Roof damaged 90-91 Mercury Conony Park...a viable project?

Roof damaged 90-91 Mercury Colony Park...a viable project?

This is my first post...

An older guy in the neighborhood is selling his circa 1991 Mercury Colony Park wagon. He had a successful business, and he's passed it onto his sons and is disposing of many of his cars. It appears to be in good shape and might be a fun cruise night/show car/dog car if the interior checks out. It's fully equipped and since it's the last of the Ford full-size RWD wagons and Mercury is no longer with us, It might be worth having...at least I'd like to see it go to a good home instead of becoming a junker.

He has it locked behind a fence so I haven't had a chance to examine it closely. He had a number if cars, so it might be a low mile cream puff...or it might be worn out. It has the neat turbine wheels, leather interior and nice wood decals.

Before I call him and ask to look at it, I'd like some advice to assess the viability of getting it. It looks like a fairly good-sized tree branch came down on the car. There is a 18-inch square, but shallow, dent on the hood (probably an easy fix, replace the hood). More troubling is the roof. The area about six inches behind the windshield on the drivers side is rippled...not one big dent but a washboard effect. The A-pillar looks fine.

Assuming there is no water leaks from structural damage (easy to spot on the dash pad, I figure) how would you fix it? Obviously, replacing the roof isn't an option on a $2000 car. Would bondo fix it? How about knocking out the dents from the inside (if it can be done without taking down the headliner)? It's painted silver...and there is no chrome strip along the bottom of the A-D-pillars to make repainting easier. Also, the luggage rack is shot.

The only thing missing seems to be the drivers doors body side molding/rub strip (wood brown), radio antenna and roof rack. Are these parts available (NOS?) anywhere?

Any opinions on repairs...simply put, is it worth doing from a cost standpoint?...or desirability as a project would be welcome.
I'm not looking to spend a bunch of money on this or make it a full-blown project/restoration.
BTW: he wants $2500 for it. A good price (if it checks out okay mechanically)?

 

John. Your first post should be an introduction. letting the members know a little about you. So don't forget the intro.
Next I'd check that wagon out up close to see what kind of miles it has on it and the shape of the inside and under that dented hood. This will also give you a much better look at the exterior. Price wise it does not seem bad but it is not easy to tell at this point.
Pictures will help other members suggest your plan of attach on that dented roof. In my opinion, and most body men, Bondo is only for minor low spots and dents. I'd probably carefully pull the front part of the headliner down and gently push or hammer the dent outward the best I could. Then use a Bondo type product to finish it smooth.
Get a closer look and pictures.

 

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John B , Cats got it down pat and Krash is showing the other side . I take it this Merc has title and you need to see its condition therefore some pics would be good for SWF members to assist in correct their comments . from Downunder

 

Update: I called the owner and he wants $2500 for it. I asked they year and mileage...and he said he didn't know/can't remember.

It's still there. I'm still tempted. What do you think?

 

Depends on the condition, and extent of damage. If it's a low mileage creampuff, and the roof can be repaired inexpensively, maybe. But, based on what you've said so far, it sounds kind of high to me.

 

Seems kind of high even if it is in good shape otherwise. Consider you will probably have to replace the hood and have it painted. There will probably also be paint work required on the roof. That can add up pretty quickly. Granted it is on the other side of the country, but this can be had for $3k:

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4203839363.html

There are other cars out there.

 

Your next step is to get a GOOD look at it. Doesn't make much sense to talk about a wagon you really know nothing about. Go see it, drive it if possible, take some pics, then come back here.

Marshall

 

I agree, the owner is hard to get ahold of.

 

Doesn't sound like he really wants to sell it... Plus would be hard to get a good price.

 

I know you are on the fence about buying it, but a thought for future reference on the roof repair...

Search Google for "stud welder dent repair". these little tools are great for pulling dents in sheet metal that do not (and do) have good access to the back side. They generate some heat, so removing the headliner would be in order, but from having used one I can say it may help some with the roof dent.

As for the car, It would have to be incredibly clean and complete at the price quoted. There are still lots of those around.

Good luck on whatever you decide.
Tom

 

Depending on how large the dent is, a sink plunger an pull out most, if not all, of the dent.

 

Can't fix a dent in a wagon you don't own. It's fenced in.

 

And nobody knows what it even looks like...............

Dented......


Or DENTED........



??