Hello out here! I'm new to the American muscle cars and need some advice. I just sold my 1954 hot rod VW beetle and I'm looking into getting either a Maverick grabber or GT Comet. (or clone of either). anyway, since I am new, I dont really know what to look for with these cars as far as problem areas that would either be hard to fix or impossible to find parts for. I have come across a nearby advertisement for a Comet GT for sale and being it is a 2 hour ride I am unsure what I should be asking besides "what kind of condition etc." Are there any key areas of concern that would prohibit one from buying a maverick over another one? I know with VW it is either the heater channels or the floors that would rot out. Are there similar areas for a Mav/Comet that may be of concern? are replacement parts available? here are a couple of shots of a car nearby that is advertised for $4500 or so.... let me know what you guys out here think.... does it look like a $4500 dollar Comet GT ? has original 302 V8 with Holley carb, auto, 93K original, bucket seats. I appreciate any info...
I think the car looks good. It does not have the "GT" stripes. The color obviously is not factory. No pics of interior. I would have to say that only you know if you want to spend that kind of $ on a car. My suggestion is to use the search button to find and research info. There are problem areas and not everyone can or wants to deal with them. Floors do get rotten and so do frame rails and other critical areas. There is the major problem area too, the cowls. Pour a bucket of water on the windshield and see if any leaks into the car around the firewall/foot board on the inside. Basicly it's rust that you have to look for... look all over, top, bottom, front, rear. Good luck and take your time if you have it. Visit this site as often as you can, this is the place to get all the info you need.
hey thanks for the response... So I guess like all cars they all have their problems.... Thats good to know about the cowl area, I have heard about that on Mustangs I didnt know it applied to these as well, could be a deciding factor, I just sold a VW that had all sorts of leaks, couldnt drive it in the rain.... I definately dont want a car thats going to leak! Beside pouring a bucket of water on some guys car, is there any other way to tell if it has developed a problem? thanks
You can try and look up under the dash with a flashlight for rust. The rear shackle connection points could also be looked at. Get the VIN and door tag info and run it through here and someone will decifer it for you. Looks like the grill has the three stainless strips. I think that says '72 and if in good condition is worth some bucks. I have an NOS one I got lucky to snag off the bay. I have a 73 GT and I just think that that grill looks better.. Anyway, take a flashlight with you and a pen and paper.
I knew I could count on Gene to come through for you since he's in the process of restoring his now I think? GT Clone (I've never seen Gt w/chrome trime or are those small strips) or real GT it looks good from the small pictures but you need see the underbelly and shock towers.
Also push down on the carpet in the areas where the floor pan starts angling up to the firewall, on my car that area(passenger area) is completely rusted out but theres no other rust at all in the interior, and the cowl doesnt leak...the rust started underneath and worked its way up...once a small pinhole developed in the top layer of metal, water was able to get trapped under the carpet, speeding up the rusting process. Also check the plastic splash shields behind the front tires, if theyre cracked or broken, check for patches done to the bottom fender area in front of the door. Ill offer more advice later, as these are the only 2 things I could think of right now.
