Bought it on a handshake (now with pics!)

[sandrock]

I've been away for a few weeks to see family in Tennessee and Missouri. Been staying at my parents house, which is my "real" home so to speak...lived in that house for 19ish years, and it's also where I go whenever I need to unplug from the Matrix (poor cell reception, NO cable or internet...parents are slow adopters to technology). It's also where my adoptive grandfather is my neighbor. I say that because he's 85 years old now and has always been a great neighbor to both me and my parents, and I learned a lot from that old man.

Well, his wife passed away three years ago (she too was a great woman and it was an honor to know her. I actually cried when I heard the news, and the moment I found out was the moment I was buying that gold '94 SSE I had) and left behind a '76 Ford LTD Brougham 2-door with almost every available option that she bought NEW. Yes, y'all read that right.

I've been close with this car since as long as I could remember. I detailed that car for her growing up...once or twice a year she would pull it in our driveway, give me the keys, and I'd get to work. Needless to say, it hasn't seen much detailing since I've been gone. Nor has it seen much of the road...maybe....5000 miles in 10 years.

I've been eying this car. Every time I come up here I bug Mr. Honeycutt about it.."When you gonna let it come to to me?" I'd always ask. Well, I asked that question again this trip, and his words to me were "How much is it worth to you?" He further explained he turned down 2500 dollars when some donkers (as I call them) saw it and whipped out the cash on the spot. I told him "There's one difference between everyone else and me, and that's you'd know I would take care of that car." He looked at me and smiled and said "Why do you think I turned that money down?"

We shook hands and he said "When I'm ready to let her go, she's yours".

No pics yet as I don't have good internet access (wont until Wednesday when I am back in Florida), but shes a diamond in the rough. She drives beautifully, though it needs some help on the exterior...no rust, just weathered paint and vinyl top. Original 8-track still works. Engine is a 400 ci. Around 58,000 miles total.

And the best part? It's been bought on a handshake.

[2000Silverbullet]

Wow. I cut my teeth and honed my newly aquired driving skills on a 74 LTD with the same engine. Nice.

[SSEi95]

My 2nd car was an '83 LTD with the 302 V8. Not much HP, but the torque was nice.

My grandmother has an 86 caprice in MINT condition with about 86K on it. Any mechanical or body issues it has ever had were promptly fixed. Many people, dealers included, have offered her good money for it because they know there is still a huge market for them in mint condition. She of coarse has declined them all since she still needs a car and like this one. If the day ever comes, I am presumed to be first in line for it (hopefully that day doesn't come for a long time yet). Oh, and by mint condition, the seats don't even have creases in them since they added blankets on top. Always garage stored, and detailed religiously.

[repinS]

I was brought home from the hospital as a newborn in a Ford LTD, fairly certain it was one of similar year. First car I ever experienced

[LeSabreUltra]

Sounds awesome. I freaking love old 70's barges like that.
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[sandrock]

Here's the pics I took of her. Keep in mind she's been in a state of hibernation for about 3 years, with the occasional engine run-ups.








Of course, these are the only spots where rust has happened. Sucks, but it could be much worse. It'll get addressed when I do the bodywork and paint.


Aside from the carpet (and the only reason its bad is due to material breakdown), the interior is mint. Note the original trash bag on the glovebox, and the white stickers on the plate above that. Those stickers were placed there by one of the grandchildren (who is my age) when they were little, and Kenneth (my neighbor) never removed them. I vowed I'd never remove them too, though I might locate a new plate to put in its place, and shelve this plate.




The engine is the 400ci, and it only came in 2bbl configuration. Now, I think the 351 Cleveland and Modified 4 bbl intakes will fit...if so, I have a good carb to put on here. That'll be the extent of the mods.

Everything on this car is original aside from common-replacement parts. Paint will be redone a shade darker blue in metallic and clear, and yes a new vinyl top will go on too. Not sure when I'm picking her up, but I know it will be soon.

[JimmyFloyd]

Looks great. Love finding older cars in good shape like that, and having history is even better.

[crzydmnd72]

Hideaway headlights too?

[myfirstbonnie]

Gotta love those charcoal canisters from the day. It looks like a regular coffee can and then the firewall mounted ignition modules. Looks like that one is fairly new.

Nice car! My brother had a '76 that had the 351c in it and man it was a runner.

[sandrock]

Hideaway headlights too?

Yup, but they are vacuum operated. Since it hasn't been started in a good long while, all the vacuum has leaked out, causing the doors to go into the default raised position. It also has a vac operated parking brake. Step on it to set it....kick it into drive and it automatically releases.

[PRD2BDF]

I love hideaway headlights. I would rock a land yacht anytime.

I personally want a 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood.

[crzydmnd72]

[quote="fuelforthesoul1999"]I love hideaway headlights. I would rock a land yacht anytime.

I personally want a 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood.

Tint the windows on that and everyone will think you're the Godfather!

[sandrock]

*Blows off the dust*

Well, it had been 3 years since I posted this one. During our move from OKC back to Orlando we stopped in Nashville to visit my parents, and so Karen can see where I'm from and meet the parents (which actually went fairly well aside from some family drama that only Don knows about). During our time there I went to say my hellos to Kenneth (88 years old and still tinkers with mowers shirtless on a hot summer day), and Karen came over to meet him too. He sees the '00 being towed and asked about it and I told him it was my project....he looked sad and said "so you don't want the ol' car anymore??"

Of course I said "Yes I still want it!"

He goes in the house, grabs the keys and tells me to take her for a spin. Karen is at a loss for words at just how clean and original the car is and how nice it drives. He made some comments to me that tell me he's ready to her go, and now it's my mission to get the car back to FL. Will more than likely get it this Christmas when we go up for a visit.

[Saturn Simon]

Excellent news! And what a beauty!

[Backhoe]

This brings back warm memories riding in the 3rd row seat flip-seat of my Grampa's LTD Country Squire, with woodgrain!

Thanks for the flashback!