My Vista Cruiser dilema.

[W451973]

Well guys I need some opinions and ideas. This will be long so please bare with me. :o

Ok I have the two 73 Vista Cruisers that I've had for too long and can't sell. And I just can't see scrapping them. I sold my 78 Catalina because we needed money and now I need a beater. The Fusion is taking a beating and needs to be cleaned. Plus I want to get some use out of them. We just got our tax refund back and it's not much so I have very little to work with plus still needing to save for gas and stuff while my daughter is getting treatment. So while the car is not my top priority I still need to put together a plan. It will be a slow process due to lack of time and money. So............

My 455 car runs but is beat to shyt. My 350 car does not run and will need the motor and trans from the other car if I use it.

Both cars need complete exhaust. Both cars need brakes. Probably lines and everything. The interior in BOTH cars is ROUGH. The body on the 350 car is pretty good the last time I saw it before putting it in storage 4-1/2 years ago. Plus it's loaded up with power everything. The body on the 455 car is ROUGH. I've had these for years, buying parts to do a 442 wagon. I tried to sell them and nobody wanted them. I've sold off alot of my extra stuff but still have some NOS wagon stuff to use. I'm sure there are a ton of other stuff I'll have to fix no matter which I choose but it's what I have to work with and there seems to be no chance of getting anything else.

So what do you think ?

[1977 Cutly]

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.
-Vince Lombardi

My Supreme isn't the 1971 Formula 400 I've dreamed of for years, and never will be. But it is mine. Every nut and bolt is paid for. Everything that works and doesn't work. Its mine, and no one else can say otherwise. Build on what you have, and the results will come eventually.

[W451973]

A beater is not what I envisioned when I set out to do it but the $$$$ for a proper restification is not in my future.

[ragz442]

Sounds like you could make one decent ride between the two of them, if that's what you want. You know what you gotta do, but without the time and money it's tough to do. I'm in the same boat right now, no cash to finish my project. I keep hoping things get better, we'll see I guess. I know you don't want to scrap them, and I hate to say it, but some times it's better to start with a clean slate.......been down that road too. Either way good luck with whatever you decide.

[geowindow6768]

Is your dream to build a 73 wagon? I would hold on to both of them if you have the space. The cars are probably paid for and you won't get much back if you try to sell.
Your family is going through a rough time. That's where you concentrate your energy. Completing some of your small projects or helping someone else with their projects will keep you from going nuts.
I have a yard full of dream projects but volunteering to help others is keeping me from completing or starting any particular project. I'm busy and enjoying myself. When I find myself too busy I spend some relaxation time on me and I putz around home for a little while.
The cars will be around waiting for the time when I can concentrate on one. If someone else needs one of these cars for their dream I can give one up. Until then the cars wait, I don't have to look for one.

Enjoy what you have and look forward to your dreams.

...this is still the best life I've ever had...
George

[zodiacblue442]

I hope things are getting better for you and your family. Ultimately, life should be about treating people right and friends and family. Since you had to sell your daily driver Catalina (your beater as you call it), I would take the Vista with the worse body and make a good running dependable car out of it. Drive this car for your beater. Save the wagon with the better body for your future 442 wagon project. When things get better you can take the good driveline out of the beater and use it for the 442 wagon. Part out what's left and you can always find another beater for cheap. Good luck.

[1977 Cutly]

I hope things are getting better for you and your family. Ultimately, life should be about treating people right and friends and family. Since you had to sell your daily driver Catalina (your beater as you call it), I would take the Vista with the worse body and make a good running dependable car out of it. Drive this car for your beater. Save the wagon with the better body for your future 442 wagon project. When things get better you can take the good driveline out of the beater and use it for the 442 wagon. Part out what's left and you can always find another beater for cheap. Good luck.

I think this sounds like the path I'd go. Besides, beaters are the safest cars on the road, people only want to hit nice looking cars! No one ever hit my cutlass for the years when it was in primer, putting paint on it was like painting a bullseye on it!

[W451973]

Thanks guys. I was leaning toward the running car. Initially (sp?) my plan was to make a H/O wagon when I hunted down my clean car. Then I bought the beat up big block car as a parts car. Then I thought about making it a 442 wagon. That was all before the crap hit the fan several years ago. I ended up losing our house, had to sell off all my good stuff and well here we are. I don't really have the time or money to do what I want so I'll just mess around with the running one for now. Thanks again guys. I knew I could always count on you guys.

[MrRocket]

I don't have the problems that you are facing Dennis, but I don't have the money to do what I want either. My project car is/has been a really, really, long, in-the-works, process. I call it my life project! :) What takes me ten years most people can do in a few weeks or months. I have learned to be patient. You have some fun options to tinker with while you get back to a more solid footing financially. I would use the big block in your good Vista and scrap out the rest. Scrap is still high I believe. Have fun with it! Keeping your hands in an Olds engine bay is good therapy...even if it's just to reroute some wiring or gap some perfectly well gapped spark plugs. :) Post pics of your progress and talk about your plans on the forum. We'd love to see them!

[first car]

Is one of them blue, cuz I would go with the blue one.

[W451973]

Nope, no blue ones.