1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible for sale, original documented 6,300 mile survivor. Firethorn red exterior with white leather. 4 hour long comprehensive inspection conducted for the estate on each car (3 Cadillacs in all) with full written detailed report, 300+ photos, video walk around and video test drive. Email our office for links to all of these. cars@autoappraise.com. Report highlights listed below:
PAINT: Original factory applied Firethorn metallic red finish. Digital paint meter measures 2.0-4.5 mils consistent throughout fifty spots tested on vehicle. No amount of aftermarket body filler or paint located. Reflective quality is excellent for original factory applied paint. Large bold print can be read in reflection from 10-12 inches away (common for paint of this era). Small nicks, chips, blemishes or scratches documented; please see photos for area and locations. Paint is otherwise in excellent showable quality condition. Paint inside door jambs and sills is factory original throughout entire vehicle. Underbody paint still presents nicely from factory. Urethane bumper extensions are noted to have typical color fade.
BODY: showable quality, beautiful, original 6,000 mile survivor body. All factory spot welds visible. No repairs ever. Doors close with two finger effort. One small door ping. Paint isn’t broken here, so it could be removed. Stain free white top operates perfectly. Hard parade boot has likely never been used.
FRAME/FLOORS: Excellent original collision-free frame, with no rot or decay visible. Original fuel lines and brake lines installed, with original clips all along frame rails. Original bumper mounts to frame indicate no visible collision or towing damage whatsoever. Floor pans are visibly clean and stout, with original factory paint color still present where original undercoating was once installed. No level of fresh detail or clean-up work has been done underneath vehicle. Some cosmetic oxidation and surface rust buildup on some original non-factory painted parts; see photos. Clean quarter panel splashes and trunk extensions. No active leaking seen on bottom of vehicle, other than some dampness on transmission pan, but no active dripping noted on floors. See photo of floor under vehicle.
BUMPERS AND TRIM: All is very nice, no re-plating required. No missing components.
GLASS, RUBBERS, LENSES: All date coded original Saf-t-plate GM glass. Good motor speed and tight regulators function nice. All original rubbers are free of tears and still supple. No vertical roller scratches.
INTERIOR: No stains, cracks or color fade. Excellent 6000 mile well preserved everything. All options and lights work as designed, except power antenna.
ENGINE/BAY: Original 500 cubic inch starts easily, idles properly. High idle kicks down works as designed. No knocking, ticking, or smoking noted upon startup after long-term cold storage. Oil is clean and full. Engine runs very tight. Engine bay is all original with factory crayon markings on backside of hood, original stampings on alternator, exhaust manifolds, cruise control unit, wiper motor, and original paper tags on brake lines, just to name a few. Once detailed, engine will be of showable quality.
TEST DRIVE-Easy start, good acceleration with no hesitation, Suspension handles well, floats nicely. Tranny shifts well up and down, fluid is clean. Brakes apply smoothly, no pull or pulse. A/C operates, but needs recharge/service. Asking price is $35,000.00. Currently, there is one lower miles comparable car for sale in market for $60,000. This is the lowest miles car available in the market in the mid $30’s price range. An excellent investment grade car described in an honest as is fashion. Request link to report and 300 pics by emailing cars@autoappraise.com. Or, call 800-301-3886. After hours, 810-691-2664.

Update: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: cadillac, convertible, eldorado, for sale

BODY: Rotisserie frame off- jams are done to a high standard.  Vehicle was completely de-trimmed, disassembled and painted apart.  No evidence of tape lines in jams or anywhere on vehicle.  Bottoms of door shells are visibly solid.  Lip area where skin wraps shell is very clean; see photos.  Magnetic adhesion with bubble magnet was tested around all lower surface areas, and nothing was noted other than a skim coat of filler used sparingly around exterior body to flatten panels.  Body is as straight or straighter than the period in which it was designed. Fitment of door glass to top when closing needs attention.

EXTERIOR: was completely stripped restoration process.  Car is believed to be correct “Torch Red” exterior with “Snow Shoe White” top, code RE.  Base coat/clear coat in application.  All trim was pulled prior to repaint.  Reflective quality is very nice.  Large bold print can be read in the reflection from 15-18 inches away.  Reflection in upper panels mimics reflection in lower panels.  Vehicle is well color sanded and buffed throughout all surfaces. Some visible flaws noted, very nice for driver quality car.

FRAME: was painted correct Chassis Black.  No apparent damage on either end of vehicle.  No jacking damage noted.  Triangular gussets hanging off outside of frame rails all appear solid and stable, with no issues noted (A-).  Floors appear restored and painted body color.  Floor supports, reinforcement, and inner rocker structure are all sound and stable.

GAS TANK: appears to have been removed from vehicle and restored.  All fuel lines, brake lines, etc. appear to have been replaced during restoration.  Exhaust is routed correctly through frame and up through bumper exits.  Overall, a very showable underbody, needing only cosmetic touch ups from sitting 10 years.

CHROME: is in excellent shape. Both bumpers were removed and re-plated and/or replaced with aftermarket units.  Nearly all exterior chrome and trim components were replaced during restoration process. New windshield and seal, with original side and rear lites. Left door glass is in excellent condition other than has a small crack down low in right corner, approximately 2 ½ inches long; see photo. Slight usage scratches in rear and opera lites. No visible delamination noted.

INTERIOR: has been fully restored.  Seat has been re-covered in correct red and white two-tone material.  New Thunderbird floor mats were added over new loop-style carpet. Steering wheel appears to have been restored (A-). Horn chrome and clear stems are in good survivor shape, with mild patina and age noted (B-).  Dash pad, dash face, inc.fish scale, door panels, kick panels, pedal, etc. were all restored/replaced. New 4-way power seat switch is currently hanging out of door and needs to be reattached.  Switch itself appears new.  Power window switch appears new, though window movement binds and both need attention.. Canvas cover behind seat appears new.  New Headliner has wrinkles that still need to be steamed out, but is presentable as-is. (presentation B-)

CHROME WHEELS: New reproduction Kelsey Hayes correct spoke wheels, (A-)

FRONT SUSPENSION: Was completely taken apart.  All steel components were sand blasted and repainted Chassis Black.  All new bushings installed in control arms.  New shocks, replacement springs, new tie rod ends, restored sleeves, restored spindle arms, (B+).

EXHAUST: is a full stainless replacement system.  Stock manifolds were coated, and show only minor age or cosmetic rust.

REAR END:  Housing was restored.  Gear ratio unknown.  Backing plates are dry and free of any leaks, newer springs and shocks.

TRANSMISSION: Manual 3-speed appears to have been rebuilt. Transmission appears to shift without issue.  Clutch feels good. I’d like to see more free-play at top of pedal.

Brake system appears to be fully rebuilt.  restored power brake booster unit, master cylinder, Lines beneath all appear to be replaced.  Per executor of estate, her father did rebuild both front and rear brakes. Car stops nice and straight with good pedal height.

ENGINE: Per VIN code “P”, 292 motor in place. .  Engine components appear to have been completely taken apart.  No overspray noted on intake bolts, exhaust manifold bolts, generator bolts, etc.   No oil leakage noted above or beneath motor.  Some lifter churning can be heard.  Exhaust smells of varnish when running, fuel is old. Recommend pulling valve cover, re-lashing valves and hunting down vacuum leak. More in depth mechanical analysis needed to verify all potential issues.

Engine was removed from bay when vehicle was restored.  Firewall and inner fenders have all been cleaned, sanded, and repainted, and show very nicely.  All hardware was removed, including heater box assembly.  All wiring, suspension, all bolts on firewall, clips, etc. are very clean and look new.  Original Motorcraft replacement belts and period correct clamps/hoses add to nice “showable quality” detail of engine compartment, needs minimal detail or touch up grom sitting around.

Trunk is in excellent condition; fully restored with a new mat present.  Does not appear to have a jack or spare at this time.

SUMMARY: A long term, nice driver quality level of work has occurred. Vehicle is a fully restored frame-off unit that is about 90% ready to go.  Headlights, tail lights, and brake lights all function as designed.  Turn signals operate inside and out, with exception of right front blinker light.  License plate light works.  Courtesy light is inoperable.  Horn functions.  Vacuum wipers operate (slowly).  Heater control cables slide freely, and blower operates as designed.  Radio operates, but “buzzes”; Power windows operate, but very weakly, with a two-hand effort.  Clock is inoperable.  Engine seems to operate well with no noticeable knocks, although some “lifter churning” is present and can be heard. Per executors, their father spent a long time restoring this vehicle, and suffered a stroke the year it was finished.  He passed before ever logging any real miles on it.  Per sellers, vehicle has less than 200 or 300 miles since full restoration. Several small tasks were apparently left undone. Ideally, gas tank needs to be dropped and flushed, as gas that burned smelled like old varnish.  This would likely improve the performance of the vehicle. Power window tracks should be taken apart, cleaned, and adjusted, and or repaired as power windows bind and operate very slowly.  Power seat switch is new, and power seat works in all four directions, but seat switch is not secured to door and needs to be addressed.  Car is a removable hardtop car, with no convertible top installed. Fitment of glass to top will need addressing. Spare and jack appear to be missing, but may well in fact be in garage somewhere. Lifter adjustment and vacuum leak or carb work should be addressed first. Crack in left glass is barely noticeable, but should be replaced.

This truck has an all steel body and fenders, as well as running boards. The body is clean with excellent magnetic adhesion. It’s been in a storage locker for approximately 3 years. Red exterior was professionally applied, and still looks great, minus it’s small usage wounds, chips and oxidation. All the chrome was replaced when done a few years back, but the salt air is eating away at today’s thin aftermarket plating. We have over 200 still photos and will be happy to get those to you for an up close look at what we discovered during this 3 hour long inspection. With a professional level detail and some fresh fuel, it could certainly be enjoyed as it sits.

During the frame off, a GM front sub-frame was added with independent coil overs. Welding looks professionally executed.  The front suspension was upgraded to rack and pinion with power disc brakes. It handles and steers great. The rear end was upgraded to late model GM 10 bolt with standard multi-leaf and drums. Gear ratio is unknown and it’s seems quiet. No leaks seen. All newer shocks. The frame was sandblasted and repainted chassis black, and all new fuel lines, brake lines, clips, gas tank and mounting hardware were used underneath. Hidden power brake booster on rail is accessed through removable door in floor.  New dual exhaust was installed on stock 350 manifolds. Mufflers and some brackets/components underbody are showing surface rust from salt air, see photos. The interior has been restored in a taupe grey paint on dash, seat frame and cab interior. Replacement cardboard headliner is slightly warped but in good condition. Door card inserts look nice and handle chrome looks newer. All new gages with a clean updated underdash wiring and ducts for vintage A/C which blows cool. Seat cover is excellent a seat is firm. Nice aft-mkt. wood steering wheel needs a horn cap. All replacement glass with new seals were installed. All pieces in excellent shape. The box received a new wood planking kit and trim, but boards could stand to be re-varnished, and chrome slats cleaned up with an SOS pad. Orange peel is heavier in insides of box and some scratches noted on tailgate. Underhood the firewall is stock and was repainted exterior color when truck was disassembled. Steel black inner fenders are in good shape but in need of detailing. Rebuilt small block 350 runs great, sporting finned aluminum vette valve covers. Gaskets were recently changed by the current owner.  Some of the brackets need detailing and repainting. Updated aluminum radiator with electric fan works well. The truck seems to run cool. Mild to stock cam noted with nice smooth acceleration. 350 turbo tranny was rebuilt with no performance shift kit noted. Shifts are firm and crisp both up and down. The truck seems to have very nice drivability.   810-691-2664

UPDATE: This truck has been sold, Thanks.

Technorati Tags: chevrolet, classic car

1970 Plymouth Cuda AAR for sale 44,000 actual miles in Michigan
Stock original number’s matching J code 340 6 pack motor. Stock original A833 numbers matching 4- speed trans with pistol grip. Original Trans Am fender tags, original build sheet. High end repaint in correct code EF8 Ivy Green Metallic. Metallic flow-out is excellent panel by panel. No evidence of tape lines, run, or overspray. Excellent reflective quality where bold print can be read in reflection from 24” away. Correct style matte finish on top of hood, fenders, spoiler, and doors. OEM replacement AAR decal kit. Amazing example of an un-hit, factory survivor original body. Factory spot welds are visible all along lips of door skins where wrapping shell, all along quarter panel seams and door jams, wheel lips, pinch welds, and the like. No replacement sheet metal and no repair panels evident. Digital paint gauge readings were recorded during this report. No evidence of heavy filler content noted anywhere in vehicle. 95% of body has very good magnetic adhesion. Exterior body is super clean and straight, straighter than production period. Doors open and close nicely, with no notable sag. Hinge pins are original. Sill plates appear to be original units, and show no signs of heavy scuffing due to sagging doors. Original fiberglass hood is in excellent condition, due to its straightness and flatness. (note that most fiberglass hoods inspected have a bow in the center created by hood spring tension). This car has never had hood springs installed (although they are included with car). Impressive interior equally well survived in every way, showing practically no casual wear, well supportive of the miles showing. The exceptions are heat cracks in vinyl dash pad, which was ordered to replace, but never installed, and the hidden aftermarket CD player in the glove box, wired to the aftermarket 6×10 speakers mounted in the rear package tray. Steering wheel, dash components, seats, carpets, headliner and door panels are all in excellent condition. Excellent trunk with solid original pan. Spare, jack, mat are present. Underhood area is detailed to showable quality, solid in every way. Factory matched core support stamp, all decals, and stock ignition set up. Except for intake, underhood is bone stock original. Underbody is very solid. No torn dye holes, no crooked rails, all original ribs in floor panels are easily seen. No patches or decay. Original plugs still mounted in lower ¼ panel splashes. This is what garage kept low miles original really looks like. Recent carb work adds to how well it runs. It starts and idles as it should. The clutch feels strong and the brakes stop nice and straight. It’s a lot of fun to drive. We have a full 5 page written report that outlines every detail about the car, as well as nearly 200 pictures. A YouTube test drive video will soon be available to view the car running and driving. We are asking $78,500, and no partial trades are being considered unless you have a late model, very low miles Corvette. Reply to cars@autoappraise.com or link to our website at http://www.autoappraise.com . 810-691-2664. Thanks

UPDATE: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: 1970 Plymouth Cuda, AAR, classic car, E body, for sale, Mopar, muscle car, numbers matching, Trans AM

It’s hard to believe, even as a certified auto appraiser that the brake rotors on my 1993 class A Winnebago reached over 450 degrees Fahrenheit on my families recent trip out to Yellowstone…but they did! Note the photo below of the digital temp gauge reading on the front rotor. It makes one wonder, at WHAT point does wheel bearing grease boil out of the bearings?

Technorati Tags: auto appraiser

In the previous article, auto appraiser Jason Phillips noted that once you confirm power at the jamb button switches and their functionality is correct, it’s time to move to the rear. In the subject car, a 1979 Pontiac trans Am, we opened the trunk, and look to the driver’s side wheelhouse. Just beyond it and above, is the wiring harness to the taillights. It’s in this same location on many GM 70’s cars. The dome light plugs in here. It’s a two white wire connector, black end. Unplug and test. Ground one side of your tester. You should have 12 volts on one side, doors closed. when a door is opened, you should have power on both leads. If it tests out, then check the continuity to the dome light itself. With the bulb in, it should have continuity. Obviously, you have made sure that your bulbs are all good first! Always Always address the cheap and easy first, right? That’s it. That’s the whole circuit. In our particular case, we purchased an aftermarket plastichrome plated housing and harness from NPD Parts Warehouse, and it was poorly made. The chrome coating was grounding out against the steel posts in the roof of the car that the housing slides up onto. Our headliner began to smoke when we put in our light bulb! Thank GOD for quick ground disconnect switches!

Technorati Tags: Classic car chat, Pontiac, Techinical

In your older GM car, are your courtesy lights stuck on? auto appraiser Jason Phillips notes that most GM button switches located in the door jambs, used to break ground to the circuit operate the same way. The switches are threaded into the cowl jamb post, and are spring loaded. Often, the left switch is a two wire, one side to the courtesy lights, and one to the ignition buzzer. Both are supposed to be hot leads, so do not be confused, thinking that pushing in the switch will cut power to the other side of that switch. Most switches on the passenger side are only a one wire connection. You can un-screw the switch and pull the wire spade connector right through the hole on either side. You don’t normally need to remove the kick panel to remove the switch. Pull them out, un-plug them and test switch for continuity. Use an electric wire wheel to clean them up while their out, freeing them of decay and possibly old repaint build up. Where the wire spade connectors are now hanging out of the holes: if you have 12 volts at all three spades, and both switches check out for continuity by breaking the circuit when they are pushed in, then you should rule out those items as the source of stuck on or off dome light problem. The follow up diagnosis is posted later in this blog.

Technorati Tags: Classic car chat, Pontiac, Techinical

Cars built on the A platform include:

* 1960-1976 Plymouth Valiant
* 1963-1976 Dodge Dart
* 1967 Dart GT
* 1968-1969 Dart GTS (my favorite)
* 1964-1969 Plymouth Barracuda
* 1971-1976 Plymouth Scamp
* 1970-1976 Plymouth Duster
* 1961-1962 Dodge Lancer
* 1971-1972 Dodge Demon
* 1971-1981 Valiant Charger (Australia Only)

Cars built on the rear wheel drive B platform include:

* 1962 Dodge Dart
* 1962-1964 Dodge Polara
* 1962-1964 Plymouth Fury
* 1962-1964 Plymouth Savoy
* 1962-1970 Plymouth Belvedere
* 1963-1964 Dodge 220 (Canadian)
* 1963-1964 Dodge 330
* 1963-1964 Dodge 440
* 1965-1974 Plymouth Satellite
* 1965-1976 Dodge Coronet
* 1966-1978 Dodge Charger
* 1967-1971 Plymouth GTX
* 1968-1975 Plymouth Road Runner
* 1975-1978 Plymouth Fury
* 1975-1979 Chrysler Cordoba
* 1977-1978 Dodge Monaco
* 1978-1979 Dodge Magnum
* 1979 Chrysler 300

Chrysler built on the E-body platform for two separate car ranges.

* 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger
* 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracuda

Cars built on the C platform include:

* 1965-1974 Plymouth Fury
* 1965 Dodge Custom 880
* 1965 Chrysler 300L
* 1965-1971 Chrysler 300
* 1965-1973 Dodge Polara
* 1965-1976 Dodge Monaco
* 1965-1977 Chrysler Town and Country station wagon
* 1965-1978 Chrysler Newport
* 1965-1966 Chrysler Windsor (Canada only)
* 1966-1969 Plymouth VIP
* 1974-1975 Imperial
* 1975-1977 Plymouth Gran Fury
* Chrysler New Yorker

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Technorati Tags: A body, auto appraisals, B body, E body, Mopar

During an auto appraisal, Jason Phillips took the pictures of a wonderful 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88 Convertible that you’re seeing below. It’s difficult to argue that there was a more beautifully designed bumper on a 60’s era car. It’s design intentionally flowed into the bold feature lines and drastic angles of the car. “You can see this car coming from a mile away”. No other GM car reigns so distinctive. This is one solid survivor convertible. It had been tastefully upgraded with a 1962 Starfire bucket seat OEM color matched interior. It features a stock factory tachometer built into the Starfire console. I have yet to look at the Oldsmobile production numbers, but I know they’re fairly low.

auto appraiser Jason Phillips was pleasantly surprised when he was hired by the insured to represent his total loss case on a burned 1969 Camaro, opposite State Farm. “Our numbers didn’t come in that far off the number that State Farm came up with on their own”. State Farm normally requires a third party “umpire” be chosen in advance of the two enlisted appraisers coming up with their respective values. In this case, they were willing to wait, to see what Auto Appraises’ car appraisal value was. They were originally offering about $15,000 to settle the case. We came in at just over $18,500. Our figure was well supported, with multiple comparable cars listed for sale.

Any legitimate insurance company appreciates thorough research, something they don’t always have the time or resources to effectively process in house. They opted in this case to settle with their insured, at our figure, and save him the expense of having to hire (and pay 1/2 the fee) of a third party umpire to come in and rule on the case. I felt this was an extraordinary example of where an insurance company is attempting to do the right thing. People often become tainted in this process, because of stories told about unfair settlements and the like. Well in the 20 years since I’ve been in the auto appraisal business, this was a rare but pleasant first! I was very glad to see it happen. The insured is ecstatic as well. I felt it was appropriate to share this story, considering my involvement. Hats off to State Farm, setting a new precedent in customer satisfaction.

Technorati Tags: auto accident, auto appraisal, diminished value, total loss