Car Wizard 01 Bentley Arnage

[jeremy]

$6-$7000 to replace a steering rack, $20k overall.  Watching Car Wizard and Hoovie's Garage really makes me appreciate classic American cars better.  The Arnage isn't more cool than the 74 New Yorker that was just on Curious Cars - 

Ultimately, you like what you like; but the euro cars are down for repair half the time, and the parts cost a fortune when you can get them.  Meanwhile here are all these forgotten American luxury boats floating around that can be had and fixed for relatively little.  I found a bustleback Cadillac Seville a couple days ago for $2500, looked to be all there and in good shape.  It's not everyone's taste but it seems like an interesting addition to the garage to me.  I can't recall seeing one since the 80's.  I think they have the early cylinder deactivation that is dubious at best, but I wonder if it would be possible to swap the 5.3 from the 2000's Grand Prix GXP or Lacrosse Super into one?  Now that would be a sweet ride IMO.   

[DynoDave]

Those old Cadillacs are interesting, and that's a great price if it's in decent shape. I liked the Imperial of that era too...the most of the bunch. I didn't care for the look of the Lincoln.

Were those FWD? I did not know that. But yes, and engine swap would be possible. I DO NOT KNOW, but I thought the 4-6-8 deal was controlled by the computer. I would "guess" you might find a tuner who could turn that feature off in the PROM.

[jeremy]

FWD, yes, Seville/Eldorado/Toronado/Riviera all went FWD in 1980. I like the Imperial as well, particularly the front. From some angles the back looks like it's trying to be a hatch. I would have one though.

As far as engine swaps go, the Pontiac Solstice/ Saturn Sky didn't come with LS motors but there are guys making it happen. I feel the Bustleback Cadillac, and/or one of the more bizarre Seville variants of the time, would be received well if it got the high dollar build treatment. I mean, lots of media coverage, maybe not anyone who would pay what it cost to build it. Then again, maybe Kid Rock would buy it. He's got some kind of big 70-80's Cadillac build. Naturally, I can't find any information on it.

I kinda like the Seville Opera Coupe too, though not as much. I'm afraid someone would mistake it for an Excalibur. But it gets points because Cadillac was crazy enough to build it.

I didn't know there was a bustleback Continental. They didn't push the look too hard with that one.

[hanks73340]

Jun 15, 2022 10:00:48 GMT -5 DynoDave said:

Those old Cadillacs are interesting, and that's a great price if it's in decent shape. I liked the Imperial of that era too...the most of the bunch. I didn't care for the look of the Lincoln.

Were those FWD? I did not know that. But yes, and engine swap would be possible. I DO NOT KNOW, but I thought the 4-6-8 deal was controlled by the computer. I would "guess" you might find a tuner who could turn that feature off in the PROM.

Love the 68 thru 73 Imperials. My buddy EJ just bought a 69 Imperial in awesome shape. Plans on using the Imperial to trailer his 69 Super Bee up to Frankenmuth this year.

[DynoDave]

Everyone was doing it! Very much prefer the Imperial.

[jeremy]

Not to knock the Imperial, but in terms of style I may be leaning towards the Cadillac, just because it's the most extreme version of the bustleback. The Imperial and Continental are normal cars with the B-pillar line carrying down the side of the trunk. The Cadillac is the only real bustleback of the bunch. I would have any of them though.

[DynoDave]

The Lincoln is the weakest design in that respect for sure.

I just prefer the Imperial because it's a 2 door. No sedan version.

[jeremy]

I'm usually a 2 door man myself but if I was serious about driving fast on public roads I'd find grannies 90's Le Sabre and put ZZP's turbo kit in it. I've been having these thoughts since I realized how visually loud the Charger is going to be when I'm done. I'm going to have to drive it like grandma or it's going to be cops all day.