Buy it. Before the Beverly Hills Car guy does, describes it as mint, does nothing to it and offers it at $75k .
Yeah, for $15k this would be paid in full and put on the Transport before posting here! Pull the trigger brother!
Sounds like the passion is creeping in. All the posters are starting to visualize the beautiful clean aluminum castings, glossy paint, clean suspension etc etc and most importantly, stowing the top and searching for windy roads on a sunny day IF you're so inclined
Dude, that's a steal, even if you have to spend $20K to make it right for you. I have an '80 GTSi and am going to make it a twice-a-week driver. It runs fine, but needs a speedo rebuild, parking brake rebuild, and it has the dreaded whistling exhaust. I didn't care, because shutting the doors, it sounds like a bank vault. There is also some minor corrosion down low on the doors. So what? It's nearly forty years old! Snag that puppy. You'll fall in love with it, and that's what matters.
If it's running you can break the clutch free by starting it in first, changing through the gears without clutching (ie at the correct revs), and when you have it in 4th stab the throttle repeatedly and it will break free. Obviously you need to be on back roads where you don't have to deal with traffic and stop signs. A good paint job will run you at least $5K probably closer to $10K. Take before photos so a future buyer doesn't conclude this is an undisclosed crash vehicle. As to the value/desirability of this year/model, believe me the tune changes a lot when you are a seller. I may be wrong but I speak from experience. The 81/82 cars burn oil (a lot), lack BHP, and and more rust-prone. On the other hand, in the current market (which is cooling), it's still a good price.
I agree with most of what Russ said. Minus the cost of a paint job...unless you are a body guy and prepping this 100% yourself, paint is going to be a lot more than $10K for a professional job (and no, this is not a good place to skimp if you’re going all in, go all in).
I agree with the other folks. Write the check and get that puppy home. Body work pricing is very dependant on who you know and the local market. Those lower doors will need skins. I would investigate the splash panel behind front and rear wheels for rust while at. The rear dent is simple body repair. I think at 30k-40k all in if you are turning the wrenches and farming out the body work is not out of the realm of possibility, providing there is nothing wrong internally with the motor or transmission.
My opinion is this: Drag the thing home. Take your time. Let the reality of ownership soak in. The car has been sitting for 6 years; it is in no rush. Slowly assess. Yeah sure, there is obvious stuff that will need to be done no matter what; all the fluids, timing belts, fuel hoses, fuses. As you work on those, you can meditate on options for the stuck clutch and take inventory of the other things that need attention.
