OK, Y'all,
Give me so help here!
Met a brand new GMC owner a couple of months ago. He'd just bought a 76
Eleganza II, which had been sitting for at least 2 years, at an absurdly low
price. Here are some of the details on it:
90k+ miles. Started life in Connecticutt so it's got lots frame rust; side
rails need replacement but ends clips seem solid. Body in good shape except
for a small propane door crack, one 2" dia. impact ding, and galvanic
corrosion above the stainless steel beltline molding. ZipDee awning in
very good condition (probably 3 years old). 16.5" steel wheels with 5+ year
old General LRE tires. Both windshields cracked. All windows in sad shape.
Large pod, reportedly containing good screen room for awning (all snaps in
place on the body). OEM ladder & railing. Bumpers pretty rusty.
Interior looks BAD at first -- headliner has been "stuccoed" -- yep, that's
a pretty accurate description. But only a little of that mess got on the
cabinets which are in excellent condition. Upholstery sad except for the
two Flexsteel captain's chairs behind the passenger seat which are an ugly
dark brown in excellent condition. Original bunk/sofa behind the driver.
Stove probably never been lit. Original refrigerator looks very nice --
reportedly was working when parked but not now. Nice formica counter top in
kitchen. Bath module has very nice appearance with no signs of damage or
missing doors, etc. Cabinets, dining table, etc in rear bed/dining room all
good.
New 13,500 air conditioner & Fantastic fan (both a/o 2 years ago). Dash in
excellent condition with added tach, air horns, CB, Halon engine fire
suppression system, removeable face radio/cassette, etc., etc. Driver &
passenger seats good original condition. Amazingly, the thing doesn't seem
to be leaking anywhere, even from the decrepit windows!
The engine is clean except for rusty valve covers, etc. Headers installed
since run very much. Both mufflers rusted out and "bandaged". 2.5
tailpipe. Engine runs good (on the gas found in the tank), except for a bad
miss on at least one engine -- no compression check has been done. Has
in-line glass filter in front of carb -- frightening!
New owner had it towed home, jacked up front end, removed front wheels,
installed new master cylinder (not even bled yet), battery and front KYB
shocks, and engaged transmission to see that the wheels turn. Then he came
to our Dixielanders rally. Seeing how far he's got to go to get up to the
"norm", he's decided he wants to buy a ready-to-use GMC and give up this
project.
Now the $64,000 question: should I buy it for a very low price (which still
gives him 100+% profit)? I really don't have much time or inclination to
tackle such a restoration now, especially since it's not the floor plan we
prefer. I could easily recover the cost by parting it out -- or even just
keeping it for my own spares cannibalization. But it's too good for that --
I hate to see it lost. I can arrange covered storage for it at no cost.
But I'd have the hassle of moving it about 50 miles -- to a location 85
miles from my home base.
What do y'all think I should do?
Ken Henderson
76 X-Birchaven
Colquitt, GA
Give me so help here!
Met a brand new GMC owner a couple of months ago. He'd just bought a 76
Eleganza II, which had been sitting for at least 2 years, at an absurdly low
price. Here are some of the details on it:
90k+ miles. Started life in Connecticutt so it's got lots frame rust; side
rails need replacement but ends clips seem solid. Body in good shape except
for a small propane door crack, one 2" dia. impact ding, and galvanic
corrosion above the stainless steel beltline molding. ZipDee awning in
very good condition (probably 3 years old). 16.5" steel wheels with 5+ year
old General LRE tires. Both windshields cracked. All windows in sad shape.
Large pod, reportedly containing good screen room for awning (all snaps in
place on the body). OEM ladder & railing. Bumpers pretty rusty.
Interior looks BAD at first -- headliner has been "stuccoed" -- yep, that's
a pretty accurate description. But only a little of that mess got on the
cabinets which are in excellent condition. Upholstery sad except for the
two Flexsteel captain's chairs behind the passenger seat which are an ugly
dark brown in excellent condition. Original bunk/sofa behind the driver.
Stove probably never been lit. Original refrigerator looks very nice --
reportedly was working when parked but not now. Nice formica counter top in
kitchen. Bath module has very nice appearance with no signs of damage or
missing doors, etc. Cabinets, dining table, etc in rear bed/dining room all
good.
New 13,500 air conditioner & Fantastic fan (both a/o 2 years ago). Dash in
excellent condition with added tach, air horns, CB, Halon engine fire
suppression system, removeable face radio/cassette, etc., etc. Driver &
passenger seats good original condition. Amazingly, the thing doesn't seem
to be leaking anywhere, even from the decrepit windows!
The engine is clean except for rusty valve covers, etc. Headers installed
since run very much. Both mufflers rusted out and "bandaged". 2.5
tailpipe. Engine runs good (on the gas found in the tank), except for a bad
miss on at least one engine -- no compression check has been done. Has
in-line glass filter in front of carb -- frightening!
New owner had it towed home, jacked up front end, removed front wheels,
installed new master cylinder (not even bled yet), battery and front KYB
shocks, and engaged transmission to see that the wheels turn. Then he came
to our Dixielanders rally. Seeing how far he's got to go to get up to the
"norm", he's decided he wants to buy a ready-to-use GMC and give up this
project.
Now the $64,000 question: should I buy it for a very low price (which still
gives him 100+% profit)? I really don't have much time or inclination to
tackle such a restoration now, especially since it's not the floor plan we
prefer. I could easily recover the cost by parting it out -- or even just
keeping it for my own spares cannibalization. But it's too good for that --
I hate to see it lost. I can arrange covered storage for it at no cost.
But I'd have the hassle of moving it about 50 miles -- to a location 85
miles from my home base.
What do y'all think I should do?
Ken Henderson
76 X-Birchaven
Colquitt, GA
