Affordable Convertible Driver — Needs Work, Runs And Drives

OVERALL CONDITION: The maroon paint is older and shows significant wear. Oxidation on the hood and trunk lid. The passenger door has a 6-inch run where the paint was touched up with a rattle can — different shade. The driver-side quarter has visible bondo at the lower edge. Surface rust is bubbling under the paint at the bottom of the rear valance. The driver door doesn't latch tightly — it needs new weatherstripping. Convertible top is power-operated and works, but the top fabric is faded and has two small tears near the rear window. The rear window is cloudy. All side glass works but the driver window is slow. Chrome bumpers have pitting — the front bumper has a small dent on the passenger side. Interior is functional but tired: red vinyl seats with cracking on the driver's bottom cushion, door panels are faded, and the dash has two cracks. Carpet is a replacement and is okay. The gauge cluster works but the fuel gauge is intermittent.

ENGINE: 347 V8 stroker (not the original engine). It starts and runs — idle is a bit rough at 850 RPM with a slight miss on cylinder 4 that comes and goes. Could be a fouled plug or a sticky valve. Compression is 130-160 psi — uneven, with cylinder 4 at 130. No smoke from the exhaust but there's an oil leak from the rear main seal — about a drop every 20 minutes when running. The carburetor is a Holley 600 that runs slightly rich — black spark plugs. Cooling system works — runs at 200°F but creeps to 215 in traffic. The electric fan helps but the radiator is old. Headers are rusty but functional.

TRANSMISSION: 3-speed automatic (C4). It shifts through all three gears but the 1-2 shift is harsh and the 2-3 shift is soft — the modulator may need adjustment. Downshifting is sluggish. Fluid is brown — it needs a change. The transmission works but is tired. No slippage under normal throttle but it slips slightly under hard acceleration in 2nd.

BRAKES: Power front disc, rear drum. The front discs work but the pads are at minimum. The pedal goes down further than it should — the master cylinder may be on its way out. Rear drums are adjusted but the left rear cylinder is leaking. Parking brake doesn't hold.

UNDERCARRIAGE: Frame has surface rust throughout — not structural but it's everywhere. Driver-side frame rail has scale under the driver's seat but is not perforated. Floor pans have rust perforation on the driver side — about 8x6 inches of soft metal. Passenger side has surface rust but is intact. Torque boxes are solid. The convertible chassis has the factory brace kit — important for rigidity. Rear leaf springs are original and tired — the car sits slightly low in the rear. Gas tank has surface rust but no leaks. The undercarriage needs restoration but is not unsafe to drive.