The Rare/Rusty Theorem??

[A12pilot]

Greetings Folks!

So I'm sitting in the office the other day, and a coworker asks me, "Hey man, I know you like to restore these things and whatnot, but you ever come across something so cool but so rusty that you just had to say no based on your superior knowledge, sound judgement, and financial savvy?" At that moment, my mind went blank and I had to consciously remind myself to breath, since nobody has asked me that before and it shut my mind down. To which of course, I initially laughed and died a little inside knowing the awful truth of some of the cars I've boughten (boughten?) in the past. But much like that flickering florescent light that finally gets the wattage it needs, my mind lit up wondering, "So what exactly is TOO rusty when it comes to rust?"

Worst I've done was a 69 Charger RT/SE which I replaced the roof skin, entire floor, trunk, trunk filler panel, outer rockers, both quarters, and a crunched door jamb. That was a numbers matching RT/SE, power window, 6-way seat, AM/FM/Tape, rear speaker, 3spd wiper, B5 Blue/White Interior/Top/Stripe, 4spd car and in my mind, worth it.

So the question: Much like the Crazy/Hot Matrix, is there a Rare/Rusty Theorem for these things? When does rarity outweigh the rust issues facing a restoration candidate? I ask this based on YOU, not a turn-for-profit/flip/Discovery TV type thing. So let's say you stumble across that dream COPO/Cuda/Crummley and all that's left is a cylinder head and a drip rail. Do you buy it knowing it's a rare-somethingorother you'll never find again? Or do you look at it objectively and say, "MMmmmmm....I better pass."

Talk amongst yourselves...and post up!

Cheers
Dave

Disclaimer*** The Rare/Rusty Theorem is a trademark of A12Pilot Industries, a division of DaveCo, Inc. and is copyrighted under strict....um...I forgot where I was going with this****

[markinnaples]

Dave, you really need to start writing articles and/or start a blog as your writing is fantastic. Seriously, I think people would love to read more of what you write. Maybe you should consider doing a Youtube channel with narration of your restorations.

[Lee Stewart]

I would think that the answer lies in math . . . how much will it cost to restore versus what the car will be worth when finished. If you are upside down on the money why would you do it, unless there was something very personal about the car and the money didn't matter.

[L16pilot]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

I would think that the answer lies in math . . . how much will it cost to restore versus what the car will be worth when finished. If you are upside down on the money why would you do it, unless there was something very personal about the car and the money didn't matter.

Not disagreeing that Lee's comments are not valid for some, but for me, it's a hobby. And, by definition, money is not the driving factor. I participate to the extent I can afford and to the extent I enjoy.

[Canuck]

Tracker1, Des Ryan,want to chime in here regarding a 1970 Hemi GTX found on a beach in Puerto Rico.

[Canuck]

[A12pilot]

Ha! Thanks, Mark. I wouldn't go that far! But thanks for the compliments!

See, that's the stuff I was referring too. Yes, monetary recoupment is always in the back of your mind. But barring that, what's too rusty? Do you say no to something if it's beyond your ability? Wallet? Sense? How many body panels missing would be a "no sale"? And would it be a "no sale" if that car was the one of two left but maybe, not the one of two most desirable around?

What's your limit with "basket case" when you're staring at a deal of a project, but it resembles the Bismark rather than an automobile??

Cheers
Dave

[Jonesy]

Wow Canuck, that's a major milestone to bring that car back from the dead.