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Classic car restoration opinion question

mrmike08075
I have a friend - a long time customer from the gunshop days who would retain me to do research or create data sheets and valuations for guns he acquired

Interesting guy - a Kentucky colonel who owned a skip trace investigation company - last in his class at the naval academy - owns real estate and traveled the world - ran a team who provided military contract security for merchant shipping vessels near Malaysia and battles actual pirates - a real character

He accumulates and collects and curates and obtains things of interest - has a warehouse full of stuff - like a giant man cave (5 wives)

He bought some vehicles from a collectors / hoarders estate - mostly basket cases and unwanted orphans

He had title research and dmv records checked - a forensic type of investigation

One of the vehicles is an old van - that looks like it had last been customized in the late 80's

It appears to be the van used in the movie stir crazy with Pryor and wilder - studio ownership confirmed

If he restores it should it go back to day one stock or should it be antiqued and scuffed up to look like it appeared in the movie???

I don't think it's worth much - I think he will spend more fixing it than he might ever sell it for by a wide margin

And it's not a particularly sought after or desirable vehicle by itself

Just wondering what you would do to it if money was not a primary issue

Any thoughts - any interest???

Mike
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • buddyb
    Sell it as is and let someone else dump the money in it to restore it.
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  • nmyers
    I'm with the guys.

    If you ever watch the auto auctions on TV, the high rollers today are men in their 60's & 70's. They now have the money to buy the expensive cars that they always dreamed of. Wilder & Pryor were never appealing to that generation.

    Now, if you come across Steve McQueen's "Bullitt" Mustang, or Bill Cosby's Shelby Cobra, that would be different.

    I wouldn't touch the van, at any price.

    Neal
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  • chiefr
    Done a number of restorations myself. Paint & body was my forte. 1980s Vans are something I would not waste my time on. Like everyone else says: Avoid
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  • mrmike08075
    I think it's a Ford cab over passenger van from the late 60's

    Lots of doors and a flat nose front end

    Mike
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  • chiefr
    quote:Originally posted by mrmike08075
    I think it's a Ford cab over passenger van from the late 60's

    Lots of doors and a flat nose front end

    Mike


    I am familiar with them. Very rugged, reliable and most had a 250 6cyl; a great engine. I seriously doubt one totally restored would go over 5G. Straight body, no rust, restorable trim, and good glass would make an easy restore if you do your own work. Painting interiors are fun.
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  • jwb267
    if it is a 60s van I would restore to original
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  • select-fire
    Pass on the Van to restore..What other vehicles?
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  • jimdeere
    Does it have shag carpet and a bed in the back? I might be interested.[:D]
    I fixed up a 1968 Chevy van that was a telephone company van.
    Had the dog house over the motor between the seats. Had to operate the choke by hand in cold weather.
    Shag carpet, bed, captains chairs. It was bile green color.
    Brings back memories...
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  • mrmike08075
    In the movie (I googled it) the van is rough and sad with front end damage...

    Neat vehicle though if you look at the specs

    Came in a lot with a knucklehead engine and jeep cab over flat face pick up shell and 1950's short school bus with a big flat six

    And a bunch of parts on a pallet

    Mike
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  • mmppres
    Sell like it sits. Get your money out that way. Lot less stress than trying to restore.
    0

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