Junkyard finds... And possibly saved. (long story, no pics yet)

[Christ]

While walking about in the junkyard local to me (Rubin's... Right up the road.), I happened to spot a blue gem in the mud and muck. After a couple quick glances en passant, while checking for parts for my Golf (Herbie) or any neat little trinkets my 2 year old might find amusing, I finally decided to go see what it was that kept stealing my attention from the task at hand.

Buried behind a few other cars, one having a wheel-ectomy, and still on the home-built stand made for the purpose, one laying on it's side, obviously undergoing some embarrassing colonic surgery, and another, mangled soul, too far gone to repair, but still a feasible organ donor... I found what it was, the beauty which captured my gaze and held it, which kept my focus from the tasks for which I had come... It was Blue, and quite pristine for it's age, as though cared for by a nostalgic owner from a time when cars were priced possessions, a time long past... Not a spot of rust, under or exposed. As though it had been put through the pisces of spring maintenance, then, for some oddreason, given up on, as though worthless. As though the meticulous owner had simply... Moved on?!

Could it be, that someone would do such injustices to a car as beautiful as this 1992 Festiva?

The answer was yes, because here it sit, a marvel unto mine eyes. I MUST - nay, I WILL own it.

After speaking with the proprietor a few times, and convincing him that injustice had been done, and would be furthered if he refused me this purchase, he agreed to sell me the car - with no title, of course, for $100 and a junk 1990 Ford Explorer. GREAT!

I call my father, to make the arrangements to trade him my Subaru for the Explorer... And he says NO! What?!? Seriously?!...

What will I do now? How will I make any sort of deal with this man, who was hardly willing to sell me the car in the first place? _le sigh_...going to lose this one...

So, reluctantly, I call the proprietor back to explain that I cannot make this deal, and inquire about a straight cash deal, again, no title, just a receipt and a little help in the form of information (previous owner).

He thinks on it, and comes back with an offer of $500 cash and carry. I required that I would think on it and call him v back shortly. I waited, deliberated, thought, hummed and hee-hawed for awhile... 2 weeks, or close to it. Today, I had a good opportunity to go back and inspect the car again before making a final decision... After speaking with Larry shortly, I went out back to crawl under the car, give it a once, twice, thrice over, and browse more... After seeing that someone had cut the carpet, and removed the emergency brake handle/cable assembly from the car, I had made my final decision: I wasn't paying $500 unless they were willing to do me a favor.

While browsing, I had noticed a set of 155/80R13 tires, almost brand new, on a Metro. Two have dry cracks, but all hold air. I would love to have them. If they'll put those tires and rims in the trunk, inflate the tires that are on the Festiva currently, and put a battery back in it, I'll pay the $500 for the car.

I went back inside, gave up the details, and explained about the parts missing since last time, and Larry didn't even question it... He just sent a guy out to pull the wheels and tires for me. Pix of my new Festiva wil come as soon as I pay for it!

[JasonG]

Score !!

Good negotiating. I have found the easiest way to get a title on a vehicle that has been sitting and the records have been purged by DMV is to file for an abandoned vehicle title. There a a few minor hoops to jump through, but nothing major. Going to a small tag office on a slow day is key.

Example here: http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/prose/...hicletrans.pdf

[Christ]

Wow, that's so much work... I think I'll just talk to a friend in Maine, and buy it with a bill of sale.

[Christ]

[Christ]

Ok, now there's pics. Still haven't picked Steve up yet, but he's ready when I am.

[cleanspeed1]

You got over, dude!

Wanna sell it? ( Just kiddin' ! )

[piers.singer]

Looks like a good find, man, I expect to see some good numbers from this one.

[brucepick]

Very nice! Um, does it run? Was the battery a requirement because that was all it needed to run?

[Christ]

I've been driving this car for awhile. The original engine had some problems, and threw a rod bearing (I suspect) and wouldn't start. $200 worth of towing fees and a spare engine later, I have it back on the road, albeit still with the auto trans in it (that's getting changed soonish).

Proposed upgrades to this car aren't all eco-minded, but even after all the work, I should easily be able to top 40MPG regularly.

The planned upgrades are, so far:
1.8L Ford/Mazda BP engine (Escort GT/Mazda Miata)
5 speed transmission (already have it)
Aspire knuckles (Got 'em)
VW MK2 suspension (got the coilovers from the Golf)
Manual brakes (easy)
Wheels/tires (13's on it now, looking possibly into 15's or 16's)
Possibly disc rear brakes (I hate working on drums)
Rear vent windows replaced with poly or steel/aluminum sheet
Rear hatch window (maybe... it's got a compound curve in it)

And, of course, some general weight reduction. Getting rid of the stuff that isn't used, and doesn't affect looks.

So far, with the 1.3L and the auto trans, I've been scoring 33-37MPG since getting it running properly. EGT's and Miatas are easily enough capable of putting down mid 30's, so putting that engine in a car with 75% the weight should net me decent numbers as well.

[Christ]

It also just rolled over 100k chassis miles within the last week... that made me simultaneously sad and happy.