regarding my latest project.

I found this '72 CS on the Santa Barbara Craigslist late December 2007. I bought the car from a guy whose dad had gone through what looks like great lengths to bring the car back to its former glory before he passed away. Records indicate he had the interior redone, the engine rebuilt, and the underside of the car de-rusted (new rockers, etc welded in and undercoated), Alpina wheels, etc, all which cost the guy some serious money. I ended up paying $4500 and drove the car to the Las Vegas area from Santa Barbara, getting lots and lots of attention along the way...

Anyway, the car needs paint to bring it back to Malaga. The PO had it painted a dull yellow Mercedes color from the 80's, which makes me suspicious he had attempted to hide some poorly done bodywork. There is some rust showing on the trunk, the hood, around the windshield, and the dash is so-so. The paint still has shine left in it, but it needs to be brought back to make it look right.

Here's the kicker... I bought the car when I was 20 years old and I'm 21 now. I've had the joy of working on 2002s and I have a couple daily driver E30s, but I come from a generation of ipods, cell phones, fuel injection, electronic ignition, and turn-key-and-go cars. I'm scared to touch the thing and I don't want to dig myself into and break something I know has a lot of value, beauty, and history.

So... my questions are: What does it cost get insurance? What does a decent paint job go for? Do you constantly fear someone will ding your car in a parking lot? How necessary is the 5-speed? Does an above-average E9 go for $25k or so?

Hopefully I'll be able to get something underway once I get these engineering classes over with...

Thanks,
Steve

 

[acat2002]

Welcome

I just renewed my insurance policy with Hagerty.
Increased stated value to $30,000 (+$290 annual premium)
had stated value at $22,000 last year and premium was $230 something.
Fairly cheap. However, classic car insurance in NOT intended for daily drivers, so that may be a factor.
I had my Porsche insured with Allstate as a daily driver and it cost me four times that amount. Plus it was a hassle getting the car properly appraised. With Hagerty and some others it is much simpler.

I'm not going to touch the paint question without getting my head chopped off from others on this board :wink: Opinions on paint quality and what a "good" paint job consists of vary (as well as the cost).

 

[Rakearch]

Coupe Ownership

Welcome to the coupe world.

You will have many of the same experinces in your coupe as your 2002.

Regarding insurance, the big issue is daily driver vs classic car (shows only). With daily driver the biggest issue is the replacement value if damaged or stolen. If you have less than 12K into the car you are likely safe with most policies. Above that go with an agreed value plan.

Standard 3.0 coupes range from 5k to 75k based on condition.

A paint job can range from 3k to 45K plus rust repair. Biggest issue is color change, rust repair and pulling trim and glass.

We used to say multiply by 3 times what you would spend to restore a 2002 for the difference in parts cost and complexity. As I am now restoring a 2002, IM amazed by the current price of 2002 parts.

The biggest problem I see for you in Vegas is that even the best Coupe AC unit will not help you survive summer heat.

If you are going to work on the car, your best investment is to get a copy of the parts books that show how everything goes back together.


Use the E9board search for the topic you are interested in and then post specific questions. You will find more Know how here than the vast majority of mechanics out there.

Preserve & protect.