coupe problems?

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hey guys im finally ready to buy my next car... a XB or XC coupe... i could very well have one this week.... i wanted to know if theres anything specific to these models that i should be looking at before i go buying it?? you know steering/ susp problems.. rust in certain areas etc etc...

its great that im finally gonna be owning the car ive wanted for bloody ages!!

cheers
-matt-
 
Where to start? Rust from the bottom of the windscreen, right down through the sills. Rust on the "rear window filler panel" between glass and boot. Rust on the horizontal edge of the rear side windows. Rust in the doors. Cracking door lock mounts. Dropping doors and shot hinges. Clapped out window regulators.

A good-but-needing-some-rust-repair car will cost you about $6K, with rego. That's with a fairly plain motor and auto or 4-speed. Don't buy one with new paint unless they have dozens of explicit pictures of the prep! Look under the scuff plates towards the front. The coupes had a rust trap or three in the front door pillars and scuttle; you will find evidence of repair; it's a question of if they did the right repair!

Adam.

P.S. Buy a ZD 351 instead. Roomier car, get it with factory air and bulk options, cruise and enjoy! For $8K you will find a lovely one.
 
thanks for that, ill keep an eye out for what i can... my pannel beater mate came with me today, and weve found one with bugger all rust and a fair bit of work!! so that makes me happy.....

the other question i had was: what are those air vent style things in front of the rear wheels on "some" of the coupes i see.... what models were they on? do they just stick on and look pretty or are the there to cool the brakes or sumthing similar??
 
Those are part of the GT trim. Front guards had similar detail. I think they're cosmetic. You realise how much more than a ZD Fairlane the insurance will be, don't you? How much less room you'll have, how much more you'll pay to buy? Just stirring! :wink: At least try an equivalent one!
 
Matt,

Theres a '79 LTD towncar on West Swan road for sale. $6.5k, looks to be absolutely immaculate. If I had the $$, I'd buy it and do it up like a pimp-barge :twisted:
 
i would consider a ZD the only prob is i dont think ive ever seen one advertised that has all ready been done up..... and this time around i dont wanna start spending thousands of dollars in order to do that, i learnt that from my XF :)

got any pics of a ZD or a similar LTD to what you saw disco? if you see the car again disco feel free to get the number and ill give em a call..

i dont even want to know how much my insurance will be, been to scared to find out hahaha

matt
 
Good things about the ZD 351s - they came with a 9" LSD, 2-barrel carb, almost all have PS and often a whole bunch of other good gear. Plus all the handling stuff for Falcons fits right in; nobody has to see it. You get a mega boot, more legroom, lots of nice detail touches and comfortable seats! A near-stock vehicle would be eligible for broker rates on insurance, which would save a bundle. The GTs and coupes attract a certain amount of jealous, undesirable attention, which you can easily end up paying for. It won't handle exactly like a Phase III due to the longer wheelbase, but are pretty effortless to drive. With widened rims, an aftermarket 4-hole manifold, tweaked suspension, you'd have the ultimate sleeper. But the way things are going, you can't cruise - they'll defect you, can't speed - they'll fine you... a Daewoo starts to look a pretty good vehicle. :?
 
it looks rather like this, except its got 12-slotters, 235s (I think) which are very new, and its in a burgundy paint finish..

LTD-1977-P6-2.jpg


I'll keep an eye peeled for you about a phone number, too..
 
well ill definately broaden my horizons now.. the coupe i have in sight has electric windows, power streering, aircon, 295's on the rear, 235's on the front, 9" disc brake lsd diff, edelbrock man, 600 holley, p&p heads, moroso rckrs, crow cam, rebuilt C4 (300km) and hi-stall, b&m quicksilver shifter... and a very original perfect interior (however id seriously consider a new custom re-trim.. but yes ill definately start looking a little futher for now

cheers
-matt
 
I just bought an XB Coupe, 351, top loader, twin gas research carbs, 9 inch LSD (drum rear unfortunately). Is a bit rough but rust free $3,000.

The panel between the back window and boot is a shocker for rust. Even in inland OZ. Lift the boot and run your hand underneath it. if you can fix it yourself don't be turned off buying the car. The replacement panel is $140. If you cant fix it yourself reconsider, that stuff is fiddly and expensive.

The front guards go in all falcons becuase of that stupid air plenum in front of teh windscreen. leaves and shit drop in there and compost in the bottom of the guard and the plenum. Check the carpets for dampness, lift them if you can. If its wet don't buy the car and do not assume its just a leaking windscreen. That plenum/firewall can rust out and is very fiddly to repair.

A weak speaker magnet and a business card makes a reasonable but not foolproof bog checker.

Get some time alone with the car. leave your credit card/ car/ girlfriend as a deposit if you have to. Take it to your house, and look, look look. They are cool looking cars and the idea of owning one can blind the excited prospective purchaser.

Practice some reverse parking in the sucker. They are very hard to see out of, especially if they have the alloy HO rear wing.

If its a good car buy it and keep it forever. We all have a responsibilty to keep these cool cars alive, not just for ourselves.
 
its official, i put the deposit down yesterday!! will pick it up early next week when the bank gives me my money! so you can imagine my excitment right now ! there was only one section of rust found, that was inside the boot near the tail lights. although ive been told will be easy to fix..... so now the fun starts :)
 
its official, i put the deposit down yesterday
Click to expand...
It's official. I take bets from here on as to the hidden rust. :wink:

You got the folks to insure it in their name? It'll be way cheaper.

Adam.
 
The air vent guards were dummy except on a handful of Ford factory originated racing coupes.
I read an article recently where some one found an original factory built racer and was excited because the vent was real thus proving the car's bonafides.
 
yes, hidden rust is the next step.... the car will be getting resprayed in the next few weeks so if or when its found, it will be removed :)

ive been very happy with my car thus far :).... sorry to say but much quicker than my XF! im gonna get it dyno tuned and serviced then i wanna get a 1/4 mile time....

insurance was nearly IMPOSSIBLE! but finnally got it.... even under my parents name it made no difference because its all worked out by my details because id be the youngest driver... ohwell its sorted now.... now ive just gotta let my petrol costs hit me :)
 
9 inch LSD (drum rear unfortunately).
Click to expand...

No problem. Disc brake 9" diffs are leathal if the shrink ring breaks. A good Aussie spec original drum 9" is the one to have. You can bolt XF Falcon discs on the back with ease.

The 1973-1979 GT/GXL disc set-up are, in 9 cases out of 10, in danger of cutting through the case hardened join where the shrink ring holds the axle on. Bob Pinnelli, of Ford Capri/Corina V8's, and a guy McDonald, of Keysbourgh Diffs warned Ford freaks about these diffs in 1990. Much more of an issue now than then.

You'll love that big old Ford. Well done, I envy you!
 
Yep. Richie, my mate, owns it. He had tried to put in a Sub 1800, but ran out of funds. You want one? We could dismantle it, shove on an Osama Ben Laden mask, and see if I could get it past Kiwi customs.


(Joke, please laugh, har har har)
 
(Joke, please laugh, har har har)
Click to expand...

hahahahahahahahahaha - that is funny :-)

There is a guy in Cairns advertising for one in the paper - wants a Manx - freight from NZ probably too much

They are selling for around 9-10k at the moment...
 
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