aardvark

Well, its what this car logically needs. I wish I could go a different direction , but the cars value plays a hand in the decision. As said, I'm not against anyone Modding their vehicle. Done so all my life with many vehicles to achieve what i wanted.

It's not that I disagree with a better battery, but if a 3EE turns it over, I don't care about a 30-40# weight increase in the front end. My Wife throws off the balance by 125#'s. and it's all incremental . How much do you and I weigh? Are we after track timing by the second at a time? As said, I love Retro. I love Mods.. I'm in a scenario where originality is key on this vehicle. It's just a destiny on this one. I've had a SB Vega with a 400ci and turbo 400 tranny... and many other vehicles that would curl your hair and straighten it in the same run. Each vehicle needs approached for it's value and fun..

Well MFG/// They got rid of the 289 as well, but while Originally Studie (63-64) the 3EE was used (as best I know) I'm not all about being 100% original, but IF Your car is one of those untouched by changes or mods, it behoves You to stick with OEM parts. It would be a different thing if the 3EE wasn't available or highly expensive , but it is available and not priced much different than any other option. Mine, (below) is 100% Stock cept the Aluminum Wheels but I have a new set of the Stock hubcaps in the trunk. I don't like the brakes and am in the process of upgrading to Dual Master and new Turner disks.. ( I live in the Mountains and braking is paramount). BUT I will keep the Original Brake Part for the next owner if they want to revert back. But I am sorta envious of the later models with a Chev Small Block. That was a good upgrade and a 383 stroker could be done and it would look stock.

Nah.. It's missing a few later years, like mine,( and yours) an '02'

I have to ask... whats so wrong with the 3EE? It's original and the same price as many other options. They are finicky but buy a $10.oo trickle charger and there will be no problems.

Gun... I bought my '63' last year for $16k. Condition is a 8-9 out of 10. It has 89K on the clock.. I have a few $thou in it and still have a power steering leak. It's NOT #3..but a good survivor. I don't do major resto's anymore at age 70. I buy em right and when tired of em... sell em. It's all a Business Transaction and I LOVE This Car. So someone else put the money in this vehicle, and I paid near full asking price. Both parties were happy.

I'm looking at this from strictly a $$ figure. I really have no choice in my purchases. reason being is ANY vehicle in my life is a financial decision, and allows the ability to move on to the next purchase. No big bank account here, no financial windfalls, no lotto winnings... Just an average Joe trying to make ends meet. So when I buy or take on a project there can be no losses. That doesn't mean I'm not a total Auto Freak..That was inbred into me. I own a number of vehicles (5 collectors and 2 dailies). The Dailies I run to death and their usage pays for themselves. The Collector stuff is a Business Transaction, and I don't like to lose in Business. On this particular vehicle? It's a Crap Shoot. There will be 1 to 2 years of resto... what is Your time/labor worth? ... Next is the parts list... Massive. To someone with the perfect Shop Setting, it may pay off. To me,, Not a chance in Hell. .......... I might add, People who restore out of Love, end up losing at time to sell. Instinctively they are even aware of that fact. I'll be first in line at time to buy.

Man... That car was a mess. I'm uncertain if it's rarity is worth that price. Car #3 was without actual firm verification (according to the seller) Avanti History shows 1 Avanti "63' that sold for $110k. I don't know what was special about that particular car. ... Most sell in the $30-40k range with some at far less. Does the rarity and the $22k price support likely a $40-50k restoration to bring this car near that level of value? Seems like a risk to me.

Mothballing is still in place for my cars..... A Helene Hurricane Update!! They were out there Blacktopping again and the roads are pretty good. The weather is beginning to cooperate. Temps are in the 50s and 60's over the next few weeks. So the New Administration is in place with promises of aid. I expect good from Him, but suspect He'll circumvent FEMA...(YES!!) All repairs, Housing and aid is basically from the Locals and some "out of State" sources. Religious Orgs are on it but overwhelmed. Franklin Graham was born and raised right here and even His Org is outside of Asheville. So this is personal to Him. So enough of the Politics.. This place is still a mess and will likely be a few years before the place shows good recovery. And back on the Car Topic... I soon will be on "The Road"! .... Car Shows are still in the planning and I'll be ready to attend.

stock is gloss.

Nice. work Ron.

thanks again, Ron.

I have to ask,, Ron....Since You've been keeping data on thee cars... Is that car a stock color? To me it's a horrible option.

Mark63Avanti Yer spot on about not messing with the Oil Co's chemistry. ........................... Depending on what kind of vehicle You us as a Daily, todays engines are very particular about viscosity. I was told to never up the viscosity in my Ford 5.4 engine since the galleries couldn't handle the increase w/o ruining the engine. They spec 5w-20w max. So at 300k miles I guess they're right. No smoke and the engine runs like new. Fpllow Mfg'r's Spec's and You should be fine.

as in other Oil discussions on other forums, there is no single answer or general agreement. Everyone is an expert and in reality NONE are Chemical Scientists. Thus all I have ever had to go on is personal experiences. After owning some 65 vehicles, I've NEVER had an engine failure due to Oil. Add to that I run vehicles until the bodies fall off for rust or other failure like head gaskets and warped parts or tranny failures. I run em to death and over the 200k mile mark... Many to 300k. One went over 400k.. So add or chemically modify as You see fit, but I'll trust in a good oil company ((in my case Castrol )) and their Scientists testing their products for longevity/ I won't mess with their chemistry.

Good answer.Dwight. I'm a Castrol user and won't deviate from the brand. I think going synthetic with it's slickness pretty much eliminates the need for zinc, but then again, I'm not an expert. Still as said, I'm running my V-8's well over 200k miles and many times to the 300k mile point.

Wild... the Shell brand is scientifically blended by Shells Scientists, thus they likely can be trusted... Good Choice. BUT...I have to ask.. If ZDDP is such an ''engine savior'' why then isn't it in ALL Motor Oils? After all, all Oil Companies have a stake in long life engine data. That's why Synthetics have become popular...Longevity. My F-150 now has 300k miles and doesn't smoke or burn oil except the acceptable amount of a 1/2 quart per 5000 miles on standard Castrol Synth. same with my Hummer H2 at 175k miles...And this is not unusual for my vehicles. I change oil every 10-12k ish miles..The advent of synthetics either as a 1/2 1/2 mix or full synth has changed the necessity of oil changes every 3000ish miles. I held to that 3000 mile parameter for decades and then 15 years ago (about 10 years after Mobil1 was introduced) I followed the science and converted my F-150 over slowly to full synth (after 3ish oil changes with a 50/50 mix.).. I'll hold to not messing with an Oil Companies research and chemistry balance. Their Scientists are of a better pay grade than '''any of us''' at deciding what is and is not good in the mix. These discussions are commonplace on ''most any'' Vehicle Forum and everyone comes at their decisions from a different angle. My angle is ''Multiple Vehicles'' running well past the 200k mark. As commonly said... "Your Mileage May Vary!"

I've heard arguments from all sides, but what made the best sense is these Oil Mfgr's have done all the science and chemistry that we as Pikers just don't even have a clue to. STP changes the entire chemistry and viscosity of what the Oil Co has designed and is a crap shoot to much with that. So me personally, I've gone Castrol Synthetics on everything I drive. On V-8's I'm getting 250-350k miles on my daily drivers. One went over the 350k mark. I sold it, and I saw it on the road some 2 years later. Do as You wish, but realize these Oil Mfgr's are pulling out all stops for engine longevity...Wanna mess with the mix... Not Me!

That's what concerns me. This succa is floating around everywhere

Personally I would start with making sure all mechanicals are up and working in a '''''dependable''''' manner. Then the cosmetics can be addressed. Still there needs to be some common sense with the Pricing. At $40k it seems high. but is then a crap shoot to see if the rest of the work needing done can be done at a reasonable price... I'm somehow thinking it will take $10-20K just to get it back to perfection. Yes the Car has only <200 miles on it, but a car that sat these many years is basically a mess to begin with.

I've seen this thing up ''for sale'' now for 4 to 6 months. So is this a scam? Is this car been sitting too long and become crap? I've decided. it likely isn't worth the headaches. You do as You see fit.. I have a '02' with 40k miles.. minimal wear. I wouldn't let it go for less than $60k..in fact I would prefer $65k. Am I out of line in my asking price? Likely so, but there is no rush to sell and the values seem to be increasing. Add to that the rarity and lack of ANY of these coming up ''For Sale''. So I'll hold to my (fictional) asking price.

Thanks Ron. Looking forward to final results.

RonManfred This question was out before You likely purchased Your car. Would You like to Chime In on the topic? I do know from Ron how many were made in Jade Green, but am unsure about the Convertible Numbers of the '02' year.

A Helene Hurricane Update. I thought it prudent to give You all an update. So, it's been 2 months and now it's Winter. We still have families living in tents and sheds. The Gov't is as useless as ''tits on a boar hog''. Despite their actions (or lack thereof) things are getting slowly better. It is hoped that the New Administration will release sufficient funds to help families and businesses get back up and running. But it has been more than 2 months... actually 3 since all Hell broke lose. I-40 which is our most traveled freeway and goes from Asheville to Knoxville was wiped out. About a week ago another lane of that freeway collapsed. There is no good way to go West out of our area''''2 Steps Forward.. 1 Step back.'''' For my area...The roads have been mostly repaired. Blacktop was installed but they still have a LOT of patchwork to be done. A LOT of Bridges are still out. So our roads are totally drivable now. I can't complain about that since I really didn't expect good roads until late Spring. The Waterways are a total disaster. Uprooted trees and the rivers actually changed directions. Many homes destroyed and they are bulldozing em all down. So I'll keep my cars Mothballed for the Winter Season.

I (ass)ume it's the bottom one that is re-dyed. I'll let Ron tell us though. The differences are very subtle. Photos and postings don't really show true reality, but the bottom pix is more reddish.