Restoration or Parts Car

[Shelly Harris]

For discussion purposes I'd like to know if you guys would considered this car as a restoration project or a parts car. The seller claims it's "an exceptional project car". If so, why arn't they restoring it? I think it's a part's car mostly for the body panels. I can't believe the bidding at $2,500 and the reserve not yet met. Am I missing something here ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lincoln-Mark-Series-1956-Continental-Mark-II-47-000-actual-miles_W0QQitemZ170369082783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_C ars_Trucks?hash=item27aac9e59f&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

[Nick DeSpirito]

I hate to see a Mark II die, so I'm going to say restore it. (Although it will be an expensive proposition). Also, I don't know what parts he has to put back on the car. I think he said he only has one hubcap for it and it's rough.

Actually, I contacted the seller last week. In his original ad, he didn't have the vin number posted, so I asked him if he could. He E-mailed me back and said he would. C56D2678 born on February 06, 1956 with black paint, red and white leather, and was the eigth Mark II built that day.

I think he stated that the car was originally delivered to New Jersey or New York. I will look up the vin and find out.

[Mad Scientist]

Looking at the pictures the body “appears” to be in good shape. That is the first thing I would look at on any car in terms of is it restorable. Next would be the frame the Mark has many pockets that can trap and hold dirt, which when it gets wet promotes rusting. The AC appears that it might be an add on, although the control panel has the correct five levers. ???

It obviously it needs a new interior but that’s doable.

Next concern would be the chrome, does he have the door handles, headlight bezels and buckets, trunk emblem, letters, etc.

Personal I think trying to get something like this back into absolute stock condition would an exercise in frustration plus it would not be very cost effective.

I would look at it from a stand point of a mild customizing, like leaving off any missing chrome, perhaps a slightly different interior, and mechanically update it.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Yes, it has an aftermarket "Mark IV" air conditioner in it.

[Barry Wolk]

IMO, it's insane to try a restoration on anything but a complete car.

Personally, I will never restore another car and keep track of the costs. You can't really come out ahead, even if you provide most of the labor. The only one that wins on a restoration is the next guy to buy it.

[Nick DeSpirito]

Very well said, Barry. I totally agree.

[depmike38]

One of the things that always makes me suspicious is a car in primer that has been completely stripped down. The body can literally be sculpted out of body filler and without removing all of that primer you can't tell what you have. Additionally, even if it is essentially a "solid" car the non-reflective finish of the primer can mask a pretty wavy body. As Barry said start with a complete car and don't get bogged down in tracking every penny. Personally I build my cars for the enjoyment of doing it and can say I've never made money off of any I've sold.