HI all,
I recently was given the oportunity to get a 1972 145e for $150, with a rusted out fuel tank, and in need of tuning, The body is fair and the interior also, the car was parked because it had gas in the fuel tank and the fuel pump had died, there is a new pump with the car, is there anything about this car that would make it worth anything more than this? What would it be worth once running great?
Thanks!
Sean

Chances are you will have to replace Calipers, exhaust, alternator, and lots of rubber bits, like F.I. hoses and such. I got 165-15 tires for $30 each new at pepboys.
I love mine. The lowest overhead comfortable ride available, with a good heater. Kind of loud, but then I've resisted caving in for $200 for a new starla exhaust. Check prices for bits at carparts.com or drivewire.com. Surprising what they have listed for these 30+ year old cars.

For me, the biggie question would be rust. Everything else is pretty easily fixed. I honestly don't really know what the market is on early 140 wagons, but I sure like 'em. I actively searched for 2 years for a good rust free example before finding one. I paid $600 for it....and I would probably have paid $2000, but then, the one I found is the better part of extraordinary.

Then just a couple months ago, a fella knocked on my door offering me another ''70 model for free. Hadn't run in a while and it was an auto. But, after seeing it, I wouldn't let the guy take less than $100 out of my pocket. Admittedly, I didn't/don't need it, but my emotions came to play. Its red.

The fact that the one you found has a new fuel pump is great... That would run you about $400 alone for a new one, or $200 used. How many miles are on the car? I would guess a tank should be easy to find. But count on a suspension/steering rebuild and stuff like that unless the seller can provide reciepts of such work being done. It is often overlooked.

I'd say Mel's advice is pretty solid. If you want a 145e, and have a little time on your hands, go for it! If you are trying to roll it over and make a few bucks... might not be worth it unless the body and interior are very very good. But, at $150, about all you can lose is the time you put into it. Sounds like a fair price to me and if it were in my neck of the woods, I'd surely be going for a looksee.

But that's me. I'm wierd about 140 wagons...and I don't think there are a lot of other folks out there like me.

So...I assume its a straight 4 speed? And...what color is it? Personally, I like red and the light green colors the best.

Keep us posted!
-Matt

There is certainly $150 worth of parts on it!!
My 164 needs a windshield.... (badly frosted in 33 years)
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

My rule of thumb is if it's running and roadable, it's worth $500 and anything above that is dependant on all sorts of moving target variables. You live in the heart of aging hippie land so old Volvos might go high or maybe there is a glut of them on the market for the same reason.

My other rule applies to non-runners. Never count on it being worth more than the value of entertainment and satisfaction from bringing a machine back to life. I try not to buy or even accept one as a gift unless I'm prepared to sell my current ride and drive the new project long enough to spread the losses over an extended period. They almost always end up taking so many nickel and dime items that they cost hundreds more than you will get out of them. That doesn't make a project a bad idea, just you have to do it because you want to, not to make a profit.

That said, you might get a tank for $50 and new filters, a rotor and cap and plugs for another $50 and be on your way. Sell it for $500 and you have $250 profit.

Mel