Opinions please

Sounds like you've already made up your mind.

$26k is kinda high for a CMC unless it's really beautifully done.  Pictures would help folks here provide better advice.

The hardtop would be a nice feature if you like to stretch your seasons up in Mass. Have you driven the car....how was it? What mods have been done to the Corvair?

As Lane says..pics would be nice, how is the interior...what are the colours? I understand your registration concerns..we have some in Canada too. I'm thinking closer to $20K with what you have mentioned so far.

Lane is being nice.  Its very high.  For 2 grand more you can buy a nice used Intermeccanica.  One in particular is Will Piersons Dark Blue Roadster.  Its for sale now in CA.  It's a custom coach built car on a Steel Tube Frame.  IM is a Manufacturer (not just a kit builder) they have engineered all their own jigs and tools to create cars for over 50 years.  

You can also buy a new Vintage Speedster with almost all the options.  Have you done enough research? What does Stan always say? Forsomething is forewarned? Cant remember exactly. Do you have to buy in State? You can always get a friend to buy it in another State. You know what I'm saying. wink, wink.

I've been talking to Will  and I'd love his car! I have also been talking to Vintage.I simply have no way to register either in Mass . It would have to pass all emissions. I too believe the price is high (although the hardtop adds some $$$. The colors are black with black interior with a red piping on the seats.I didn't think I'd like it but it was very understated , which I liked.The body was very smooth and straight. The car drove nice I thought, although the drum brakes leave something to be desired.I'm not exactly sure what modifications he did to the engine. It felt strong and very quick. I won't be doing my own mechanical work and am somewhat concerned about finding a mechanic who knows Corvairs. It has the original GM duel carb.

I'll post pictures as soon as my wife gets home a shows me how.

Thanks very much for all the feedback! It's very helpful especially since I'm new to this.

Mark

I bought my car from Vintage and have kept the California tags and live in Illinois. The car is registered in California with my Illinois address and that his how the title reads.

 I assume you could do the same in Mass. ?

what happens when your stopped or in an accident and your license doesn't match your registration...and what about inspection stickers, or aren't they required in California?

If the car was registered in California as a "specially built vehicle" under SB100, the only inspection sticker is the one originally placed by the DMV. No further inspections or smog checks will ever be needed; you merely pay your annual registration fee, and that's IT! I see no reason why you couldn't be able to keep the CA plates, keeping the CA registration. California wants your money and doesn't give a hoot where you actually live, but it's the MA DMV that you might have to worry about.

I know that the law in California used to be that if you drove a car with out-of-state plates for over three months, you had to register it in California unless your residential address was outside California. If there are ways to legally register your car outside of the state where you actually live, I would like to know.

Mark, call me.....

http://www.hemmings.com/classi...che/356/1440002.html

here's the link to the car I'm considering buying. I was incorrect the selling price is $24,400. not $26.

Mark

I like that car.

Personally, I would not pay a premium for as heavy 6 cyl 140 hp stock Corvair engine.  I'd deduct $2k - it will be hard to resell.  That is a big block of metal that adds lots of weight to rear of car.  It surely took chassis mods.  Unless you are in military you have 30 days to register a car in state of residence.

there were modifications around the transaxle not sure about the motor. Good point about the extra weight in the rear.

Maybe it's just me (over the pass 8 years I've owned a V8 Miata and a 911 Porsche powered VW single cab), but I like the idea of a Corvair engine in a speedster.  I do agree, though, that the extra weight might have a negative effect on the car's handling.  I wouldn't buy this car without a test drive.