pdmaenner

Hello Everyone!

I'm new to the forums, glad to be here. I had a question regarding the 1970 Ford LTD coupe. Is there anything special about this model and year? I saw one for sale, fell in love with it, but found out it has some problems. My mechanic told me it would cost about $2500 to fix everything and I am considering whether I should fix it up or just sell it and take it as a lesson learned. The engine, transmission, and interior are in great shape, its got new paint, new rear exhaust, new suspension, new brake pads. But, it the exhaust manifold has a crack in it I was told, the driver side rotor is damaged, the brake lines are illegal in my state and have to be redone, and my mechanic said there is a plate welded on the frame. He said it didn't look serious, but I can't imagine damage to the frame as anything but.
Is this something worth saving? Or should I sell it (if it is legal to do so) or scrap it, and move on? I appreciate any comments or information, thanks for your time! I included a picture of the car as well.


-Pete

Attached Images

ltd1.jpg (51.1 KB, 9 views)

rea98d

Get a second opinion. Get "illegal" defined. If the brake lines are factory original, they should be fine, unless they deteriorated from age. $2500 for a brake rotor and an exhaust manifold seems awfully expensive to me.

If the mechanic gives you that line about how you can't move the car til its fixed, he's a liar. He may not be allowed to let you drive it off, but unless you owe him money, he can't keep the car no matter how bad the brakes are if you send a tow truck to pick it up. This seems like an awfully big bill for what sounds like a combination of small problems and nebulous descriptions of other problems ("illegal" brake lines and a plate welded...somewhere?) My gut is telling me this isn't adding up.

It sounds like you have a really nice car. Get a different mechanic to look at it before you get any work done.