This GT-E, in my opinion, is a classic example of one that is too good and too not-so-good. It's stuck in a bit of a "no Man's land", as it is a bit too tired to be called a collector's car and it is too nice to be a car for the average Joe to buy and drive, of course. It is tough to buy a 427 and just start drivin' it around on a regular basis, as it is rare and it has it's quirks and must be well cared for and worried over constantly..one feels safer with this kind of car in the garage, mostly, and feels obligated to stay out of foul weather, etc.
It is going to be a GREAT buy for someone who simply wants a good looking and very rare car, but it still takes 50-55K to get it bought. There are a lot of very cool cars around for that kind of money these days. A LOT.
Conversely, the car is a total project for the guy that wants to build a show car or an auction car. The rust issues and body issues are one thing, but it is also a bit tired in the seats, the chrome (window frames, for example), the anodized Stainless, the dash, emblems, etc. The biggest problem, to me, if I was looking for that original Patina, though, is the fact that it was repainted quite a few years ago and still shows some wear and tear. If it was original wear-and-tear, I'd love the time-capsule look. But it isn't. It is too good (and expensive) to feel like taking on as a project, but it is too tired to be a real "Show-Car" example of a GT-E. I like the exterior color, but that interior color is gonna take someone who has that particular "taste", which could be difficult.
There really aren't too many regular-'ol GT-E "drivers" around, but this is a great candidate. But in this day and age, there is not a lot of Home Equity money laying around for the hobbyist to take advantage of, and there are a SLUG of cars around in the 30-60K price range that can be bought in almost perfect condition..they aren't GT-E Cougars, though
