Re: "New" Stag

[Thomas Santee <sypr@domain.elided>]

Hi Glenn,

It is true that the car has only 8,000 miles on it and looks beautiful. 
Of course, it is also 27 years old and there are probably lots of seals 
and other stuff that have hardened, so a person could expect lots of fun 
discoveries if they used the car regularly. There has been maintenance 
done. To me, the car's low mileage is its glamour. To own it would mean 
trailering it to shows. Boring.

The car's current owner is in Bend, Oregon. I heard that he paid $12,000 
for it about two years ago.

I don't know the condition of its soft top. While installing the rear 
suspension of my '73 Stag last night I lifted the soft top of my car and 
saw that it was brand new, but rotted. The stitching on the black top was 
still white and the fabric looked new except where it had holes in it.

I've been told some third-hand history of the "new" Stag. This may not be 
true, but I was told that car was in a wreck very early in its life. The 
owner (who is well-to-do) had the car expertly repaired so there isn't a 
clue about the damage. The owner also had a MkII Stag that he actually 
used.

I could own this car for less than what the motor rebuild and paint job 
will cost for my car. That made it tempting. But then I wouldn't have a 
completely redone '73 Stag that I know is ready to drive. And I wouldn't 
have a blue Stag that looks prettier to me than this reddish one. After 
all, it's only money, right?

Thomas

On 8/26/98 7:50 AM, Glenn Merrell sent this message:

>Hello Thomas,
>    This "New Stag" seems too good to be true...respray on a car with
>only 8k miles?   Hummm, '71, 8000 miles, 27 years old, just about time
>for the first boilover!
>    What kind of upkeep has been done to maintain this car for 27 years,
>things like keeping it from rusting, rubber seals,  soft top, change out
>of fluids like oil , coolant, brake/clutch fluids, etc?
>    Finally, where is it?