When is it time to stop?

My 79 Lebaron Town & Country is finally in the shop. It was a bad year for me and worse for the car. The area around the hinges on the liftgate broke, really rusty back there and there is a leak in the roof. I got it to the shop, it's beyond my abilities and the owner told me "he could take my money" but he thinks it's just too far gone to put any more money into it. So what should I do? Spend way more than I thought I would, for the car or just let it go?

 

Is it rust only or does it have mechanical problems too? Interior good?

 

It has some issues starting but it runs well. The front seats have been re done and the back seats still look ok. The interior is in pretty good shape. I guess it's just rust, it's also a money thing, I don't have the exact figure, but my job changed this year and I don't have as much to put in the car.

 

Welcome Ingledude! Glad you joined up!

Is this just a spare hobby car, or do you rely on it?

Would spending money to fix this rust make the wagon much better, or is it just a drop in the bucket, as far as what the wagon needs?

David

 

That's a shame. I like these wagons. But, I sure can understand the money problem, ing. Is it in a body shop right now? Was it a body guy that told you it's too far gone? What engine does it have in it?

 

It was supposed to be my "fun" car. I've had it about 4 years. It was the shop owner who called me and let me know, it's a small town. I'm torn at this point. It's got the 318 engine.

 

I looked at your pics, and it is a cute wagon.

It's going to get down to just how much you like the wagon, and what you are willing to spend to keep it on the road.

When a guy at a shop tells you that he can take your money, basically, he is telling you that he thinks your car is a piece of crap, and you would be a fool to spend anything on it. A lot of people, when they see an old wagon, they can't imagine anyone putting money in one, let alone why anyone would want to drive one. They just see an undesirable piece of junk.

But how do you feel? Do you like the wagon, or do you just see a rusty, problematic piece of crap?

These vehicle choices are usually based on how we feel about a certain kind of vehicle. Do you want to keep it on the road, or do you really care if it went away and you found another?

David

 

Wix has good points, good questions. As far as your original question goes...hard to answer without knowing the problems which you haven't really explained fully. A series of pix would help.

 

Lift up the roofrack and put some sealant under the supports, then look around for some tailgate hinges. If it runs ok, use it and keep it for a parts car/donor for a future project. If it was an ocean-side wagon, well the roof is probably toast.

Oh, yeah, and welcome.

 

Damn good points and damn good advice, bigA!

 

I love this quote! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

Good advice, bigaadams!

David

 

Hit the brakes, get rear-ended. Take insurance money.

 

Reminds me of my 1955 Stude President coupe. The car had sat for 23 years in the weeds. Covered in 2 feet of snow, tires iced in. The farmer got on his tractor, lifted her up, brought her into his 'tool-shed' (200' X 50' repair shop), hooked up the 6 volt battery, pulled the plugs and oiled them up, cranked her over, and fed her fresh gas. Vrooom! The floor was the big job. The rest was solid.

Outstanding work, BigA! You should post the story and how-to.

 

You tell me that after following you for 1,000 miles to get Mabel?

 

And you'd do it all over again...