My '77
#1
My '77
I emigrated to America not too long ago, and after having the (shared) use of my parents geo (ugh), the time finally came for me to get my own car. As luck would have it, a friend of the family had a 77 bonneville that had been sitting in storage for the past 3 years. It was originally her mother'* car, was bought brand new from the showroom in 1977.
I was originally sceptical about the car, but after going out to their ranch to view it, I knew I just had to have it. Apart from a few pinhole spots of rust and the drivers side trim missing in parts, the car was immaculately clean. A quick battery charge, and a quick drink of gas for the carb, and the engine fired up first time and purred like a kitten. It needed a good clean outside as it was covered in dust and some air in the tyres, but the car drove like a dream.
Overall, the car had been well treated by its former owner. Regular services and oil changes (even after 3 years the oil looked like new, and the antifreeze was still clear blue), a new transmission had been fitted just before the car was stored, and 100k on the clock. So what did they want for the car? Well turns out, all I had to do was some yardwork in exchange for the car.
As of yet I have no complaints (apart from the rising gas prices), but I really need to spend some time tuning the engine, as it needs a good 5 minute warm up period after its stood for even 5 hours, otherwise the engine dies as soon as I put it into drive. Apart from that it runs like a dream, its a damn site better than that crappy geo I was running around in, and for the price it was a real bargain.
Future plans for this car include a respray, modded exhaust, probably lower the ride height a couple of inches (personally I think the car sits a little on the high side), and if cashflow allows maybe a supercharger (thankfully my friend restores classic cars for a living so I have use of his workshop and experience - a v8 is a world apart from the engine in my old mini cooper)
I was originally sceptical about the car, but after going out to their ranch to view it, I knew I just had to have it. Apart from a few pinhole spots of rust and the drivers side trim missing in parts, the car was immaculately clean. A quick battery charge, and a quick drink of gas for the carb, and the engine fired up first time and purred like a kitten. It needed a good clean outside as it was covered in dust and some air in the tyres, but the car drove like a dream.
Overall, the car had been well treated by its former owner. Regular services and oil changes (even after 3 years the oil looked like new, and the antifreeze was still clear blue), a new transmission had been fitted just before the car was stored, and 100k on the clock. So what did they want for the car? Well turns out, all I had to do was some yardwork in exchange for the car.
As of yet I have no complaints (apart from the rising gas prices), but I really need to spend some time tuning the engine, as it needs a good 5 minute warm up period after its stood for even 5 hours, otherwise the engine dies as soon as I put it into drive. Apart from that it runs like a dream, its a damn site better than that crappy geo I was running around in, and for the price it was a real bargain.
Future plans for this car include a respray, modded exhaust, probably lower the ride height a couple of inches (personally I think the car sits a little on the high side), and if cashflow allows maybe a supercharger (thankfully my friend restores classic cars for a living so I have use of his workshop and experience - a v8 is a world apart from the engine in my old mini cooper)
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nice car.... Love those...
Would you happen to know which engine it has?
Chevy 305-350 or Olds 307 possibly 403?
And it sounds like the Carb needs to be replaced or rebuilt, after sitting for 3 years it sounds as the carb has dried out..
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Would you happen to know which engine it has?
Chevy 305-350 or Olds 307 possibly 403?
And it sounds like the Carb needs to be replaced or rebuilt, after sitting for 3 years it sounds as the carb has dried out..
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#10
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Lethbridge, Alberta, _______Canada._______ West Coast Bonneville Fest ___05,06,07 Survivor___
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Nice ride man!
Those cars are literially like driving while sitting on your couch at home, really comfortable!
Enjoy that car, it will last you a long time.
Those cars are literially like driving while sitting on your couch at home, really comfortable!
Enjoy that car, it will last you a long time.