<VV> Turbo Odyseey Part 2

[Norman C. Witte]

This post is also available online at www.wittelaw.com/personal/turbo/2.htm

This morning Clark Hartzel from the DACC stopped by my office and picked up
the check for the balance on the '65 turbo convertible I bought Sunday on
eBay.  He is on his way to Montana today and hopes to pick up the car
Saturday.  With luck it should be in my greedy little clutches as early as
Monday.  Wahoo!

I got some additional pictures of the bottom of the car from the seller:

http://www.wittelaw.com/personal/turbo/P1010003%20(3).JPG

http://www.wittelaw.com/personal/turbo/P1010004%20(3).JPG

http://www.wittelaw.com/personal/turbo/P1010002%20(3).JPG

I just finished having a great time making a huge wish list for the new
turbo car.  My goal is to sell my '63 Olds 98 for parts and body $$, sell
more camera gear to fund the project, and maybe even sell my treasured '93
Firebird Formula if the Corvair gods demand further sacrifice.  I still have
$2,200 earmarked for the convertible project from the sale of my '68
Cutlass, so it may not be necessary to sell the Firebird.  My wishlist
included all the weatherstrips, all the emblems, a complete new interior,
and all new top parts (I think I will probably need to get a new top for the
car).  If I did that list from Clarks, it would be about $2,300.00.  Since I
have not seen the car yet, much of what it needs is pure speculation but I
have been trying to get a feel for what the costs will be.

So here's my budget:


Project costs
Purchase of car and a battery: 	   $2,225.00
Transport:             			     $800.00
Body work/paint:				   $3,500.00
Engine: powdercoat, turbo, heads:	   $1,200.00
Trim, carpet, top, etc.:	         $2,300.00
Upholstery labor:				     $750.00
Tires, miscellaneous crap: 		   $1,000.00
TOTAL:			 		  $11,775.00


Available funds
'68 Cutlass proceeds:		         $2,200.00
'65 Monza proceeds:			   $2,800.00
'63 Olds proceeds:			   $3,000.00
Camera gear proceeds:			   $2,000.00
TOTAL:			              $10,000.00

As you can see I am pretty close on budget.  I may have to lose a few other
toys; or some aspects of the resto may come in under budget.  If the budget
gets totally blown the Firebird should fetch around $5,000.00.

I have five goals with this project:

1)  To pay for this project from the proceeds of other toys.

2)  To drive it around until after the DACC Homecoming pretty much as is.

3)  To start work on the restoration over the winter and complete the
project in time for the 2005 DACC Homecoming.

4)  To reach the same standard as my '65 Corsa coupe.  That standard is that
if you walk around the car, you should see concours quality paint, engine
compartment and trunk.  The bottom of the car can be as dirty as it needs to
be.  The car will sport Motor Wheel Spyder rims and BFG TA Radials just like
the red Corsa.  I want the cars to be as consistent with each other as
possible.

5)  To chronicle the whole thing on VV and my web page.

So, anyone need an Oldsmobile?

Norm Witte