I often tell folks looking for a new project to look at unfinished projects that someone else has given up on, lost interest in, or has come up short on funds to finish. A lot of the time you can get something with higher end parts than you might otherwise have gotten, or a project that has had some of the hard labor finished for you. Sometimes the projects you see for sale are barely started, or are on the right path but still have TONS of work left to do. So how unfinished are you willing to start with? I mean if the thing is super cheap, and you can still build it into the ride you want, is it worth taking some risk? How much cheaper does that kind of project need to be compared to buying an untouched car in the same condition?
When I saw this Malibu project for sale on Facebook Marketplace, I thought “Hmmm, I wonder if people would really buy something unfinished, but that is clearly supposed to end up being a full tilt race car? This one has just the shell of a G-Body Malibu that everyone would love to have, but that has no floors, no firewall, and no wheel tubs as it has been gutted, prepped, and a partial tube chassis has been installed. About 2/3rds of the chassis appears to be done, with the rear chassis clip and door bars definitely left to finish. You’d have to assume that there are more bars than that to finish, but at least it does come with a 9 inch rear. Still, there is a lot of work left.
So, would you buy something like this?
A few key factors here:
Is the price right? As the cost goes down the deal gets better.
Do I really want it? Or is it just cool at the moment and my fascination with it will quickly fade.
Can I finish it? Many people overestimate their abilities, their amount of usable cash, their amount of available time, and their ability to stick with a project to see it through. You might have the first three but determination to see it through can easily get lost along the way. If you’ve already pulled off the deal then stick with it and don’t lose heart. The journey can and should be just as rewarding as the goal if your attitude and outlook on life is right.
I’ve bought them from just started to almost done. The only questions I have is how much is it? and Do I really want it?