Found A New Car...

[K Rich]

I was out driving around today and saw a Cordoba sitting up a hill off the road with $700 obo on the window. I got out and looked it over and called the guy outside on my cell phone. Its dark brown with tan leather interior, manual crank windows. Body is very solid and appears never to have been repainted. It should be repainted, though. Its a factory 400 c.i. / 4 bbl car with working A/C. The lean burn is still on it too. Started up easily and sounded good, no smoke. It has 93,000 original miles and this is the second owner. It needs a couple minor things for inspection, like new exhaust (will be duals, of course hehe) and maybe tires. It also needs a heater core, but I probably will never drive it in the winter. The heater fan only blows on one speed too. Dash has no cracks, but front seats look worn. A couple of questions:
What rear would this car have, 9.25" (I forgot to look).
What year would it be '78 or '79? It has 4 rectangular headlights and I forgot to look/ask with all the excitement hehe.
Was one of these years the last for big blocks?
And finally, IS THIS A GOOD DEAL? He said I could have it for $500. I got the cash laying under the bed and I'm definitely leaning towards going back to get it. I'll get pics of it.

[mopardave]

The lean burn 400 does not show up in my book for '79, only '78. Both years had the vertical rectangular headlights. The sixth symbol in the VIN will be the year. It will be an 8 if it is a '78. It appears to be a fair price according to the price guide.

[K Rich]

Thanks, Mopardave.

[dwc43]

'78 is the last year for the big blocks. It has an 8 1/4 rear. No cars came with a 9 1/4 only trucks. The 8 1/4 is the replacement for the 8 3/4 around early mid '70's. It will take as much punishment as any 3/4 will.

For 500 bucks if you dont get it where is it cause I'll make the drive if it's that good at that price. Heck of a steal I mean deal you found there.

[Dart 65]

If you can do most of the work that it needs yourself, $500 is a good deal. The heater core isn't a big deal if you even want to replace it, and the blower operating at one speed only is probably due to the blower motor resistor, most likely located behind the glove box. It looks like a little circuit board with a couple of springs and two or three connectors. I had to replace one in my '84 RC. The rest of the other stuff isn't a big deal. And the exhaust you probably won't do yourself anyway. Good luck.

[K Rich]

Thanks for the further replies, guys. I can do most mechanical work myself, and the body seemed to be in good enough shape that I can have it redone in a year or two. I won't be driving it in rain and snow if I get it anyway. I'm going back to get a better look at it tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm gonna jack it up and look at the underneath real close. There's a very good chance I'm gonna buy it. I'll post pics if I do.

[K Rich]

Well, I did it. I bought it and drove it home tonight. I picked it up for $400. Everything works and it runs good, except when you open up the secondaries, then its sputter-city. Brakes seem good, but I'll have to pull the wheels and look. It should only need exhaust for inspection. I'll try to get pics up tomorrow. By the way, why is it that those little interior light lenses are always broken on these cars? LOL

[K Rich]

Couple Pics:

[Dart 65]

Not too shabby. It's a very good deal for a mere $400.