Read JB closely... agree on all points he made (archive)

I have had 77,78,79,80,81. Still have three of them. The 77/78's eat a lot of gas because of the earlier injection, the thermal reactor exhaust and the 4spd gearing. The 80,81's are a completely different car to drive. All of these cars are magnificent daily drivers and fun cars when they are in nice condition. I would encourage you seriously to look for an 80,81 that is in decent condition as a basis for starting a restoration. Get a driver and work up. I have purchased and sold very decent driver 80,81's for $1000. Most needed cosmetic, either paint, or interior work, but all have been 150 to 200K cars with good mechanical components and 5 speed overdrive transmissions. Another approach would be to buy a really nice car, not primo, but nice for closer to $2000 or $2500 and go from there. At that price I would expect good paint, decent interior and a short list of things that need attention.

In all cases, watch for rust, lower panels, shock towers, trunk spare well. Contrary to popular opinion, good rust-free cars are not hard to find, if you look in the right parts of the country. Second, these cars are NOT rare. Tons of them still available and on the road. I can manage to find one very 2 to 3 months, within 200 miles of my home in Central Oregon. Eventually the supply will dwindle, but plenty available at this point. Consider the car you are looking at as a potential parts/donor car, and then only if it has absolutely no rust. All the mechanicals will be improved by a shift in thinking to the 80/81,

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