The car in question is a 83 GSL with a seized engine. The engine is actually seized and not carbon locked. I tried both marine (boat engine) foam and ATF. I let the foam sit a day, came back tried cranking the engine by hand, no soup. Added more, mixed it around some through the plugs, let it sit again. Repeated the process a few times with no luck. Next up: ATF. This time I used a 3' 19mm wrench after it sat a day to try to break it free. No soup.

It needs:
- paint ($500?)
- windshield ($230 including install)
- engine rebuild ($1900 is my current quote)
- struts ($400?)
- the basics after sitting a while (air filter, plugs, etc) ($100ish, the last owner did some of this)

It has:
- a new racing-style clutch (I didn't put this one in)
- new distributor
- new wires
- new master/slave cylinder

It also has storage bin holes (right behind the plastic bins, in the wheel well), but the body is rust/dent free then again, the body is also in 3 different colors of paint).

The problem is this: I don’t have much money and I'm sure I couldn't sell it for much. Can I fix it for less than what I would get stuck paying for another car?

Should I even bother fixing it considering how much is wrong with it?

 

you can get used 12a engines for $300 - most of those will run well enough. You can rebuild that $300 engine (presuming all parts are within spec) for less than $200. Basically, you could spend that $1900 on 5 such engines and almost be assured of using the pieces for one solid rebuilt engine.

Maaco has a special on paint, but a $200 paint job is a $200 paint job. I tossed a grand at my Maaco paint job and it is surprisingly still doing nicely - should've still gotten a $2K paint job though. But that's my fault

Get it registered in Florida, and the windsheild replacement is paid by insurance

Think outside the box, and watch the cost drop!

 

Registering in FL would be nice, but I live in NJ

Where could I find a used 12a and what would be included in that less than $200 rebuild? My $1900 rebuild consists of painting the engine, new seals (obviously), new gaskets, re-machining (the thing that makes it worth it)...

If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right.

 

well:

It needs:
- paint ($500?) <---- un less your going to a cheepie place like macco thats not realy realistic. if you want your paint to last and body work done expect $1000 no less. BUT is paint realy that important... not realy get the car runninf first.

- windshield ($230 including install) <--- they give tickets for large cracks in the windshield. so if its real bad fix it.

- engine rebuild ($1900 is my current quote) <---- you can pic up a running use motor for around 300-700, and a rebuilt one for around 1000-1500. check around the forsale board, recycler, and the parts trader.

- struts ($400?) <--- if realy bad and realy needed. classic garage sells front konis for around $45-50 each. and you can pick up some rears from ground controle or your local auto stor for around $60-80 each.

- the basics after sitting a while (air filter, plugs, etc) ($100ish, the last owner did some of this) <--- thats always good to do with a used or rebuilt motor.