I just posted this on Seattle area Craigslist and thought I'd post it here as well. I know I may be optimistic on my price (feel free to tell me so, I've a thick internet skin) given the head gasket issue, but I'm having a hard time getting over being taken by the PO and the money I put into it. I had an 85 years ago that I sold to my wife's ex at 300,000 with no 4th gear for $350, knowing I'd regret it. Car ran for another 125K before expiring in Susanville, CA.
Anyway, if any of you good folks are interested you should drop me a line, I'm around until August 10th, then gone on a month 8000 mile long road trip in the Vanagon, but that's a different cult...
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Note that this is a cult vehicle project, not a daily driver.
It's recently blown a head gasket, there is exhaust gas
pulsing out of the radiator. Worst case scenario involves
a possible cracked head - I have not investigated and
offer no opinion. These vehicles are unsurpassed in
snowy conditions/moderate offroad/fuel economy
conditions, but the vintage puts them into the enthusiast
category - do not expect a modern low attention
experience.
It's impossible to determine how many miles this car has
on it since the previous owner, a scumbag reseller named
Tom O'Connor who last worked for a transmission shop
in Everett, WA appears to have dicked with the odometer
to try and claim a lower mileage than the condition of the
vehicle will support. I'm going to guess it's in the 220,000
range based on an old oil change receipt found under the
seat and wear on the pedals. Your guess is as good as
mine, and no promises offered.
On the good side, the front bearings have been replaced,
it has new tires, the rear brakes have been completley
rebuilt, and the six speed manual transmission is in great
condition with no operational issues: worth the purchase
price all on its own. Note that the car will start and run
enough for you to check out the transmission operation.
On the down side, aside from the blown gasket, the
window crank hardware is typically funky and it has
some body dings/rust/cheesy repaint evident. The carb
is also less than ideal - someone previously screwed the
automatic choke coil on with drywall screws (I've replaced
those with somewhat more appropriate sheet metal
screws so the choke actually works) and it runs rich at idle -
probably some error in the spaghetti of vacuum lines.
Let me know if you'd like to come check it out. I bought it
for $900, put about $700 into it, so the $400 sale price is firm.