Big decision to make about my GN

[TR Custom Parts]

Been kicking around the idea of doing a hybrid car since I heard about a local 67 Nova being for sale.

After finally getting a chance to look at the car, I need to make a decision. Since I am not rolling in dough at the moment with our house sucking up every spare dime I have, I would have to sell the GN to finance this new project.

The Nova is perfect for doing the transplant of a TR drivetrain. It is pretty much a shell but is completely done as far a paint goes. Best of all it is black! It is mini tubbed and comes with new Weld wheels. I was sort of disappointed in the fact that it is running 26 11.50 x 15 ET Streets as they seem too short for the car. Quarters seem a bit tight to the tire. Tons of height in the wheeltubs though. Might be able to fit a skinnier but taller rear tire on it.

Sooo, should I sell the GN or just pass on this. The guy wants $7000 for it and I know it probably would take at least $15,000 if not more to get the car the way I want it.

Took a bunch of pics of the Nova and will post them later. What do you think I could get for my GN? 24,000 miles on it, probably a high 9 out of 10 condition. If I sell it I would include the 3 sets of wheels I have for it. Here is a site on my GN.

http://www.buickgn.com/boost.html

 

[TurboShane]

There is now way I would sell a GN to make a hybrid, only way I would do it is if you could keep both. That's just my opinion.

 

[vicious6]

In my opinion I would also keep the GN. Even though the Nova would be a neat car, it is no TR. It would also not have the reliability of the GN seeing that it would require alot of fabrication. I would not trade your GN for two hybrid Novas. Just my opinion.

 

[WakkoSS]

The GN will hold it's value...not the Nova.

 

[FastRegalWE2]

I am thinking I would keep the GN....

 

[Blwn87]

The Nova may have the heart of a GN but not the pulse. Keep the GN!!!

 

[ledzeppac]

GN

 

[broke1]

If you really want to do it,I say go for it!!Its going to be your car,not ours.You know you will never get your $$$ back out of either one.Ever.I would keep what I have.

If the guy with the Nova wants $7k,id offer $5k-$6k.Id bet hed take it.

 

[wagon]

Hey Mark,
I'm not going to answer, because it is your choice in the end that matters, BUT, you can drive the GN right now, right? The Nova is going to take you how long to put together the way you want? That's a long way off. And...... I built myself a hybrid, and love the thing. My intention was to have both, the waGoN, and the GN. Well, New England wrecked the GN, and it is now rotting in the back yard, not worth what it would take to put it back together. You know, I miss driving the car. So, I went and bought another. I love the waGoN, but still want a GN, so I am right now in the garage putting my new one together. If you get the Nova, and change your mind and decide that you want a GN, will you ever be able to find one as nice as yours to replace it? You decide.

Brian

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by BuickGn Boosted
The guy wants $7000 for it and I know it probably would take at least $15,000 if not more to get the car the way I want it.

You mean 7, plus the 15, right?.
Getting something like that going is gonna cost alot to get really right, IMO.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

I think I could do it for 22k total including the cost of the car. It comes with two rechromed bumpers and the interior which needs to be recovered. All the other trim comes with the car but being the way I am I would replace it all with new.

Actually I just got back from my 30th high school reunion and have decided to dismantle my GN and make it a donor car for the drivetrain. Then I am going to sell what's left on ebay.






























Gotcha! Had a lot of beer at the reunion but I'm not that crazy. Here are some pics of the Nova and the paint and bodywork on it are straight as an arrow. I think he is asking quite a bit for basically a shell but this thing is just begging for some attention.

I am going to the Foxwoods casino tomorrow so if I hit big I will buy it.

http://www.buickgn.com/nova1.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova2.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova3.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova4.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova5.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova6.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova12.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova8.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova9.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova10.jpg
http://www.buickgn.com/nova11.jpg

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by BuickGn Boosted
I think I could do it for 22k total including the cost of the car. It comes with two rechromed bumpers and the interior which needs to be recovered. All the other trim comes with the car but being the way I am I would replace it all with new.

Shell sure looks good in the pics.

Is this going to be a cruiser or race car?.

I'm not really well versed on the specifics of them there Novas, but earlier this year I saw one that had a new front end in it, that looked really nice.

Best of luck with her....

 

[TR Custom Parts]

It would be a cruiser type car with the occasional trip to the track. I would end up replacing the entire front subframe with one of the kits they have out there with rack and pinion steering. Would make dropping the motor in a lot easier without dealing with the Nova's rear steering setup.

Not saying I am actually going to do this and in a way I was hoping the car wasn't that nice to tell you the truth.

 

[Nashty]

My GN was pretty nice. But it was in the end, just another Regal at most car shows. That C2 is flat cool, do it, and you won't look back. A properly done hybrid is definetly going to have some value when complete. The GN market isn't going up in value much, if any. You'll always be able to buy another low mile GN, it will probably be a little higher but I wouldn't worry about $30,000 GN's for a while just yet.

If you keep the car driveable, you'll love it. All the character of that shag nasty body style and the unique attention of that vicious V6 in there. I love my Metro and drive it probably as much locally as I ever did my GN. The GN was too radical for true street car status for me, I just didn't want to put that many miles on the motor. And when I take the Metro out for a cruise, it gets attention. I'm scheduled to be featured in a national publication and a regional one this year and the car isn't even painted yet! I've placed third in 2 of the 3 shows this summer. Heck, the damn thing was in GSXTRA and they didn't even contact me for info! People like new and innovative stuff.

I'd do the Metro again in a heartbeat. It was really rewarding to build and is a blast to take out. Venture out from the crowd, it's fun out here.

BTW, one last caveat and it sounds like you're prepared realistically with your budget. Hybrids get pretty expensive. And, be prepared to be really patient.

 

[murphster]

On the other hand there are tons of fast Nova's out there. Won't have the same auora of a GN with only a V6 since everyone would think the Nova probably has some monster motor in it anyway. Won't get noticed as much as the GN for a cruiser until you open the hood, but you won't have to worry about making cutoff dates! If it were me, I'd have to think how long the novelty would last. Sure, you can get bored with the GN sometimes, but eventually you'll get bored with the Nova too. Just hope it won't happen for a long time and you won't regret selling the GN with all the history you put in it.

If you were putting it in a Chevelle, that'd be a different story. Look for a '67 Chevelle donor, that'd be sweet! I'm just more partial to the Chevelles rather than the Novas. If you do end up getting the Nova, you'd have to put some custom size GN wheels on it for cruising around. Get the GN interior too. Do it right and it has some potential.

Just think, you'd become a former GN owner. Heh.

I like it when you pull up somewhere and hear the people going "Oooooooh, its a grand national, those things are fast". You might miss it more than you think.

 

[Geoff87]

My $.02.........

I'd pass. But that's just me.......

 

[AsphaltAnihil8r]

Most say a paint job is $5000,does this look like a $5000 paint job,if so I would jump on that car and do what your heart is set out to do,,you only live once..

 

[2 QK 4 U]

That Nova is real nice looking, Has lots of potential...however, those type of cars look like they should have a BBC in them and be loud as heck. It would be different with LC2, very unique.

My two Lincolns----Keep GN

 

[Little6pack]

OK here is my 2 cents....

Mark has the 7 year itch.. I say keep the GN & buy the nova also.
Make the NOVA a LOOOOOONG term project.

I met a guy on Cape Cod who had a GN motor in an El-camino. I almost laughed when he said he needed $14.5k sales price

I could barley get 14.5k for my GN with the pikers that live in New England.

 

[Black Box]

Mark,
I've never seen your car in person, but if it looks as good face to face as it does in pics, then by all means keep it.

I was about 2mm away from selling the GN early this spring, but changed my mind. I'm glad I did, I'd be kickin myself right now if I sold it. Its set in stone now, I am the final owner of my GN.

Our cars are unique, mysterious and BAD ASS. They attract stares of confusion and awe. Way better than any Chevy II, even though that car looks real good.

I do feel your plight though, by next summer I'll be working on my next project (Camaro), its something I feel I have to do.

Just MHO bud.
Good luck no matter what you decide.
Steve