Please help a newbie with value

Mid twenties my guess?

Sounds like the base IM likely with VW suspension all around, probably bug IRS.  Not a lot of hp but a Mexican crate engine should be good for lots of trouble free miles.  Probably a wide price range depending on condition.  That car brand new with a CB engine would be $77k.  Thinking in the low to high $20s depending on condition and options.

Here is a pic.  All the help and info is appreciated!

 

grab that car now.

Two things tell me this car was a roller.  First, is the gel coat finish.  Very early IMs came with gel coat finishes, but an IM from the 90s....I'm surprised.  Are you sure it's a gel coat?

Second, is the Mexico crate engine.  For many years Henry has purchased his engines from CB.  From Mexico...I don't think so.

That doesn't mean this is a great car.  I suspect this is a base car and the interior is vinyl, rather than leather.  Again, not a bad thing, but this all affects the price.

I agree with Phil....mid to high 20s.

More Pics would be nice.  But it looks pretty sweet.  See if you can get exact year of build.  This will tell you a lot, like pan vs spaceframe and should help to determine whether its a Mexican crate engine or CB.  They are both OK.  Think he was at one point buying 1776cc Mexican crate engines doing a bit of tweeking and selling those as his super 90 cars.  1600cc crate engines went in the base cars.  Looks pretty nice though.  Might be high 20's.  Pics.  Pics.  Pics.

This car was a kit and built by two people I know very well. They sold the car 20 years ago to an owner that is now ready to sell.  Thats how I know the inside skinny about the car like where the motor came from.  I know they are capable and detailed oriented individuals.  I dont know current owner but my friends the builders do.  Thats how I found out about the car. The interior is leather. Builder told me it was gel coat. 

Ron.  Eagle eye.  You're the man.  Car still sounds pretty nice.

 

What are they asking for it?

 

I think I should have said, "That doesn't mean this isn't a great car."

To echo Bill, what are they asking for it?

I am trying to set up a time to buy on Monday.  All I can tell you is from what yall are telling me its priced very attractively.  I will report as soon as I actually purchase the car.  I really appreciate the replies and information.  If anyone else has anything that may be useful I would be glad to hear it.

Update on this car.  It is now in my garage for a weekend test drive. I have not bought it yet and need to decide this weekend.  Car is not as nice as I thought it would be.  The biggest problem is the owner just let it sit and kinda neglected but in a garage.  I originally posted it had 23k miles well thats kilometers not miles so 14k miles.  Car can be detailed to look nicer. All the chrome and aluminum pieces look oxidized.  The gelcoat paint has 3 or 4 2" scratches that prob wont buff out completely but body lines and gaps are good and doors open and close like a new car. It leaks a good bit of oil.  Pulling into my drive it dripped a drop of oil about every 3 feet and left a spot about the size of 4 or 5 quarters big.  He just had a garage go through the fuel system to clean fuel tank, new lines, filter, and appears to be new fuel pump.  It does leak a little fuel from somewhere around where the fuel pump is. Im not sure these are big issues but will certainly need to be dealt with.  From gear box back is wet with oil. The boots on the rear CV shafts will need to be replaced as they are split in half.  How hard is this to fix? Thats all I have noticed just by looking under car.  I originally posted the car was an 8 or 9 on appearance but think now it could prob be an 8 only after a serious professional buff and detail. The good part is that the car drives extremely well.  Took it up to about 65-70 and carved out corners no problem. Steering, brakes, and suspension all work great.  Smooth but firm over bumps and no rattles at all. Brakes are disc front and drum rears. Tranny shifts very good. 65 - 70mph is about 3500rpm. The only thing on this car that doesnt work as far as I can tell is the gas gauge. I can buy this car for 14k.  Unless I just totally fall in love with this car my plans would be to drive it a while, have the memories and experience of owning a 356 and then passing it on. I have a 65 cobra (replica) that Ive owned for about 14 years that is my keep car. I like the roadster because well its a roadster but also because its a neet cruise around convertible thats a lot more docile than the cobra in its driving manners and kinda makes it an easier get in and go car.  Thanks for in advance for helping me make this decision. 

Some more Pics

 

It does need some going through, but sounds like a great deal. Drive it for a while and if you don't end up keeping it, such is life. Once you start playing with it, though, you never know. You may end up liking it more than you think...

At that price you should expect a few 1000 to get it up to par depending on you doing all the work.

Looks like a fair price. Floor pans in good shape?

Nice car for $14k - let me know if you pass on it - I'd be in for it! Just be careful of any fuel leaks - carry a fire extinguisher (you have to act very quickly with it though).  Oil leaks can be simple or very difficult to stop.  Take it to a wand type car wash and spray off the bottom.  If a CV join has been exposed for awhile and grit got in they will need to be replaced.  Not that costly or difficult to do.

That's a good price for that car, depending on what's going on with the motor.  That's a "Thing" fan shroud. Big wide sucker. The fuel is most likely coming from the fuel lines. They dry up and crack right on the ends there. Replace them with new ones and you should be good to go.

14k for Windows and a proper top? Hard to go wrong there if the motor is sound.

The oil you are seeing could be from the trans. Wipe it with your finger and smell it. If it's trans oil it will smell different than motor oil. Changing the boots and swappin g the trans oil is a quick job (so long as the dishwasher doesn't die while you are in mid project.

Get oem German boots. 90wt gear oil. Tons of YouTube videos on it.

I'd buy that puppy knowing I would put a few grand into it to get everything up to snuff.  That or try to negotiate a little because of " unknown oil/trans. leaks etc.  if I didn't have one I'd give it a go.  Good luck on whatever you decide.....

See if you can get it for $12k.  Plan on putting $5-8K into the car.  If you can get the car in primo condition for $20k, we are talking a D, that's a pretty sweet deal.  Bet you put more miles/year on it than your Cobra.

I believe that fan shroud is from Brazil; it was used in some car specific to there (Basilia?) where they needed a lower profile shroud to clear the bodywork. The Thing shrouds the Cal Look guys are after don't have fresh air horns.

 

Here it is....

 

 

Ahh... I think you're right.  I was thinking Thing or Puma. Brasilia sounds right.

It could have been used in the Puma too, Ted. That was the Brazilian car I couldn't remember the name of.

I still havent decided yet on the car.  I think its a good deal for someone who has the time to tinker with it. I on the other hand need another project like a hole in my head.  I dont want to insult the guy (which when I picked up car with a mutual friend found out that I have met him several times before) but if he would take 12k I would buy it. I figure I could let someone else sort out the major mechanical issues for 2-3k. I really appreciate everyones input and advice.  I prob have till end of tomorrow to decide.

At 12 to 14k, that's a great deal. If you don't want to buy it, there are several members on this site who will purchase it.

Please pass on the sellers info.

I would be one of them.

Looks like a tube-frame. The linkage tube is square, not round like a VW. I wantey it!!!

I'll transfer money immediately.

-=theron

I bought it!  Not really sure what all I'm going to do with it. I really appreciate everyone's input. Should be fun to scoot around in this fall. 

enjoy the car.

should you ever want to be rid of it, i'm sure there will be a line of us looking to take it off your hands.

i'll be first.

Congrats.  Give it a few bucks and a little love and I guarantee it will be your go to fun car. 

Hello Eagle,

 

You made a smart choice on this one. If you decide to sell it, and if you can time/price it right, you should have no problem moving it on down the line.

 

Looking forward to hearing what's up with the oil soaked motor/trans.

 

Ted