Introduction.

[tswrace]

Hello Forum,

I am Tom White. I have been a motor head since I was fifteen years old. That gives me 50 years of working on cars from a 1934 Ford Flathead to a Jaguar MK 120 and a Lada. I also spent several years building and driving late model stock cars on the NASCAR dirt track circuit in Central Calif.

I am searching for a Mark II. When I was about twelve I was walking home past a used car lot and saw one. The salesman was very generous and let me crawl all over the car. He told me to go home and tell my parents they needed to buy the car. I did just that. My parents fell on the floor laughing.

I am looking for a car that is a good middle three grade with in tact factory air. Thus far I am having trouble finding one that has the air in tact.

I am grateful to have found this forum. It has been an excellent place to learn about the cars. Hopefully, with your help I will have a successful search and avoid buying a car that is a long term mechanical project.

Best regards,

[Barry Wolk]

Welcome to the forum.

The best advice is to buy one done as typically, unless you're professional restorer, the only one that wins on a restoration, is the next owner.

That would be you.:)

[Barry Wolk]

P.S. They are much more fun to drive than to restore.

[Dan]

Welcome to the forum.

The best advice is to buy one done as typically, unless you're professional restorer, the only one that wins on a restoration, is the next owner.

That would be you.:)

I joined in December
In January I found what I thought was a decent #3 significantly under priced, and even a better purchase once I negotiated the price down further.
As much as I wanted something to fix and drive as I went along, the car had sat for too long and has needed significantly more than I first thought.
I did not have the means to purchase a car finished, as that would be way outside of what I have to invest.
Am I sorry I bought what I have? No!
Keep looking and reading this forum, you can find what you're looking for.
Good Luck, and welcome!

[AU_MK2]

Tom
To echo Barry's comment buy one that's had the money spent on it already, better that someone else loses their hard earned than you. With saying that I have yet to receive my Mark II, should be here Wed, but as with other cars I have done you never get the dollars back.
There's a lot of good cars out there and also a lot of money pits, the right one will turn up, ask a lot of questions and you will get a lot of answers.
I'm sure there will be a member not too far from a Mark II that would look at it if you can't get to it yourself. That was the case for me... Thanks Chuck!!

[AU_MK2]

Tom
Take a look at this is still om hemming's and and is now down to $26k i'm sure there's still room to move
Previous forum link
http://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?t=1255&highlight=c5681090
Hemming's
http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/continental/mark_ii/1169689.html

[Barry Wolk]

I should have expressed that as total opinion. Every person's situation is different. Lord knows I've taken on my share of projects. I've got some real stories to tell.

My advice is still sound for those that can afford a restored car.

[Dan]

Barry,
You are absolutely right, to buy as much of a restoration as you can afford.
Not many people get a return on the money invested into these cars.
But if you can't afford a finished car, there are plenty of options if you take your time.
And Richard is right, the one he pointed out in Hemmings looks like its worth investigating.
Isn't the hunt one of the best parts of this hobby?

[Barry Wolk]

Any hobby. As an art turned car collector the hunt and the associated story is what it's all about.

[Pat Marshall]

Tom, I have a lead on a really great car that is available for $25K.

From what I understand it needs a paint job and other than that it is superb. The car was originally deep green but was painted white. The owner is a Mark II expert and has been working on the car for over 15 years. The engine compartment has been completely detailed back to the original deep green (firewall and fenderwells) configuration. The interior is in great original condition (light green nylon biscuits, white leather bolsters, light green welts) and has been protected by plastic (like my Grandma's couch). And it has intact and working factory a/c.

Forum Member Ron Ross (see the vendor section for his phone number) has more specifics and contact information. To quote Ron, "It's a great car and is a steal".

[AU_MK2]

Tom/Pat
I too know of this car didn't realize was still available.
From what I know about it would be a great buy Mark Maramonte put me on to this car and is a friend of Ron's and the owner, I just didn't want a green car. Well worth a look. PM Mark (aka lincoln mark) I'm sure he has the info too

[tswrace]

Hi,

Richard: I have seen that Mark II several times before. Just for starters I read the VIN as C5681090. I do not find that VIN in either the Master List or the DSO list of the data base. I am knowledgeable enough yet to know what the trim codes (Spec.-1N68-824-X) mean on the ID plate. Can you help me out clarifying what the trim code means?

Barry: I am not sure what you mean by "typical". Please elaborate.

I think it was Pat Marshall that mentioned the Ron Ross car. I have sent him an email for information.

Thanks one and all.

[AU_MK2]

Tom here's a link to what the SPEC and the car in question is

http://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?t=1332&highlight=spec

The trim 1N6B Med Blue Biscuit, White Bolster, Med Blue Welts, All leather as per pics
Revision 10 of the registry had a listing at the top

[Barry Wolk]

By typically, I mean someone that does the work themselves rarely even covers their material cost, let alone all the hours put into a restoration. It's a big letdown when you figure that you worked for $.23 an hour. Can I get an Amen?:D

Now, if you farm out the work you're immediately upside-down. If you buy an incomplete or worn out car you're in even worse shape.

Now, a professional restorer has workers that are more proficient sleeping at their job as you or I would be working diligently. The pay isn't always great as the shop takes most of the billing dollars to cover overhead and profit, but they get the work done. We take forever. All that money adds up so incredibly fast when you farm it out. $60 an hour for a 40 hour billing week and you're out $2400. If you've ever been your own builder and had to manage the trades, restoring a car is even worse. Who needs the stress?

Maybe I need to clarify myself. I always have projects going, but I get as much pleasure out of driving as I do restoring so I always buy my show cars finished because that level of work is beyond my skill level. Plus, working on a car that's been restored is an added pleasure. Can I get another Amen!:D

[AU_MK2]

AMEN!!! try doing that to American cars downunder it's another cost with the freight. At least your in the same country...:D

[Barry Wolk]

Well, Texas may say different.:D

[AU_MK2]

Is that cos things is bigger in Texas...:D

[Barry Wolk]

I've enjoyed the few times I've been in Texas. It is huge.

Is it true that there are more licensed pilots in Oz, per capita, than anywhere else in the world?

[tswrace]

The trim 1N6B Med Blue Biscuit, White Bolster, Med Blue Welts, All leather as per pics
Revision 10 of the registry had a listing at the top[/QUOTE]

Please let me know where I may find the registry.

Thanks.

[Barry Wolk]

http://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?t=1446

[AU_MK2]

Not sure on the pilot thing, but we're bigger than Texas...:D
And the majority is uninhabitable



Rev 11 does not have the colour/trim breakdown that 10 did PM your email I'll send it to you

[tswrace]

Thanks Richard. Please send revision 10 of the Registry to: tswhitez123@hotmail.com

[tswrace]

I now have registry databases 10 & 11 and I still cannot find a listing for C5681090. Maybe I have finally lost my mind. What am I doing wrong? Alternatively what was the factory paint color for C5681090.

Thanks,

[Pat Marshall]

Tom, regarding color, did you follow the link that Richard gave earlier in this thread?

http://www.markiiforum.com/showthread.php?t=1332&highlight=Spec - anyway light blue.

Regarding the Vallejo car. I'd be careful about that one. They tried doing some smoke and mirror things to hide the condition of the upholstery seats. The front seat is breaking up. You should try to avoid any car that needs upholstery work, or you're on the road that Barry is warning about.

The color of the engine is a big flag to me. Anyone using that noxious of a gold color to completely paint a Mark II engine doesn't know or care much about proper finishing. Many feel that how the engine compartment is finished is a baramoter to the quality of the care and work that has been done on a car.

[tswrace]

Thanks Pat. When I follow the link you sent I get a 404 error message. Thanks for the information on the car. I agree with your condition guideline. The front seat is trash. I too use the engine compartment as a barometer of the cars condition. Although I was under the impression that the gold color was the factory color for the engine.

Thanks.

[Barry Wolk]

Just the engine block, heads, oil pump, pan and draft tube assembly. Everything else is black, I believe.

The original gold has a subdued greenish tint to it.

[Pat Marshall]

Plus the Oil Dipstick Tube on non-a/c cars (black for a/c), the Valley Cover, the mounting plate for the P/S Pump, the Water Pump and the external pipe from the oil pump to the pan.

[Barry Wolk]

I knew you'd know. I'm told my engine compartment is correct.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/barry2952/_N4U1875_1-001copy.jpg

[Pat Marshall]

Darn Near!

[Barry Wolk]

OK, other than the radiator cap; what?

[Don Keller]

I don't see a gloss on the top of that air cleaner trooper! (;-))

Don Keller

[Barry Wolk]

Actually, it's very shiny. Look closely and you can see the foam board they put under the hood to reflect light into the engine compartment. What you're seeing is a reflection of that white surface.

[awags]

S.O.A.B...Well I just realized I painted the plate between steering pump and water pump wrong color-RRRRR> I even had that circled in Buddy's restore guide. Guess it's staying that way now. I painted it black. I just did it last week too.

[awags]

The color of the engine is a big flag to me. Anyone using that noxious of a gold color to completely paint a Mark II engine doesn't know or care much about proper finishing. Many feel that how the engine compartment is finished is a baramoter to the quality of the care and work that has been done on a car.[/QUOTE]


I'm guessing they don't know better.
I think the internet and forums like this really help people (me) understand what the the real mark II gold is, My engine came a gawdy disco gold color. But if I didn't know better, read that the engine and jack were to be painted gold I would go to NAPA, buy gold paint and would probably have the same color. Now looking at cars like Barry's and others I realize what the real shade is.
Now am doing everything to make it correct.Disassembled the entire top half just to paint the correct color. Got home from bowling tonight,11:30pm, took the plate off and repainted it gold(I thought it was black) to be the correct color so tomorrow morning I can put it back on! Not sure I like my new addiction.

[Dan]

lol
its not an addiction,
you're just "detail oriented"
putting things back to original is a big part of this passion for me
have fun!