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New guy! Just bought a Sonett! Posted by pistorman [Email] (#1278) [Profile/Gallery] (more from pistorman) on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:50:51 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Hello there. I live in The Woodlands, TX. I just bought a 1971 Saab Sonett III that I am getting shipped from Magalia, CA. The car was up on eBay but did not sell and I reached an agreement with the seller for much less that what he was asking. Turns out the car was his former wife's car, and they were the second owners since the late 70's in Oregon. They moved to a small town in Northern California and divorced in the '80s. He didn't let her ex wife keep the car in the settlement (who knows why), and he put the car, which was in full running condition, in the car port. Put a canvas cover on top of it and let it sit there for all these years until he finally decided to sell it off to me.
He says he added an additive to the oil, that he left it with little gas in the tank, removed the battery so it wouldn't be stolen and doesn't recall much more. He swears the car was running fine and that he just didn't want her to get the car, and then he just didn't feel like driving it and for some reason he wouldn't let go of it either.
When they pulled the canvas off, the car was covered in some mold like residue that had accumulated throughout the years. However, the interior was clean, extremely clean.
The seller is 89 years of age, so a local person has been helping me in the process of documentation (its properly titled), and in helping get the car ready for shipment. The person swears that there is no rust throughs nor rust in the bottom other than surface. In pictures it shows that the muffler is all eaten up by rust but not the undercarriage. What she says is that the tires deflated and probably run off through the years of melting snow just ate up the muffler.
I have seen a few of these in person and the cars are beyond any reasonable repair. Nothing I'd like to undertake, but I trust this one is a different story and by the pictures and what the person tells me it should be.
I guess the list to do before attempting to start it is:
1. Check to see that engine is not frozen.
2. Change oil and fluids, filters, spark plugs, belts, maybe points and distributor wires, hoses where necessary.
3. Check the radiator for any damage/leaks. Maybe change thermostat.
4. Check all wiring, fuses, etc.
5. Let the pistons rest a little on lubricant without the plugs on, then turn the fan for a while to allow the lubricant to seep, this before changing the oil.
6. Check the fuel lines and tank. Change hoses and lines where needed. If need be remove the tank, take out all the crud and rust, and treat it. While this happens, maybe try to start it with staring fluid.
Then place in a new battery, and give it a go.
For the transmission check to see that nothing s stuck, change the fluid.
For the brakes, well, clean the lines, have those calipers rebuilt, the rear drums relined, rectify the front disks as needed, change the pads as needed. Hoping the master is fine.
I'll check how the rest of the car is, but usually I do install new shocks and tires.
I'll repaint the car properly to its original color in a single stage proper polyurethane paint (it was the burnt orange type, does anyone know the paint code?)
Anyone have different ideas as to what the "must do" things are? I own a few other classics and I know that this is kind of a "planning fallacy" prone kind of project, but any advise on this specific model is grandly welcome. Happy to be here. I have been wanting one for a while now.
Victor
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1962 Ford Anglia 105e Saloon Deluxe
1963 Triumph Spitfire Mark I
1970 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser
1971 SAAB Sonett III (NEW TO ME).
1972 Honda Z600 Coupe
1974 Volvo 142
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