It started out as a pretty ordinary day, from a minor parking accident smashing one of my Laser's indicators to my trip to Tullamarine being marred by the woeful early morning traffic. The original plan was to check out EFs and ELs at the damaged auctions, but based on early indications I didn't expect to get anything desirable at all.
For example, a reasonably complete XF GL went for $75, while an auto EL XR6 with minor front and rear damage kept climbing to $7700! A relatively high km EF Futura went for $2400, and the only cheap EL was a $750 wreck with basically no workable parts whatsoever.
After sitting through 280 auctions, I did bid on a '97 GLi which was located all the way in Wangaratta - I offered only $1300 knowing towing costs would be ridiculous, and it went for $1400.
Just when I was expecting to walk away empty handed, I won the bid for a comparatively local EL in Warragul. It was a stroke of luck because while it has pretty significant front and rear damage, the many components that will still be good should be in excellent nick.
A few details about the car: it is a
very late model '98 EL Futura wagon, and in fact is one of the limited edition 'Sapphire II' packages that were coming out in light of impending arrival of the all-important AU. Its kms are 125k, which is about as low as any of the cars there were. Other features include dual fuel and alloy wheels. I suspect the radiator and thermos will be fubar, but I've already worked out alternatives anyway.
The big problem is trying to get the thing to my place - here's hoping the tow guys are feeling generous.
Anywho, lots of parts (including the AU hybrid motor and full interior
) will soon be available. I'll keep you posted.
New beast for the Troutman
Linear Mode
