Bought a LS1 TA for $200!
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 3
From: Rock Hill, SC
I used to look around all the time for this stuff. Here's the story on this one...
It was new years eve, December 31st 2007. After the ball dropped I went up to the computer and started looking around on eBay for wrecked F bodies. I saw this thing on there, with a Buy It Now of $200. It had only been listed for 3 hours or so. I knew it was worth it so I didn't think twice. I hit that button and the following morning I was on my way to pick it up.
It had been listed by a storage facility. It was abandoned there by a military guy. I don't know how long it was there, but according to CarFax the wreck happened in August, 2004. I did find that it still had a clear title, but the title was missing. I ended up finding the owner, and even talked to his brother. But I never got to talk to the owner as he would never return my calls. I would have fixed it if I had the title, it was a nice car.
It was new years eve, December 31st 2007. After the ball dropped I went up to the computer and started looking around on eBay for wrecked F bodies. I saw this thing on there, with a Buy It Now of $200. It had only been listed for 3 hours or so. I knew it was worth it so I didn't think twice. I hit that button and the following morning I was on my way to pick it up.
It had been listed by a storage facility. It was abandoned there by a military guy. I don't know how long it was there, but according to CarFax the wreck happened in August, 2004. I did find that it still had a clear title, but the title was missing. I ended up finding the owner, and even talked to his brother. But I never got to talk to the owner as he would never return my calls. I would have fixed it if I had the title, it was a nice car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 3
From: Rock Hill, SC
I still have it but most of it has been sold. I still have the shell, ground effects, front and rear suspension, rear bumper cover, K member, LS1 front brake setup, fuel and brake lines, dash, HVAC systems, doors, etc. It could roll again if I put one of my axles back in it. Hatch, t tops, and steering rack were some of the major things I sold that I would need to even make a track car out of it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 3
From: Rock Hill, SC
I believe someone swapped some parts on it after it was wrecked. When I bought it, it had cloth TA door panels and seats, and a casette radio. None of those parted were bolted in though, they were just laying in the car. It also had regular 93-97 Firebird tail lights on it, and a Firebird rear bumper. The door panels were the first thing I sold though and I made my money back on them, sold them for $202.00.
This is an old thread so that eBay link is probably invalid now. But here's some pics. I had put a black TA bumper on it myself just for something to do.
It made me sad to part it out, I really love those cars. For a long time my dream car was a red 2002 TA with a 6 speed.
This is an old thread so that eBay link is probably invalid now. But here's some pics. I had put a black TA bumper on it myself just for something to do.
It made me sad to part it out, I really love those cars. For a long time my dream car was a red 2002 TA with a 6 speed.
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You said you still have the body laying around? Scrap by me is $10 per 100 lbs. right now, you probably have what you paid for it laying there in scrap, thus $1500 in profit. Nice.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 3
From: Rock Hill, SC
I was going to rebuild it but the title issue deterred me. I looked into getting a title, the DMV said I could file for one and should not have any trouble getting it, but the vehicle had to be repaired and road ready before I could apply. It sounded too easy, maybe too good to be true and I didn't want to have 4-6 grand wrapped up in it and then not be able to get a title.
Found the owner, but he would never return my calls. I called him 2-3 times a month for several months. No luck there.
I had looked the chassis over well myself and had a few reputable body guys look at it. We would have cut it half way up the A pillars and across the floor behind the firewall and put a new front end on it. The damage went into the firewall on the driver's side but not into the floorboard or beyond. The labor cost to do it would have been $1000. I didn't do it though because of the title.
Found the owner, but he would never return my calls. I called him 2-3 times a month for several months. No luck there.
I had looked the chassis over well myself and had a few reputable body guys look at it. We would have cut it half way up the A pillars and across the floor behind the firewall and put a new front end on it. The damage went into the firewall on the driver's side but not into the floorboard or beyond. The labor cost to do it would have been $1000. I didn't do it though because of the title.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Wish I had money and was close, I want that rear hatch 
That extra weight would put me at a near 50/50 weight distribution then 
Or you could donate it to me >_>
That extra weight would put me at a near 50/50 weight distribution then Or you could donate it to me >_>
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
i bought a car a year ago out of portland
had been wrapped around a power pole on the drivers side. minus engine trans rear end and suspension. cost me 400 total to purchase and get it up here and i made about 2500 bucks over the next few months and used a bunch of stuff on my car as well.
buying shells can be profitable if you know where to sell parts
had been wrapped around a power pole on the drivers side. minus engine trans rear end and suspension. cost me 400 total to purchase and get it up here and i made about 2500 bucks over the next few months and used a bunch of stuff on my car as well.
buying shells can be profitable if you know where to sell parts
