1973 SM $7500 NMNA

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1316020876006373/?mibextid=dXMIcH

He's negotiable and Willing to consider trades. 

In reply to Docwemple :

Ran when parked and those rust stains does not equal $7500.

In reply to Stampie :

I agree. Not having interior, engine nor shots of the usual rust vulnerable areas isn't promising either. What do you think this is? 5k?

In reply to Docwemple :

That's a whole different game than I play in.  I'm just going to WAG it for fun.  What's that worth as a driver?  $15k?  That brake system is notorious for being a problem child.  Throw $4k at it?  Engine that ran when parked?  Made by Maserati?  $10k?  Detail it to get rid of the rust stains? $1k?  Interior? $2k.  Nope I'm out a long time ago.

Worst part about that engine is that it was a v8 that got 2 cylinders lopped off of. Main reason it liked to fly apart

In reply to Stampie :

He didn't say that it ran when parked.  He said "run when it was parked".  Probably good advice.

Sitting "a few years". Looks like 10+ years is "a few".  I think it has started becoming one with the ground. 

I'd hate to see howmuch those headlight covers cost

Headlight covers are about 1K if you can find them. I sold a used interior for over 2K. Engine rebuild is an easy 10K. These cars are amazing technology, but expensive to get right when they are left to rot like this one.  I probably have all the parts to fix this, including the front bumper and engine parts, but to find someone that understands these cars is $$$$.

This is a parts car at best, I would not buy it, much better SM's out there. Drivers are in the 15-20k range, restored cars can be 40k or more depending on how well done and if there is history of maintenance (timing changes, water pump, hydralics, etc.....).

Back the bank truck up to restore. 

eurotechms said:

Back the bank truck up to restore. 

I have one I will be restoring, but it was a much loved example. Beautiful body, interior, 5 speed, hydraulics work, new spheres, was running back in 2017, garage kept, but will need an engine rebuild, but I have a spare engine that I'll do slowly and fix the weaknesses along the way. Won't be cheap, but will be worth the effort and I won't be upside down on it. But to do one like this, would be pretty ambitious if not crazy.

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

Since you know more, how accurate was I on my WAG above?

I've never understood the appeal of these cars. 

Stampie said:

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

Since you know more, how accurate was I on my WAG above?

I'm just going to WAG it for fun.  What's that worth as a driver?  $15k?  This runner sold on BAT for $9,400 but must runners are in the $15-20K range.

That brake system is notorious for being a problem child.  Throw $4k at it? That would be pretty acurate depending upon what it might need.

Engine that ran when parked?  Made by Maserati?  $10k?  Properly rebuilt Maserati engines built by specialists are $10-15K, but I have a good one, that I'll do preventative maintenance (new timing changes, water pump seal changes) and check everything but should be much less assuming nothing is damaged.

Detail it to get rid of the rust stains? $1k? Car is aluminum and steel, paint work could be $$$$

Interior? $2k.   I priced out at over 4K for a new interior without the installation, so figure at least another grand to install the new covers and foam on the seats.

So a restoration if you have to pay someone to do everything is out of the question, but if you have a solid car, it can be done without getting hurt financially. Excellent cars have sold for 80K on BAT, but the average for a really nice example is more like 40-50K.

Woody (Forum Supportum) said:

I've never understood the appeal of these cars. 

I have not driven mine yet, but will be driving one of the club owners cars soon. Apparently they drive like nothing else, sound like the exotic they are, with an amazing ride and handling from the suspension and self centering steering. I always thought they were just weird but once I learned more and then got mine, really appreciate that they are a high water mark in automotive engineering and design, likely to never be repeated again.

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

Ok not bad on my WAG.  I'd love one but I think it would be one of those don't meet your hero moments.

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

Like the DS, they were ahead of their time, and like the DS, it's the engine that let's it down. Wish they had used another but between time and cost constraints.  It does sound nice and looks as exotic as anything from that time. Certainly a much more usable exotic than anything coming out of Italy at the time, with the exception of the Fiat Dino.

In reply to Docwemple :

Like so many great cars, the original engine designs have some flaws that can be solved. The Maserati engine is actually one of the highlights of the car, but you have to make the modifications necessary to make it reliable. The engine's biggest flaws are the original timing chains, the sodium filled exhaust valves and the water pump seals. All of these can be fixed and need to be resolved if you are bringing one back to life. If a valve head breaks off, you are screwed, same with timing chains. Back in the day, these came off the road with low mileage due to one of these issues. One of my spare motors appears to be in excellent condition, but the water pump seal was leaking, so I am hopeful that is the reason it was pulled and that the valve train is solid as that is what I will rebuild for my car.