1971-80 Pintos: these cars (a.k.a. the Fordswagen) were notorious for the "vicarious liability" lawsuits in the 1970s, and if one is found, be careful of the OEM fuel tank (even those retrofitted with rubber guards and/or plastic baffles), or use a fuel cell.  I would avoid getting one of these firetraps, because there was a lot of publicity back in the disco decade (e.g. the Indiana case in which three teenage girls were incinerated in a 1973 Pinto, as well as a $128 million dollar lawsuit that was settled in a Pinto case in 1978) on the overall quality of the Pinto.

Here's some Pinto/Bobcat links:

The Ford Pinto Page

Kevin G's Pinto Page

10-second Pinto Page (seen in Hot Rod {4/99}magazine)

 

Note: the Pinto case might have led to Lee Iacocca's firing from FoMoCo in 1978, in which the Pinto was the likely cause, but the true nature is a pay raise from Henry Ford II!

AMCs (include Ramblers, Hudsons, and Nash vehicles), Checkers, Henry J, Willys-Overland, Cord, Dusenberg, Packards, and Studebakers: These cars (from 1954-87) are the last remmants of the independent automakers besides the "BiG 3", and parts for these cars (e.g. sheetmetal, weatherstripping, lenses) are hard to locate, since the independent automakers do not have a parent company for replacement parts.  AMC V8s are a rare find in the wrecking yard (look under the hood of a 1970-91 Jeep J-series pickup or SUV), and a Small Block Chevrolet is a good idea for an engine swap, since a Pacer was fitted with a Chevrolet 350 (the movie car used in Wayne's World).

Note: this might include Jeeps with AMC V8s, and what holds true for AMC vehicles is that a Small Block Chevrolet will swap into a Jeep. The 4.0 six is still in production, since Chrysler bought the blueprints for the motor in 1987. Another trivia for Chrysler fans is that the police vehicle being offered as an AHB package is a Jeep Cherokee (which is a Chrysler vehicle that does not have the traditional Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth nameplate)!

Another thing that might be of interest to AMC owners is that various components (steering boxes, trannies, alternators, master cylinders) are manufactured by either of the "BiG 3" divisions, and reputable parts manufacturers like Borg-Warner and Wagner would stock available components.

AMC parts are still available from any Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth dealer; use the Jeep part numbers.

Any 1978-85 GM vehicle with the 350 Diesel (includes the 260 Diesel and the 4.3L V6 Diesel):  Any GM with the Oldsmobile-built 350 Diesel should be avoided, since these cars were virtually "lemons" from the factory.  Originally, GM was marketing diesel-powered vehicles to meet fuel economy standards, and that the lessons learned from the first energy crisis of 1973/74 was a result of marketing the 350 Diesel.  The resale value is low, and the good thing about diesel-powered vehicles is that the vehicle is emission exempt (not in all states).  These vehicles can handle a gasoline motor swap, but check out local emission laws concerning modified vehicles.

Note:  the 350 Diesel cylinder block cores are well known for cracking in the main webbing, but if the cylinder block is good, the cylinder block can serve as a foundation in building a big-inch Oldsmobile small block, since the block is heavier than their gasoline counterparts.

Imports (e.g. Rice Burners, Lux-o-Euros): If's it free, don't think of hopping one of these cars up.  It's not worth spit, and cruise events and/or car shows wouldn't allow imports, unless it's a popular car like a VW Beetle, Nissan Z-car, or Miata.  Any sport version of a Nip car (e.g. Nissan Z-cars, RWD Toyota Celicas, Mazda RX7) might serve as candidates for Small Block Chevy swaps, but check out local emission laws first.  Other pre-1980s-era RWD Nip cars may not have enough room for a V8 swap (e.g. Datsun B210, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Cosmo).   Bad publicity by Hyundai in the early 90s, in which a commercial was axed, due to the Rodney King beating.

Any car that has front wheel drive: These cars (e.g. Hyundai Excel, Geo Prizm, Honda Civic, Pontiac 6000, Saturn, 1980-85 GM X-cars) are not worth spit, and to a lesser degree, serve as recyclable waste. This is what I call the "worthless trash" or "piece of plastic" that everyone (Gen Xers) drives today. Has no future in a drag race for a front wheel burnout and/or high speed pursuit.  Originally, these cars are the backbone of the modern automobile, since this was possibly a direct response to the second energy crisis of 1979, and the fear that a gallon of gasoline would have sold for $3 a gallon.  Another thing is that these cars were outselling full-size cars (and possibly led to the extinction of the V8 powered family sedans), and led to the SUV/minivan boom.

Junkyard/derelict/basket case/abandoned vehicles:  These vehicles should be avoided, because is't a PITA to re-title a motor vehicle that is residing in a salvage yard, and/or locating missing parts for basket case vehicles (e.g. missing body panels, stripped interiors, and/or mechanical parts).  Wrecking yards DO NOT re-sell junkyard property, unless the vehicle is a "reconstructed" vehicle from wrecked halves, or an insurance write-off.  This holds true for abandoned vehicles, in which hauling off the carcass might be considered unlawful, and a criminal offense (under various penal codes concerning stolen property) under individual state laws.  When purchasing a motor vehicle, always ensure that the documents are present (e.g. valid title, smog certificate, bill of sale).  It's better to purchase a car for $1200 rather than going through red tape and/or the legal process.

Note:  Retitling a motor vehicle is risky, as long as there is proof that the vehicle in question isn't stolen or hot.  There are out-of-state title services, that will process the necessary paperwork to obtain a title in your state.  In some cases, the salvage yard might be of some assistance, in which they may or may not have the documents on the vehicle in question.

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Burning Volve image courtesy of Don Seributra (11/99).
1967 Chevelle image courtesy of Don Seributra (10/17/99).
AMC logo courtesy of American Motors Corporation (absorbed by Chrysler Corporation/DaimlerChrysler)