Might have a line on a one-owner '80 99...

[Talladega900]

Email came out of the blue today from a lady looking to find a buyer. Seems it's been stored in her husband's airplane hangar (appropriate) for about a decade. She's wanted to restore it and get it on the road, but doesn't know where to start, and basically has given up.

Sounds like the headliner has dropped, tires are dry rotted, but no rust, so she says. It's within 25 miles from me, too. Going to check it out later this week. Wish me luck.


(I need this like I need another hole in my head...)

[Palmer]

Take pictures, then buy it.

[jk88]

I think I speak for all TSLers west of the Rockies when I say go get it.

[SPGreg]

Originally Posted by jk88

I think I speak for all TSLers west of the Rockies when I say go get it.

I'll vouch. Go get it.

[DrewP]

This is my newest 'Found-a-car-that-needs-resto-work-and-this-is-what-it-looked-like-at-fitst' thread, I think for us 2-digit fans that should be a requirement.

White '73 99 Notchback

Especially knowing how it will turn out if it ends up in your hands!

Have you had a 99 before, or just C900's? '80 99 should have lots of parts interchange with '79-'80 900's, but very little after that.

[Cark]

would love to find a decent 99...

[Talladega900]

My first car was a Sunset Orange 99LE 4-door notch. Loved that thing.

[DrewP]

Sweeeet! Hope it checks out promising!

[Talladega900]

Me too. This one is a GL. Can you tell me what the differences are between LE and GL? I remember LE meant luxury, Electronic fuel injection. No clue what GL was.

I'll look for the usual rust issues around the wheel wells, control arms, etc. She says the battery is dead, so I'll bring a pair of jumpers, see if it'll at least turn over. Don't really want to start it. I'd expect varnish in the gas tank probably.

BTW, third car was also a 99LE: arctic white 3-door "CombiCoupe'"

[Sedan]

GL was the base model, the only 99 you could still get in the USA in 1980 which was also the final year they were sold here. The '80 is good because it has a plastic gas tank, 900 rear axle, and 900 bumpers.

[Talladega900]

What kind of fuel delivery system was it? Mechanical FI? (My first new car was a base 900 -- MFI, so hopefully this will be familiar).

[DrewP]

Yes, it will be K-Jet CIS, basically the same as base model 8v 900's.

Since it's a GL it should be a notchback too, could be very cool! I kind of like the facelifted notches with the HUUUGGGE rear tail lamp housings, very funky.

[Talladega900]

Yeah, I like both. I remember the thin lights on my '74. Kinda reminds me of the 2nd gen Scirocco (sp?) tails. Both are cool in their own way.

The main two issues I'm going to have if I get this is space, and keeping the peace at home. I may flip it immediately if it's in any good shape. So want a 99 again though. We shall see.

[spgproject]

Originally Posted by DrewP

This is my newest 'Found-a-car-that-needs-resto-work-and-this-is-what-it-looked-like-at-fitst' thread, I think for us 2-digit fans that should be a requirement.

White '73 99 Notchback

Especially knowing how it will turn out if it ends up in your hands!

Have you had a 99 before, or just C900's? '80 99 should have lots of parts interchange with '79-'80 900's, but very little after that.

please don't do that. i kinda want one.

[Talladega900]

So, DrewP, what are your plans with yours? Going to compete with it, or restore it?

[DrewP]

The white one will stay a basically stock driver, my yellow one is already balls-to-the-walls road racing, probably 85% finished.

[BurnsSide42]

Originally Posted by Sedan

GL was the base model, the only 99 you could still get in the USA in 1980 which was also the final year they were sold here. The '80 is good because it has a plastic gas tank, 900 rear axle, and 900 bumpers.

Those are all the best parts of my early 70's 99 Also they had upgraded rear suspension mountings/shocks.

[Talladega900]

Had they put the H-engine in the 99 by '80? Or did that come later and was still the B-engine? Been too long to recall. After the Arctic, I moved onto the 900's in '84 and never looked back.

[DrewP]

It should be a B engine same as all the earlier 99's unless it's been swapped. If it's been sitting that long expect to do the water pump right away, when they sit dry the seals desintegrate.

'79 and '80 900's should also all have B engines.

[Talladega900]

Thanks man. We'll see what we find. Haven't set up a meet yet. Hope to over the weekend.