Multi car conundrum

[7991LXnSHO]

In our house, we have 4 licensed drivers.
Wife has a Kia Sportage (needs hitch for the yard waste trailer).
Daughter, Maria Andretti, has a good Vibe. (The double meanings both apply.)
Junior has what was my Mercury Grand Marquis. (It was a long term loan until he could afford a truck or inherit Grandpa's Sport Track. But he likes the big car a lot, even leaving the Masonic and Shrine stickers on the taillights.)
I have three "old" cars that I do not want to see salted roads.
1. My 91 5.0. The weather has not been kind to the rubber trim and MAACO paint job this last year.
2. My Covair that should finally be out of the restoration shop soon, and is ready for parades and local shows in addition to driving.
3. A 65 olds Cutlass Holiday coupe that's been in the family since ordered new.

Not that I drive every day or cannot take the Kia, but I no longer have a winter car. Insurance is telling me I have three toys, AKA “for pleasure use”.

I am considering selling the Olds, and have since I bought back the Corvair back (my first car). I've waited 23+ years to get the Olds repainted again. And before I started the LONG Corvair restoration, I swiped a road marker with the Cutlass. Finding the trim was difficult enouch to make me wonder about driving it. So a lot of the joy has been taken out of the car after replacing many parts at least twice over 34 years. Finding all the factory defects in the Holley carb was a drag, and there were many. Power disc brakes, paint and modern ratio power steering box would make it ready for regular driving and local shows, and parades. (The power drums have been rebuilt to new specs and are still not fun for highway panic stops!) But am I nuts for wanting to rehome it after 34 years in my name?
I could dig into tne Mustang, drive the Corvair when no salt is out, and have a simple, beater truck or another bandwagon Van for hauling stuff in if I sold the Cutlass. Or would I be selling a white elephant family member?
I'm not sure I am going to last long enough for two consecutive restorations that run long, although they would be paint and rubber parts projects. Oh, and brake upgrades. The interiors and drive trains are fine.
Maria wants the Cutlass in my will. Junior wants the 5.0. Neither drives a clutch yet, but that needs fixed anyway.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

 

[General karthief]

My thoughts?
You don't have enough toys to win when you die.

 

[limp]

Do you enjoy driving the cutlass when you take it out?? I had to admit to myself after 32 years and a rotisserie restoration when I bought it, it was time for my 67 Dodge to go to a new home..... Did I have moments when I walked into the garage ( after I sold it) and panicked when it wasn't there, sure, but I am actually kinda glad its gone...
MUCH MORE excited about tooling around in a 5 speed mustang......
Just my opinion....

 

[LILCBRA]

I go through this from time to time about my cars too. I always end up talking myself out of selling any of them because I know I'd regret it later at some point. The only one I'd consider since I really have no emotional attachment to would be my 87 GT, but I've acquired so many parts over the last few years I can't see myself parting with it until I do everything.

My opinion, fwiw, is to hold on to it.

 

[7991LXnSHO]

Wow! I need to not type on my Kindle, especially after a long day! I edited the original post for readability.
If I do keep all three cars, I need to build a bigger detached garage. I still need a shop of some size anyway.

The car in question has not been driven in more than a year. I need to get the new insurance card in it and take it for a spin.
And as far as having the most toys, I have enough music stuff to be in the running. Those do need thinned out.

 

[7991LXnSHO]

And as long as the bills are paid and I’m content, and she has something reliable to drive, the Mrs. does not care much what I do with the cars. Which is great. Except if I don’t like the result, it’s my fault only.

 

[mustystang]

If you have the space and can afford to keep them all, I would keep them. They are nice cars. Cars are meant to be driven though. Put bigger engines in them and make them fun to drive.

Make the 91 mustang the salt car. It's old and slow enough to see some abuse. I always put things in perspective of my 2008 v6, which I drive harddd. I definitely want something faster. That 91 gt may have more base hp and torque on paper, but over time those go down. Also use https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/ford-0-60-mph-times/ to gauge. My 2008 v6, which I consider slow as molasses (pretty sure new v6 camry can smoke me), does 6.5 sec 0-60 mph and 15.3 sec qtr mile (using 2007 from website to estimate). 1991 GT, even with the extra base hp and torque, does 7.2 sec 0 to 60 and 15.6 sec qtr mile at best. Each year those numbers get slower due to degradation over time. Abuse that 91 gt like it was meant to be abused and have some fun. Do what you can to preserve it from the salt, but if it gets some salt it's not the end of the world. I'm drooling over the new gen mustangs and can't wait to have over 400 hp one day. The newer ones get better mpg too with more power, so it's a double win. Technology is cool.

 

[7991LXnSHO]

If you have the space and can afford to keep them all, I would keep them. They are nice cars. Cars are meant to be driven though. Put bigger engines in them and make them fun to drive.

Make the 91 mustang the salt car. It's old and slow enough to see some abuse. I always put things in perspective of my 2008 v6, which I drive harddd. I definitely want something faster. That 91 gt may have more base hp and torque on paper, but over time those go down. Also use https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/ford-0-60-mph-times/ to gauge. My 2008 v6, which I consider slow as molasses (pretty sure new v6 camry can smoke me), does 6.5 sec 0-60 mph and 15.3 sec qtr mile (using 2007 from website to estimate). 1991 GT, even with the extra base hp and torque, does 7.2 sec 0 to 60 and 15.6 sec qtr mile at best. Each year those numbers get slower due to degradation over time. Abuse that 91 gt like it was meant to be abused and have some fun. Do what you can to preserve it from the salt, but if it gets some salt it's not the end of the world. I'm drooling over the new gen mustangs and can't wait to have over 400 hp one day. The newer ones get better mpg too with more power, so it's a double win. Technology is cool.

That’s been done.
I have time slips for the Mustang that calculate 325-350 Hp.
The Cutlass’ “high torque” 330 got slightly lowered compression, hardened valve seats and parts from Edelbrock to make up the difference.
The Corvair got a larger engine that also increased power while keeping it good for cruising.

 

[mustystang]

That’s been done.
I have time slips for the Mustang that calculate 325-350 Hp.
The Cutlass’ “high torque” 330 got slightly lowered compression, hardened valve seats and parts from Edelbrock to make up the difference.
The Corvair got a larger engine that also increased power while keeping it good for cruising.

Does it have mods then? Everything I'm seeing says 225 hp and 300 torque, assuming they were somewhat honest in listing their specs. I know in the past real results have varied from listed values.

 

[Potomus Pete]

What is the Olds worth?? I would consider selling that, and if you can afford it. Splitting the money per family member. If you have the room, and they are covered nice keep them

 

[COramprat]

I feel your pain. I dont have the old car options but I still need to thin my herd. My '13 MKS is my daily. I have a '00 F150 that currently needs a starter that I've been to lazy (my excuse is it's too hot outside) to change. I have my 03 Saleen that I drive occasionally and has a light miss I've been too lazy to track down. Then there is the 66 Mustang that currently won't start. Throw in my dad's '07 GT500 that he doesn't drive anymore and I've got a car lot. I'm tempted to sell the Lincoln and the Saleen and buy me a newer Mustang. Better yet, sell those and the GT 500 and get a newer GT 500 or Saleen Black Label and trade three for one. I just can't seem to pull the trigger on any of it. My point in all this is...don't ask me.

 

[COramprat]

2003 saleen should have good suspension right? I would keep it and use that as my daily, or the 2007 GT 500. I'd keep both. Unless you know for sure you can afford a new gt500 or gt350. Nothing wrong with older mustangs that have good power. I would check out putting a shot or more on the saleen. It's not too new and you have backups if something were to go wrong. Sell the MKS lol. Play around with the saleen.

No matter what the Lincoln will be 1st to go. I don't need it anymore now that I work a little closer to home. The Saleen needs some TLC. Still runs and could use some new struts. It has an exhaust leak that I think is on a header. At any rate it needs work. Selling the Lincoln will give me some spare cash to fix it. I'm not sure if it's that @7991LXnSHO has the time or if it's the gumption to work on cars anymore but its a chore for me now. I ache all over after just changing my oil. I'm tempted to bring my F150 to the shop to fix. I know the Saleen will have to go for a header swap. I've barely delved into why the 66 won't start.

 

[COramprat]

Back to the original post. @7991LXnSHO do you have family you could sell the Olds to? Or 66 Mustang is the same. Been in tbr family since new.

 

[7991LXnSHO]

Back to the original post. @7991LXnSHO do you have family you could sell the Olds to? Or 66 Mustang is the same. Been in tbr family since new.

There is a great uncle that wheels and deals, but might keep it. But that’s not likely a long term home.

 

[nickyb]

keep the olds,its family. build the bigger garage if you can, retire somewhere with no salt or snow.
this is my 2 cents, take it with a grain of salt.

 

[mustystang]

After looking at more pics I guess you could sell the cutlass. My cousin had a 1971 Chevelle he redid that was pretty sick. Side by side Chevelle wins for me personally.

 

[Potomus Pete]

Lets see a picture of the Olds. Should be interesting

 

[limp]

After looking at more pics I guess you could sell the cutlass. My cousin had a 1971 Chevelle he redid that was pretty sick. Side by side Chevelle wins for me personally.

Do you really think thats a fair comparison?? I do not believe we are talking about a 442 or Hurst olds here......
One of my retired friends and I were talking the other day how people rent out storage units for years spending THOUSANDS of dollars on $300 of junk.....
I want to ad that I do NOT think the olds we are talking about is junk, just adding some food for thought....

 

[7991LXnSHO]

Not a 442, not a 6 cylinder F-85.

A more recent pic would be of a closed garage door. I am currently running body color, 15” station wagon (wider than the stock donuts) steel wheels with the factory center caps and wider trim rings, and a vintage bug deflector. The 15” rims came with center caps and narrow trim rings in 65. I have 5 Super Stock (later factory Olds wheels) in 15” that might be painted and installed when I need new tires.

 

[limp]

Not a 442, not a 6 cylinder F-85.

Wasn't there a turbo engined model around that Era?????