Part one of this activity saw me play a role in getting start of this forum to buy this:
Since then, neither my driveway space or bank balance have magically expanded (especially since buying the Visa) but I do have a cousin interested in dipping his toe in the cla$$ic (urgh) car market over here, so there's been a long-term look out for what he's wanted. He had a particular model in mind and has a strong engineering background so isn't averse to working on cars as a hobby; probably the defining factor behind why he still owns a lightweight Land Rover back in Scotland.
As luck would have it, there was a fire the other day two towns away (bear with me on this one) which our brigade was called out to. I took our diesel Chevy support van out to the call and noticed a car of interest on the way with a for sale sign - without the call, I wouldn't have seen it. Fortunately the fire was controlled quite quickly and we were soon on our way back to base. Slowing down in the town where the car was sitting, we managed to spot the phone number as we passed, so I called straight after we got back to station. I managed to speak to the wife of the owner, who said her husband was likely to be knocking around the car in case anyone was interested in it (he's retired). Unfortunately he wasn't around after going for a gander, so I called back and organised to visit later that day. As had happened before though, plans were dashed 5 minutes before leaving when the fire siren went off again. Bugger!
Next day though I managed to catch the owner (asleep in his wife's Mazda 323) at the selling spot. Here's what I went to see:
Yes, that is tow bar electrics!
What ensued over the next two and a half hours was a test drive round town (after I'd learnt how to press the brake pedal without mashing the accelerator), interspersed with a tour of a storage shed with these parts:
And this (all included in the sale!):
Before heading back to his house to look at a few more bits stashed away, then a corned beef sandwich, slice of cake and coffee whilst we chatted things over. By now I was getting life stories which was all very fascinating but admittedly took a little time to explain, as the owner had suffered a stroke debilitating the right side of his body, hence the sale. What I discovered though was that he'd suffered a stroke in 1984, 12 years before he bought the 500! Still doesn't stop him operating 3 pedals with one left foot, which I later experienced first hand; the jury's still out on how much control was demonstrated as we headed down hill approaching a T-junction before turning left but we made it through unscathed! Suffice to say, I was sold on it and so was my cousin. I reckon we picked up a bargain at $5000 for a roadworthy RHD 500 with numerous spares, so wasn't even tempted to haggle unlike others who'd shown 'interest'.
That's the best sort of car purchase experience, relaxed, friendly and a good deal too.
, also knock a small hole through to the workshop and it will fit in there. Then the commodore can get back in, 4 car garage !