Looking at a Pontiac Wagon,What should I offer?

It just keeps getting better!!

As far as the title bond goes,they have a black book they go to for classic car values,then they multiply the value of the car based on the condition the inspector rates the vehicle(In my Pontiac Wagons case,it was POOR) by 1.5.

My Bond was set at $1500 by the DMV. My insurance company sells bonds for $50 for anything up to a $5000 value.

If you all remember I took the passenger door lock assembly out to have a key made,as the door key I have for the car wont work. Took the lock to the locksmith today,and a gal behind the counter said it would take about an hour. So I drove to the end of town to the local bookstore to kill some time. 1/2 hour later I get the call that the key is done!!

Drove back and picked it up. Paid $25 and gave the gal a $5 tip for quick service,and the fact I was impressed a chick did the work.

Went to my rented storage where the car is and prayed the key would work on the other locks.

I was concerned about this because I had a 72 Buick Skylark in a similar situation,had a key made and it wouldnt work. Ended up having to bust into the trunk.

Anyway,I tried the drivers door first. The key worked like a charm. I then tried the Hatchgate in the back,it opened as well no problem!! So Thats out of the way. Baby steps are good.I have the oil and filter for the oil change and a new set of AC Delco plugs for it,but the weather here in Az has turned and its drizzled all day and its chilly out with a very low celing.

Hopefully it will warm up and I can continue to tinker on it.

Attached are pics I took of the liftgate open...(Finally) and the look the car is gonna have in the wheels and tires dept.Nothing fancy,just the stock 15X7 steel wheels(Im gonna clean em up) with Pontiac dogdish hubcaps I purchased off Ebay last week.Just a simple,clean,basic,no frills,no flash look.

 

Thats good news about the keys and their cost. I have major key problems. I only have one door key left that marginally works on the driver's door and the tailgate. Haven't been able to use the key on the passenger's door in at least 15 years. Ignition key isn't doing much better.
So, would it be best to have the key made to the lock with the least wear (passenger door)?
I have rarely locked my doors for the past 10 years as it can be a real PITA to get it unlocked again.
On that thought, one note about these cars... since there is no frame around the window, it is very easy to pop the lock with a piece of wire inserted between the glass and the door seal. I can get into mine just as fast with or without a key.

 

I phoned the local locksmiths and asked them when my S-15 Blazer locks were acting up. I found a guy who'd been in business a long time and was patient and knowledgeable. He told me to drive it over and he'd take a look. Half an hour later I had new keys, he'd done it with the locks in the Blazer. He told me he can't always do it that way but worth the try. He also cleaned them and lubricated them and what a difference. On the Chevelle I just ordered a new lock and key set as I don't know if the former owner still had a key and given some of the things that happened after I bought the car I didn't want him to have access without doing it the hard way. Got everything for around $50 or $60 bucks I think it was out of Original Parts Group. Keys look like 1970 exactly, in the kit was a new ignition switch, door locks and trunk, glove box and console lock. I'm happy with it. But I'd go ask a locksmith first.

Barry

 

Every once in awhile I stumble across an interesting thread by a fun guy that has, for some reason, disappeared from our family here. chrriff was a fun guy, a true car guy and saved a lot of cars. This thread is especially interesting because he saved a rare Poncho wagon. I don't know why he disappeared and I hope he is OK. Hope his wife didn't find out about the Poncho and shoot him! I emailed him and hope he will respond by coming back and bringing us up to date. Even if the Poncho project didn't turn out...he is still a great car guy. He had 14 cars at last count and many of them saved from fields and barns.
Where are you, chrriff? We miss you!

 

Cheers, chrriff. I was just thinking about you and this wagon the other day.
Hope all is well.

 

Such kind words guys. I'm still alive and kicking,still have the Poncho wagon. Haven't done much with it. I have somewhat taken a hiatus from wrenching. It's still a hobby of mine but life has just come more of a priority.I have the Poncho in storage,and still visit it from time to time. Once I get that spark and drive to continue wrenching,ill be sure to enlighten you all as to how progress is going. Again thanks for the kind thoughts and well wishes.

 

Glad to hear from you and know your OK, chrriff! Life always has a way of intervening into our car time. With that said....hey....don't be a stranger. At least drop in and join the discussion in a thread or 2 now and then. Really glad that you still have the Poncho, too!:banana: For sure let us know if there is any progress on that....large or small. Thanks for checking in! Great to hear from you.

 

Judging by how it's kept it looks to me like your competition will be the local wrecking yard.
Hopefully the owner hasn't decided it's a classic now that someone has expressed interest.
Start low, you can always work up.

 

chrriff bought the wagon awhile back and has it stored after doing some things on it.