FOR SALE OUCH! '77 Volare coupe

[old yellow 78]

SOB! What a shame for the owner, but quite possibly a great opportunity for someone else. Looks to be an easy fix and the body seems almost rust free with a 318, A/C, PS/PB, and extra parts. Looks like a fun project for the upcoming spring!
1977 Plymouth Volare

 

[XfbodyX]

I could so use that as a parts car, always so far away.

I know I comment about parting cars alot but I really need one or two good ones that are just base cars to finish a couple projects a bit up the ladder that were in poor shape and since no make repop parts whats a guy to do?

 

[volare 1977]

looks like lots of good stuff still left on that one.

 

[old yellow 78]

Well,... It surely would make an excellent parts car, but from the pics and the limited description, I would hope somebody puts it back on the road instead. Looks like a great start for building a nice coupe with minimal, if any, rust and nice options, 318, and a good looking interior. I like the color, the options, and really everything about it. I don't know, but there is something about this one... I think it is worth a phone call or a text to find out more about it. I really hope it gets a good home. The seller says he "wants it gone" so a real deal may be had by someone. This looks like a great "blank canvas". My mental "opportuntity" light is blinking! (Disclaimer: No, I'm not the seller, and don't know anything about it.)
I realize that everybody is not in the same position as I am, but distance has never been a huge factor when I have really wanted something, because I just turn it into an "adventure"/vacation. I live in eastern Pennsylvania, but when I found OY's listing on EB in 2012 out near Pueblo, Colorado, rust free and only 27k original miles, I jumped on it immediately, made a deal over the phone, and bought it sight unseen. A friend and I then flew out to Colorado to get it and drove it home, camping along the way. I had been looking for a really nice F body four speed wagon for YEARS, and I wasn't about to let this rust free "Old Yellow" wagon get away. It was a great road trip and a lot of fun!

Then the next year, I bought another almost identical Aspen in Virginia just for parts off of CL, drove my F150 down to strip off everything I wanted and left the carcass for the owner to scrap, which made him very happy to have the scrap value as well. I didn't want/need the entire car, but now I have a ton of spare parts!

Then, a few years ago after looking for a LONG time, I finally found my SE/Premier plaid interior in excellent condition in a black '77 Volare Premier wagon listed on CL out in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I bought it over the phone after getting pictures, drove the F150 all the way out there, completely stripped the interior out, as well as getting the road wheels, remote mirrors, etc., and jam packed them all in the truck. Again, I left the carcass for the happy seller to scrap for extra $, and then went north to Kansas to go camping in the prairie grasslands for the rest of the week on the way back. It was a great time!

Most recently, I drove the poor old F150 out to Cleveland, Ohio last spring to scoop up FOUR NOS front fenders which made for an interesting and fun weekend trip. This pic was taken out back of a Dollar Store where I got lots of cardboard to protect the fenders on the way back to the Philadelphia area.

I don't think too much about being "practical" or "economical" with OY. This wagon is my hobby and toy. It's not supposed to "make sense" or be "practical". I really don't "need" it, I just want it. It's an adventure. It's only purpose is to make me happy. And, it fits that bill nicely!
So, IF I was in the market for a nice coupe, and I wanted THIS particular coupe enough, and could get a good deal, I would have no trouble at all renting a tow dolly and going out to pick it up, wherever it is. Even if you had to rent a pickup too, to pull the dolly, so what? That would likely be fun too if you don't own your own truck. It certainly would be an adventure and something fun to talk about!

 

[Darth-Car]

The car is interesting in its own right, but I could not justify that much coin for something that had been bitten by a tree; however the thing that makes this deal worthwhile, and worth the money is the great collection of extra parts that are included. You can not go wrong with all of that extra fancy stuff that is getting so hard to find, and in this case it comes with a free car. ....Almost

 

[old yellow 78]

all of that extra fancy stuff that is getting so hard to find

You are right there! That is one reason that I have stockpiled various parts for OY. It's not like you can pick an F body up cheap down at the corner "Shady Sam's Used Car Lot" anymore. I don't even know of any in junkyards around here anymore. This coupe somehow just looks very interesting to me. It doesn't look messed with. True, there is limited description and only one "after" picture, but it doesn't look too bad to me, and looks like it would be fun to repair and fix up. Certainly worth a call for someone in the market for one. The seller stating that he "wants it gone" is a good indication that if someone is quick and with cash presented themselves, they could get it for much less than asking price. I have done that before. On the other hand, with a car like OY, I was REALLY quick, and didn't haggle with money - I WANTED that wagon! I've never regretted it either!

 

[Oldiron440]

Your putting a lot of faith on the Rt and Lt side along with the back half of the car. Dont make assumptions!

 

[old yellow 78]

Lol - If I wasn't willing to take risks, I wouldn't have done ANY of the things I posted above! Regardless, I'm not looking for a coupe. If you really look at these pics though, there is no evidence of rust, and it looks all original, down to the wheel covers. It looks like it is a two-tone blue with evidence on the hood, and also what looks like the dividing pinstripe on the lower body. Seller says it is "complete and original down to the exhaust" with "all typical rust areas very nice." Sounds like a lot of extra toys come with it too. Also, I'm not saying it IS a great car, it might be crap. I'm just saying it's very interesting to me, looks like a relatively easy fix and as described I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty low mileage. Seat isn't even split. It might be worth it to someone who is in the market for one to check it out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[Oldiron440]

I looked through the pictures (what few there are) the one of the lower door jamb has been painted with a can (paint on trim and interior) pluss the pictures only show the hood, front glass and drivers seat. It doesn't point out clean quarters, door bottoms or any thing else.

 

[old yellow 78]

Dont make assumptions!

Well, assumptions can go both ways. I have been right to assume, several times now, that people who were selling entire cars would be willing to compromise and sell just parts and scrap the shell, for much less than asking price. I also assumed that the seller of OY was being honest and forthright. He was. I have also come across several downright bargains, as well as the occasional bust, but they are typically the exceptions. I don't assume that people are only trying to rip me off. Some are, but you can usually tell or get a "feeling" that something isn't right. So, I just walk away. I don't want to go around always assuming the worst about people and their actions. That's a hard way to live. Again, with reference to this particular coupe, all I'm saying is that I think there might be a good deal to be made. I could just as easily assume the quarters and door bottoms are a rotted out mess, and not bother with it. But I don't. Maybe, maybe not, but that is part of the fun of the old car hobby. Sort of like fishing.

 

[Oldiron440]

I'm in no way saying the seller is trying to be dishonest, but I'm not going to assume that a forty year old mopar is not going to have rust! The Volare had rust issues from day one. It is safe to assume that there is a rust issue on every forty year old mopar untill prove otherwise. I have worked on far to many old cars not to no how thay rust. I would hate to know the number of cars that I've opened up and the hidden rust far outweighs the visual. That is why shops don't give firm prices on rust repair if they do it at all. It's the reality of old cars.

 

[XfbodyX]

My comment was just a general comment, I used to jump and run to fetch cars all the time. Ive still my trucks and trailer but cant ever break away to go haul anything.

I just need a couple untouched cars like this one, on some I dont even car about certain rust. I need things like a full ac system to build off of, a couple v8-ks, certain trim, I wont buy used trim often as people want to much for stuff they think is ok but it junk to me and most cant remove it properly.

 

[old yellow 78]

Thank you for the "like" barbee6043 on my above post about traveling to find cars and parts. I am glad to know that somebody at least appreciated it. Somehow, unfortunately, the post has devolved into a potential pissing match about rust on F bodies which I am choosing not to participate in. I just wanted to share this ad for a damaged Volare coupe on CL which is just the kind of ad I would pursue if I was in the market for a coupe, and share my enthusiasm. I also spent quite a bit of time enjoying finding and uploading some of my pictures of my various "adventures" getting cars and parts because I thought members might also enjoy them and the related stories. Yeah, well... Anyway, just to satisfy my curiosity, I have sent an inquiry to the seller to find out more about this particular coupe, but have yet to hear back. I'll post what I find out if I hear anything.

 

[Oldiron440]

Thank you for the "like" barbee6043 on my above post about traveling to find cars and parts. I am glad to know that somebody at least appreciated it. Somehow, unfortunately, the post has devolved into a potential pissing match about rust on F bodies which I am choosing not to participate in. I just wanted to share this ad for a damaged Volare coupe on CL which is just the kind of ad I would pursue if I was in the market for a coupe, and share my enthusiasm. I also spent quite a bit of time enjoying finding and uploading some of my pictures of my various "adventures" getting cars and parts because I thought members might also enjoy them and the related stories. Yeah, well... Anyway, just to satisfy my curiosity, I have sent an inquiry to the seller to find out more about this particular coupe, but have yet to hear back. I'll post what I find out if I hear anything.

I in no way want to have a " Pissing match" about rust in a 40 year old mopar on craigslist of all places, you know just as much about the car as I do. I have seen in forty plus years of doing project cars what trouble enthusiasm can lead to. I have had cars on my lot that the owner swore there was no rust and ten minutes with a pick hammer showed him the car wasn't worth spending money on. It's how I made my living. I've seen car body's that look clean go to media blast and come back junk. I redid a 66 Mustang that had the quarter panels replaced twice before I worked on it, each time a new panel was put on over the last. I replaced 2 quarters, all the wheel houses inner and outer, rear frame rails, the only body panel original to the car on the back half was the panel the tail lights mounted to. The owner had all the enthusiasm in the world to fix his1st car but literally cried when he got the final bill.

 

[old yellow 78]

Come on Oldiron - let's get back to having some fun!

 

[Oldiron440]

There have been a few very nice old cars posted lately and the price reflects that.
But it's not uncommon to find a F body for sale that should not be on the road even though it looks ok.
After forty years of use the seams in the unibody system are toast, floor pans, frame rails, roof pillers it just goes on and on. We have all seen the crash videos of the cars new it's to bad they don't do them after 20 or 30 years of service with rust and metal fatigue. Let's load are family up in them and go for a drive.
As a repair technician and a former shop owner I feel a obligation to be strait up about rust and collision repair, it's not uncommon to see less than ethical repairs and sales practices of new and vintage vehicles but I'm not going to say nothing if you say a vehicle is a great deal with very little hard information. A member might take your word, buy it and be extremely disappointed having spent there money not yours.
The old saying buyer beware goes along way.
I have posted cars I've found for sale and usually offer no opinion other than it's not mine. If others were to pick it apart it's fine with me.
You seem to take it personal and I don't.

 

[XfbodyX]

I got lucky in some ways with my environment.

Its easy to keep them from rusting, indoors 24/7, humidity that hangs under 20% all the time and never drive them. Yep im a dumbass, restore and build cars just to look at them and think about driving them.

But I do manage maybe 50 miles a year between several cars.

I can wash a block or crank with soap and water and put it on the shelf and they never rust. About every three-four years we get a humid day in the spring when the air heats up faster then the parts and I check on things then.

If I wash an F its after I leave it in the hot hot sun and then use the compressed air or a quick drive.

Mainly its environment, a real find here looks like a lightly used car if not left in the sun., one east of the Mississippi can have 5k and look like 105k.

For the ones who I see doing metal work im a bit confused why they dont treat all the parts they can to stop the process vs just fix whats wrong and let the rest continue but just at a slower pace.

 

[old yellow 78]

I'm not going to say nothing if you say a vehicle is a great deal with very little hard information. A member might take your word, buy it and be extremely disappointed having spent there money not yours.

WTF are you talking about? I am NOT saying ANY of that! If you READ what I have said, I have only said that:
"Seller says it is "complete and original down to the exhaust" with "all typical rust areas very nice." Sounds like a lot of extra toys come with it too. Also, I'm not saying it IS a great car, it might be crap. I'm just saying it's very interesting to me, looks like a relatively easy fix and as described I wouldn't be surprised if it was pretty low mileage. Seat isn't even split. It might be worth it to someone who is in the market for one to check it out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
As far as assuming things, I could easily assume from your posts on this thread and others recently, in one of which you managed to piss off a member just trying to sell his wheels, that you are a cranky old buck out looking for fights, but I am certain that isn't actually the case . So, go pick a fight with someone else, or find and take your happy medications . I'm not interested in dealing with you.

 

[Oldiron440]

Not cranky at all bud.

 

[Oldiron440]

The fact is I've never made a negative comment about you or your car, in fact you should find several likes from me in your threads.
The story of the road trips are cool and give your car depth. I'd say you were extremely lucky to find such a rare clean F body that you wanted... I'm impressed with the length you have going to modify it in the way that you wanted. I wasn't posting what I did to criticize you but for you to understand that I have a deferant opinion/perspective because of my background. I look a potential project with a critical eye because of my profession....period.
It has nothing to do with you! I believe in my first post on this I posted the about lack of pictures of most of the car. Now that could be a over site or something intentional by the seller, we don't know. On other sites it is common for members to post opinions about of site ads, good or bad. The thing that's great about it is you here things you didn't think of or didn't see.
Sorry if I ruffled your feathers I didn't mean to.