The asking price is 3000 euro, and in the past month only one bid was placed of 1500. I have to say that there are some things that don't really add up. The front clip surely looks like a Admiral and not like a Diplomat, which had more vertical headlights. The Admiral was only available with an L6. The title says Diplomat though. The 327 is a bit strange as it has the alternator on the left side, while I have only seen them in Opels on the right side. Maybe it is a rebuild engine, I just hope it is still mated to the TH400 tranny. The guy has the car in his possesion since 2-2007, so he should be able to tell me enough about it. Thanks for all the reactions, guys, even if I actually should have placed this in the Lounge section, as it is not wagon related. Last question though, any tips were I should look for in specific if I make an appointment for it? Think about it as a Nova, as someone suggested already.
Get it up on a rack. Check floors, quarter panels, rockers, drums, trunk, frame and check DEEP. Way up there where metal meets metal. There has to be salt damage lurking there somewhere if you can see it on the wells. Check the wiring for mouse damage as well as under the seats where they may have carried away half the seat! Check the vents for mouse nests. They can start to smell really bad if not eradicated. Pull the stick and check the oil. I would do a compression check since the engine looks suspicious to you and tell the owner YOU want to start it COLD,,,feel the engine when you get there to see that it is cold....then listen after you start it with OUT revving it. Just start it and let it idle and listen as soon as it starts running for bottom and top end noise. Check for smoke...inside the pipe too unless it has a converter. Doubt it has one. Check to see all mechanicals and options work. If you aren't a car guy....bring a trusted mechanic with you and tell him to bring the necessary tools for a compression check, etc. Leave no stone unturned. 3000 seems a lot for the rust that's showing. To me, anyway.
Wow 3000 Euro converts over to $4379.70, thats a hefty chunk of change! But over there, that might not be all that much.
Thanks Silverfox for the tips, I am not sure if I really qualify as a "car guy", but I think I have seen enough and have enough general technical knowledge to have a pretty good idea if it is a lost case or not. That is when I could be objective, but when I have set my heart on something....... maybe wise to take someone anyway. I just had an answer to some of my questions from the owner. He states the engine is original (I just saw some pictures on the net of an Opel with the same configuration) but he doesn't know about the trans. I guess it is ok, I was only afraid it would be a rebuild from an L6. Further he said that the lights are original and that the reason they are Admiral style is because this car was released at the end of 77 (this seems correct with the title) and as it was the end of the Diplomat/Admiral line, they used parts they had left for the last series. Last thing he said is that the speedo cable is broken and the switch of the ventilator is not working. The inner fenders are ok, it is only on the outside, I small hole on the trunk and the left door on the bottom. I like it more and more! BTW: I just noticed on the pictures that the engine has camel hump heads. At least the engine seems old school and the US emission rules didn't came to this engine. POWERRRRR!!! It also adds up with the left side alternator, because of the lack of bolt holes. When Chevy moved to the new heads and added the bolt holes for AC, PS etc, it also moved the alternator. Funny to see that the engine used in the 77 Opel was actually a pre 70's Chevy engine.
I am glad you liked it! And I also think you are not the only guy with sore ribs..... it is a real special sight!
You know Blackfoot, it is not little money here either, but probably less then it sounds. Certainly older cars don't go that low in prices, maybe this is related to the fact that when cars are over 25 years old, they are dismissed from roadtax, which is a substantial amount in keeping such a car (especially when converted to LPG). They do keep some value because of that.
You are going to own that car, Senri. Because you fell in love with it. Basically...if it's a bad car....you are screwed! Because you will buy it anyway!
well Senri...to be honest....if the fender wells are that crispy....then theres usually a BUTT load of rust elsewhere....an thats alotta moola for a rusty Opel isnt it?...(im just asking) but...like I always ask myself when i cant decide...I say... ..."Rick do you know where theres another for sale?".... ....and I usually end up with another bucket in the yard...
You are right Rev, there is a possibility that it is really a rust bucket. I just hope that this is a honoust in car in such that you can see it. I have seen others for sale, but they start at double the price. They may look better, but who knows what they have to hide? Further more, the Diplomats with the 327 are pretty rare, even more with a leather interior. I haven't seen a second like that, not even in Germany. If I read back what I just wrote, I think it sounds pretty good! Heck, at least I have convinced myself!!
LOLOL.....read my post #26, Senri. I'm fairly certain that you convinced yourself about this car long before you posted anything about it. You, I believe, are hopelessly hooked. Unfortunately, I'm very afraid that it is a rust bucket. Or, one waiting to happen. I sincerely hope it isn't for your sake.
You are absolutely right, silverfox. Lucky enough, I first have to sell my own car and I will go on holiday next week for 2 weeks. I would almost say that faith will decide....
OTOH.....if you could find a really nice rust free BODY with no engine or tranny....or one with the engne and tranny that's shot.....THEN you could put together a nice car by changing everything over. Any good junk yards there where the cars aren't all rusty?
