For Sale '76 FJ40 in Illinois. My 'Baby' needs a better home :(

Sadly, I think it's time to part with my girl, "Miss Kitty" . I am in over my head.

Purchased out of FL. in 2014. Solid body and fresh paint job and undercoating. Was reliable and ran good until this past Memorial Day. Miss Kitty threw a rod...Most of her is original, but the engine was an 'F' not a 2F that should be in that year. The original color was Freedom Red. The Florida owner had a nice Sand color (see pics), but it was supposedly marine paint and was cracking. Rust has been mediated.

My husband wants to tinker with it, as this is the era car he learned auto mechanics on, but honestly, he has 10,000 OTHER projects ... I on the other hand bought it purely for it's lovely aesthetics and was naively (!) hoping it would be my 'daily driver'.

The mechanic who worked on the paint job is probably still chuckling at that...but he had the darn thing for 3 winters, and by the time I finally got it back, my health and the wind in my sails had dived

I can not find a local mechanic that is willing to work on it with the passion it deserves...So as much as I HATE to do this, I am offering it here on ih8mud first. I am so enamored with the passion and knowledge you all have for these cars.

Not trying to gouge anyone, but don't want to lose money. Asking $17,000. It is NOT mint, but again, It's SOLID.

Please feel free to ask Q's. I will answer as honestly as I can. I will have hubby answer any technical questions...

 

[yotadude520]

So does it run and drive or is the motor still kaputz?

 

[Ms Kitty]

Motor has a baseball size hole in the oil pan, does NOT run.

 

[yotadude520]

Awh man. As sad as I am to say it but you're probably not going to get your asking price with a non-running cruiser...there was one in very nice shape with a blown motor (but had a new one to swap in) a couple months ago and he was asking $12k.

I hope you get what you're money out of it, but I think it may sell better if you fix the motor or just go ahead and keep it!

Either way I wish you luck! Sorry about your cruiser

 

[Ms Kitty]

Thanks Yotadude. I saw that one too...when i was trying to decide if I was going to sell or fix... My price is/was a starting point. It may well be too much, but then, I'm still on the fence about selling it. If I could only find a reliable engine mechanic, I might keep it. I just wasn't expecting it to be this hard finding 1) a GOOD 2F engine, AND 2) someone willing to install it and get it running again...with out killing us...in the Chicago area.

Best!

Cat

 

[7schulz]

Have you asked the Windy City group if they know of a good mechanic?
IL- Windy City Land Cruisers

 

[Ms Kitty]

No! I didn't think there was a group in IL....I reviewed the 'clubhouses' section (isn't there where they'd be?)...Gosh I am bad at navigating this site

Thanks 7schulz!

 

[Ms Kitty]

Have you asked the Windy City group if they know of a good mechanic?
IL- Windy City Land Cruisers

I just found the WINDY CITY LAND CRUISERS in the 'East' group Never thought to look there...

 

[7schulz]

Good deal and good luck

 

[Goebeler]

Where in Chicago are you or the cruiser ?
Any pics of the interior and or engine compartment?

Goebs

 

[Ms Kitty]

Hi Goebs, Just posted additional pictures in the Miss Kitty media album

 

[Goebeler]

Pics help. Is it just in the pictures or did the paint on the tub not match the doors, roof, and hood?

Is the cruiser stored inside of is it out and available to take a look at in person?

 

[Ms Kitty]

You have keen eyes regarding the colors... In my original post, I mentioned the mechanic that had the car for 3 winters...That is a brand-stinkin'new paint job. Sadly (and madly), the reds DON'T match! It cost him our patronage, ...BUT after waiting SO long to get my car back, NO WAY was I letting him 'fix' it ...That said, he did a full to the metal repair of the body (no bondo) and coated the underside. It hasn't been on the streets in winter north of the Mason-Dixon line since we got it back.

I see you're in Libertyville? My car is in storage about 1.5 hours south of Chicago. If you're willing to drive that far, we can meet you. It's parked about 5 miles north of Watseka, IL.

 

[Goebeler]

Sorry to hear your troubles with the guy. That is a big oops.

I will chime back if time permits to make the trip south. I fear knowing the paint needs help and the engine being shot, I may have to pass for fear of insulting on potential purchase price offer. Been super deep in cruisers over the years and get how it adds up.

For the time being, I think I have to pass.

Best of luck on the sale. Clean cruisers are hard to come by in these parts.