Opinions on this 810?

We bought our Auburn in 2001, in non running/driving condition. Spent the winter getting it running (and stopping). Although it is foremost a Family Car, we have continued to work on it... paint (no comments from Mike on the paint job), wood, engine rebuild this year, working on interior, etc., etc.... each year, being able to continue driving and enjoying it. Although it will never win any shows (will NEVER be entered to be judged), our family continues to enjoy it. This year will be the 7th Hoosier Tour, and 8th ACD Auburn meet it will participate in.

I enjoy the restoration process, but the real fun is in taking the family out for a drive!!! Shoot, the 4 months it was down for engine rebuild was tough... wanted to get it out and drive several times during that stretch. That 4 months this year (Feb-May) is the first time the car was not able to be driven for more than a couple weeks since it was put back on the road in 2002.

Buy a driver, and use it as a driver.. work on it as time and money allow... making sure safety is a priority (stop, go, turn, etc.).

That's so true what mike says, 38 then, now I am 62. Same thing with me, I still think like there is more sand in the hourglass and I can have five projects in the oven.
When we are in later years of life there is more family responsibility but maybe there will be retirement someday and the car details can be completed.
The ideal situation would be born into a family with a huge shop and lots of tools and a bunch of old cars to fix. I have one lucky grandson.
The reason I liked the rusty Cord is the low number. In Harley or Corvette collecting this would be very important.
I guess since our cars were built in such low production numbers (less than 3000 total) first 10 production #'s is not that important?
I am sure if anyone on this board owned this vehicle it would get the attention it deserves.
It was cool to see it in that barn all covered with dust, it sure did not look like much before it was washed.
Yup, it is nice to buy as best as possible but in this price range this car seems like it would have been an OK deal.
It might have been easier to find a roof 1/4 section than to find a drive unit or interior components.

Mike , i'll get back to you on this topic when i got wiser.
Scott, don't let you discurrage of rough projects if you like the things done in a quality that suits you, but if you realy want to get in your car without fearing that something doesn't work when you need it, time should not be a factor but quality and no cutting corners. You just have to do it twice in view of your age if you keep your car until you loose your license.
I had manny rough projekts and finished them all since my age of 14. manny had to make way for new tempting projekts but brought full funds for a higer class cars to start with. regularly once in a year i do my 1000 mile trip with one of my cars plus some hillclimbing and sprints through the year enjoing with my family. In the end i also enjoy constant technical learing, while restoring. Just keep in mind run the car first to feel if its worth restoring. Beiing far from missionaring i end this as beiing only my two cents.
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A few years ago, I read a book that said something like, "The first time you do a restoration, do not tear the car to pieces. You might get transferred in your job to Istanbul and never get the car back together. Instead fix one thing at a time on the car. Then you might be able to enjoy it some as you work on it and you won't lose heart."

I bought an Austin Healey Sprite in 2003 and I've been doing a "rolling restoration" ever since. Got it running (and stopping - very important) in 2004. I didn't paint it until 2008 and I'm still going. But at least in between the different tasks, I've been able to drive it some and re-energize myself for some more work. Of course, this makes it more difficult to fully strip the whole body and repaint it like new, but a car like the one in this thread might be a candidate for such a restoration. You could drive it, fix a door, drive it, fix a fender, etc. It won't look perfect for a few years, but you will be enjoying your Cord while you do the work.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Jim

The problem with ultra long-term projects is that parts can get lost, and unless you're very familiar with the model you may forget how it all goes back together! I stumbled across my first car and bought it back in 1997. I didn't even touch it until this year because I knew it would be a long time until I could round up all the parts needed to finish it. I kept it on the back burner while I finished other cars instead.

The time you spend restoring is rewarding but you can't drive a car that is being restored. Some people enjoy the restoration more than the driving and some the other way. Each person has a different view point. Joan and I were on a tour this summer and a man came up to me in a gas station and said he has had a Packard for 29 years that he was going to restore and hasn't had any fun with it. He was not smiling and will probably die with it still in his barn. You younger folks will find that as you get older you will be less and less inclined to work on your cars. The people who save the car to restore when they retire will probably never get it done. I took a T- Bird apart in 1985 and was going to get it done in a couple years. I was 38 then, now I am 62 and it is the next project. Even if I get it done by 65, how many years will I have to drive it. Don't tell me, I don't want to know!
CORDially Mike

It doesn't matter how long it takes to restore a car, all it matter is that restauration happens ! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Buying a finished car is definitely quicker. As far as cost effective, that all depends. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Mike, it may be the most efectiv way to buy a old car but restoring it by your self is half the fun and at least to me, much more value. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

The auction was ended early, snooze you loose.

The most cost effective way to buy any old car is buy one that is done.
CORDially Mike

Balinwire, thank you for your input. I don't know what it sold for last year, I believe it sold off-eBay. When it's time to pull the trigger this is likely the type of Cord I will buy. Would prefer rust-free naturally but I actually have an AMX which is rustier, and it's 33 years newer! I do like that this one is complete and drivable as is.

Hi Ohio,
The good thing about that car to me is the low number and the flat-back. It also has the radio and really looks quite good. There seem to be several of these old restorations come up for sale recently with odd color combinations, red, green, odd color interiors and such.
Do not not let a body color influence my decision in purchasing. And price, well with inflation and the rarity of these in running shape I would not worry about it as a long term investment. The important thing is it all seems to be there.
I have at least that much tied up in my car and it still needs more to even get it that complete. Remember the sedan on the site that had over 100-200 thousand invested. Someday they will be appreciated and the values will be unobtainable in my humble opinion.
The lower front bumper bolt tow loops are a good idea to save the pretty bumpers. I did not notice if it had the cowl fillers.
How much did it go for on the first go-round?

And it IS in Ohio too! <!-- s8) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8) -->

Well, Scott, it could be your first Cord!

Cream and pink wouldn't look bad side-by-side in the garage...

When last offered it was "fresh from a 20 year storage" and not running. It was also very dusty in the pics. Now it's cleaned up and running at a somewhat lower price. Obviously these cars do not get parted out anymore due to rust so this one just needs the right buyer with the skills to restore it.

Yes interesting color, more befitting a late 1960's car. If not mistaken it should be painted a creme color due to the interior trimmings, right? Of course then a new interior would then be needed as well. More money...

Interesting color...looks like it should have a Superman shield on the roof...

I don't know what it looked like before, but it still looks pricy to me, considering the paint that has to come off in most areas to beat rust properly. I would plasticblast the complete car without deassembling to take paint off, then sand until no rust anymore, acidedge the whole thing and build up propper paint but no metalflake, this would be a good compromise between full rebuild and what's like now.
Me personaly would look for a complete but rough and cheaper car and do a propper restauration. Yes my way will be more expensive than this, but resault in more satisfaction. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Same Cord listed on eBay last March for $39,999. Looks like it's been detailed since then but still has rust issues. Does this seem like a reasonable price considering what this car needs?

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Very-Ori ... 06.c0.m245