should i trade my bug for this 53 barnette coach?

[staynedglass]

first the pictures are huge. this is so you guys can see as much of the rot as i do. i'm conflicted. on the one hand my bug is a driver (change the jets and valve cover gaskets) on the other this a 53 pontiac hearse(sort of)

here is the guys words and i quote
"1953 pontiac hearse, coackman Barnette out of W. Virginia, chassis change, now sitting on a '78 olds frame which was lengthened 5 ft to fit the body, with a dic brake set up and a turbo 350 trans, needs to be wired up to run and needs a drive shaft in order for the trans to work, no floor in the back, it was wood but was removed twhen the chassis was changed, but there is a floor in the fronnt compartment, dash is orig and intacted, it has a GM coliunm w/key, the body needs extensive work, both rockers and a fist size hole in the roof as seen in the pics its been channeled 4 inches also to make it low to the ground, would make a great and rare rat rod for someone who is eager and talented and has a large place to keep it cause it is 19 and 1/2 feet long,"
i talked with him on the phone and he said it does have a 307 engine. it's plumbed with a booster for the disc brakes. but is very much a project.
first for those that haven't seen it pics of the bug(and i have put ALOT of work into this bug)




now pics of the 53









oh yeah. I'm in Athens GA the seller is 13.5 hours away from me in Pennsylvania.

so what are your opinions? good,bad

[R U INJRD]

That Pontiac needs a lot of work, but it looks badass. I don't care what it "needs", first thing I would do is put a super chief siren in the center of the grille. (I guess it wouldn't make sense unless it was a combo, but I'd do it anyway...)

On the other hand, you can usually have more fun with a driver than a project, and that project wil be another project just getting it home.

[staynedglass]

That Pontiac needs a lot of work, but it looks badass. I don't care what it "needs", first thing I would do is put a super chief siren in the center of the grille. (I guess it wouldn't make sense unless it was a combo, but I'd do it anyway...)

hell I'm not worried at all about what makes sense. I'll do what i like and want and anybody else that doesn't like it can just grumble about how i fucked up a good car.

On the other hand, you can usually have more fun with a driver than a project, and that project wil be another project just getting it home.

and there in lies my dilema. so what would YOU do?

[60Buick]

You can always buy and build another bug, they are plentyful and the second go around you can improve what you did the first time and change what you didn't like. The best part is you can do it while looking at the badass hearse you are trading the old bug for. Don't be a puss. If you want it do it.

[Highbars]

I'll do what i like and want and anybody else that doesn't like it can just grumble about how i fucked up a good car.

Look in your soul for the answer because ultimately you have answered your own question....

My opinion Look for a project and keep the bug to beat the hell out of....

[hotroddwayne]

The Pontiac may look a little rough but it has some strong points. The best being it was built from a donor car... so all the drivetrain, column, brakes, suspension etc. are all from 1 car. It sucks ending up with a car built from whatever was accessable @ the junkyard that day. The driveshaft will be your most expensive piece to have made to get it on the road. Fab up some rocker panels & get that body straightened up & you'll have a great driver. I'd do it depending on what the arrangements are for transporting it... is he coming to you, meeting 1/2 way, or do you have to do all the traveling? You obviously have the skills to put that coach together, just decide if you want the bug or the coach & do what you feel dude. It looks awful low, bet it'll be fun getting onto a trailer. Building cars from a donor car aren't hard to do, it's mainly re-mounting everything to work as it did on the donor car. I've built several "driver" hotrods that way & even used the donor car wiring harness, gas tank, seats, & everything else needed... it makes trips to the parts store a breeze knowing exactly what you need.

[StrayCat]

hell I'm not worried at all about what makes sense. I'll do what i like and want and anybody else that doesn't like it can just grumble about how i fucked up a good car.



and there in lies my dilema. so what would YOU do?

..............I think we may have been separated at birth.


Comming from a fellow VW builder, .....get the coach. Trust me. No matter what headaches it gives you, you'll love it regardless. Afterall, you have VWs.....talk about headaches......

[60Crown]

Another vote for the coach.

Curious though - What appeals to you most about the deal? That you want a coach, you're gung-ho on an early Poncho, you've found someone willing to trade, diminishing your out of pocket expense, or..?

[R U INJRD]

You can always buy and build another bug, they are plentyful and the second go around you can improve what you did the first time and change what you didn't like. The best part is you can do it while looking at the badass hearse you are trading the old bug for. Don't be a puss. If you want it do it.

Well, that made up MY mind....

[STODD]

That Poncho is cool as fuck. Trade, trade, trade!

And by the way, your poll is void. Lord Monkey Satan is an asshole is not on it. The rule was made years ago: "To make a poll valid, "Lord Monkey Satan is an asshole" must be one of the selections."

[Custom Coffin Works]

hell I'm not worried at all about what makes sense. I'll do what i like and want and anybody else that doesn't like it can just grumble about how i fucked up a good car.

You should totally Ecto that bad boy! That would really stir up some action here on the board!

[Vampirate_Maiden]

I can see why you have a hard time deciding. I say flip a coin. Heads, keep the bug. Tales, get the hearse.

[corpses bride]

Well after driving 15hrs to pick up Emily this weekend i would make it again. That things way cooler and bugs are all over. How many have you found? I know of 2 bugs that could be built. Well a project is very time n $ but look what you will have!!!! SUPER COOL CAR

[staynedglass]

well never mind. looks like some one beat me to the punch.

[tonytheskin]

sucks man. you would have made that one badass car.